CAR KEY....Revived!

[TMHeimer]

I searched for the old thread, sorry. SO, very windy day. My usual routine of burying it prior to diving in ziplock bag in sand/bushes, etc. meant that after retrieving it I put it under my wiper blade to keep it from blowing away. Then drove off. Fortunately, my wife had the insurance so the replacement key will ONLY cost $45 Canadian (instead of the usual HUNDREDS). 12 years of this procedure and I finally got screwed. What else to do though? I don't think I can get a simple metal copy of my key, due to the Vin #, but will look around more. I HATE chip keys. Has car theft actually dropped since they came about? Remember the old days when you made 3-4 car key copies for $1.50 each--all which opened the door and STARTED the car. Now, I know there is some reason getting a new CHIP key costs a fortune. BUT, maybe there could be a unit you hide in the car that once you click it would allow a simple metal non-chip key to start the car. POSSIBLY something that could be done in 2017......it's not 1992.

In 2005 we got a used van with only one chip key. To get a 2nd key was $111 Canadian. I've heard it's hundreds now. And if you don't get a spare key cut and lose the other one, we were told to "re-key" the car costs $1,200. FOR A KEY. Wish I had that key cutting job. Is this all not insane? I'm sure someone will explain to me why it is not in 2017.

 

[frndrfoe]

Many car keys are chipped just like your pet and can go under water without damage. If it has the function keys however you are out of luck

 

[KevinNM]

Where do you think the whole car jacking thing came from? An unskilled thug can't steal a parked car that includes this these days. (Unless they are driving a flatbed wrecker.)

 

[teknitroxdiver]

What kind of car do you have?

 

[frndrfoe]

What kind of car do you drive? I have a Toyota and got the techstream software with obd cable for $25 and I can order a key off ebay and program it myself.

 

[Doc]

Many car keys are chipped just like your pet and can go under water without damage.

My tabby cat Gracie would disagree.

 

[TMHeimer]

Where do you think the whole car jacking thing came from? An unskilled thug can't steal a parked car that includes this these days. (Unless they are driving a flatbed wrecker.)

To reply to all: YES, my recent VERY THOUGHT! As well, cop shows still talk of car-theft rings. No more "hotwiring", I suppose. My car is a GM Terrain (2013). I can't "program" anything. Don't they all have the "function" keys now anyway? Either way, nothing that costs hundreds of dollars with electronics in it is ever going underwater with me--but that's from the old thread.

 

[frndrfoe]

Well then, rant on!

 

[tep]

Get a steel dumb key - it will unlock the doors, but not start the car.

I've done this for Infiniti, Mazda - so that should include Nissan and (most) Fords.

 

[Scubamat]

Steel dumb key that can open the car then hide the fob key in the boot.