Fob

May 20, 2024

Our Jeep is equipped with a keyless entry and ignition system.  I always thought this was an asset, especially running across the parking lot in the rain when I can open my door without fumbling for my key.  We also have another feature that refuses to allow the car to lock if I left the keys in the car and will beep a warning to tell me I need to retrieve my keys.  This is not an absolute failsafe.  Three months ago, I hopped out of the car and locked it, missing the warning beep.  When I returned an hour later the vehicle had locked itself while I was gone, and I called for a locksmith to retrieve my key.  Last week I found another problem with my keyless ignition.  I had taken the kids to the lake for a walk and started the car and drove home.  I turned the vehicle off and took the kids inside.  When I returned to the car to lock it, it gave me a warning beep.  I made a thorough search of the vehicle, but my keys were nowhere to be found.  When Melissa came to help, we thought we saw the red button on the fob lodged under the center console.  We knew the key had to be in the car.  After all, how could I drive home if the key was not in the vehicle?

When I looked online, I found there have also been a number of injuries and even deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning when victims leave their cars running in the garage.  This is easier with modern keyless ignition systems which allow drivers to start and shut off their vehicle with the press of a button, especially with quiet, hybrid cars.  The engine might not be running when the car is parked but comes on as the batteries run down.  Keyless entry systems are a standard feature on many new cars and at least an option on even the least expensive models.  Some allow the driver to lock and unlock the car by touching the door handles without using the key fob, and then start the vehicle with the press of a button or the twist of a knob.  Some automakers have audible notifications when the key leaves the running vehicle.  Others have designed cars to automatically shut off after a certain period of time once the driver has left the vehicle or to automatically turn off whenever the driver exits with the key fob.  Lieutenant Athony Mancuso of the New York City Fire Department said, “When we do see a carbon monoxide death the people don’t have a carbon monoxide detector.”  Every home should have working carbon monoxide detectors, not in the garage but in the home’s living areas where it can be heard. 

I also found a YouTube share that discussed being able to drive your running Jeep without a key in the car.  Knowing this was possible, I drove back to the lake to see if my fob was lying on the ground.  It was not.  That left the possibility of their falling into the console.  I researched (YouTube again) how to remove the center console and found it was basically four bolts.  I removed the bolts and lifted the console enough to assure myself the key fob was not there.  I do not know if it was lost elsewhere (?) or if someone had decided to pick it up (?).  It was ironic when we walked the next day that I found a fishing pole lying in the road leading to the end of the jetty.  All I could think of was someone picking up my fob before I could retrieve it.  I left the pole propped against a fence post at the entrance of the road.  It was gone the next day.  I hoped it was the owner who had returned.

THOUGHTS:  When I told my sister about my key fob troubles she told me of a similar experience.  My brother-in-law was driving, and she hopped out of their Jeep (with the fob) to go shopping.  He drove the car to the other end of the shopping center to another store.  She had the fob, and he had the car.  I cannot imagine this is a good feature since Jeep is a 4-wheel designed to travel back roads.  I hope I never lose my key in Desolation Canyon.  Fore warned is fore prepared.  Act for all.  Change is coming and it starts with you.