Cars We Drive!

[clee1982]

3 month sounds crazy, don't they usually last like a year?

 

[Numbernine]

I've got 5 years on the one I have now. Wife has 3 on hers.

 

[Texasmade]

My AMG lasted about 4 years. If it's being burned out every 3 months, then there's something wrong with your fob.

 

[jbarwick]

My AMG lasted about 4 years. If it's being burned out every 3 months, then there's something wrong with your fob.

Yea that was my worry. May tuck this key away and switch to the reserve. MB likely charges an arm and a leg for a new one and we are just keeping the car for another year or two until my wife finds an EV she likes and we can find one in stock.

 

[Texasmade]

If there's something wrong with the fob, you can try to get it replaced for free provided the car is still under warranty.

 

[VaderDave]

Is this a separate fob, or an integrated fob/key? Most of the integrated ones are supposed to charge while you drive (with the key plugged into the car). Even if the fob is just a standalone, it should last waaaay longer than three months.

 

[clee1982]

I thought most new ones are stand alone? People don't even do fake ignition these days

 

[VaderDave]

I thought most new ones are stand alone? People don't even do fake ignition these days

Ah, that's a good point. I am poor so I don't have a new car.

 

[clee1982]

or you have Porsche? Think last time they were the only one who still do the whole put in column (on the left side of course...)

 

[Texasmade]

Separate fob with a key piece that you can still use to open the door/start the car if the battery is dead.

 

[jbarwick]

I can pop off the cap and put it in the ignition. The car is 10yrs old so thinking the FOB may just be old at this point. Oh well.

 

[gnatty8]

Bought brand new XC60 December 2019. Since then, it has had 3 recalls, and I've needed to take it into dealer twice more for "service needed" notifications. If this is the norm, I think this will be my first and last experience with Volvo.

So got a service notification for the Auto-Start/Stop function yesterday

 

[clee1982]

you're really damping my enthusiasm for potentially joining the Volvo crowd down the road

 

[otc]

My VW key seems to get low much faster than any other fob I've used, but it is also the first full keyless start and proximity sensing (door unlocks if you reach for the handle with the key in your pocket) key I have long term experience with.

That said, I'm probably only on my 3rd battery in 2 years. I think it is getting low though as my remote range is feels short.

Only time it actually stopped working on me was a pain ********** though. I hadn't gotten any dash warnings or anything, but I had it an a pocket while snowshoeing and it must have gotten cold enough for the voltage to completely die off. So there I am in the cold with frozen fingers (I was dressed for active motion, not standing around trying to get into my car) trying to pry off the plastic cover over the emergency key hole without scratching/marring anything.

 

[VaderDave]

or you have Porsche? Think last time they were the only one who still do the whole put in column (on the left side of course...)

Yeah, I have a Boxster S. All my other cars have (gasp!) actual physical keys with teeth and everything.