A&Q about Lotus
Q:
since you have to use the FOB to start the car, anybody just leave the key in the ignition at all times, or at least leave it in the car?
A:
OK, if I understand this right... couldn't someone steal the key from the ignition, and then, while they don't have your car, YOU can't start your car either?
Doesn't seem like a good idea.
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True Very True!!!!
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Plus my radio stays on while the key is in. I think.
A:
Originally Posted by bhtooefr
OK, if I understand this right... couldn't someone steal the key from the ignition, and then, while they don't have your car, YOU can't start your car either?
Doesn't seem like a good idea.
A little off subject where are you located in OHiO?
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Marengo... it's the approximate middle of nowhere...
Actually, like between Columbus and Mansfield.
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Ever take your car to MID OHIO?
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Can't say I have... I've got a 20 year old diesel with 52 hp, and an 18 year old Civic that's barely roadworthy (it's my backup car for when the Golf breaks down). I don't exactly have anything worth tracking. (Although, I have considered autocrossing my Golf - to get more familiar with it, not to compete...)
However, I plan on going to see the ALMS race next year...
A:
My fob and key are now one unit.
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so your fob and key are now one unit?... care to share any juicy details?
you did your own little hack job on them to make them one? I saw in my manual as if there's a key with a button on it, but that's not what i got. As minimal as this car is they somehow managed to source an annoyingly clunky and large system for the locks and ignition.
If i could forgo use of the fob and just go manual on it i would but doesn't seem like a simple fix bypassing the fob input to start the car.
A:
See "Other Mods" #2:
Originally Posted by ewalberg
If i could forgo use of the fob and just go manual on it i would but doesn't seem like a simple fix bypassing the fob input to start the car.
Actually it's not too complicated. See "No-Cost Mod" #10.
A:
Originally Posted by ewalberg
If i could forgo use of the fob and just go manual on it i would but doesn't seem like a simple fix bypassing the fob input to start the car.
You can program the Cobra unit to not passively arm the immobilizer. With that done, you can lock the car with the key and, theoretically, never need to use the fob. That also prevents you from being locked out of the car if the fob fails or the car's battery goes dead. It does make your car easier to steal, though.
There is a thread, or two, here that describe in detail how to do this. You could also get it out of the alarm manual also posted in a sticky here.
A:
#1. The stereo will remain on as long as the key is in the ignition following a return to the off position from the run position. Pulling the key out will turn off the stereo. Pushing it back in will NOT turn on the stereo. So if you park the car, for some reason want to leave the key in, but want the stereo off, and for some reason don't want to just manually turn off the stereo, then pull the key out and push it back in.
#2. Bypassing the immobilizer is a slightly complex, but not difficult proccess for which there are step by step instructions in the manual.
#3. The combo key/fob unit was designed, is produced, and as far as I know is still available from a forum member.
xtn
A:
Originally Posted by ewalberg
so your fob and key are now one unit?... care to share any juicy details?
See:
A:
Wow...it looks like we were all sitting here just waiting for ewalberg to ask these questions!
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from the Uberpost
Modification to have single unit key/fob
[*]Key in Fob - Wallet key can be integrated into fob. Also, look at the BWR fob.
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The whole "turn key + push button" to start thing is just stupid anyway next to the super sized mirror. But no, I wouldn't just leave the key in the car. Some bad dude walking by might break into your car just because they think they can take off with the car given the key on the ignition.
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Originally Posted by ewalberg
I saw in my manual as if there's a key with a button on it, but that's not what i got.
The early cars had a key with a built in light - that's what the button was for. But as others have already posted, you can get the BlackWatch key/fob to make a regular key/fob all one unit.
A:
rather than mess with my keys (which i'd probably enjoy doing) the blackwatch route looks like a good one... plus i never hurts to have extra keys.
I'd really like to just cut the immobiliser out of the system (as it was mentioned here) and go to a straight key operated vehicle, but theft risk will probably keep me from doing that even if it's a very unlikely vehicle to be stolen.
A:
Originally Posted by ewalberg
since you have to use the FOB to start the car, anybody just leave the key in the ignition at all times, or at least leave it in the car?
I half expected the next question to be ...
"And if you do leave the key in the ignition where do you live?"
My radio likes to stay on when the key is in the car. Even when I take the key out of the car ... I can hit eject on the stereo and then the radio starts playing. I think it might play for up to an hour before it shuts itself off ... what kind of feature is that???