Rachel Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 The photo below (thanks VW Vortex) shows the new key system in the newly released Passat. From the photo, it looks as though there is no key "blade" - just a little remote "brick". The images of the driver's side of the car seem to indicate it is "de-locked". It's a neat idea, but I have one concern. Does it require internal power (used for lock/unlock) to also talk to the car? What happens when the power goes in the key? I'd guess you are effectively locked out of your car, something of a problem the current VAG keys do not suffer. What do you guys think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 I think it's a gimmick, and I don't know about the battery either. I presume there must be a "Battery low warning" system to help with this. At least it'll stop people sticking a screwdriver in the key slots and fecking up the locks. Would I have one? Yep. I suppose so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidhodgkinson Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 how do you get in the car if the car battery is flat? nice idea, but a few holes in the concept.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 I would suspect its like the Saab keys. There is actually a blade key inside which you can pop out to manually open the doors. As for the ignition, it is actually powered by the car not the key (again I'm assuming its liek the Saab system), the key is just passive. Like the immobilser chip in your current key. The ignition reads it, and then unlocks the ignition so you can start the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 Its the same system that you have been able to get in High end Lexus / Mercs for a while now. Oh and the Micra / Megan has also had it for quite a while now as well. Its great to be able to walk up to the car and pull the handle without even touching the key. All you do then is twist the ignition as if the key was in or press a button depending on the system. As far as I know it alerts you as to when the battery is getting low and they also change them at each service in a Lexus at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 BMW have the best idea. The ignition barrel charges the key battery whenever the key is in the ignition (bit like dropping your mobile on the car kit cradle, constantly trickle charges the battery). So no new key battery ever needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Oh and the Micra / Megan has also had it for quite a while now as well. Its great to be able to walk up to the car and pull the handle without even touching the key. All you do then is twist the ignition as if the key was in or press a button depending on the system. [/ QUOTE ] A smart idea till (for example) wife needs to borrow the car. Chap drives to the station, hops out with engine running, wife hops in drivers seat and heads off. Chap 50 miles away on train when wife pulls into Tescos, switches off engine, and realises key is in hubbys pocket heading west... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 There was an article in a magazine that had that very thing happpen. Driver never really touched the key so completely forgot to hand it in as he left on the train for a trip leaving the person in the office with no keys to drive the motor home. As for the key battery. I thought Lexus and Audi key rings also charged the battery to keep it charged ? Lexus change them at every other service or something similar to ensure a memory effect doesn't happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 I wasn't aware that Audi's charged the key, be interested to know if anyone knows for sure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 The key pictured may be like the current mercedes key! That doesnt have a blade either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I wasn't aware that Audi's charged the key, be interested to know if anyone knows for sure? [/ QUOTE ] nah, audi's have a removable battery. you can replace it yourself if you need to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCab Posted February 17, 2005 Report Share Posted February 17, 2005 Didn't BMW trial something like storing the car's electronic log on the key ? Sounded a smart move - you go into the dealer, who slots your key into a reader, and says "ah yes, you're due for X, you need a top-up of oil, and there's an early fault developing in Z". Or something like that. And of course (unlike, say, a separate credit-card sized electronic logbook), it's always updated when you stick your key into the ignition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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