Standup Zone Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: red_tx on May 01, 2021, 09:33:37 AM
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Team Standup Zone,
I recently upgraded my surf rig from 98 expedition to a 2016 suburban. The 98 was easy to hide a key in a little hide box under the body.
This new rig 2016 suburban has a fancy key that you just keep in your pocket. I believe if it is near the rig you can push a little button on the door handles to unlock the truck. Anyway my just hiding the key under the rig or close to it doesn't help me much because someone could just come push the door handle unlock button.
There is a little key that comes out of the Key fob.
https://www.carandtruckremotes.com/2016-suburban-new-keyless-smart-remote.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-6fn_fOo8AIVYh-tBh3rawJIEAQYAiABEgLPz_D_BwE (https://www.carandtruckremotes.com/2016-suburban-new-keyless-smart-remote.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-6fn_fOo8AIVYh-tBh3rawJIEAQYAiABEgLPz_D_BwE)
Anyone come across this predicament?
Thanks in advance.
-red
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Generally, manufacturers have come up with a workaround, which is why the little key comes out of the remote unit. I wear the little pull-out key around my neck on a cord I wove out of kite line. Those urban (Boston) "summer camp" gimp skills still come in handy. I sure no one under 70 knows what I'm writing about. Anyway, you might find the workaround somewhere in the manual or online.
I'm currently trying to figure out how to keep the alarm system in my Maui van from going off when I open the door with the key instead of the remote.
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I'm currently trying to figure out how to keep the alarm system in my Maui van from going off when I open the door with the key instead of the remote.
A guy just told my buddy how to stop that from happening with his Subaru. It involves having all the door's closed, open driver's door, lock driver's door with buttons, close door, unlock with valet key, take key out, lock doors with valet key.
Some weird combo like that. Here I found a link that explains it better. https://www.instructables.com/Lock-Your-Subaru-for-Surfing-Without-the-Alarm-Goi/
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For my Toyota, on the fob - if you hold the lock button down while pressing the unlock button twice it will "turn off" the fob then you can hide and lock the fob in the car while taking the door key with you. just press any button to turn the fob back "on".
this was kind of buried in the manual so maybe the Chevy has something similar.
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I just use a lockbox like the one Realtors use to hide a pass key in. Lock the truck/car with the fob and close the door a walk away. Have to remember the 4 digit code and to replace the pass key each time. Share the code with friends so if they get there first they can dry off etc.
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I got this "KeyGuard SL-501 Punch Button Large Capacity Key Box" from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JRWCQLS?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details), because the MasterLock key box - pictured in 808's post above - that worked with the smaller key I had for my old van, was too small to fit the key of my newer Transit van. Really happy with the new box, as I feel it just slightly safer having 9 buttons to make up a combo with, rather than just the four of my old one.
But yeah, the key boxes seem to be the way to go....if you can't take the key with you into the water.
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Insurance will not cover theft if the key is within a certain perimeter of the car in many cases.
Guys in LA put their key lock box on a fence or handrail. Silly world we live in. There are a ton of good waterproof key holders now too. I used to use one and then put it in a ziplock as a backup.
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If you read the reviews of those lockboxes, you will see that they have a high rate of failure. I remember one guy said, make sure you keep some bolt cutters handy.
When I bought my last car, I had four priorities.
1. The doors must accept a valet key.
2. No annoying seatbelt alarm.
3. The headlights can be turned off.
4. My 8'10 Flow will fit inside.
The Nissan Rogue checked every box.
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I just use a lockbox like the one Realtors use to hide a pass key in. Lock the truck/car with the fob and close the door a walk away. Have to remember the 4 digit code and to replace the pass key each time. Share the code with friends so if they get there first they can dry off etc.
A lockbox won't help with a walk-up key. Or at least it won't with some. I tried one with Diane's Tesla and anyone that touched the door handle got a free Model S.
My F350 in Hood River has the handiest setup. A combination lock on the driver's side. Works great as long as I remember to lock the truck--or at least close the doors. I came back from a long session at the Hook in Hood river and found both doors wide open. I thought someone might have broken in, but everything was there, including a few hundred bucks in cash in the console. Some person (probably Admin) solved the mystery by saying "No, you left it like that when you took your gear down to the water. I thought it was on purpose for some reason, so I didn't say anything". I think the inference was he couldn't imagine me being stupid enough to run off into the water and leave it like that. He knows better now.
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The lockbox will work with the newer transmitting key fobs if said fob is enveloped in something to smother the transmission like aluminum foil.
Most of these lock boxes are easy to break into. The models from the lock maker Argus look tougher.
Having a fancy car alarm on my van yields a further complication as Bill points out. I can secure the fob in the van but it takes a moment with the alarm blaring to retrieve and disarm with the fob.
I purchased a ‘key defender’ waterproof pouch but have yet to trust it with the fob.
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Doesn't work for existing cars, but if you're shopping for a new car, Jaguar Land Rover offers an Activity Key for most of their models. Similar in form to a fit bit, but it's a water and shock proof wearable key. The first gen worked with your existing key (that you left in the car but was disabled when activity key activated), the second gen functions entirely as its own key. A brilliant solution for people that actually use SUVs as intended, I wish more automakers offered something like it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaCfQQcK358
Ford also has had keypad entry on most of their models for years.
For proximity keys, if you have one of those food saver vacuum suckers, you can always seal off your key and just take it with you. Should keep it nice and watertight!
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I had a Jeep with one of those wireless key fobs.
You can't take the key out of the fob and leave tho fob in the car because the car won't let you lock it with the fob inside.
Solution:
a) Take key out of fob
b) Wrap fob in aluminum foil
c) Leave fob inside and lock car
d) Open car with key
Now I'm driving a Tesla 3, so I take the credit card key with me. But I have to turn my phone off when I leave it in the car or the car will lock, but open for anyone who walks by.
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Instead of turning phone off, could you just turn bluetooth off? Or put it in airplane mode?
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Waterproof bag that fits keyfobs:
https://www.amazon.com/KGUARD-Waterproof-Windsurfing-Bodyboarding-Kitesurfing/dp/B087H3LSFG/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=kguard&qid=1604961971&sr=8-1 (https://www.amazon.com/KGUARD-Waterproof-Windsurfing-Bodyboarding-Kitesurfing/dp/B087H3LSFG/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=kguard&qid=1604961971&sr=8-1)
I tried it, but ended up just using a dummy (no chip) key instead.
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Like what other people said have you try shielding your key with alu foil? I don't have those type of key so I have no idea if alu foil will work but its a cheap option to test out.
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Aluminum foil works, though a faraday cage works better. An electrostatic shielding electronic bag that some computer equipment comes in should also work, depending on the bag. Else you can buy a faraday key fob bag.
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Hmmm, while I'm well acquainted with Faraday cages, having zapped myself in the nuts with a home built Van deGraff electrostatic generator when I was a kid, I stupidly googled it to see if there was some difference between a wrap of aluminum foil and a faraday cage--answer, no. But in doing so I found myself in a stew of survivalists looking to have their smartphone still work after an EMP armageddon. Yikes. Mr. Wizard, get me out of here!!
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Honda Element here.
you can ask your locksmith for a "surf key"
They know exactly what you want.
I took the blank they gave me and cut it down to the minimum possible size and took it back to the locksmith to have it cut. Works great!
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I have a 2020 Tacoma. It comes with 2 keys, each with electronics for lock/unlock. Convert one key to your surf key. Open the turtle shell, take out electronics and buttons. There is a second potted electrical device in the key that allows the vehicle to start. That small part is not removable and can stay. Put a string on it and you can now wear it around your neck.
I would think this would work with just about any modern car having an actual key.
JP
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JP calls it... cheap aftermarket key and dismantle it.
Aaaaand scene... if you have a mechanical lock still.
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I have the double secret spot... inside my gas cap. No one would ever think that was a spot, right?
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JP calls it... cheap aftermarket key and dismantle it.
Aaaaand scene... if you have a mechanical lock still.
You still would need to have the aftermarket key cut after you dismantle it. If you're going to all that trouble, you might as well just get a valet/surf key.
The Nissan dealer made me two. One I wear around my neck when surfing. The other is well hidden in case I ever get locked out. The electronic keys remain inside the car in a safe place.
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Back to summer camp with you Badger, didn't you learn to braid keychains at Camp Wapanogagog? A simple string for a guy from New Hampshire?
I put my church camp skills to excellent use, both for my key and for a lanyard for my switchblade. Perhaps that wasn't the use Mrs. Noonan had in mind, but...
Hdip--hey that worked for my dodge van as well. Someone had actually shown me the method, but I didn't realize there was a time element involved. the Instructable worked.
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@Jondrums. Love it, thanks for sharing.
@PonoBill. I bought a radiofrequency meter. My son did a science experiment (unpublished) and measured radio frequencies through different mediums. He found that a grid metal pattern (like those used for Faraday cages) blocked radio frequencies better than solid metals. Maybe a physicist can explain the phenomenon. Concrete was by far the least efficient for blocking (other material tested included wood, H2O).
Thieves have evolved over the years. 20 years ago, it seemed like they would watch surfers from a distance, then retrieve their "hidden/stashed" key once they entered the water. Next came the smash the window and retrieve desired contents without opening a door (so the alarm wouldn't go off). Then they learned how to get keys from lockboxes. Now instead of stealing the contents of the car, they are stealing the entire car. If you are lucky they ditch the car, but often any desirables in the car have vanished.
And now whenever you park your car, you have to worry if your catalytic convertor will still be there (Honda/Toyota) (<3 min). 5-10 years ago they hit trucks, now they just carry a jack and hit whatever they want. Before they would hit vehicles in the middle of the night, now anytime of day is fair game. Products like CatShield or welding heavy gauge pipe to either side of your cat seem like the best defense. Covid interrupted the South Africa mining of precious metals (Pt, Pd, Rh), so now they are more valuable than gold (Au).
https://catshield.com/ (https://catshield.com/)
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This is called hiding in plain sight
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3218589848153889&set=pb.100000087170623.-2207520000..&type=3)
oops, didn't work, i'll try again latter
2nd try
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Misc/i-xGcBPjT/0/6c521ea9/X2/keys.jpeg-X2.jpg)
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Yes Tom, I see that all the time. Like no one knows to look there.
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He'd probably be safer if he left the keys in the ignition
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I put two of my keys (ignition, camper) in the magnetic key hider and attach it to the underside of my truck where it can't be seen even if you look up at the underside of my truck. Hasn't failed me yet and I've been doing it this way since 1994.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Nite-Ize-Black-Key-Hider/1000518889
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@Jondrums. Love it, thanks for sharing.
@PonoBill. I bought a radiofrequency meter. My son did a science experiment (unpublished) and measured radio frequencies through different mediums. He found that a grid metal pattern (like those used for Faraday cages) blocked radio frequencies better than solid metals. Maybe a physicist can explain the phenomenon. Concrete was by far the least efficient for blocking (other material tested included wood, H2O).
Wavelength. Photons interact with materials depending on the wavelength of the photon. Anything smaller than the wavelength is invisible to the photon--no interaction. Any conductor larger than the wavelength adsorbs the energy. The conductor needs to be continuous though. Any discontinuous conductor forms a leak for the electromagnetic waves and becomes a new point source for radiating. The power is attenuated, but it still radiates the signal. There's no advantage to a screen over a solid piece of metal. Probably the flaw in the experiment was not having a completely enclosing, fully conducting cage.
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I put two of my keys (ignition, camper) in the magnetic key hider and attach it to the underside of my truck where it can't be seen even if you look up at the underside of my truck. Hasn't failed me yet and I've been doing it this way since 1994.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Nite-Ize-Black-Key-Hider/1000518889
I tried that back when I started surfing and found it to be a hassle to get down on the ground to retrieve the key and risk being seen doing it every time I needed to change gear, take a break, get some water, etc. With the key around my neck, all I have to do is open the front zipper of my suit.
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Back to summer camp with you Badger, didn't you learn to braid keychains at Camp Wapanogagog? A simple string for a guy from New Hampshire?
I put my church camp skills to excellent use, both for my key and for a lanyard for my switchblade. Perhaps that wasn't the use Mrs. Noonan had in mind, but...
Hdip--hey that worked for my dodge van as well. Someone had actually shown me the method, but I didn't realize there was a time element involved. the Instructable worked.
I remember learning how to braid at Bear Hill Pond 4H camp in NH in the mid-'60s. Unfortunately, the knowledge didn't stay with me. I can still splice an anchor line or dock line if I need to. In the case of string though, it's easier to just tie a knot. Mostly I'm just lazy. I envy your ability to keep busy.
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I'm a constant flurry of pointless projects.
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I put two of my keys (ignition, camper) in the magnetic key hider and attach it to the underside of my truck where it can't be seen even if you look up at the underside of my truck. Hasn't failed me yet and I've been doing it this way since 1994.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Nite-Ize-Black-Key-Hider/1000518889
I tried that back when I started surfing and found it to be a hassle to get down on the ground to retrieve the key and risk being seen doing it every time I needed to change gear, take a break, get some water, etc.
That's my point. Thieves don't like to get sand on their clothes because I park on the beach sand. Or something a lot worse . Like hiding the key hider behind the oil filter.
One thing I know about keys around the neck while surfing. If the key is not wiped down real good, the key will transfer a tiny amount of saltwater into the ignition switch and if it does, rust (corrosion) will occur inside the ignition switch.
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One thing I know about keys around the neck while surfing. If the key is not wiped down real good, the key will transfer a tiny amount of saltwater into the ignition switch and if it does, rust (corrosion) will occur inside the ignition switch.
Interesting. We have a VW Eurovan. It has a single key that WILL run the ignition that I wear around my neck.
It's not a full key FOB. So I keep the key FOB in the car and just use the key around my neck to open and close the doors. I wouldn't want to rust out the door locks BUT
1) There are MORE locks, around the car, and
2) I usually ride my bicycle and use a combination lock
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That's my point. Thieves don't like to get sand on their clothes because I park on the beach sand. Or something a lot worse . Like hiding the key hider behind the oil filter.
One thing I know about keys around the neck while surfing. If the key is not wiped down real good, the key will transfer a tiny amount of saltwater into the ignition switch and if it does, rust (corrosion) will occur inside the ignition switch.
My surf key only opens the doors. I doubt enough salt enters the locks to cause a problem. I don't like getting down on the ground to get my key because I hate getting dirty sand on my wet hands or in my gloves when taking breaks. I also avoid getting sand on my wetsuit when leaving the beach because I wear my suit home and don't want that sand in the car or on my towels. I guess each person has his or her specific needs relating to their situation, but my way is easier. :)
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I don't like getting down on the ground to get my key because I hate getting dirty sand on my wet hands or in my gloves when taking breaks. I also avoid getting sand on my wetsuit when leaving the beach because I wear my suit home and don't want that sand in the car or on my towels. I guess each person has his or her specific needs relating to their situation, but my way is easier. :)
1) I don't wear a wet suit. When the water warms to 66 F; that is my minimum water comfort zone so it's bathing shorts, T-Shirt, water shoes and a hat for me. After a surfing session when I'm all wet and I want to go back home; I do get sand on me when I crawl underneath the truck to retrieve my key hider, but once I open the door to my truck, I go back into the beach surf where it is about 3' deep, dunk myself under the water, pop myself above the water and no more sand on me. Then I just walk back to my truck. The driver seat has a cover on it so the seat doesn't get wet.
2) Since I had "three" urinary tract procedures done (in the OR under anesthesia) in a 19 day span of time from Dec 22nd to Jan 11th, I'm down to 138 pounds. My truck tires have about 50 lbs PSI in them so this allows me to drive on loose sand and not sink the tires into the sand where my truck would get stuck in the sand. If I weighed about 175 lbs, I wouldn't be able to work the top half of my body underneath my truck because there is not enough space from the sand to the lower body panels of my truck for me to crawl underneath my truck. I would need to dig a small trench so I could fit underneath my truck to retrieve the key hider.
So in retrospect. A thief is not going to want to get the back of his body, from heat to toe, covered in sand and/or get covered in smudgy motor oil. And lastly, if the thief weighs 175 lbs or more and the thief doesn't know where the key hider is, the thief is going to have to dig a small trench to remove a lot of sand "from the back of the front wheel to the beginning of the rear back wheel" so the thief can actually crawl underneath my truck "for a look see" and if the thief did, the thief won't be able to see the key hider.
I'm guessing the time for what I do takes me 5 minutes longer than what it takes you to do with the key around your neck. But I'm not in any hurry.
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Stock 2020 Toyota tacoma key
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Badger, the difference in the dismantled key is the electronic chip that remains.
I’ve got valet keys but some cars want to see that chip. This was the missing part for the hybrid electronic key guys.
I still say bag in your wetsuit. I wear chest zip and can pack a lunch on my chest.
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And I lick my key before every unlock. No lie.
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Same here SC - it does help that I have a major salt addiction. I have not had any corrosion issues in my door locks since I started doing that.
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Yup, just like a little popsicle, quick in and out.
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Many new cars have proximity sensors for each door/hatch, not just the whole car. For instance, on my 2015 Lexus, I can have the key in my pocket, standing next to the drivers door, and the wife can't open the door on the other side of the car by grabbing the handle (touch sensor). The only door the key will work for is the one the key is near. On my Toyota Aqua (Prius C), the key can be hidden anywhere under the front of the car, and the doors won't open on touch. Ditto the Lexus.
You just have to find a spot to try, like under the bumper somewhere, and then see if the door unlocks.
Toyota fobs are waterproof, but I still don't take them in the water :)
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I also lick the skeleton key i take into the water :)
I killed one of my FOBs just by grabbing it after opening the car,all it takes is one little drop of salt water to kill the electronics.
The surviving one i have waterproofed with sealant.
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Most if not all car security systems lack one majorly important function, which is the ability to turn them off.
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Actually, most systems have a way, but it includes bowing to Michigan three times while chanting "I swear I'm not stealing this car."
The process that works for turning off the alarm system in my mommy van is:
1. Close slider doors, check that they are manually locked. Actually only the port one needs to be manually locked (or it will remain openable) but I rarely remember which one it is so I lock starboard too.
B. Put fob somewhere in the car where it can be quickly reached to turn off the alarm system if the chanting doesn't work.
iii. Make sure the cord with the bare key is around my neck (IMPORTANT).
4. Close all doors except the driver's door.
V. Make DOUBLY sure the cord with the bare key is around my neck.
6. Lock all doors with electric pushbutton
g. Close drivers door. Then quickly unlock it, open it, and relock with key.
Presto. Works almost every time. The system takes a little time to arm, and unlocking and OPENING the door within that time disarms it.
Half the time I just say "fuck it, the alarm may sound, the alarm is loud". I have the Nest smoke detector babble planted in my head. Its actual name is "The Nest Bill is Cooking and Forgot to Turn on the Hood Fan Again" detector.
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Car alarms should be banned as noise pollution. Totally annoying to everyone within a quarter-mile.
I would disable mine if I knew how. I asked the dealer to do it on my last car and he told me it would void the warranty which sounds crazy to me.
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And I lick my key before every unlock. No lie.
HA !!, Me too when i remember ...
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Have been using a waterproof pouch under my wetsuit, but it makes me nervous, especially when I switch to shorts and a rash guard. Thinking about a fake rock to put under my bag in the sand at the edge of the dunes.
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This took me a stupid long time to figure out, but works great on my Toyota.
1. Take the metal key out the fob. Stash the fob in the car.
2. Lock every door except the driver's. Close the doors. No alarm.
3. Use the metal key to manually lock the driver's door. Still no alarm.
Using the "lock all" button on the fob or the door triggers the alarm, but the mechanical key doesn't.
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This took me a stupid long time to figure out, but works great on my Toyota.
1. Take the metal key out the fob. Stash the fob in the car.
2. Lock every door except the driver's. Close the doors. No alarm.
3. Use the metal key to manually lock the driver's door. Still no alarm.
Using the "lock all" button on the fob or the door triggers the alarm, but the mechanical key doesn't.
That is exactly how I did it with my Saab. I wore the metal key around my neck under my wetsuit or used the key loop in the pocket of my trunks on hot days. The electronic part stayed safe inside the car.
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This took me a stupid long time to figure out, but works great on my Toyota.
1. Take the metal key out the fob. Stash the fob in the car.
2. Lock every door except the driver's. Close the doors. No alarm.
3. Use the metal key to manually lock the driver's door. Still no alarm.
Using the "lock all" button on the fob or the door triggers the alarm, but the mechanical key doesn't.
That works fine on cars that have no electric doors. I can lock the side sliders manually on my van, but the rear hatch has no manual lock, only electric. So I gotta push the button.
The solution for many cars is the delay for arming the alarm--generally 45 seconds. I use the fob to lock all doors and set it in the console. close the drivers door, then immediately unlock and open it, then close it and manually lock it. That works consistently for my van and two other cars with electric hatches that I tried.
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Red_TX:
You aren't getting many Chevy-specific suggestions. I assume I have your same setup in my 2015 Yukon. As you noted, you can't leave your FOB in a lockbox or hidden on the car.
For me, I simply remove the physical key from inside the FOB, place the FOB inside the car, then lock the car with the key on the drivers side door. The doors stay locked, are easily unlocked when I return, and the alarm never goes off. I have not had any problems with saltwater in the 6 years I've been doing this, but I do rinse the key with freshwater before re-inserting into the FOB.
BIG NOTE: I do not think this worked when I first purchased the car. At first, the door would unlock automatically when I locked with the key in the drivers side door. Then, one day, it worked. I assume it was a software update the dealer performed at one of my services. I recommend making sure your software is up to date.