How to get into your car if the keyless fob stops working – with hidden feature not many know about
THE trick to getting into your car when your keyless fob stops working has been revealed.
Many modern cars now offer keyless fobs as a way of convenience for drivers.
Drivers can operate their car with ease with a fob by opening and closing doors, and starting it up, without using a physical key in the lock.
However, when the battery inside dies, it can leave drivers stranded with little option but to call for help.
As technology has shifted drivers to this new style, and away from the traditional metal key and lock, more and more problems seem to be arising.
For example, online searches for “Why is my key fob not working?” have increased by 100 per cent over the last 12 months.
TikTok has also seen some 30 million videos relating to “how to start my car if my fob is dead”.
Motor marketplace Auto Trader has warned drivers that issues could be more common as winter draws in.
The colder weather can take its toll on the battery inside keyless fobs, reducing their lifespan.
But there is a quick trick to get drivers on their way again.
While most people are unaware of it, car makers have provided a built-in solution to this problem.
Inside the fob is a hidden physical key, commonly referred to as the “emergency key”.
In some instances, the key flips out of the plastic module and remains connected, while in others the metal key removes entirely.
The trick is to look for any area on the key that can be pulled out, like the ring hooks or a small button.
Then, you need to locate your concealed door lock.
This is either on the driver’s side under the door handle when you pull it out, or behind a small panel to the left of the door handle that you’d need to remove.
You will need to pop this off either using a screwdriver or, in cases where the metal key releases from the fob, the opposite end of the physical key.
Once the plastic cover is removed, it will reveal the conventional lock behind.
RISK OF DAMAGE
Auto Trader said that while this provides a solution for getting into a car, owners should be very careful when removing the lock cover behind the door handle.
This is because it can be very easy to scratch the paintwork and cause expensive damage.
It can also cause headaches for those who lease or finance cars, as it might not be considered acceptable wear and tear as part of your contract when you hand the vehicle back.
This could result in an unwanted fee or charge.
Auto Trader added: “Some minor scratches are acceptable under fair wear and tear as long as they don’t expose the primer or bare metal.
“No leasing funder expects a car to look brand new when it is returned. If there is considerable damage to your vehicle, contact your leasing company and insurance provider to arrange an approved repair.”
Some manufacturers, like Land Rover, use a non-traditional key and lock.
With their fobs, a key blade removes from the fob and inserts into a small socket under the door handle to remove the cover to provide access to the main door lock.
You may also need to place the key fob somewhere specific, outlined by the manufacturer in the owner’s manual, to deactivate the alarm if it sounds.
Keyless car access has come under criticism in some cases where it has made vehicle theft easier.
Just last month, thieves used a “relay device” to steal a car from an unsuspecting man’s driveway.