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What to do with modern car keys.
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isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Wed Dec 31, 2014 2:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

An independent locksmith confirmed what my Subie dealer and the Outback forum said, that the valet key is MUCH less sensitive, virtually impenetrable, to water than the primary RFID fob loaded with buttons. For extra precaution, I laid a tiny bead of caulk around the valet key head. The worst that could happen now is that I may, some day in the next 20 years, find that my valet key won't start the car ... which I never plan to do anyway.
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johnl



Joined: 05 Jun 1994
Posts: 1330
Location: Hood River OR

PostPosted: Wed Dec 31, 2014 4:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

edscott wrote:
I use the Hitchsafe. If you have a 2" receiver, it's stealthy and secure. http://www.hitchsafe.com

On everything else I use a realtor-style lockbox attached to the frame or tow-hook for stealth and security. Combo locks are best so you don't have to carry anything.

I think the Ford security system with the keypad is pretty cool. I wonder if you could get a third party product to do the same?

benspikey wrote:
Use this and it has worked great. Sure if someone really wanted in they could break it. Like anything if they want it bad enough they will find a way.

http://www.key-pod.com/


These look good for those who don't need glasses to read. For those who do, they won't work cause you can't read the numbers to open the combinations Sad For Sprinter vans, I just use a door key (drivers and rear doors have key openings) and stash the electronic key inside.

IMPORTANT note. If you hang the key around your neck and go out in the saltwater then put that key in your lock just think what you are doing to that lock.....


Last edited by johnl on Sat Jan 03, 2015 6:47 pm; edited 1 time in total
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johnl



Joined: 05 Jun 1994
Posts: 1330
Location: Hood River OR

PostPosted: Wed Dec 31, 2014 4:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

fitek wrote:
The Sprinter RF key needs to be in close proximity to the ignition.

It is definitely not water proof or resistant. I kept mine in a dry bag for 3 sessions and it got flakey and then stopped working. I had to pry it open and carefully clean the PCB with a borrowed can of expensive contact cleaner. Watch out or the spring will come flying out Smile

I bought a "dumb" key that opens only the doors, and carry that in my hydration pack along with my radio and a power bar (never know when you might end up floating in the bay for a few hours). I always wash the key off before inserting into the key hole lest the lock rusts out.

For some reason the driver side door opens when you turn the key in one direction, and the back doors open by turning the key in the other direction. What gives, MB?

Sometimes when I lock the Sprinter, it decides that it doesn't feel like locking, though the lights flash, and when I test the passenger door, it's still unlocked. Hope you have better luck Smile


It isn't the lock, it is your key. I had a similar problem. The Sprinter key is VERY specific. If it isn't cut exactly then it may only work one direction. I had the exact same problem. It took the locksmith a while to figure it out. As to locking the van. I manually lock every door from the inside then exit the rear door and lock it from the inside. I wouldn't trust using the key to lock it or the lock panel. It always seems to set off my alarm later and makes me look like an idiot.... Sad
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justingordon



Joined: 04 May 2002
Posts: 148

PostPosted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 2:04 pm    Post subject: Putting wet keys in ignition Reply with quote

Has anybody had problems with putting wet door lock keys in the ignition? I've done this for years with a Toyota Tundra and I've never had an issue. However, it does make sense that a wet saltwater key might damage a lock cylinder.

I'm just guessing the Toyotas are well made to prevent any issues like that.

And yes, my family has Toyotas, and we go to Home Depot to make $2 key copy that we put in our wetsuits.

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isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 2:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Given how easy it is (just lick the salt off) to avoid injecting corrosive and conductive salt water into electrical and mechanical components without which you're stranded, I'd make a habit of it.
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justingordon



Joined: 04 May 2002
Posts: 148

PostPosted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 3:11 pm    Post subject: licking key out of wetsuit Reply with quote

isobars wrote:
Given how easy it is (just lick the salt off) to avoid injecting corrosive and conductive salt water into electrical and mechanical components without which you're stranded, I'd make a habit of it.


Yuck! There's not just saltwater in that wetsuit!

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carl



Joined: 25 Feb 1997
Posts: 2674
Location: SF bay area

PostPosted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 4:57 pm    Post subject: Re: Putting wet keys in ignition Reply with quote

justingordon wrote:
Has anybody had problems with putting wet door lock keys in the ignition? I've done this for years with a Toyota Tundra and I've never had an issue. However, it does make sense that a wet saltwater key might damage a lock cylinder.

I'm just guessing the Toyotas are well made to prevent any issues like that.

And yes, my family has Toyotas, and we go to Home Depot to make $2 key copy that we put in our wetsuits.


Sounds like an unnecessary risk of an expensive repair. That must be an old
Toyota, the newer cars have electronic keys, even more expensive.
Hide the ignition key in a dry place and use the salty $2 key only in the door lock. The door lock is easy and cheeper to fix compared to an ignition switch.
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swchandler



Joined: 08 Nov 1993
Posts: 10588

PostPosted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 5:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You guys have big imaginations. After nearly 50 years of being in saltwater with regular keys, I've had zero corrosion problems with either my ignitions or doorlocks.
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carl



Joined: 25 Feb 1997
Posts: 2674
Location: SF bay area

PostPosted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 8:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

swchandler wrote:
You guys have big imaginations. After nearly 50 years of being in saltwater with regular keys, I've had zero corrosion problems with either my ignitions or doorlocks.

Not imagined, I've had problems with door locks on both Honda and Dodge vans. Maybe the bay has more corrosive salt?
It's kind of a mute point now since for about the last 10-15 years, cars don't even have "regular" keys that you can start the ignition with. They all have
some type of remote or electronic proximity chip, so you can't even start the engine with a regular key copy. Welcome to 21st century technology (if you read the first post, it's just what the OP of this thread was concerned about).
That 1950 Chevy Woody wagon didn't need no stinking remote control key fob!!
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swchandler



Joined: 08 Nov 1993
Posts: 10588

PostPosted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have to admit that when I bought my present Chevy van in 1997, I passed on the electronic key option. Too much potential for problems, especially given the fact that most reliability problems today with cars centers around all the electronic stuff. I still remember this poor devil with an expensive Chevy Tahoe that made the mistake of taking his electronic key out surfing. The alarm was going off endlessly, and he couldn't start the car. It had to have been frustrating as hell to have no control over the problem.

Maybe with my next vehicle, I won't have any choice but an electronic key. If that's the case, I'll be buying one of those attachable lock boxes.
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