Smartkey query

[FrayAdjacent]

If you've seen my other thread, you'll know I'm very likely to be getting a Versa.

The dealer has found, and is trying to secure, a silver SL 6 speed with the Convenience package. I'm really digging the idea of the Smartkey, and had a couple practical questions about it.

Do you get two of them with the Versa? (always good to have a spare... I bet they're not cheap!)

Does anyone know if they're more of a passive (RFID) device when in proximity of the vehicle, or will the key 'die' if the battery runs dry? (I know that it has buttons to manually lock and unlock, and something else... and it would need it's own power for that)

When you approach your car with the key in your pocket, does it automatically unlock? Something on Nissan's site says you have to press a button. What's the deal?

If you were to stop, set the parking brake (or shift to Park) and exit the car and walk away (with the engine running), will it shut off and lock automatically?

If you shut off the engine and then walk away, will it automatically lock?

I'm just curious, I think it's a very nice option to have on an 'entry level' vehicle.

[rwanttaja]

If you've seen my other thread, you'll know I'm very likely to be getting a Versa.The dealer has found, and is trying to secure, a silver SL 6 speed with the Convenience package. I'm really digging the idea of the Smartkey, and had a couple practical questions about it.

I was just "ehhh" about the Smartkey when I bought the car. Now I just absolutely love it.

Quote »Do you get two of them with the Versa? (always good to have a spare... I bet they're not cheap!) [/quote]We got two, and I suspect that's standard. Insist on two, in any case.

Quote »Does anyone know if they're more of a passive (RFID) device when in proximity of the vehicle, or will the key 'die' if the battery runs dry? (I know that it has buttons to manually lock and unlock, and something else... and it would need it's own power for that). [/quote]It is an active transmitter, and the key will die when the battery runs down...according to the manual, the battery should last a year or two.The NEAT thing about it, though, is that a conventional manual key is built-in to the Smartkey fob. If you look on the back of the fob, you'll see a little sliding catch. Push the catch down, and pull on the part of the fob that has the loop on it. Out will come a complete, stock, metal key that can be used to open the doors and start the car.

Quote »When you approach your car with the key in your pocket, does it automatically unlock? Something on Nissan's site says you have to press a button. What's the deal? [/quote]The door does not automatically unlock. There's a tiny black rubber button on the front door handles and the rear hatch handle. If you have the Smartkey and press the button, that door will unlock. If you press it twice, all the doors will unlock. When you get out, close the door, press the button...and all the doors lock.To me this is the neatest thing about the Smartkey: You NEVER have to touch the keys. You don't have to fish them out of your pocket or purse as you approach the car...you just step up, push the black button, open the door, sit down, and turn the ignition. You actually forget about having the key...and in my case, NEEDING the key. I sometimes walk out to the car in the garage to get something out of the trunk. I push the black button...and am miffed when the door won't unlock because I left the Smartkey on my dresser. THAT'S how much I've gotten used to it....

Quote »If you were to stop, set the parking brake (or shift to Park) and exit the car and walk away (with the engine running), will it shut off and lock automatically? [/quote]No, though I haven't tried it. I think the beeper will sound if there's no Smartkey in the car.

Quote »If you shut off the engine and then walk away, will it automatically lock? [/quote]Nope. I actually prefer that it doesn't...I keep the car in a garage, and like being able to just open the door in the morning (sometimes even having to push that little black button is too much work :-).

Quote »I'm just curious, I think it's a very nice option to have on an 'entry level' vehicle. [/quote]It's absobloody amazing. My wife (with a Lexus RX-300) is jealous.

Ron

[FrayAdjacent]

Thanks for the reply, Ron!

I'd like it if the car automatically locked if you walked away with the key. Would be nice if you could set it somewhere to do that.

Regardless, it's still hella cool, and you can still unlock and unlock without taking the key out of your pocket. I also didn't know it actually had a physical key in it! That's hella cool!

If all goes well, I might have a Versa in about a week. w00t!

[Ever Victorious]

I can confirm that if you leave the engine running and close the door, the car will NOT lock itself or shut off, but there is a quite audible beeping that goes off when you wander more than a few feet away from the car. This beeping goes away if a door (or the hatch) is open.

I found this out backing up the car to the door at work, to load parts in the rain. It didn't like that I waked "too far" from the car without leaving a door open.

and yes, it is absofrealinglutely wonderful. I'm having to drive my Mazda right now and it's annoying have to use a key.

[BenDupre]

Has anyone tried starting the car getting out, leaving your keys on the workbench, and then getting back in the car and driving away?

I unsterstand the car will "imobilize" itself, but I haven't tested it.

Ben

[Ever Victorious]

No, I haven't tested that feature, but I did test the "your friend can drive your drunk butt home" feature... I wasn't drunk, but I opened up the car and sat in the rear seat with the keys in my pocket (to simulate being drunk and loaded into the back seat), and let my friend start and drive the car for a bit. Worked beautifully.

[Paula]

Don't ya just love how this litte car "talks" so much !!

My son and I were out the other day and I stopped at a grocery store to run in for a minute. He stayed in the car and I turned the ignition to the accessory position so he could play with the radio. Got out (key in purse on shoulder) and took about 3 steps when the car stated sqawkin'.

It'll also let you know real quick if you try to push the button on the door handle to lock it and the key is still inside the car.

Paula

[cireecnop1]

Has anyone tried starting the car getting out, leaving your keys on the workbench, and then getting back in the car and driving away?

I unsterstand the car will "imobilize" itself, but I haven't tested it.

Ben

the car does actually let you drive away without the key, just make sure where ever you stop, dont shut the car off or you are SOL!

[FrayAdjacent]

the car does actually let you drive away without the key, just make sure where ever you stop, dont shut the car off or you are SOL!

Wow... that I wouldn't expect. That's not very 'intelligent'.

I wonder if it can be reprogrammed. From what I've seen/read, the car does know if the key is INSIDE the car or outside of it.... so the system is smart enough that it could be programmed to behave as if you are leaving the vehicle, and would then lock itself once the key was out of range. If it were running, it could shut itself off and then lock itself.... maybe even on some sort of time out...

I'd rather it automatically unlock the doors when I come in range, then automatically lock the doors when going out of range. It's workable the way it is, I don't think pushing the button on the door handle is much of an inconvenience when ENTERING the vehicle, but getting out, I'd rather just swing the door shut and walk away... instead of having to shut the door, then grab the handle and push the button.