Don't put your car keys in the same pocket as your cell phone

[stiltman]

http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSN2424455020070525

DETROIT (Reuters) - Nissan North America (7201.T: Quote, Profile, Research has a warning for customers: placing your electronic key too close to your cellphone could leave you stranded.

The automaker is asking customers driving new models of two of its flagship sedans to keep their car keys and cellphones at least an inch apart to avoid disabling the "intelligent keys."

Cellphones kept near Nissan's I-Keys -- wireless devices designed to allow drivers to enter and start their cars at the push of a button -- can erase the electronic code on the keys, rendering them unable to unlock or start the cars.

cont...

[BJ_M]

well that will be a problem for women who just drop both into their purses

[thecoalman]

I really don't see the need for all this high tech gadetry in every single part of our lives, just a money grab IMO. Instead of making the lock better they make some ridiculously over priced key... that they know is going to have to be fixed or replaced. Just like power windows, what a wonderful thing until they break. I have a old 72 Ford f-250 that's been well maintained, windows work, heater works everthing works. If it breaks its easy tto fix.. Open the hood and what gorgeous site, about 12 wires including the 6 spark plug cables. I doubt any modern vehicle will be around in 40 years like that one, no onw will know how or be able to fix it.

[AlecWest]

I was a computer operator for an insurance company several years ago. It was a DEC system, still using reel-tape backups and hard drives the size of small refrigerators (grin). Anyhoo, I consistently had to replace my ATM cards and credit cards because their magnetic strips would fail ... until I finally realized that when I did a backup, I leaned back against one of the hard drives (with my wallet in a back pocket). After that, when I left my wallet in my desk while doing a backup, my cards didn't die anymore (grin).

Now, it's cellphones wiping out "smart keys," hehe. The more things change, the more they remain the same.

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

I really don't see the need for all this high tech gadetry in every single part of our lives, just a money grab IMO. Instead of making the lock better they make some ridiculously over priced key... that they know is going to have to be fixed or replaced. Just like power windows, what a wonderful thing until they break. I have a old 72 Ford f-250 that's been well maintained, windows work, heater works everthing works. If it breaks its easy tto fix.. Open the hood and what gorgeous site, about 12 wires including the 6 spark plug cables. I doubt any modern vehicle will be around in 40 years like that one, no onw will know how or be able to fix it.

I own a Renault; the "smart key" failed like a year ago and had to be replaced. They charged me $200 #$@#@# dollars for the @$$#%!@#$ key, it is #$&*#$@#@ UNBELIEVABLE.

I vowed myself to NEVER EVER EVER EVER buy a car with stupid gizmos like that again!.

[MJA]

my 1st car I bough in TX was Renault .lool.never again .overseas maybe,but not in the US

[Super Warrior]

What the hell is wrong with just using KEYS anymore?

Also i wonder if placing them next to a large magnet would erase the codes too, kinda like a floppy disc.

[thecoalman]

Super[/url] Warrior]What the hell is wrong with just using KEYS anymore?

Cause they can't charge you an arm and leg if they simply made better locks. Most cars that are stolen have the ignition switch busted into, making a more robust ignition system would work but they can only charge you for that once. Oddly it has many parrallels to what the the movie industy does now, by providing propietary technology that only they can fix they are locking a future customer in. Same goes with the rest of the car, they are making them so complicated at some point in the future the service stations aren't going to be able to fix them which is very bad thing. The dealers will be able to set any price they want such as the $200 key. You can't get them anywhere but the dealer.

[stiltman]

We just bought a new Dodge Pickup. It has the remote alarm system and the key combined. We needed 2 additional keys for the truck as it's a shared among 4 people. Each extra key cost $200 Can you beleave that....$200 for a key

[SquirrelDip]

We just bought a new Dodge Pickup. It has the remote alarm system and the key combined. We needed 2 additional keys for the truck as it's a shared among 4 people. Each extra key cost $200 Can you beleave that....$200 for a key

Did you receive the included Blow Job?

<same issues here with wifes VW - $250 for a replacement key...>

[thecoalman]

If you think about WTF could possibly make the key cost $200+ in the first place, it's highway robbery.

[Lucifers_Ghost]

Ease. Thats a little insane.

[BJ_M]

We just bought a new Dodge Pickup. It has the remote alarm system and the key combined. We needed 2 additional keys for the truck as it's a shared among 4 people. Each extra key cost $200 Can you beleave that....$200 for a key

Did you receive the included Blow Job?

<same issues here with wifes VW - $250 for a replacement key...>

you can buy them online for a lot less https://www.streetkeys.com

[SquirrelDip]

you can buy them online for a lot less https://www.streetkeys.com

Nice to know but US only...

[BJ_M]

you can buy them online for a lot less https://www.streetkeys.com

Nice to know but US only...

http://www.howardkeys.com/index_can.html

[MOVIEGEEK]

The key only costs ~$30US,it's the programming that is rediculous(esp. if you don't have a spare).I agree though that these security keys are overkill,if a carthief wants your car they will get it no matter what you do.

[thecoalman]

I don't know what the key is made of but assumiing they are only flashing the memory on it programming it is not a reason to charge $200

if a carthief wants your car they will get it no matter what you do.

Good point, and the availability of them online sure wouldn't make me secure in the knowledge that someone couldn't just get one made from a less than legitimate business. I'm pretty sure this was just regular keys but they had a hidden camera piece on one of news shows where a woman would walk into a dealership with some sob story and the vin number for a car and they give her a key.... Talk about a thief's dream.

[zzyzzx]

Bah Humbug. I drive a vintage Escort. No need for fancy keys or alarm systems. The Escort nameplate renders it virtually theftproof in the first place.

[SquirrelDip]

Bah Humbug. I drive a vintage Escort. No need for fancy keys or alarm systems. The Escort nameplate renders it virtually theftproof in the first place.

Just make sure you never leave it with a full tank - then even a puke purple escort will have value...