Intelligent Key

[CT_Maxima]

These questions have to do with the Nissan Intelligent key used on the '09 Maxima.

The intelligent key is an electronic transmitter with a narrow conventional key. In the event that the electronics in the IK goes bad, one could use the mechanical key to enter the car. Once inside, the shell of the IK can be placed in a slot and the car can be started. This "emergency" slot works by the mechanical engagement of the IK, no electronics involved.

What is to prevent somebody buying a dud IK and using it to start a Maxima?

[MinisterofDOOM]

I'm pretty sure that there's an ignition slot for the auxiliary hard key as well that must be used if the intelligent key is not working. An intelligent key that isn't programmed for the specific car won't be able to start it, regardless of how the doors were opened. If the "correct" intelligent key stops working or the car battery dies, the hard key will let you enter the car and (maybe, I'm not sure) start it with an auxiliary ignition switch specifically for the hard key.

[marlin29311]

You can't just slip any ol' I-key into the slot to get it to operate - you still need the one programmed to your car to make it operate. The hard key can be used to open the car door, but that is it. When you place your I-key into that slot, it acts as an "amplifier" for the signal that the key produces, as when the battery becomes increasingly weaker, the signal it emits becomes weaker. You still need the signal that the I-key produces to start the car. A random I-key won't work. You also receive ample warning from the car as to when the battery is going low, hopefully yielding the fact that you will change it (i think it's like 2 months, but i don't exactly remember).

There is no aux ignition for the hard key to be used in.

So to sum up - no one can just take any i-key, slide it in the slot, and use your car. Just like no one can take any old hard key and use it as well.

[CT_Maxima]

The dealer showed me the auxiliary IK slot on the Maxima. It on the lower left hand side of the dash.

[eatnchvyshtnford]

In order for the IKey Fob to start the vehicle it has to go through a programming process in which the ECM learns the key and fob and programs it into its memory. It can store up to 4 Ikeys in memory. Also, in order to program one key, you HAVE to have all other keys that you want initialized. If you don't, only the key your have present at the time of programming will start the vehicle. You can't just throw any Ikey into the Aux slot and start the vehicle.