2009 Nissan 370Z Touring: This Car Doesn't Know Me

I have an Audi smart key right now, and it's pretty heavy for it's size, most likely because it has that massive chunk of metal on the end...

Anyhoo, I took my car in for service a few weeks back, and they were out of Audi Loaners, so they gave me a 2009 BMW 335i Sedan X Drive with 600 Miles as a loaner from the dealership's other dealer. It was a fine car, actually made me regret getting an Audi a little over a BMW (I bought my Audi when I was mad at BMW for the quality issues in my old X3). It actually kind of scared me, because I felt like I was blown away by 300hp, knowing that the M3 has over 100 more hp than the 335.

But back to the point, the BMW smart key is so lightweight, I kept leaving it places around my house, and office. I can definitely see washing it, or loosing it over time.

By the way, I'm kind of curious to see what some of the keyfob's in your fleet look like. It's very hard to find pictures of ones online (especially the Jaguar XF - in which I'm stilling looking for online).

Did you try RTFM? I have this same key for my Infiniti, and replacing the battery is a simple DIY project (the manual even gives simple instructions). Just remove the manual key, crack open the plastic with a small screwdriver, and then pop out the battery. I was happy I didn't have to take it to the dealer to fix such a simple problem.

I know I have calluses on my knuckles but give me a key and an ignition lock anytime. How lazy can you possibly be? The more simple something is the more usable and useful a tool is. Mike you need to un-convert and go back to thinking these things are a "ridiculous affectation" because they are. Just because something is new does not mean it is better....a lot of the times it does but not on something so simple and reliable like an ignition lock.

@ Orca

hers a picture of the xf's key.....

http://www.jaguar.com.au/au/en/xf/models/standard_features/safety_CA859FCB-AC6F-41E4-B578-4A4AEF0F6AE0_131x189.jpg

My G35 S has a smart key and I like it. Especially when wearing jeans, which is pretty much every day for me. No digging it out, ever, and that's good enough for me!

@ adavis: the audi dealer gave you a BMW loaner? and a 335 to boot??

that's madness (of the best kind)!

Interesting. I just had the key fob battery in my mom's Maxima replaced over Thanksgiving. The car actually told me the battery was alow, and the guy at the parts department replaced it for me.

Bodyblue, get with the times. Smart keys are an ingenius invention and I wouldn't go back to a caveman key/lock ignition for anything. All of these supposed "old-school" types just irk me. Its old-school because its obsolete!

why dont they have smart keys for homes? that would be very nice.

jackson611

Give it time. Schlage currently has smart locks that you can unlock remotesly as well as program different codes for different users into.

http://link.schlage.com/Pages/home.aspx

I think house security is a little trickier, after all a car is a realtively small investment when compared to the contents of people's homes.

I like the whole idea of keyless start. Not only is a tres cool, but it does offer a more convenient means of accessing and starting your car without having to fumble for keys. I do worry about issues like those Karl Brauer experienced with the BMW

http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2009/12/2009-bmw-750i-technology-quirks-and-quibbles.html#more

but I haven't heard any catastrophic horror stories about the keyless systems of other LT vehicles.

Put it through the laundry, eh? Gee, I wonder why Karl was having trouble with the 750i...

Put it through the laundry 'eh? I have the same problem with cash. Dang government conspiracy I say, making it out of paper of all things.
Michael, I suspect you are a liberal bent on playing the victim whilst holding your hand out for a big brother saviour. Here, have a free battery, I'll even install it for you.

"All of these supposed "old-school" types just irk me."

I could care less if you are "irked" Some things dont need improvement. If you get fatigued by sticking a key in a lock then you are beyond pathetic. Trust me, you can live without it. It is convenient sure and cool, but in no ways needed. Wants and needs are very different.

Steel keys don't run out of juice and even if the fob has a spare key inside you still fiddle and futz with it to start your car.

Besides I can see this as a easy way to get your car stolen by anyone with a computer, knowing how to break the key locks in the right way to start the car will start to be a dying art soon.

@ Bodyblue

HAHA! Yeah we should just go back to hand cranks for starting the cars. I mean, sure, a key is convenient. But I dont' need it.

I have a bad shoulder so a key is very convenient and I need it. Just like you need a better example for your non-argument.

I think this technology is awesome and I wish it were in my cars. The "some things don't need improvement" argument may work with the taste of Coke Cola and classical music but with technology almost never applies.

Yeah, I see all the advantages to smart keys over regular keys:
- battery runs down in less than a year so you have a pretty regular key & get to buy new batteries that may or may not be user replaceable depending on brand
- sometimes they decide not to work or be recognized by the car
- not very durable
- expensive for copies
- expensive replacement if lost
- expensive replacement if damaged
- still have to be carried on you (curious how you can not carry it w/you in your pocketless shorts, as in the bog post, and still get in the car)
- saves that incredible effort required to turn the ignition
- added expense to your car price

@m1tankr,

Based on your argument, we'll compare BMW's Comfort Access smart key (should be pricey and unreliable, right?) vs a standard passive anti-theft key.

"- battery runs down in less than a year so you have a pretty regular key & get to buy new batteries that may or may not be user replaceable depending on brand"

No. I've had *4* cars with keyless access for at least a year, one of them for over 2 years now. Never had to replace a battery. The battery is user replaceable (pop off a little door on the back) and is a very common watch battery.

"- sometimes they decide not to work or be recognized by the car"

Never had that happen even once on all 4 of my cars. Ever. If the battery dies just stick the fob in the dash.

"- not very durable"

No less durable than a regular remote fob. In fact, the BMW ones are extremely durable. I've never broken one and have dropped them before.

"- expensive for copies"

Around ~$250. No more expensive than replacing a regular remote. Why? Because the expensive technology resides in the car's antenna arrays, NOT in the remote itself. It has minor modifications over a standard remote fob. Also, a passive-anti theft key also costs about the same. I've replaced them before, they easily hit $200.

"- expensive replacement if lost"

See above

"- expensive replacement if damaged"

See above

"- still have to be carried on you (curious how you can not carry it w/you in your pocketless shorts, as in the bog post, and still get in the car)"

You can put it in your bag. Or a jacket you're carrying. Or on your head. Or the person standing next to you can be carrying it.

"- saves that incredible effort required to turn the ignition"

You've obviously never used one. Unlocking, getting in the car and driving away without ever removing your keys is one of life's small pleasures. Driving a car without now feels awkward and cumbersome.

"- added expense to your car price"

Yes, it does add expense. Like any technology though, it will decrease in price. Passive anti-theft keys and remote entry also add expense to your car price. When remote entry first came out in the early 90's, it cost just as much as keyless start systems do now. In a few years, the cost will be negligible.

Jay,

Metal keys never have a dead battery.

"You've obviously never used one. Unlocking, getting in the car and driving away without ever removing your keys is one of life's small pleasures. Driving a car without now feels awkward and cumbersome."

A very small pleasure. "Awkward and cumbersome".....really? I mean really?...how do you feel about putting on your pants?

Since most of us haven't had bimmers & I've never had a car w/these keys, these observations are based on my experience w/regular keys & some of the blog posts from Edmunds. They've had a couple of cars w/problems with these (including this one). Since their cars don't make it a year, this doesn't bode well for an expensive, unneeded technology. If you want spare keys (most people will lose or damage at least one set of keys over time) or an extra for a family member, $1 for a copy is much cheaper than $250. Eventually they may be decent, right now they still have issues & are an overly expensive toy to jack up prices on option groups. IMHO (and from edmunds blog posts) it's just another wasted technology that has as many drawbacks as benefits replacing something more for bragging rights than actual ability. I put it w/idrive, blind spot warning, radar based cruise control, etc. Laziness & carelessness shouldn't be rewarded in a driver.

"A very small pleasure. "Awkward and cumbersome".....really? I mean really?...how do you feel about putting on your pants?"

Absolutely. Technology has made life better. The option cost to me is nothing. I understand that for others it's not the case, so it's rightfully an option on most vehicles. My phone is automatically linked via Bluetooth (voice activated) so both phone and keys stay in my pockets. It's wonderful.

As for my pants, I would love to have a voice-activated heated/cooled adaptive automatic pants put'er on'er. If you know where I can get one, let me know.

There are people that love technology and see it as exciting and improving our lives. There are those that see it as a costly nuisance. Those 2 groups will probably never agree on things like this. I can guarantee you this though - in about 5-10 years, no car sold in this country will have a conventional keyed ignition. It will cease to exist.

^^As well they should jay. As well they should....