Spare key?

fphinney · 10-24-2006, 02:32 AM

Does anyone have a good suggestion about where to stick a magnetic box with a spare key in it. I thought I had a good spot, but when I checked 2 weeks later - IT WAS GONE!

If you do, I would suggest clicking on my name (on the left) & choosing Send a Personal Message (on the right). I mention this because I don't think we should post this type on info on a public website.

eagle33199 · 10-24-2006, 09:35 AM

Going to Pm an idea to you, but along a similar thread, i'm wondering what parts of the car are really magnetic? i've seen posts before about people trying to put magnetic decals on the car in various places and it not working - Is most of the car non-metalic, or at least only slightly so?

Beryl Octet · 10-24-2006, 09:50 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Oct 24 2006, 09:35 AM) [snapback]337271[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Going to Pm an idea to you, but along a similar thread, i'm wondering what parts of the car are really magnetic? i've seen posts before about people trying to put magnetic decals on the car in various places and it not working - Is most of the car non-metalic, or at least only slightly so?
[/b]

The inner fenders, hatch, rear bumper cover and such are plastic. Perhaps under the chassis is the only good place for one of these. Anyway, wouldn't you need to leave a fob in there, too? Doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

Essayons · 10-24-2006, 09:54 AM

Leaving a fob on the car would be a VERY bad idea. The transponder would enable anyone to walk up to the car and open the doors just by touching the handle.

daniel · 10-24-2006, 10:06 AM

I have long used a key safe for a spare house key. It screws onto any convenient spot, like a door frame. It would not be hard to pry loose with a crowbar, but it would be far harder to open than to break into the house without a key. It uses a changeable combination.

They also make key safes that hang on the outside over a closed car window. Again, a thief could easily break the window to get the safe, but the safe is so hard to open that it would probably be easier to tow the car away.

Another possibility would be a key safe, loose, hidden inside the car, containing the fob (without a battery if the safe does not hide it from the car's computer) and keep the metal key in some location that you can reach from the outside. The metal key would let you into the car, but if a thief found it he still could not drive the car, without opening the key safe, which you would have hidden somewhere, and locked with the combination.

I don't like those magnetic key boxes. As you learned, they can fall off. Why not use duct tape to tape the metal key to some outside part? Again, with the fob in a key safe hidden inside the car you could drive the car but a thief could not.

aaf709 · 10-24-2006, 10:16 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Beryl Octet @ Oct 24 2006, 06:50 AM) [snapback]337279[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Anyway, wouldn't you need to leave a fob in there, too? Doesn't seem like a good idea to me.
[/b]

To unlock, all you need is the metal key.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Essayons @ Oct 24 2006, 06:54 AM) [snapback]337281[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Leaving a fob on the car would be a VERY bad idea. The transponder would enable anyone to walk up to the car and open the doors just by touching the handle.
[/b]

I think they're talking about the metal key alone.

Another solution would be to use some strong double sided tape (instead of worrying about where to attach with a magnet) and put the key safe anywhere you want.

If you belong to AAA they make plastic keys that look like a credit card and fit into your wallet. It's not designed to replace a regular key in the ignition (in a non-Prius), but it is designed for unlocking a door in an emergency (although they do last for several uses).

eagle33199 · 10-24-2006, 10:58 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Essayons @ Oct 24 2006, 08:54 AM) [snapback]337281[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Leaving a fob on the car would be a VERY bad idea. The transponder would enable anyone to walk up to the car and open the doors just by touching the handle.
[/b]

Actually, thats not quite how it works... if a functioning fob is left in the car, the car will refuse to lock (i'm not sure, but i think you can still lock it with the metal key - have to check on that one). So yes, someone could get in the car fairly easily, since it won't be locked. However, you can take the battery out (not too difficult) or wrap it in foil to hide the signal - then the car will lock and have no idea a fob is there. even if the fob is later detected, the car knows where it is and won't unlock the doors for someone outside the car. Give it a test - roll down the window, lock the car, reach in and stick the fob somewhere (glove box, center consol, whatever) and then try the handle.

tomdeimos · 10-24-2006, 02:26 PM

Just find a place for the key. Then keep a hidden fob in the car with battery removed.
It should still work in the slot without a battery.

fphinney · 10-25-2006, 12:03 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fphinney @ Oct 24 2006, 01:32 AM) [snapback]337214[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Does anyone have a good suggestion about where to stick a magnetic box with a spare key in it. I thought I had a good spot, but when I checked 2 weeks later - IT WAS GONE!

If you do, I would suggest clicking on my name (on the left) & choosing Send a Personal Message (on the right). I mention this because I don't think we should post this type on info on a public website.

[/b]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maybe I should have explained further!

I have taken the battery out of my second fob. I believe I have a pretty good place to stash that fob. If I ever lose my primary fob, I can use the secondary one by plugging it into my dash.

Now I just need to find a "good" place for the metal key, that lets me into my locked car.

THANKS,

eagle33199 · 10-25-2006, 09:56 AM

Going off some of the above posts, the best bet might be to get a wallen key made that can let you into the car, and have the fob locked up in one of those hide-away key holders somewhere inside - i'd definately make sure it's secured in some manor so someone can't just bust a window, root around, find it and drive off...

10-24-2006, 10:06 AM	#5
daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 11,813 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 77 Thanked 290 Times in 182 Posts Friends: 0	I have long used a key safe for a spare house key. It screws onto any convenient spot, like a door frame. It would not be hard to pry loose with a crowbar, but it would be far harder to open than to break into the house without a key. It uses a changeable combination. They also make key safes that hang on the outside over a closed car window. Again, a thief could easily break the window to get the safe, but the safe is so hard to open that it would probably be easier to tow the car away. Another possibility would be a key safe, loose, hidden inside the car, containing the fob (without a battery if the safe does not hide it from the car's computer) and keep the metal key in some location that you can reach from the outside. The metal key would let you into the car, but if a thief found it he still could not drive the car, without opening the key safe, which you would have hidden somewhere, and locked with the combination. I don't like those magnetic key boxes. As you learned, they can fall off. Why not use duct tape to tape the metal key to some outside part? Again, with the fob in a key safe hidden inside the car you could drive the car but a thief could not. __________________ Daniel Primary car: Zap Xebra SD, 100% electric. 1.9 cents per mile. Range: 40 miles total, or 32 miles to 80% discharge. Top speed 35 mph. Faster downhill. Uses electrons generated from water power. Gas guzzler for when I have to travel farther than 30 miles: 2004 Prius. "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." -- Emma Goldman "Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think long and hard before starting a war." -- Otto von Bismarck

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Spare Key	shann17	Local Prius Club Main Forum	4	05-03-2007 02:39 PM
Can't get spare gas into the car	kdmorse	Gen II Prius Main Forum	4	04-27-2007 02:57 PM
You have time to spare.	Stev0	Fred's House of Pancakes	9	01-31-2007 01:05 AM
Best way to get rid of Temp spare	Syclone	Gen II Prius Modifications	9	11-24-2006 03:10 PM
Spare FOB	twocrifasis	Gen II Prius Main Forum	5	01-17-2006 05:50 PM

10-24-2006, 02:32 AM	#1
fphinney Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Walnut Creek CA Posts: 232 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Does anyone have a good suggestion about where to stick a magnetic box with a spare key in it. I thought I had a good spot, but when I checked 2 weeks later - IT WAS GONE! If you do, I would suggest clicking on my name (on the left) & choosing Send a Personal Message (on the right). I mention this because I don't think we should post this type on info on a public website.

10-24-2006, 09:35 AM	#2
eagle33199 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4,446 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 39 Thanked 98 Times in 58 Posts Friends: 4	Going to Pm an idea to you, but along a similar thread, i'm wondering what parts of the car are really magnetic? i've seen posts before about people trying to put magnetic decals on the car in various places and it not working - Is most of the car non-metalic, or at least only slightly so?

10-24-2006, 09:54 AM	#4
Essayons Essayons Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Richmond. va Posts: 90 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Leaving a fob on the car would be a VERY bad idea. The transponder would enable anyone to walk up to the car and open the doors just by touching the handle.

10-24-2006, 02:26 PM	#8
tomdeimos Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lexington, MA Posts: 995 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Just find a place for the key. Then keep a hidden fob in the car with battery removed. It should still work in the slot without a battery.

10-25-2006, 09:56 AM	#10
eagle33199 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4,446 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 39 Thanked 98 Times in 58 Posts Friends: 4	Going off some of the above posts, the best bet might be to get a wallen key made that can let you into the car, and have the fob locked up in one of those hide-away key holders somewhere inside - i'd definately make sure it's secured in some manor so someone can't just bust a window, root around, find it and drive off...