Keyless entry is one of those features that is hard to give up once you have it. Walk up, open the door, press start. But a smart key that talks to your car without you pressing anything also deserves a little extra care at home. The good news is that the habits that help are simple, cheap and take seconds.
This post shares practical, everyday tips for looking after a smart key at home. It is general consumer advice. For anything specific to your car, your owner’s manual and your dealer are the right sources.
Know whether you have a smart key
A smart key lets you unlock the doors and start a push-button car with the key in your pocket. If you have to press a button on the key to unlock, or put it into the ignition, you have a remote, flip or transponder key instead, and most of the tips below matter less. Not sure? Our guide to smart vs remote vs transponder keys explains how to tell.
Tip 1: Keep keys away from doors and windows
Where you drop your keys when you come home matters. A bowl by the front door is convenient, but it is also the spot closest to the outside world. Pick a place further inside the home, away from doors, windows and walls that face the car park or street.
Tip 2: Consider a signal-blocking pouch or tin
Many smart key owners keep their keys in a signal-blocking pouch (often sold as a Faraday pouch) or a metal tin when they are not using them. The idea is simple: when the key is inside, it cannot talk to the car.
- Test it. Put your key in the pouch, walk up to the car and try the door. If it opens, the pouch is not doing its job.
- Check it now and then. Pouches wear out, especially at the seams.
- Use it for the spare too. A spare smart key sitting in a drawer is still a smart key.
Tip 3: Check that the car actually locked
Keyless cars often lock automatically or with a touch of the handle. It is easy to walk away assuming it worked. Glance back for the lights or listen for the lock, and if your car has a confirmation in an app or on the key, use it. Make it a habit, especially in open car parks.
Tip 4: Look at your car’s keyless settings
Some cars let you change how keyless entry behaves, or switch it off, through the car’s settings or a button sequence on the key. Others let the key go into a sleep mode when it hasn’t moved for a while. Whether your car offers any of this depends on the make and model. Your owner’s manual is the place to check.
Tip 5: Don’t leave a key in the car
It sounds obvious, but spare keys end up in glove boxes and door pockets all the time “just in case”. A key inside the car undoes every other precaution. Keep your spare at home in a safe place.
Tip 6: Know where all your keys are
Count your keys. If the car came with two and you can only find one, it is worth knowing that. Keep track of who has a key in your household, and get keys back from anyone who no longer needs one.
Tip 7: Park thoughtfully
Where you can, park in well-lit, busy areas. At home, if you have a choice of spots, one that is visible is generally a better bet than one tucked out of sight.
Thinking about phone as car key?
Some owners of push-start cars add phone as car key. Your iPhone or Android works with a module in the car over Bluetooth, and the app has extra security options: you can set it so your phone must be unlocked, or an in-app password entered, before the car can be unlocked or started. We recommend turning these on.
Your original physical keys continue to work normally. We usually program the module as your third key, so you can keep the originals safely at home. If you go this route, the tips above still apply to those physical keys. See our phone as car key guide and why to keep your physical key.
Need a spare smart key?
If you are down to one smart key, a spare is worth having. We make spare keys for most car models, including smart keys for keyless and push-start cars. Pricing is quote on request, because it depends on your car and key.
- Send photos of the front and back of your key and your car’s make, model and year on WhatsApp.
- Get a quote and confirmation that we can help.
- Book a time. We’re appointment only, 11.30am to 6.30pm, at Burlington Square near Rochor MRT.
- Bring your car and proof of ownership, such as your OneMotoring vehicle log card or your Singpass vehicle ownership record.
More on the smart key duplication page.
FAQ
Do signal-blocking pouches work?
Many do, but quality varies. Test yours by putting the key inside and trying the car door.
Can I switch off keyless entry on my car?
Some cars allow it and some don’t. Check your owner’s manual for your make and model.
Is phone as car key safer than a smart key?
It is a different setup rather than a straight swap. The app has extra security options we recommend turning on, and your physical keys keep working, so look after them too.
Can you make a spare smart key for my car?
For most car models, yes. WhatsApp us photos of your key and your car details, and we’ll confirm.
Ask us about your key
WhatsApp us photos of your smart key and your car details for a quote, or with any question about your keys.