The vehicle and fob communicate using low-power radio signals that are only effective when the fob is within approximately 36 inches of the car door or ignition start/stop button.
The further the key fob is from a vehicle, the safer it is. Fobs generally have a range of around 10 metres so storing keys away from downstairs entry points will provide the best chance to prevent the relayed signal being effective.
LEAVING YOUR KEY CLOSE TO YOUR CAR
Leaving your car key in your car overnight or even on a hook near the car is not recommended. If the fob is too close to your car, it can continue to communicate with it, which could drain the battery.
Keep your keys safe
Keeping your keyless fob in a drawer or hook in the hallway offers little protection against keyless car theft. You're best off putting your keys somewhere that can block the signal between your key fob and car. This will help prevent hackers from getting access to your vehicle.
How far can a keyless car drive 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.
In general, keyless entry fobs have a range of five to six metres, so one of the scanner units has to be no farther than this from the fob.
Generally you can keep driving until you turn off the ignition. Then you need the fob again to restart the car. Some of the keyless ignition cars will start with the key more than 50 ft from the car…
Putting the keys near you at night is best. Avoid leaving them downstairs, near the front door or in the garage. Keyless fobs should be placed in an RFID/Faraday box.
By storing your car keys, fob or card in an aluminium tin (even grandma's old biscuit tins), or a special signal blocking box, the signal between the car and key is blocked. This means thieves can't intercept it and clone a new one. If you're out and about, then a Faraday pouch is your best friend.
Keyless theft (otherwise known as relay theft) is relatively simple; all it requires is two small boxes of electronics, which thieves can use to open your car in as little as 60 seconds.
As with any battery, the one in your car's fob or remote will occasionally need to be replaced. Typically, a car fob battery should last between three and four years. Additionally, there are a number of signs that will tell you when your fob battery is dying.
Yes, it is possible to lock your keys in the car even if it has a keyless entry. If you have ever accidentally left your key fob in the car and shut the door, you know this can happen. The best way to avoid locking your keys in the car is to always check that you have your key fob with you before leaving the car.
- For a regular key fob the life expectancy of the battery lasts 4-6 Years. - The life expectancy of a Smart key fob battery is around 2-3 Years.
Wrapping the fob in tinfoil decreases the strength of the signal and the range of the fob. This means you'll need to be closer to your car to start it. But it also means potential thieves can't steal the signal from an inconspicuous distance.
According to multiple class-action lawsuits filed last year, 2011-2021 model year Kias and Hyundais without immobilizers—identifiable by their keyed ignitions—are prime targets. Owners with push-button start needn't worry so much, as their vehicles came standard with this theft-prevention measure.
To prevent relay theft at home, find a safe place for your keys, out of sight and out of range of the car. But you may also want to store them in an aluminium tin or signal blocking box. Some believe storing the fob in a microwave oven works, but we'd be wary of that for various reasons.
Even if you don't have a porch, avoid putting the keys on a sideboard in the hallway. Keep them well inside your home and even consider putting them in a safe overnight. If a thief did manage to get hold of your keys, you want to make it as difficult as possible for them to steal the car.
In summary, you need to take your car keys with you, and you need to make sure your car is secured when you do. If you don't, and you're caught doing the wrong thing, you can expect a fine – and if it's anything like the rules about keeping your windows up or closed, the costs could run into the thousands of dollars.
When you are leaving the keys in the back of the door, you are providing intruders and burglars with an easy way in, consequently invalidating your insurance claim in the event of a burglary. Therefore, you need to remove your keys from door locks and keep them out of sight of potential intruders.
There is quite a big security risk when you leave your car's key fob lying around the house that many are unfamiliar with. Known as keyless car theft, many thieves use special devices to pick up the signal from your fob when its inside your house and use it unlock the car from a remote location.
You will need a car key tracking device or an app connected to your key. The device consists of two parts - a remote and a receiver. You use the receiver to send a signal and then you can track it with the radio frequency or Bluetooth. If you're using a Bluetooth key finder, you'll need to connect it to your phone.