Keyless cars have been around for a long time, but they’ve become the standard in recent years. Many people love the convenience of not having to carry a key around with them, but there are still some people who are unsure about whether or not they can drive a keyless car without the key.
You can drive a keyless car without the key if we’re talking about the traditional, metal key. However, you must have some sort of access device, whether it’s a key fob, card, or smartphone. Without an access device, you won’t be able to start or drive the vehicle, or at most move 10 feet away from the device before the engine shuts off.
How Keyless Cars Work
A keyless car is a vehicle that you can start and operate without using a traditional key. Instead, all you need is the keyless car’s fob, which is a small device that you can carry in your pocket or purse.
With the key fob on you, the doors will unlock automatically, and starting the engine is as simple as pressing the start button.
The main advantage of a keyless car is convenience. You don’t have to worry about losing your keys or locking them inside the car. As long as you have the fob, you can always get in and start your car.
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Another advantage of keyless cars is that they’re more difficult to break into. A thief would need to have your fob in order to steal your car, which is much harder than copying a traditional key.
The Disadvantages of Keyless Cars
Although keyless cars have many advantages, there are also some disadvantages to consider. One of the main disadvantages is that if you lose your fob, you won’t be able to get into or start your car. This can be a major inconvenience, especially if you’re in a hurry.
Another disadvantage of keyless cars is that they’re more expensive than traditional cars. This is because the technology is still relatively new and there’s a premium attached to it.
What’s more? Keyless cars are also more difficult to repair. If something goes wrong with the system, you’ll need to take it to a specialized mechanic who knows how to fix it. This can be expensive and time-consuming.
Things to Keep in Mind When Operating a Keyless Car
1. Always have the keyfob with you
You’ll need to have the fob with you in order to start the car. If you leave it at home or in another car, you won’t be able to get your keyless car started.
It’s important to remember that a keyless car is not entirely keyless. Even though you don’t need a traditional key to start the car, you still need the fob. If you lose the fob or it runs out of battery, you won’t be able to get into or start your car.
2. Beware of the limited range of keyless cars
Second, keyless cars usually have a limited range. That means that if you’re too far away from the car, the fob won’t work. So, if you plan on driving a keyless car without the key, make sure you’re not going too far from the car.
On average, the maximum distance a keyless car can be from the fob is about 30 feet. So, if you’re planning on driving further than that, you’ll need to bring the key with you.
3. Keep your fob away from other electronic devices
It is also important to keep your fob away from other electronic devices. If you have your fob in your pocket next to your phone, the signal from your phone can interfere with the signal from the fob. This can prevent you from being able to get into or start your car.
To avoid this, keep your fob in a separate pocket from your other electronic devices. Alternatively, you can keep it in a metal case which will block the signal from your other devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my car shut off if I walk away with the key fob?
In most cases, yes. Keyless cars have a limited range, so if you walk too far away from the car with the key fob, the car will shut off.
What happens if I lose my key fob?
If you lose your key fob, you won’t be able to get into or start your car. You’ll need to find a replacement fob or take the car to a specialized mechanic. In addition, you may need to have the car towed if you’re unable to start it.
Can I still use my key fob if the battery dies?
In case the battery in your key fob dies, you can still get into the car by using the traditional metal key hidden inside the key fob. If you’ve never used it, check it out right now and see how it comes out; you can use this key to unlock the doors, and trunk and start the engine.
My car doesn’t have a keyless entry or ignition. Can I still drive without a key?
When your car doesn’t have a keyless entry or ignition, you won’t be able to drive it without a key. You’ll need to find a way to get a new key or take the car to a specialized mechanic.
Will a car stay running without the key fob?
In most cases, no. Keyless cars have a limited range, so if you’re too far away from the car, it will shut off. However, some keyless cars have an emergency backup system that will allow the car to stay running for a short period of time.
Conclusion
Keyless car systems technically allow you to drive without using the key, but there are certain conditions that have to be met.
The keyfob, card, or other keyless device needs to be on you or placed near the center dashboard before you can start the engine. Otherwise, the car will not start. If the keyfob is out of juice, you can still use the regular key to open the car and get it started.
Check out some of these related topics:
What To Do When Your Keyless Remote Battery Is Low
Can I Get a Car Key Made Without The Original?
Can The Ignition Key Be Removed When The Engine Is Running?