New Lexus key
exactly. 15 years ago lexus key fob has all the buttons integrated. there is no reason why it has to be bigger now. imho it's just stupid to have all kind of display and gadgets on the fob itself. time for integration with the phone if anything. the fob should be small and light. when i first had my hands on the 2013 ls460 fob i was so puzzled...
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,480
Likes: 3,995
From: Maryland
Originally Posted by rominl
exactly. 15 years ago lexus key fob has all the buttons integrated. there is no reason why it has to be bigger now. imho it's just stupid to have all kind of display and gadgets on the fob itself. time for integration with the phone if anything. the fob should be small and light. when i first had my hands on the 2013 ls460 fob i was so puzzled...
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 327
Likes: 65
From: Ca
I can open and close car for anyone who needs to get something out of the car while sitting on a park bench using key fob.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 192
From: CA
I have a biometric lock on my home with a smart phone tie in, I can unlock my house door using my thumb print, a key code, or a physical key while at the door, or remotely though the phone app anywhere in the world.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,309
Likes: 31
From: Canada
can't say I've ever had to do that, but as I said with a smart phone tie in..
I have a biometric lock on my home with a smart phone tie in, I can unlock my house door using my thumb print, a key code, or a physical key while at the door, or remotely though the phone app anywhere in the world.
I have a biometric lock on my home with a smart phone tie in, I can unlock my house door using my thumb print, a key code, or a physical key while at the door, or remotely though the phone app anywhere in the world.
Relying on Tesla’s car unlocking app left one Model S owner stranded
The owner of a Tesla Model S recently found out that even the most convenient modern-day tech features have limitations. Ryan Negri was left stranded in a remote location about six miles away from his home when the smartphone application that replaces his electric sedan’s key couldn’t connect to the internet.
Negri explained he headed out in his Model S on a Saturday morning to take pictures of the snow in the mountains. He downloaded the company’s official app, like many Tesla owners, so he was able to unlock and start his car without the key. He made a quick stop, exited the car, and locked himself out. He couldn’t unlock the doors because there was no cell phone service in the area where he was parked. His phone was unable to load the Tesla app, and his car was unable to receive instructions.
A person Negri was with ran about two miles until she found service. She was able to call a friend who picked her up, drove her to grab the keys, and took her back to the stranded Tesla. With the key in hand, Negri started the car with no fuss and drove home.
Negri explained he headed out in his Model S on a Saturday morning to take pictures of the snow in the mountains. He downloaded the company’s official app, like many Tesla owners, so he was able to unlock and start his car without the key. He made a quick stop, exited the car, and locked himself out. He couldn’t unlock the doors because there was no cell phone service in the area where he was parked. His phone was unable to load the Tesla app, and his car was unable to receive instructions.
A person Negri was with ran about two miles until she found service. She was able to call a friend who picked her up, drove her to grab the keys, and took her back to the stranded Tesla. With the key in hand, Negri started the car with no fuss and drove home.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: CA
Anywhere in the world where you can get a cellphone signal, I assume. Look at this story of the Tesla owner who was locked out of his car because he drove out of range of a cellphone signal and could not unlock his car.
Source
Source
I don't use my phone to unlock my house, but I can, I use the biometrics on the door lock, but in the event that it doesn't work I can still use an old fashion key, while I don't carry it, I have hidden in the event I need it.
Last edited by mjeds; Apr 6, 2017 at 07:48 PM.
That only goes to show even further that it isn't wasted space because the design was purposefully that size regardless of extra space inside.
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,634
Likes: 254
From: CA
Haha, that's funny.
Also in some extreme rare conditions, if the cell towers are down (e.g., bad weather).....And you need to drive the car but it shuts down due to NO SIGNAL??? That would be a BAD DAY for the driver. If that happened to me, I would jump into my old car with the manual key turn and GO!!!
Also in some extreme rare conditions, if the cell towers are down (e.g., bad weather).....And you need to drive the car but it shuts down due to NO SIGNAL??? That would be a BAD DAY for the driver. If that happened to me, I would jump into my old car with the manual key turn and GO!!!
Anywhere in the world where you can get a cellphone signal, I assume. Look at this story of the Tesla owner who was locked out of his car because he drove out of range of a cellphone signal and could not unlock his car.
Source
Source
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,480
Likes: 3,995
From: Maryland
Originally Posted by lexusrus
Haha, that's funny.
Also in some extreme rare conditions, if the cell towers are down (e.g., bad weather).....And you need to drive the car but it shuts down due to NO SIGNAL??? That would be a BAD DAY for the driver. If that happened to me, I would jump into my old car with the manual key turn and GO!!!
Also in some extreme rare conditions, if the cell towers are down (e.g., bad weather).....And you need to drive the car but it shuts down due to NO SIGNAL??? That would be a BAD DAY for the driver. If that happened to me, I would jump into my old car with the manual key turn and GO!!!
Remember too that modern phones have other methods of connecting other than cellular signal. They have Bluetooth, RFID which is used for ApplePay, Samsung Pay etc.
Having a phone key option at this point is very viable. I wouldn't say it should be the only option yet.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,085
Likes: 401
From: Nor CA
I know I will get flamed but the fobs are a PITA and a key with open/close door and trunk buttons are sufficient for me.... The idea of not being able to start the car when a fob battery fails is bad enough. Owners getting locked out of their expensive cars is a tragedy (albeit Lexus "hides" a key in their fobs to unlock the car but that does not always lead to getting it started).
I can take an older style fob battery failure and manually still open the door and start the car but losing a cell phone signal in a basement garage and can't get into your car and drive off seems a bit ludicrous .......
I can take an older style fob battery failure and manually still open the door and start the car but losing a cell phone signal in a basement garage and can't get into your car and drive off seems a bit ludicrous .......