You’re Probably Not Using These 7 Key Fob Features (But Should)
We all do it. We grab our keys, rush out the door, and pretty much only ever use two buttons: lock and unlock. Maybe we hit the panic button by accident once in a while and scare ourselves half to death. But it turns out that little piece of plastic in your pocket is actually a surprisingly powerful tool. Manufacturers have hidden all sorts of clever shortcuts inside it that can make your daily drive so much smoother. So give this article a read, and check your key fob to see how many features you’ve been accidentally ignoring.
Roll Down Every Window At Once
There is nothing worse than getting into a car that has been baking in the hot sun all afternoon in summer. The seats burn your legs and the air feels like an oven. Most people do not realize you can air out the car before you even step inside. Try pressing the unlock button on your fob once, then press it again and hold it down for a few seconds. On many cars, this magically rolls down all the windows and opens the sunroof at the same time.
Fold Your Mirrors Remotely
Parking in a tight city spot or a crowded garage can be stressful enough without worrying about someone clipping your side mirrors. If you squeezed into a narrow space and forgot to pull your mirrors in, you do not have to climb back into the driver's seat. Check your manual because many modern fobs allow you to fold the mirrors in by holding the lock button for ten seconds. It is a simple trick that protects your car from careless drivers parking beside you.
The Secret Mechanical Key
We tend to trust technology blindly until it fails us. If your fob battery dies completely, you might feel locked out and helpless, but there is almost always a backup plan hidden right in your hand. Look for a small button or slider on the back of your fob. Pushing this releases a physical metal key that is hidden inside the plastic casing. You can use this to manually unlock the driver's door and get into your car.
Starting The Car Without Battery Power
Once you are inside with a dead fob, you might panic when the push to start button does not work. The car cannot detect the signal from the dead remote. However, manufacturers built in a fail safe for exactly this moment. In many vehicles, you just need to hold the dead fob directly against the start button while you press it. The car uses a backup chip to verify the key is present and will start up right away so you can drive home.
Hands Free Trunk Access
We have all done the grocery store dance where we are balancing five heavy bags and trying to fish keys out of a pocket. You probably know the trunk button exists, but you might not be using it as efficiently as you could. On most fobs, pressing the trunk release button twice will pop the latch completely. This lets you nudge the lid open with your elbow or just lift it effortlessly without having to put your bags down on the wet pavement first.
Custom Driver Profiles
If you share a car with a spouse or teenager who is a foot shorter than you, you know the pain of constantly readjusting the seat every time you get in. But many newer fobs are actually linked to specific memory profiles. This means that when you unlock the car with your specific key, the car automatically moves the seat, mirrors, and even the radio presets to your preferred settings. It stops the daily battle over legroom before you even open the door.
Remote Start For Any Weather
This used to be a luxury feature that required an expensive aftermarket install, but now it is standard on many family cars. You just have to know the code. Usually, it involves pressing the lock button and then holding a circular arrow button for a few seconds to start the car remotely. This lets you warm up the engine and get the heater running while you finish your coffee inside. It is a game changer on those freezing winter mornings when the windshield is frosted over.
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It is funny how we spend thousands of dollars on cars and then ignore half the features they come with. Taking five minutes to play around with your key fob buttons in the driveway might save you a lot of hassle down the road. Go ahead and try the window trick or one of the others on this list today. It is one of those small conveniences that makes you feel like you really know your car a lot better. Safe driving out there!
Bliss Donahue-Power
