Can you drive your car without the key fob

New vehicles come with some cool and extremely fun technology, including keyless ignition and push-button start. But what happens if you lose your keyfob? The answer depends on the situation. For example, you will have a very different experience if you lose your keyfob BEFORE you get in the car or afterward. Simply put, if you lose the keyfob that enables your push-button start before you try to drive in your car, then you simply won’t be able to start your vehicle. However, what happens if you lose your keyfob while driving? That’s a very different answer, and we have found a video that answers (and demonstrates) that exact situation.

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What happens if you lose your keyfob while driving?

While the exact answer to this question may depend on the vehicle that you own, in this video with a small Ford car, the vehicle continued to run even when the keyfob was thrown out the window, but it would not start again after the keyfob was out of the cabin. Check this situation out in the video below for a longer breakdown of the situation.

We hope you had fun and learned something with this video! Check out more interesting tips & tricks in our previous blog posts.

Advancements in automotive technology are helping this world in one way or another. You might know a little about the Key Fob. Dealers offer this small size gadget while you purchase a new car. Numerous infamous brands now offer the key fob with their luxurious vehicles. A key fob contains a physical key to enter, lock, or start the ignition. But some automobile manufacturing companies do not offer physical keys inside the fob. You can enjoy the ride while having the key fob in your pocket. The technology has its advantages and disadvantages. A person might leave the key fob at home and drive the car nearby. It will be difficult to start the car again. So, how far can you drive without key fob?

Let us find the answer to this particular question.

How Far Can You Drive Without Key Fob? The Answer

Driving a car without inserting the key is not a big deal anymore. It is not necessary to insert an appropriate key to start the ignition. The matchbox size gadget does all the tricks these days. You can easily lock, unlock, or enter your car without inserting the key. Driving the car with the key still in your pocket is trouble-free.

But the question is how far can you drive without key fob? The answer to this question lies inside your fuel tank. The car will not stop until it runs out of fuel. No matter how far you go or want to go. It will be impossible to start the vehicle once you turn the ignition OFF. The process may vary in different vehicles with different technology. Some key fobs do not let you cross the zone unless you have it inside the cabin only. It all depends upon the proximity of the key fob to the vehicle.

Can you drive your car without the key fob
It depends on the proximity (Photo Source: pixabay)

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How Does a Key Fob Connect & Work? The Explanation

Key fobs are a vital part of the vehicles nowadays. These are one of the best gadgets in an automobile. One must use the fob wisely with proper attention and care. A key fob is nothing but a transmitter with a unique ID. It has a battery and tag number matching with that of your vehicle. It sends signals to the vehicle for locking, unlocking, or starting the car. The key can only operate within the set range and not more than that. Receivers of the car antenna transmit these signals and control your commands appropriately.

Some cars notify about the key fob while you drive. You might not notice the signals and beeps coming from the car. The situation might lead to serious troubles sometimes. According to expert driving tips, it is imperative to check your key fob before starting your ride. One can place it inside the cup holder, pocket, ignition, or anywhere inside the car.

Can you drive your car without the key fob
Keep in mind the place you keep your key fob (Photo Source: pixabay)

The Final Thoughts

That is all about the wireless key or the key fob. You might have got the answer for how far can you drive without key fob now.

Convenience is king in today’s world, and in the automotive world, people seek ways to make driving seamless. Thus, there is a possibility of driving the keyless car without the fob due to the invention of a keyless ignition system.

The car has a keyless push-button start, an intelligent key that allows users to fire up the car’s engine without placing a key in the car. The keyless ignition is gaining popularity, and the invention has been with us for the past two decades as it first appeared in the 1990s and early 2000s.

So, if your car does not yet have the keyless ignition feature, would you opt for it when buying the next car; again, do you know the advantages and downside of the technology? Read on to know if keyless ignition is the best choice for your car and whether you can drive it without the fob.

Contents

  • Can a keyless car will still be driven without the key?
  • Most Fobs Have a Key on It
  • Some Cars Have Spare Keys on the Door Lock
  • It Is Convenient To Use the Car Key App Drive It
  • Final Thoughts

Can a keyless car will still be driven without the key?

If the engine is stopped, you can’t start the car, but if the engine is already running, and suppose you lose the key by accident or throw the fob out of the vehicle while on the move, then the engine will continue to run. The vehicle would alert you that the key is not present, but you can continue to drive until you will park somewhere safe.

There are some rumors in the automotive field that the keyless car would shut off by itself if it continues to run for a while without the key, but this is not true because of security reasons.

Shutting down the car on the highway, for example, is dangerous for you and for the other drivers, and since you can still control the car without the key, you can continue to drive it until you reach a safe zone and after the engine is stopped it can’t be started without the key.

Most Fobs Have a Key on It

The keyless car has a fob that you can tuck away into your pocket and purses and show proximity to the car’s ignition receiver. When it is dead, you might feel like driving the car is difficult, but a key is fitted into the fob. This is true for car ignitions with the key features that allow drivers to drive with both the key and fob.

When driving with the fan, it transmits unique low–frequency signals which the car’s computer system would recognize. Thus the car with a key entry allows the user to enter the car without using the fob if they have the fob key. Although the car would recognize the fob due to the keyless ignition, it would also recognize its key and open its door without hitting the button.

Some Cars Have Spare Keys on the Door Lock

If you lose the fob key or are dead, you can still drive the car as some car models have an emergency key on the door lock. If your car model has the extra key on the door, you can remove it using a screwdriver, but you should be careful not to damage your car when removing the extra key. It becomes possible to drive the car models with an extra key on the door lock if the fob is dead or out of range.

It Is Convenient To Use the Car Key App Drive It

The keyless ignition system is widely available and would fit almost all vehicles, and some have apps that help users navigate their way when they lose the key. The keyless ignition will recognize the car’s app, thus working properly like the fob key.

If you don’t have the app installed for your car, you may need to contact the manufacturer or dealer as they would send you the app lock, which works specifically for your car. The app might help drivers access their cars if they lose the fob keys or when the fob dies in transit.

The car app specific to the car might deter break-ins, and vehicle theft as the cars only recognize the signal from the app specific to the car. The thieves would have difficulty breaking into your car in the parking lot as it requires a smart lock similar to the app.

They would need to hack into the system, and most keyless manufacturers use safe technology from malware and hacking. Again, the cars with an app lock would not have a metal key that may be copied. It does not have a mechanical steering column that thieves would force if they want to steal.

Final Thoughts

Convenience is key, and you can drive a keyless car without keys conveniently, and it is safe for people with motion disabilities. There are some solutions if you lost the key like accessing your car with the manufacturer’s app if the fob is dead or lost if your car has this feature.

Also, contacting the manufacturer will resolve the issue, but costs can be quite high. It is the most convenient solution, and manufacturers also use anti-theft technology to guard your car.

Can a keyless car be driven without the key?

Generally speaking, there's no limit to the distance a vehicle with keyless entry and start can go without the keyfob being in the car. The vehicle will often just beep without the key present.

What happens if you lose your key fob while driving?

If you lose it: If you lose just the fob, you're OK. You can still use your key to unlock your car and start it. Fobs are readily available as aftermarket products and are easily programmable; you don't need a special tool. You can find them at dealerships, auto parts stores or online.