Suggestions for remote fob?

[Ctrcbob]

...and add remote windows and roof control, open and close - the 2016 F@*d I had for 3 years had that - very useful

All it takes is money!

 

[PublicSectorTech]

Weird. I've had the TourX for 3 weeks and I've never accidentally set mine off (that I know of). And let me tell you buddy, I wear some pretty tight pants. I also don't carry it in my pocket when I'm at home.

 

[carsrmilife]

All it takes is money!

Just some simple coding and box checks actually lol.

 

[Jack GS]

I wish they (either Opel/GM or Denso--the actual maker) offered either a bracelet (as in a watchband) or a 'smart card' (as in credit card) you could wear/carry with you instead of the bulky fob.

Does anyone on here have the know-how to make this work? It just makes sense, I'm not driving anywhere without my wallet anyway. Why not have another card in there?

 

[carsrmilife]

There is an automaker out there that does do the bracelet thing, but I don't remember which. I want to say it was JLR. I think something that doesn't utilize a battery is a better way to go, versus what Lincoln is doing with using your smartphone. I would imagine there is some form of redundancy built in, but still.

 

[ECM56]

I was thinking you all were just wearing your pants too tight until today. I was driving along (wearing blue jeans) and I kept hearing a noise that sounded like the door locks being actuated. I thought the car was going crazy but then I remembered I had the fob in one of my front pockets. At the next stop light I took the fob out and the mysterious noise went away. For the record, I don't wear my jeans tight (I'm too old for that).

 

[Wlepse]

Are you sure? I know as I get older my pants are getting unintentionally too tight.

 

[ECM56]

This, combined with not wearing tight pants (😉) seems to be working so far.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07S7F79N6/

 

[g-coded]

I'm thinking of designing/3D printing a case/cover that would have a raised lip around the button that would require pressing in the center, I'll post here if/when I do.

 

[JoeBlog]

I keep mine in the change pocket of my jeans. It’s worked very well for me. But, like g-coded above, I’ll probably 3D print something if it ever gets to be a problem.

 

[capitalpyro]

I cannot say which fob design the regular Sportback has, but as far as the GS fob goes, the panic button is much larger and easier to press than the TourX variant. I am contemplating disabling the button altogether... but then I would need it 😒
View attachment 17141

This fob design sucks. Plain and simple. Like others, i was tired of this thing sounding the horn every time i bent over to tie my shoe or tried digging in my pocket for change. This was especially irritating because I have never once used a panic button or even thought it might save me from something.
Im sure there will be people who dont agree or have done something different but for me, its exacle what I needed. Additional gel like covers or leather pouches were just too uncomfortable or bulky. Here is what I did.

items needed - small screwdriver, piece of wire and a way to heat it. Magnifying glass if you are sight challenged.
Method- take the fob apart just like you were going to change the battery. The panic button itself is held onto the cover with 4 very small tabs. Carefully pop out the button using a very small screwdriver by pushing out all 4 tabs. The pic shows this button. Heat up your wire till red and carefully melt away the small plastic post which pushes in to engage the panic switch. You could use a Dremel tool or other tool but I didn't have this available at the time. If you are very careful you could just remove about half of the post and the panic button would still work but require more force For me that wasn't important so I removed it completely to obtain a flush surface. The pics show this post. This took me about 15 minutes. Ymmv
This way I still have a nice, smooth fob that isn't too big in my pocket.

 

[regfootball]

Hi. I got my new tourx a few days ago and I am already shopping for fob covers. Fob design sucks! The first night the trunk opened itself since the trunk button must have gotten pushed while in my pocket. Fortunately my garage door was open or it would have hit. My prior car was a 16 Malibu which had a really good fob (picture in an earlier post I see). Also have a Chrysler fob which the buttons require healthy effort to push so i have never had an issue with something opening by itself.

 

[landsharkmz3]

Does anyone on here have the know-how to make this work? It just makes sense, I'm not driving anywhere without my wallet anyway. Why not have another card in there?

It's a matter of what technology is being used.

The fob is a 433Mhz transmitter. It has a circuit board to mount the switches, chipset, antenna, and battery. There are antennas for the keyless system in the door and some other places around the car to locate the fob. Those only work with a battery powered fob (for this technology). For most cars (I haven't checked thi scar yet) there is a backup way to turn the car on when the battery is dead. The hard key get your in the door, but then you physically push the start button with the fob. The start button has an integrated antenna that can use a passive antenna on the fob, but it is very low range.

The technology that many are using for ultra-slim no-power type of access control is NFC, which is also built into your phone. This means that the credit card type of option would actually be a back for if you didn't have your phone in your pocket.

Another trend is replacing 433Mhz with BLE (Bluetooth low energy), which has alot of advantages. With some of the advanced fobs, they are putting radios in them with multiple radio types for different features, redundancy, etc to enable things like autopark. The new key fob for BMW 7 Series activates Remote Control Parking

Cliff notes: I don't know of an easy way to ditch the fob.

 

[Ctrcbob]

The last two Renault Laguna’s I leased in France had a “FOB” that was the size of a credit card but slightly thicker. Could fit right in my shirt pocket. Now I understand that Genesis Motors offers this same credit card sized fob as an accessory. Dealer programs it just like a regular fob. Surprised the aftermarket has not come out with something like this.

 

[CTMechE]

For most cars (I haven't checked thi scar yet) there is a backup way to turn the car on when the battery is dead. The hard key get your in the door, but then you physically push the start button with the fob. The start button has an integrated antenna that can use a passive antenna on the fob, but it is very low range.

On the TourX you have to put the dead fob on the little shelf by the front pair of cupholders (under the sliding cover), and then hit the start button. I don't know if the Sportback has the same console, but probably.

Many Teslas are smartphone-specific now, and have a backup NFC key card, so plenty of interest in moving on from the fob. The problem I see is that traditional fobs are still plenty reliable and most folks are used to them, and there are still several people who don't constantly use smartphones (my late-60s mother, for one).

As for suggestions, I'd be curious to see the 3D printed options - I figure something with raised ridges around the buttons to prevent accidental clicks would be sufficient for most.

 

[Jack GS]

In the process of ending our key fob woes, I decided to test out a few key fob covers from AliExpress. There are tons of them out there and few of them looked up to snuff. I will try not to get too detailed here but I will include some of my own pictures, thoughts, and the links to purchase.

Silicone Sleeve & Soft Touch Plastic Cover - $6.69

Positives​

Cheap​

Great overall fit and finish​

Makes finding the lock button a cinch​

Soft touch material is very nice in the hand​

I used it for about a week with no accidental alarm presses​

Negatives​

Kinda bulky​

The soft touch material and silicone is a bit grabby in the pocket​

Since the alarm button is still flush with the rest of the cover, I am still a tad apprehensive​

​

​

Wood Cover - $35.99

Positives​

Good fit and finish​

Unique look and feel​

Securely holds fob in place​

Slides in and out of pocket easily​

Has the highest raised edges to prevent accidental alarm presses​

Negatives​

Cost​

Bulky​

Area below alarm button is not covered by the wood​

​

​

Aluminum Alloy Cover - $14.92

Positives​

Slim​

Raised edges​

Reasonable price​

Most inconspicuous​

Slides in and out of pocket easily​

Good fit and finish with included foam pads​

Weight of aluminum provides a premium feel​

No accidental alarm presses since it's been installed (2 months and counting)​

Negatives​

The coating can chip/mar, showing the bare aluminum​

Rough/noisy on other surfaces (counter, pocket items, car interior depending on where it's placed)​

​

I have used them all for at least a week or two and I like the aluminum cover the most. The biggest con I see is the covers must be disassembled using a small Phillips screwdriver. Not an issue most of the time, but could be if the manual key is needed and no screwdriver is handy.

Lastly, for being Grade A Chinesium, I am impressed with the quality of all three. The lanyards/key rings they come with are garbage however. A screwdriver was included with each cover. Hope this helps!

 

[regfootball]

I ordered a couple of these from Amazon. We'll see when they arrive if they will provide enough protection from accidental operation. One nice thing about this one was i don't have to wait long to get them.



Uxinuo Compatible with Buick Key Fob Cover, Premium Soft TPU Durable Key Fob Case Shell Holder for Buick Encore Verano Enclave Regal Envision 2015 2016 2017 2018（Silver）

 

[1500cc]

items needed - small screwdriver, piece of wire and a way to heat it. Magnifying glass if you are sight challenged.
Method- take the fob apart just like you were going to change the battery. The panic button itself is held onto the cover with 4 very small tabs. Carefully pop out the button using a very small screwdriver by pushing out all 4 tabs. The pic shows this button. Heat up your wire till red and carefully melt away the small plastic post which pushes in to engage the panic switch. You could use a Dremel tool or other tool but I didn't have this available at the time. If you are very careful you could just remove about half of the post and the panic button would still work but require more force For me that wasn't important so I removed it completely to obtain a flush surface. The pics show this post. This took me about 15 minutes. Ymmv
This way I still have a nice, smooth fob that isn't too big in my pocket.

Thanks for the write-up 🙂. I just did this this morning, took less than 10 minutes for both fobs, including finding the tools. I used a dremel, and found that I didn't even need to remove the little button, I was able to easily grind it down while still in its half shell.

 

[regfootball]

I ordered a couple of these from Amazon. We'll see when they arrive if they will provide enough protection from accidental operation. One nice thing about this one was i don't have to wait long to get them.

View attachment 18677

Uxinuo Compatible with Buick Key Fob Cover, Premium Soft TPU Durable Key Fob Case Shell Holder for Buick Encore Verano Enclave Regal Envision 2015 2016 2017 2018（Silver）

Great fit. They look nice. I think they may help protect from buttons going off random. For now, very happy with these fob covers.