Using phone as a key. Not a good idea.

[Az_Rael]

Wednesday night my phone key was being problematic in a dark parking lot in a bad part of Palmdale. I was not too happy about having to dig in my purse to fish out the phone and dork with the app as I stood exposed by my car. The keycard is in my wallet in the same purse, so both methods of opening the car required me to be standing there digging in my purse in the dark. There have been drug related shootings in the park next door so my fears about the neighborhood are not unfounded.

I wish I had a fob.

 

[AustinPowers]

My phone has a cover/sleeve in which I have three things - license, credit card and now this tesla key card. That is all I need to travel anywhere in the US. I don't even own a wallet.

Yeah, right, as if you never needed any cash. Or do you keep that jingling around in your trouser pocket like many Americans (and British) I know seem to do?

I hate cash myself, but as long as there are so many places where you can't pay with a card (debit or credit) or your phone, it's just an annoying necessity. Hence the need for a wallet as well. Plus, where to put all the other cards? I've got about ten I need frequently. Too many to put in any sleeve with my phone.

And about the original topic: I rarely take my phone with me. What for anyway? And with the keycard I wouldn't be able to open the trunk, frunk etc. easily from the outside.
I would very much welcome a fob, especially as the one for the Model S looks so cool too.

 

[N5329K]

Have the key card with you. Just put it in your wallet and forget about it unless you need it.

If your phone is too big to fit comfortably in your pocket, maybe you need a smaller phone? Somehow tens of millions of Americans manage to carry their phone with them.

And then there are those who don't want or don't need to carry a phone, big or small. A fob is smaller than any phone. Fits in any pocket. Being forced into doing something you just don't want to do seems a poor sales strategy.
Robin

 

[brkaus]

Where is the option - I've already noticed many threads with the same poll?

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I see absolutely no harm in Tesla selling Model 3 keyfobs to those who want to buy them. It's not a big deal at all.

 

[Woosie]

The car should not dictate how we use our phones or what kind of phone we own.

The fact that new threads like this are popping up nearly daily as more new owners are having issues with the phone key speaks volumes. This is a real problem that Tesla is going to need to address and the cop out response of it being a phone issue and not a car issue isn't going to cut it.

Agree, it is a problem that needs to be addressed, not a design issue that needs to be fundamentally changed.

Deleting the use of a key fob is as impactful as going fully electric, to some. There’s no doubt that implementing the key functions in a phone app would be troublesome at first, like many apps. I’m sorry it is so - the most important thing is Tesla must keep updating the app to improve it’s usability and reliability.

 

[Zythryn]

I have my phone with me most of the time but not all the time. Usually if I am running into a gas station or store for something, I leave the phone in the car. Now I HAVE to take it with me to get the car to lock. That's not something I ever had to do with a key fob. So it s hard to see using the phone as an improvement.

My sales delivery specialist told me to turn airplane mode on and back off if my Tesla app wasn't updating. That works.

Sure, but I bet your car gets broken into less often

Leaving your phone in your car is more likely to become a victim of a smash and grab.
I’ve owned a Model 3 for almost 3 months now.
My phone as key has failed less often than my fob did for our S.

I am sorry this is forcing a change of habit for you, the key card may be a smoother transition for you even though you don’t get all the benefits of the phone as key.

I have had the message to place the key card on the center console to start the car after entering. What I have found works for me is to wait a few seconds (put on my seatbelt, stow any items, etc) and the car then starts normally).

That all said, I would not have an issue in Tesla making a fob an option as long as it doesn’t add to the price of all of their cars. If someone wants the option, they can pay for it.

 

[Visscher]

I don't carry a wallet either. It bulges my pocket and is uncomfortable. Haven't carried a wallet in over 20 years. I leave it in the car with little more than my drivers license in it. Cash and atm card in pocket.

So you can't bear to carry a keycard with your bank card but you would stuff a fob down your pocket beside your bankcard and not notice that? Weird.

 

[TexasEV]

I have my phone with me most of the time but not all the time. Usually if I am running into a gas station...

With the Model 3 you’re no longer running into gas stations. Solved that problem.

My iPhone has worked >95% of the time without having to touch it.

 

[Krugerrand]

Thanks, i'll try that in teh morning. (Today, I tried turning off the app and then turning it back on, but that didn't help.)

Regardless, its still a dumb system: smart enough to consistently unlock the doors, but not start the car.

After every update I reset the Bluetooth connection on my phone and that has eliminated 90% of the issues. The other 9.99% of issues are resolved by opening the APP, thus ‘waking up’ the car’ and getting a fresh Wifi or other connection to it particularly and specifically if I’ve been in an area with no cell service (which I am a lot) or haven’t driven the car for a while - a couple, bajillion days because my spouse has been driving it. I simply open the APP before I put my shoes on type of thing and go out the door, or if it’s a hot or cold day I’d open the APP anyway to preheat or precool the car so it’s no biggie.

 

[Krugerrand]

This is what I feel these various conversations sound like... except keys and not golf balls of course.

You got that right!!

 

[cellogig]

That all said, I would not have an issue in Tesla making a fob an option as long as it doesn’t add to the price of all of their cars. If someone wants the option, they can pay for it.

So we agree on this point.

I am sorry this is forcing a change of habit for you, the key card may be a smoother transition for you even though you don’t get all the benefits of the phone as key.

Again I agree with you. If you read my other postings regarding this issue on other threads, I want the phone key to work. I understand the benefits and how it has more options for us.
I am only trying to helpful with suggestions in which I have posted to help with phone connectivity.

Disappointed you gave me a negative.

 

[Zythryn]

So we agree on this point.




Again I agree with you. If you read my other postings regarding this issue on other threads, I want the phone key to work. I understand the benefits and how it has more options for us.
I am only trying to helpful with suggestions in which I have posted to help with phone connectivity.

Disappointed you gave me a negative.

I don’t do so lightly.

Parts of your responses are quite reasonable.
Other parts such as:

Many us were owners of either a model s or x or still are. The key fob works every time in connectivity. We do not have a key card as a backup. If the key fob is lost or the battery dies. We have an app for that..hence an app on our phone that at least gives us access to our model x or model s.

The key fob has more errors than the phone for some of us.
You also seem to assume a large percentage of people that don’t agree with you aren’t Model 3 owners or are “trolls”.
When you throw around general phrases like that, it is way to wide a brush. If you think a specific poster is a troll, or someone that isn’t an owner, please make your response specific. Otherwise it appears you are generalizing unfairly.

 

[cellogig]

I don’t do so lightly.

Parts of your responses are quite reasonable.
Other parts such as:


The key fob has more errors than the phone for some of us.
You also seem to assume a large percentage of people that don’t agree with you aren’t Model 3 owners or are “trolls”.
When you throw around general phrases like that, it is way to wide a brush. If you think a specific poster is a troll, or someone that isn’t an owner, please make your response specific. Otherwise it appears you are generalizing unfairly.

Thank you

 

[Big Dog]

Try turning off your Bluetooth and then turning it back on.

Thanks, Kruggerand. that worked

 

[North75]

So does the model 3 even have an RF receiver to pickup signals from a traditional fob? or would they have to make some kind of Bluetooth fob? What are the model S/X keyfobs? Are any other cars using Bluetooth fobs or would this need to be another potentially problematic new application?

 

[PoitNarf]

So does the model 3 even have an RF receiver to pickup signals from a traditional fob? or would they have to make some kind of Bluetooth fob? What are the model S/X keyfobs? Are any other cars using Bluetooth fobs or would this need to be another potentially problematic new application?

I'm fairly certain the newer fobs for the S and X use BTLE, so it should be possible. Elon also mentioned just a day ago or so that all Model S and X owners will soon get the ability to use their phones as a key for their vehicles, so they'll have both options. I'd bet that a fob for the Model 3 does get released at some point, but it won't be available as a standard feature of the car and you'll have to pay extra for it if you want it.

 

[Ryan Webb]

Sure, but I bet your car gets broken into less often

Leaving your phone in your car is more likely to become a victim of a smash and grab.
I’ve owned a Model 3 for almost 3 months now.
My phone as key has failed less often than my fob did for our S.

I am sorry this is forcing a change of habit for you, the key card may be a smoother transition for you even though you don’t get all the benefits of the phone as key.

I have had the message to place the key card on the center console to start the car after entering. What I have found works for me is to wait a few seconds (put on my seatbelt, stow any items, etc) and the car then starts normally).

That all said, I would not have an issue in Tesla making a fob an option as long as it doesn’t add to the price of all of their cars. If someone wants the option, they can pay for it.

I've owned our model 3 for almost 2 months....and a Model S for 3 years. My phone as key for the 3 fails more often in ONE DAY than our key fob has in the 3yrs I've owned the S. I've tried everything written here in the forums, and nothing helps - at least not permanently. I so wish I had the option for a FOB.

 

[ummgood]

Here is my thoughts after having my car a little over a couple weeks:

1. I was concerned about the reliability of my phone being used as a key. It has worked consistently since I got the car. I have never had it not work to open the doors. I have an iPhone X and the integration is flawless. I know that I might have some problem but it hasn't failed me yet.
2. I am slightly annoyed at how long it takes me to get the frunk open. I have to unlock my phone, then open the app, then click the frunk button, then click 'yes' to the are you sure prompt. I wish this was easier.
3. The charge port situation is ackward. I charge at work and as a courtesy I have to go unplug when I am done charging. The problem is the car will not release my 1772 adapter unless I unlock the car. The only easy way I have found to do this without pulling my phone out of my pocket is to open a back door and shut it. I wish there was a way to get the charge port to unlock without having to open a door or take my phone out of my pocket (maybe there is one but I have been missing it).
4. I got a Model S loaner yesterday and frankly I am annoyed by the fob. I really don't like having the extra thing in my pocket besides my wallet and phone. Even though opening the frunk on the Model S and being able to click things quickly on the fob I don't like having the extra small thing in my pocket. I have gotten used to not having keys or fobs in my pocket and I love that!

With that said I usually don't pull my phone out when I am in the car. The car does everything I want and I prefer not to text at all when I am driving. I can call/etc... with the screen so I don't miss the phone being in my pocket when I drive so I don't have the issue of leaving it in the car. I do sometimes put it in the cradle on long trips because I want it to charge and I did forget to grab it so I had to go back into the car to get it but that is very infrequent and I used to do that with my old car because I don't like leaving my phone in the car even to walk into a quick store because I am afraid someone will break into my car to get my phone.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Someone please start selling aftermarket Fobs so this argument is moot

I'd spend $50 on one.

even if all it did was unlock the car (no trunk/etc).... I think it would sell to people who want the little fobbo, and those who don't... don't need to buy it

Problem solved. Crisis averted. Let's tackle another issue. Namely where is my model Y already?!