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?
(http://www.autokeysquad.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/vwww.jpg)
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?
Switchblade (Mazda 6), electronic (CLK320) and old metal (F150).
TSX had a switchblade.
G has a lozenge.
Subaru has a key fob with a big Subaru logo button.
I'm partial to the switchblade key as well.
(http://motorreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Photo-Jul-15-4-42-59-PM.jpg)
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. :nutty:
Just your standard key here:
(http://www.autokeysquad.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/mzr.jpg)
4Runner's key is even more basic, just a piece of metal. I love non-chipped keys. Yay for $1 copies!
Quote from: CALL_911 on February 04, 2015, 05:21:05 PM
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?
(http://www.autokeysquad.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/vwww.jpg)
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.
Both have a fob with a detachable key that opens the glove box etc.
M3 key fob is too damn big!
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj593/MexicoCityM3/IMAG0230_zpsfnixwb4y.jpg)
1M & M5's keys are identical.
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?
(http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--UKEcUSAU--/18cfxfz26ssgzjpg.jpg)
:muffin:
Quote from: ifcar on February 04, 2015, 08:46:04 PM
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
Quote from: Lebowski on February 04, 2015, 07:13:31 PM
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
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. :lol:
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on February 04, 2015, 07:17:18 PM
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj593/MexicoCityM3/IMAG0230_zpsfnixwb4y.jpg)
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.
(http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr27/SpinRaza/2ED48151-74E8-4799-BDCA-DD18FED737D4-404-00000042B0D98EC0_zpsf2024cdd.jpg)
Car and moto
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/SErtR6VuvDQpzrUoEHt_MynILNVov1IEKPlK_8S-PCc=w311-h553-no)
Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 04, 2015, 05:25:09 PM
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!
(http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/1767200463_1/100pcs-font-b-keys-b-font-font-b-renault-b-font-Megane-3-buttons-smart-font.jpg)
Does Renault have the problem with randomly shutting off cars as well?
Not that I'm aware of. My cars (two) have been problem free in that regard.
Mine is an electronic (keyless ignition).
(http://imagecdn2.panjo.com/images/671997e1-9526-4595-90b6-2a33d4cbfcad2.JPG)
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.
Quote from: CALL_911 on February 04, 2015, 09:00:55 PM
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.
Quote from: ifcar on February 04, 2015, 08:46:04 PM
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.)
Quote from: Rupert on February 04, 2015, 09:02:44 PM
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. :lol:
As much as Porsche asks for their stuff you'd think it would hold together, even for something as old as a 944.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on February 05, 2015, 07:09:36 AM
Mine is an electronic (keyless ignition).
(http://imagecdn2.panjo.com/images/671997e1-9526-4595-90b6-2a33d4cbfcad2.JPG)
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.
Quote from: Lebowski on February 05, 2015, 07:26:26 AM
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. :banghead:
(http://www.hahabird.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/screwdriver_key_in_use1.jpg)
Quote from: CLKid on February 05, 2015, 08:14:58 AM
When my key activates in my pocket by accident it's never the trunk button, it's always the panic button. :banghead:
That occasionally happens to me too. Not with the m3 yet though.
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/thecarnut/IMG_20150205_092709703_zps75yzupz3.jpg) (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/thecarnut/media/IMG_20150205_092709703_zps75yzupz3.jpg.html)
Picture's not mine but exactly what it looks like including the keychain
(http://www.lotus28.com/sites/g/files/g389251/f/keys.jpg)
Quote from: CLKid on February 05, 2015, 08:03:57 AM
As much as Porsche asks for their stuff you'd think it would hold together, even for something as old as a 944.
I actually would not think that, but I would think the Porsche owner would be concerned enough that not everyone would know he drove a Porsche and so would fix it quickly.
<--- This guy.
:lol:
Quote from: ifcar on February 04, 2015, 08:46:04 PM
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?
4 years on the Jetta, 4 on the Passat, and I think 10 or 12 on the S320 and I never noticed any issues.
Quote from: NomisR on February 05, 2015, 02:00:23 PM
Picture's not mine but exactly what it looks like including the keychain
(http://www.lotus28.com/sites/g/files/g389251/f/keys.jpg)
Oh man, I'd forgotten how cheap looking the Lotus keys are.
Quote from: ifcar on February 04, 2015, 08:46:04 PM
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?
One of the TSX's switchblade keys broke. They would fold independently of whether or not the button was pressed.
Quote from: Raza on February 06, 2015, 05:03:32 AM
Oh man, I'd forgotten how cheap looking the Lotus keys are.
It's British, if the key where any more complicated it would have failed by know.
If anything I think the addition of a rubber coating on the head is quite nice and a very ballsy move over a conventional all metal key.
Quote from: CALL_911 on February 04, 2015, 09:00:55 PM
Dude I hate the new BMW keyfob. The thing is fuckin huge
I don't like the one for the regular cars (I think it feels cheap)
But I absolutely LOVE the one for the X5 and i3. The X5's feels so heavy and high-quality
(http://s1.paultan.org/image/2013/05/2014-bmw-x5-msport-key-fob.jpg)
(http://image.automotive.com/f/reviews-12-month-car-reviews-1501-living-with-the-2014-bmw-i3/61002531/2014-bmw-i3-edrive-key-fob-detailjpg.jpg)
Quote from: FlatBlackCaddy on February 06, 2015, 04:00:51 PM
If anything I think the addition of a rubber coating on the head is quite nice and a very ballsy move over a conventional all metal key.
That was done to contain the oil leak.
Or to protect the driver from electrocution when the ignition switch shorts out. :lol:
I have to admit; i have never wondered whether or not my car keys looked cheap, or classy, or weighty and high quality. It's perhaps one of the things ive simply overlooked. After all, the keys are not only one of the objects most often interfaced with and are a significant part of the experience. Plus, a nice set of keys are more impressive on those occasions when you can't actually contrive to have people notice your car; its often quite possible to leave your keys on the table and get noticed that way.
No, that's just stupid. I just want the damned things to fit in my pocket and start my car reliably.
Oh my god. Is that a watermark?
Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 09, 2015, 11:13:18 PM
I have to admit; i have never wondered whether or not my car keys looked cheap, or classy, or weighty and high quality. It's perhaps one of the things ive simply overlooked. After all, the keys are not only one of the objects most often interfaced with and are a significant part of the experience. Plus, a nice set of keys are more impressive on those occasions when you can't actually contrive to have people notice your car; its often quite possible to leave your keys on the table and get noticed that way.
No, that's just stupid. I just want the damned things to fit in my pocket and start my car reliably.
I wish we could go back to the chip less days when keys could fit in your wallet and cost a dollar to copy.
Quote from: Rupert on February 09, 2015, 11:29:24 PM
Oh my god. Is that a watermark?
Hey, this is way more important than business cards!
Quote from: thecarnut on February 09, 2015, 11:33:39 PM
I wish we could go back to the chip less days when keys could fit in your wallet and cost a dollar to copy.
Not quite sure we can.
I paid over two bucks for my last set.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on February 09, 2015, 11:13:18 PM
I have to admit; i have never wondered whether or not my car keys looked cheap, or classy, or weighty and high quality. It's perhaps one of the things ive simply overlooked. After all, the keys are not only one of the objects most often interfaced with and are a significant part of the experience. Plus, a nice set of keys are more impressive on those occasions when you can't actually contrive to have people notice your car; its often quite possible to leave your keys on the table and get noticed that way.
No, that's just stupid. I just want the damned things to fit in my pocket and start my car reliably.
A designer designing an expensive feeling key (for a luxury car, none the less) means a lot to people. People appreciate when things feel nicely.