quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:

quote:

Originally posted by 9mmepiphany:
<<snip>> The Mazda also requires that the fob be in proximity to the car while driving away...so when you get out of range the ignition cuts out

That would seem to be the obvious answer to me for car makers to implement. If the fob isn't inside the vehicle when it drives away, the car shuts off. Period!

It would also be a good idea to put a motion sensor in the fob so it only transmits when being moved.

Wouldn't transmit a signal while in the kitchen drawer and would save battery life also.

Have it stop transmitting after 5 minutes of being still (not driving).

Motion sensors have been scaled down to one cubic mm as a surface mounted device.

quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:

quote:

Originally posted by 9mmepiphany:
<<snip>> The Mazda also requires that the fob be in proximity to the car while driving away...so when you get out of range the ignition cuts out

That would seem to be the obvious answer to me for car makers to implement. If the fob isn't inside the vehicle when it drives away, the car shuts off. Period!

Our 2020 Audi may not do that. One time my wife got in the car first as passenger, and the car picked up her key fob. I didn't have my key, but didn't know it. It started fine and I dropped her at the grocery store and drove around the corner to the gas station. The car was making all kinds of beeping noises but I was looking out for traffic and didn't read the dashboard message.

Anyhow, it ran while she was definitely out of range.

Of course it wouldn't restart after I refueled. I was not popular at that moment!

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:
Why anyone would want that is beyond me. If I can’t decide for myself when the doors should be locked and push a discrete button to do it, I shouldn’t be driving at all.

That's what I thought before I got this car.

I understand the reason for it is for folks who forget to lock their car and walk away...mothers herding kids

My car does require a discrete action, but it isn't pressing a button. It requires that I touch a certain area of the car with a certain motion to activate the door locks. The reverse is true when I return. I really like the Mazda's system because unlocking the driver's door doesn't unlock the other doors.

The nice thing is that I don't have to fish around in my pocket to get the fob out to push the button to lock the car. My wife's car does require that action and I find it a bit irritating

Get a Faraday box from Amazon. The fob can't be read by the vehicle, so it doesn't send the 'go' code to the vehicle.

quote:

Originally posted by 9mmepiphany:
I understand the reason for it ....

The doors of my previous car could be locked by pushing a button on the arm rest on the driver’s or front passenger’s side. Once when my disabled wife was trying to get out and into a wheelchair, she touched the button, but I didn’t notice it until I tried to open the driver’s door. Fortunately that was in the days when it was possible to make a backup key that I carried in my wallet, but as in your case how much more likely would it be for someone to lock the doors without noticing?

I agree that some features can be a convenience despite the fact that generations of drivers managed without them, but I’m old enough to really dislike having machines think they’re smarter than I. And sometimes a feature that is a minor convenience most of the time can turn into a major inconvenience at the push of a button or sweep of the hand.

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
It would also be a good idea to put a motion sensor in the fob so it only transmits when being moved.

I like this idea a lot.

- - - - -

Amazon (eesh) sells a ton of different Faraday pouches. Here is just one example.

- - - - -

I have learned recently that some Toyota fobs have a "turn it off" function. Hold down the lock button and press the unlock button twice (fairly quickly)... watch the LED blink a few times, and you're set. At that point, the fob is "turned off" and not trying to connect with the vehicle.

Now, if you've used that function, then you'll need to actually press the unlock button when you want back into the vehicle. A very small inconvenience, I think.

- - - - -

Regarding the Mazda in 9mmepiphany's example: my former boss had a Miata that functioned that way. He started his car one morning, then realized he'd left something in the house. Left the car running (he lives out in the boonies) and went into the house, then came back to find the car had shut down. He experimented for a few minutes, finding exactly that -- when the fob gets too far away from the car, the car will shut off.

I ordered a couple of these faraday key fob pouches. Cost about $10.

Idle fobs can be scanned. They can also be turned off. See your manufacturer's instructions. It's not hard. I also use a Go Dark fob vault for the extra keys.

https://godarkbags.com/product...riant=44151447781589

A friend of my stepson had his car stolen by fob relay from inside the house.

We need to start using these as a key fob.

Must reach level 25 before you can unlock the vehicle and level 30 to start it.

Extra benefit, it'll prevent drunk driving...

quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:

quote:

Originally posted by 9mmepiphany:
<<snip>> The Mazda also requires that the fob be in proximity to the car while driving away...so when you get out of range the ignition cuts out

That would seem to be the obvious answer to me for car makers to implement. If the fob isn't inside the vehicle when it drives away, the car shuts off. Period!

I would be very surprised if the car shuts off. That could be a danger to an innocent person driving the car or even in traffic. I remember driving my wife’s car and her purse with the fib was in the trunk. She wanted to run into some store so I dropped her off at the door and drove away. As soon as she was over ten feet away the dash lit up and alarms let me know that the fob was no longer detected. The car ran perfectly fine so I went and parked.

Just to test it out it would of course no longer start after being shut down. I’m pretty sure that’s how most will work.

A faraday cage doesn't have to be grounded to work but it can enhance its effectiveness if it is.

It doesn't. It will run until it is manually shut off.

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:

quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:

quote:

Originally posted by 9mmepiphany:
<<snip>> The Mazda also requires that the fob be in proximity to the car while driving away...so when you get out of range the ignition cuts out

That would seem to be the obvious answer to me for car makers to implement. If the fob isn't inside the vehicle when it drives away, the car shuts off. Period!

I would be very surprised if the car shuts off. That could be a danger to an innocent person driving the car or even in traffic. I remember driving my wife’s car and her purse with the fib was in the trunk. She wanted to run into some store so I dropped her off at the door and drove away. As soon as she was over ten feet away the dash lit up and alarms let me know that the fob was no longer detected. The car ran perfectly fine so I went and parked.

Just to test it out it would of course no longer start after being shut down. I’m pretty sure that’s how most will work.

sigmonkey,

What is that device you posted a pic of just a few posts ago?

Bob

Miniature version of the "Simon" game.

Four color buttons, randomly light up and emit a tone.

Player has to repeat the sequence.

It creates a new patterns with increasing number in the sequence and also increases in speed of the sequence.

This. I got a faraday box off Amazon awhile back. Car keys go in it when we get home.

quote:

Originally posted by SgtGold:
Get a Faraday box from Amazon. The fob can't be read by the vehicle, so it doesn't send the 'go' code to the vehicle.

I purchased a small Faraday box from Amazon when I got my new Colorado. The box sits on the kitchen counter and my key FOB goes in the box when not being used. Simple

for those who order a Faraday box/bag, be sure to test it every few months to make sure it's still effective.

The area around the seams and the area where the edges come together when it closes can degrade over time and it can become less effective.

Test it by putting your keys fob in it and bringing it near your car and make sure your car thinks it's not there by trying to open a door or start it if it's the push button start type

My go to when it comes Faraday gear is:
www.faradaydefense.com
More expensive than Amazon but much better stuff and a wide range of gear. If they cant Faraday you, no one can!

Sigmonkey, I like the Simon idea and your sense of humor.

Since my other traditional keys are attached to the FOB, I might take a Wittard tea tin that I found at a goodwill as the Faraday cage. It has two lids to keep loose tea fresh.

Just tested the tin can...doors still opened, but wouldn't start.