A tip on car keys while you're out there training

I know many of us will drive out for an OWS, a bike ride, or even a run. As such, it always becomes a question: what to do with the car keys. I have a tip, thought I'd share...

Most modern cars (2000+ GENERALLY), have what's called a chipped key. This means that in the head of the key there is actually a chip that communicates with the car to tell it that it's OK for the car to start. This prevents people from jamming a screw driver in the ignition and starting the or using an ill-gotten key to start it. The system is made up of the key (with chip) and the immobilizer in the car.  It's great for theft prevention but a PITA if you lose your keys. When you lose your keys in MOST cases, the car has to go to the dealer to have a new key made. You'd think that a locksmith could make a new key but the hitch is the CAR has to be programmed to recognize the key's chip. Without that, just buying a key (even if it's cut as a carbon copy of your original) is not going to work.

You can usually identify the chip if the key head is a little bigger than say your house key (flat metal) and it may show a little plastic cap on the bottom side (not all the time). Again if you have a newer car, chances are it has a chipped key.

Now for the tip: CHIPPED keys are required for STARTING the car, they are NOT required for simply unlocking the car, that's just a good old fashioned mechanical process (you know, stick key in hole...turn).

So, you can go to your local Home Depot or Locksmith and have them make you a copy of your chipped key, without a chip obviously (usually $2-3 or less). That will be good enough to unlock your car from the outside and open the trunk but won't start the car. That's the key you should carry with you when you're out there (lock the chipped key in the car). At a place like Home Depot they're probably going to try and waste your time explaining to you that they key they are making won't start the car...just let them know you understand and you just want to use it for the doors/trunk.

I usually lace the key into my shoe laces, there's no chance that baby is going anywhere but even if it does AAA can get me into my car and I still have the chipped key ready to go. Now, just don't leave the chipped key on your driver's seat. A little bit of discretion helps lol.

Hope this helps...

one small note: the car may crank for a split second without the chipped key, but I assure you it won't start for real (just for any nitpickers out there)




Edited by merlin2375 2009-08-13 1:04 PM