Electronic keys & getting stranded.

When I test drove an 05 V50 T5, I noticed that the ignition "key" was
a large lump consisting of the remote unlocking transmitter, and a
squarish plastic extension that inserted in a socket in the dash.
Obviously, the ignition lock function is electronic now, instead of
depending on tme mechanical cut of a metal key.

This creates a dilemma for me though.. I've always carried a spare
key in my wallet, so, if I lose my key chain, I can still use the
spare to get home.

Now, If I buy a new car with one of these E-keys, and lose or damage
it, I'm stuck until I can catch a cab back home to pick up the spare,
or have the car towed to a dealer so they can code a new key for it if
I'm far from home.

The only other option is to keep the flat mechanical door key in my
wallet, and hide the E-key somewhere in the car, where it might be
found by a determined thief.
Does anyone else have this concern, or do you just assume you'll never
lose the E-key?

 

My first thought is, "How many Volvos are stolen in the US each year?

Ever watch "Wildest Police Video" shows? Ever hear them say, "...and
the thief who stole the volvo was just 14 and he told the cops he just
wanted to live the good life." ;-)

Actually, I only ever saw one Volvo featured on those shows, and that
was a drunken Swede, in Sweden, who got arrested and spent quite a
large number of years behind bars, or so they said.

You could easily hide the key up under the rear seat cushion or hidden
in the trunk- or even behind an easy-to-remove interior panel.


__ __
Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
\__/olvos
'90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
"Shelby" & "Kate"

 

When I test drove an 05 V50 T5, I noticed that the ignition "key" was
a large lump consisting of the remote unlocking transmitter, and a
squarish plastic extension that inserted in a socket in the dash.
Obviously, the ignition lock function is electronic now, instead of
depending on tme mechanical cut of a metal key.

This creates a dilemma for me though.. I've always carried a spare
key in my wallet, so, if I lose my key chain, I can still use the
spare to get home.

Now, If I buy a new car with one of these E-keys, and lose or damage
it, I'm stuck until I can catch a cab back home to pick up the spare,
or have the car towed to a dealer so they can code a new key for it if
I'm far from home.

The only other option is to keep the flat mechanical door key in my
wallet, and hide the E-key somewhere in the car, where it might be
found by a determined thief.
Does anyone else have this concern, or do you just assume you'll never
lose the E-key?
--
A decent compromise is to hide the e-key in the car and carry a spare
mechanical key. I presume the V50 comes with an alarm system, or you can add
one. The combo of locked doors and noisemaker will discourage a thief from
spending a lot of time looking for an e-key that probably isn't there.

Mike

 

The electronic key detaches from a mechanical key (hidden inside the
"large lump") that locks the glove compartment. You can lock the spare
electronic key in the glove box and keep the spare mechanical key in your
wallet.


When I test drove an 05 V50 T5, I noticed that the ignition "key" was
a large lump consisting of the remote unlocking transmitter, and a
squarish plastic extension that inserted in a socket in the dash.
Obviously, the ignition lock function is electronic now, instead of
depending on tme mechanical cut of a metal key.

This creates a dilemma for me though.. I've always carried a spare
key in my wallet, so, if I lose my key chain, I can still use the
spare to get home.

Now, If I buy a new car with one of these E-keys, and lose or damage
it, I'm stuck until I can catch a cab back home to pick up the spare,
or have the car towed to a dealer so they can code a new key for it if
I'm far from home.

The only other option is to keep the flat mechanical door key in my
wallet, and hide the E-key somewhere in the car, where it might be
found by a determined thief.
Does anyone else have this concern, or do you just assume you'll never
lose the E-key?

 

Yep, I hate these new high-tech keys which the European makers seem to
be so fond off. I think they just like being able to charge many
hundreds of dollars for a spare key.

I would bet that in practice the high tech keys do little to reduce auto
theft.

John