Dear Mike,
I recently bought a new car and it came with a key fob, but I’m not sure if it has any special features. Are there any hidden functions that I might be missing out on? I mean, it’s just a key, right? Or is there more to it? I would really appreciate your thoughts on this.
Thanks,
Landon
Hey there Landon,
Congrats on the new ride! And don’t worry, you’re not the only one to underestimate the mighty power of the key fob. Those little things are like the Swiss Army knife of car keys – they do way more than just lock and unlock your doors.
Now, I’m assuming you already know about the panic button on the fob – you know, the one that sets off the car’s alarm and flashes the lights like Vegas on crack. But did you know that some manufacturers have snuck in some secret features that are worth knowing about?
Let’s take General Motors, for example. If you have a Cadillac, then you’re in for a treat. Most salespeople will show you how to use the autostart feature on the fob, which is pretty nifty by itself. But what they won’t tell you is that if you press and hold down the unlock button after using the autostart, the vehicle automatically opens all of the windows on the car. That means you can let the heat escape before you even enter the car, which is clutch on hot summer days. Plus, you can unlock and open the rear hatch while the car is running, allowing you to load up your groceries or whatever else you’re hauling around.
And it’s not just Cadillac that has these hidden gems. Some European manufacturers have them too. I won’t name names (mostly because I’m too lazy to Google it), but I know for a fact that there are car keys out there that can do some seriously cool stuff.
Now, I will say that not every car key has secret features. Sometimes a key is just a key. But it’s always worth checking your owner’s manual to see if there are any unexpected goodies hiding in plain sight. And let’s be real – reading a manual is a lot less painful than taking your car to the shop for some expensive fix, am I right?
So there you have it, Landon – the key fob is more than just a pretty piece of plastic. It’s a key to unlocking a world of hidden features that you probably never knew existed. And who knows, maybe you’ll discover something that will make your life a little easier. More likely, though, you’ll just impress your friends with your newfound key fob knowledge. Either way, it’s a win.
Until next time, drive safe and keep on fobbing on.
Cheers,
Mike Urban
Founder of Urban Automotive and the unofficial king of key fobs