For a second there, at 1:30 in the morning on a dark side street in Hollywood, I thought I was stranded. The Mitsubishi Outlander wouldn't let me start it because apparently I didn't have the key fob with me to activate the keyless start. But the thing is, I did have the key. I had tossed it into the center console cupholder so that I could put my seatbelt on.
But the screen kept insisting, "Key Missing!" "Key Missing!" "It's right HERE!" I said to the screen, waving the key fob at it. I looked at the dark street around me to make sure there were no creepy characters lurking nearby or, more importantly, that nobody saw me yelling at an inanimate object. I then wondered if 1:30am was too late to call Mike Schmidt, our vehicle testing coordinator, for help.
And then I remembered the valet key in the key fob. But the ignition had a cover on it that served as a knob to turn for the keyless start. I grabbed hold of it and pulled til it came flying off, landing in the center console cupholder with a clatter. Yay! The car started the regular way and I quickly fled the sketchy area.
This morning, I let Mike know about the key fob. Maybe the batteries are dying? The unlock/lock buttons on it still work, it just doesn't start the car. He said he'd look into it.
Caroline Pardilla, deputy managing editor @ 8,010 miles
And then I remembered the valet key in the key fob. But the ignition had a cover on it that served as a knob to turn for the keyless start. I grabbed hold of it and pulled til it came flying off, landing in the center console cupholder with a clatter. Yay! The car started the regular way and I quickly fled the sketchy area.
This morning, I let Mike know about the key fob. Maybe the batteries are dying? The unlock/lock buttons on it still work, it just doesn't start the car. He said he'd look into it.
Caroline Pardilla, deputy managing editor @ 8,010 miles
benson2175 says:
01:26 PM, 07/30/07
This is exactly why this kind of technology for technologies sake sucks. What was so wrong with the whole key system. It simple and it can't go wrong unless you forget your key or you don't have the manual dexterity to stick the key into the lock.
desmolicious says:
02:53 PM, 07/30/07
My BMW's fob is very similar to this. The battery in it is meant to be charged by the car when it is inserted in to the slot. I'd guess it would be the same for the mitsu.
mikevegas06 says:
03:51 AM, 07/31/07
Did you try reading the owner's manual?
bimmerjay says:
08:07 AM, 07/31/07
BMWs with Comfort Access don't have a rechargeable battery in the remote - because of the higher battery drain and the fact that owners would rarely (if ever) stick the fob in the slot. However, I think some other intelli-key systems do have rechargeables.
benson - there's nothing wrong with a key per se, but it's pretty darn cool to be able to walk up to your locked car, tug the door handle, jump in and hit a start button without ever fumbling with a carved metal stick. Inevitably, being on the leading edge can have some glitches, but in a couple years intelli-keys will be the standard. Heck - look at Nissan, it's already on practically everything down to the Versa!
dodo2 says:
10:14 AM, 07/31/07
Tell Mike to start by checking your vehicle's VIN against the list (Mitsu TSB) at this link: http://www.mitsubishiforum.com/m_134341/tm.htm.
villahidalgo says:
07:55 PM, 07/31/07
8000 miles and that kind of problems already? not promising...
actualsize says:
07:57 AM, 08/10/07
I just drove it last night. Here's the update:
The batteries are well-charged enough for the door-lock functions to work, but I had to have direct line-of sight. Other cars I've tested could activate locks and set-off alarms unintentionally while I'm in the house with the key in my pocket and 3 or 4 walls between me and the car. Maybe the Mitsu's system has less range or maybe the batteries are merely weak.
The VIN is not on "the list" shown above.
I Read The Factory Manual and found no solution or troubleshooting guide. "Take it to a dealer," it said.
In general, I really like these systems. They rarely break, and the fall-back is the good-old key. It is a pain in the butt to remove the sliding key with the tiny handle out out each time - it has no key-ring hole. Still, they're my newest must-have feature.