Key fob is too big!!!

[radiohead]

I got my Mazda 5, 9 days ago, but the one thing I dislike is the key/remote combination. It's so big!

Has anyone found a separate key and fob combination that's smaller? Anything smaller will be great. It doesn't have to be a single piece. A key and separate fob will be just fine provided it's smaller.

Thanks

[MacPrince]

I suppose if it really bugs you that much, you could go into your dealer and see if they'll program a Mazda3 keyfob for your 5. But you'll be paying for the fob, the transponder key, cutting the key, and reprogramming the car to recognize both the key and the fob. (Don't expect them to just trade for your switchblade key.)

Personally? I really like the switchblade key.

[jandree22]

Unfortunately, I think this may have been covered before, and the consensus was that it can't be done. Probably stuck with the $300 switchblade key. :rolleyes:

[opus]

I agree with Jandree, this has been covered and unfortunately you are stuck. The bad part about it is that they decontented the key fob to hit the price point. A number of owners have had the plastic break, and just about everybody has had the icons rub off on the buttons. The whole design is a poorly executed rip off of VW's key fob. The guy in the classroom next to mine has a VW Passat Wagon that is four years older than my 5 but his key fob looks brand new next to mine looking like it has been through the wars(notcool)

[radiohead]

I found a smaller key from this eBay store

http://stores.ebay.com/Transponder-island_Transponder-Keys_Mazda_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ8313841QQftidZ2Q QtZkm

Here is what it looks like.

[coolmazda5]

...it gets heavy if you carry 3 in your pocket or 2 in the same keychain :D... (The 3rd one is from a rental though...)

Dunno, I actually like them better than other car keys, they are very stylish, and wife likes it because is more difficult to lose. She actually keeps it with no key chain. The only thing I don't like is the fact that the lock/unlock buttons are easy to scratch and lose color after a while.

Oh, and you gotta see the VW switchblade ones, those ARE massive.

[coolmazda5]

I found a smaller key from this eBay store
Here is what it looks like.

Please keep us updated on the outcome, looks like a decent alternative for a spare one.

Thanks!

[radiohead]

I don't know if it's the effect of this forum, but the number of available transponder keys in this eBay auction went down by 8 since this morning

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=370015215950&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=024

[olddaddy]

I found a smaller key from this eBay store

http://stores.ebay.com/Transponder-island_Transponder-Keys_Mazda_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ8313841QQftidZ2Q QtZkm

Here is what it looks like.
Why do you think this key will be smaller than a Mazda key?

[CX-7owner]

That key can't be Mazda, but if it is you still need something to operate the keyless entry.

And yeah that looks to be longer than the fob.

[slvrsleeper]

And I wouldn't get too warm and fuzzy about those VW fobs. My last car was a Jetta wagon with a fob and it had lost all of its paint and the VW emblem after one year of ownership. The emblems falling off is such an epedemic that literally all the aftermarket shops for VW carry the emblems seperately. Oh and if god forbid your fob should quit the dealers charge nearly 400$ to PROGRAM a replacement (nevermind the 85$ to 100$ you pay for the unground key and fob body. The size of the Mazda key isn't too awful given that you do not have to carry two items around on the same key chain IMO.

[bstad1]

The combination of key and fob is no smaller than the switchblade. I actually modded a switchblade key to use for my MZ3 because I hated how the fob hit my knee as I was driving.