Your keys

[CALL_911]

I have a weird fascination with car keys. I really like my VW's switchblade, even though it's like a 17 year old design (damn, 1998 was 17 years ago). Has some heft to it, it looks cool, I always like messing around with the flip button. What kind of keys does your car have?

[Soup DeVille]

Normal ones.

You know, the ones that can spend a year underwater and still work fine, that don't suddenly shut off the car when you're driving, fit in your pocket better than all subsequent designs; and cost about two bucks to replace?

[Byteme]

Switchblade (Mazda 6), electronic (CLK320) and old metal (F150). 

[Laconian]

TSX had a switchblade.
G has a lozenge.
Subaru has a key fob with a big Subaru logo button.

[MX793]

I'm partial to the switchblade key as well.

[CJ]

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Switchblade here also! It's funny because I just got a recall notice and GM wants to replace the blade in my key. They're suppose to reinstall the blade at a 60 Degree angle so my knee won't hit it and turn the ignition off by accident. 

[Cookie Monster]

Just your standard key here:



4Runner's key is even more basic, just a piece of metal. I love non-chipped keys. Yay for $1 copies!

[veeman]

I have a weird fascination with car keys. I really like my VW's switchblade, even though it's like a 17 year old design (damn, 1998 was 17 years ago). Has some heft to it, it looks cool, I always like messing around with the flip button. What kind of keys does your car have?

I have the same exact keys for my 2013 beetle.  I usually don't see them or feel them because they're in a zippered pocket of my jacket especially in the winter.  They'd be even better if they were slimmer and lighter.

[Lebowski]

Both have a fob with a detachable key that opens the glove box etc.

M3 key fob is too damn big!

[MexicoCityM3]

1M & M5's keys are identical.

[ifcar]

I've been wary of the switchblade keys because they seem relatively fragile -- there's some wobble to them, and a rental Kia's wasn't opening nearly as quickly as it would have when new. I guess no one here with a relatively old car has had an issue?

[hotrodalex]

[CALL_911]

I've been wary of the switchblade keys because they seem relatively fragile -- there's some wobble to them, and a rental Kia's wasn't opening nearly as quickly as it would have when new. I guess no one here with a relatively old car has had an issue?

I can speak for VW/Audi when I say those things aren't fragile

[CALL_911]

Both have a fob with a detachable key that opens the glove box etc.

M3 key fob is too damn big!

Dude I hate the new BMW keyfob. The thing is fuckin huge

[Rupert]

I actually bought a new plastic key holder thing for the 944, because the Porsche logo fell out of the old one. Then I put it on a leather key chain that also has the Porsche logo.

[Raza]

1M & M5's keys are identical.

Mine is the same as the one all the way to the left in the picture.  I like it fine, but it's not nearly as good a design as switchblade. 

Ro, for the record, my family's 1996 Mercedes had a switchblade, so it's been at least 19 years.  That one didn't have a lock when you opened it, unlock modern ones.  Switchblades are the best.  I had fully electronic from 2002-2004, switchblade from 2004-2012, fixed key from 2012 to now.  Fixed key is just a bit too bulky in the pocket. 

[Speed_Racer]

Car and moto

[mzziaz]

Normal ones.

You know, the ones that can spend a year underwater and still work fine, that don't suddenly shut off the car when you're driving, fit in your pocket better than all subsequent designs; and cost about two bucks to replace?

I have the fundamental opposite!

[Soup DeVille]

Does Renault have the problem with randomly shutting off cars as well?

[mzziaz]

Not that I'm aware of. My cars (two) have been problem free in that regard.

[SJ_GTI]

Mine is an electronic (keyless ignition).



If you press the button on the bottom, that whole metal section pops out and is a regular looking old fashion key. I assume it is to unlock stuff if the battery within the electronic key ever died.

[Lebowski]

Dude I hate the new BMW keyfob. The thing is fuckin huge

It's twice the size of the 4runner key for the same functionality.

One other thing that bugs me, something about the way it's designed (it kind of bulbs out) along with the other shit in my pocket will occasionally open the trunk when I'm at home and the fob is in my pocket. I'll walk down to the garage in the am and the trunk will be open.

[Byteme]

I've been wary of the switchblade keys because they seem relatively fragile -- there's some wobble to them, and a rental Kia's wasn't opening nearly as quickly as it would have when new. I guess no one here with a relatively old car has had an issue?

I've used the switchblade key for the six since June 2007 without a problem.  Last year I did not though that it seemed to be opening a tad slowly.  I gave the pivot point area a tiny shot of silicone lubricant from a spray can and all is well.  Both keys still are on the original factory batteries.  (Now that I've typed that bit of news they'll die tomorrow.)

[Byteme]

I actually bought a new plastic key holder thing for the 944, because the Porsche logo fell out of the old one. Then I put it on a leather key chain that also has the Porsche logo.

As much as Porsche asks for their stuff you'd think it would hold together, even for something as old as a 944.

[Byteme]

Mine is an electronic (keyless ignition).



If you press the button on the bottom, that whole metal section pops out and is a regular looking old fashion key. I assume it is to unlock stuff if the battery within the electronic key ever died.

That's similar to my Mercedes key.  You stick it in a socket and it electronically communicates with the car.  If they agree you can turn on the ignition.  It also has a small metal key you can remove to lock the glove box and trunk (but why not the console?) to keep the valets from pawing through them, I guess.   

You can also point the remote at the car's exterior door handles and hold the open button down and lower the windows.   It's line of sight like a TV remote.  so virtually worthless in a nose in parking lot since you need to stand to the side of the car to hit the target.  Why they didn't go to radio waves like the 6 is beyond me.   The 6, like so many other cars has a good key remote feature.   Press once and the driver's door unlocks, press twice and the other doors unlock.  Hold the button down on the second push and after a second all four windows go down.  Great on hot days to blow some of the trapped heat out of the car before you get in.

[Byteme]

It's twice the size of the 4runner key for the same functionality.

One other thing that bugs me, something about the way it's designed (it kind of bulbs out) along with the other shit in my pocket will occasionally open the trunk when I'm at home and the fob is in my pocket. I'll walk down to the garage in the am and the trunk will be open.

When my key activates in my pocket by accident it's never the trunk button, it's always the panic button.   

[FlatBlackCaddy]

[Lebowski]

When my key activates in my pocket by accident it's never the trunk button, it's always the panic button.   

That occasionally happens to me too. Not with the m3 yet though.

[Cookie Monster]