Question on CX-5 Keys

Bombadil

Member
:
1997 Acura Integra GS-R
So I've been looking at the CX-5 and like it a lot. On my test drive, the salesman hands me this thick, heavy key fob thingy. Way bigger than anything I would want to carry in my pocket. Is this the key for all CX-5s, or is it the one with the Tech Package?

I told him that I would take the key part out of it and leave that cumbersome chunk in the car.

I have attached images, clumsily.
 

Attachments

  • cx-5 key fob.JPG
    cx-5 key fob.JPG
    25.9 KB · Views: 4,506
  • cx-5 key.JPG
    cx-5 key.JPG
    33 KB · Views: 722
That is the key fob I have, but I have the tech package. If I remember correctly from the Quick Start booklet, the key fob pic shows the same key fob with or without the tech package.
 
yeah same key for all vehicles, that fob is what unlocks/locks and starts the vehicle. the mechanical key is only used to unlock the driver door should the fobs battery be dead. The key fob is about the standard size fob for any vehicle with a push start button.
 
If I get this CX-5, I'm going to have to find a solution around this key. I just hate carrying fat things in my pockets. And I lose keys left and right. I have 6 keys each to my current vehicles, just standard old metal keys. Misplace them all the time.

So as I understand it, if this key fob thing is close to the vehicle, then you can press a button on the CX-5 to open the doors and liftgate? Is this true? So if I leave it on the inside, in the glove compartment, my vehicle isn't safe? I hope this is not true.

As I understand it, the key itself, inside of the fob, can be dup'ed at many places. And these copies can be used to open the door. This is a great solution for me if the key fob doesn't allow others to just walk up and get in. For I can put the entire fob and key into the car and leave them there. Then use duplicate keys to unlock the door. That would be perfect. Once in the CX-5, just push the start button, as the fob is nearby.

I'm sure it can't be this easy. Either the car won't like the fob always being near and disable it. Or there is some button on the door where people can get in if the fob is in the car. Of course such a button could be disconnected. But maybe there is another d*mn button on the liftgate? And the passenger side door?

I must find some solution/alternative to carrying that thick fob around. And to have backup keys.
 
Hmmm ... I have found articles saying that if you wrap a smart key fob in aluminum foil, that it blocks them. This would be a very nice solution! Again, sounds too easy. This plan probably has a flaw.

PS: I have never carried a key fob.
 
Last edited:
I think having the keyless entry is a good enough reason to carry the key fob with you.

One problem I read is you can't lock the door with the smart key inside the car. You can, however close the door and lock it manually with the metal key and keep the fob inside. You really shouldn't keep the fob inside the car anways because if you forget to lock the door, anyone could get in and hit the push button and away they go.

The smart key isn't much larger than a standard key, just a little fatter. Alternative solutions: Fanny Pack, Man Purse, Arm Band (like for iPods), binder clip to belt loop, and inside sock.

Get creative (cheers2)
 
My friend has a Nissan Juke that is also keyless start. His key is wayyyyyy lighter than mine!

I just keep it anchored to my belt loop with a carabiner.
 
Hmmm ... I have found articles saying that if you wrap a smart key fob in aluminum foil, that it blocks them. This would be a very nice solution! Again, sounds too easy. This plan probably has a flaw.

PS: I have never carried a key fob.

Theoretically, it would work because the foil creates a faraday cage around the device which blocks the signal. The big flaw with that is that you would have to wrap and unwrap it every time you want to get in or leave your car.
 
Compared to Lexus and Mercedes fob/remotes, it's light. So I never thought it was unusually heavy. Still better than having a old car key and a separate remote jangling around.
 
so do you not own a cell phone? or carry a wallet? (rolleyes)

I have fits with what to do with my cell phone in the summer. Usually carry it in my shirt pocket. It is thinner than this fob thing. I do have a wallet, I purchased an ultra-thin wallet and keep very little in it - driver's license, ATM/credit card, medical ID card and cash. It is also nice and soft. I carry keys too. I have three thin metal keys on flexible thin wire "keychain." My car's original key had those thick rubber grips on it, those bothered me. So I had dups made. I just don't like thick things in my pocket and this fob goes well beyond anything I have ever carried.
 
Compared to Lexus and Mercedes fob/remotes, it's light. So I never thought it was unusually heavy. Still better than having a old car key and a separate remote jangling around.

Have never carried a remote. Just the metal car key. Never really felt a need to lock or unlock the car from 10' to 20' away.

It was funny at the Mazda dealer. He handed me that fob, I looked at him and said, "You want me to carry THIS???" He thought it was a nice fob, while I thought it was an atrocity from h*ll.
 
Have never carried a remote. Just the metal car key. Never really felt a need to lock or unlock the car from 10' to 20' away.

It was funny at the Mazda dealer. He handed me that fob, I looked at him and said, "You want me to carry THIS???" He thought it was a nice fob, while I thought it was an atrocity from h*ll.

good luck buying a new car anytime in the foreseeable future then
pretty much every new car requires a fob with transponder as part of a 'secure' system and pushbutton starts simplify production so everything will be going that way so fobs will be SOP
 
Theoretically, it would work because the foil creates a faraday cage around the device which blocks the signal. The big flaw with that is that you would have to wrap and unwrap it every time you want to get in or leave your car.

Yes, that would be annoying. It would be better if I could find a metal box which worked. So I could get in, flip open the box and push the start button.

I'm supposing that there is no key lock on the lift gate? So if I went this route, I would have to unlock the door with the key and open the lift gate from a button on the door, or open my metal box??? What a pain!

This is what I've been doing on my '97 Corolla for over 10 years. They gave me two sets of keys, a master key and a valet key. Valet key opens the front door but not the trunk, which is super stupid as when you open the front door, there's a latch on the floor which opens the trunk. I lost my master, and a dup, long ago but have the valet and 5 dups of it. So haven't been able to unlock the trunk with a key since around 2002. Always have to unlock the driver's door and pull the trunk latch.
 
good luck buying a new car anytime in the foreseeable future then
pretty much every new car requires a fob with transponder as part of a 'secure' system and pushbutton starts simplify production so everything will be going that way so fobs will be SOP

Yes, I know. I just have to find a way to defeat it. There is usually a way.
 
Yes, I know. I just have to find a way to defeat it. There is usually a way.

i wouldn't count on it, at least not a reasonably feasible way
the point of the systems like this is to make them hard to defeat and leave the vehicle liable to theft, you'll prolly have to stick with pre-millenial vehicles

or stop wearing skinny jeans (rofl2)
 
Alas for you, the integrated fob/key seems to be the way all manufacturers are going with their car keys. My best friend has always been the same way when it comes to keeping things in his pockets and got real frustrated a few years ago when he replaced his old-ass Grand Am with a new Jetta, has one of the fobs where the key part pops out at the push of a button for the ignition.

However, he did manage to get used to it after a couple of months... it really just boils down to tolerating that little bit of frustration until it becomes normal feeling. I experienced the same thing in reverse when I quit smoking, felt naked walking out without my lighter and cigarette pack in their regular spots. Just a matter of acclimation!
 
i wouldn't count on it, at least not a reasonably feasible way
the point of the systems like this is to make them hard to defeat and leave the vehicle liable to theft, you'll prolly have to stick with pre-millenial vehicles

Oh, I think the shielded metal box would work. Get a dup metal key made of the smart chip key, which I understand will still unlock the door. That the smart chip isn't needed to unlock the door. Don't have 100% verification of this. But if that works then just put the metal key on my keyring. Keep the smart fob in the shielded box inside the vehicle. Then open the box and push the start button.

Also nice in that I could then use a magnetic spare key box to hide another dup metal key under the vehicle, which would mean I would never get locked out or ever not be able to start the vehicle.
 
Last edited:
Pictures of a VW Rabbit fob, and a Mercedes Fob. My Mini fob (not pictured) is round and smaller. <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uaKgOW99E4cGT22bhKz6wNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VmEd3VEifns/URvmerFKxrI/AAAAAAAAHxo/aMGfdz27V4o/s144/IMG_20130213_141515.jpg" height="108" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/115660437672597642886/Misc?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Misc</a></td></tr></table>

What I'm curious about is an aftermarket 2 way remote car starter. How will it work? I just bought a 2014 GT I wouldn't want an extra set of buttons just to lock/unlock the car..
 
Last edited:
Back