Spare Key with a Key Fob Question

[300rum]

Since so many vehicles come with a Fob to start the car, what can I do to have a spare key?  I used to wire a key under each vehicle.  Hunting is my big concern, someone gets back to the truck first and can't get in, etc. because the one with the fob isn't back yet.

Is there a way to hide a Fob somewhere under the vehicle where it won't allow access to the vehicle?  Maybe wire a key under the vehicle and have a Fob in the vehicle with the battery out?  Is there something I can put the Fob in (faraday cage?) so the wireless transmission can't get out?

I have 2 gm vehicles that start with a Fob.  They have a "key" that slides out of the Fob that can be used manually but it needs the Fob to start.

What do you do???

[Mossy]

An old hunting partner of mine put his keys in a small plastic jar with a twist top, stashed it close to the vehicle so he didn’t lose them in the hills or if the other person gets back first. I do the same.

[jackelope]

If you're talking about a push button start vehicle, the car won't start unless the key is inside the cabin of the vehicle.

[jackelope]

Also...I don't know about GM vehicles, but Ford vehicles have a blade key inside the fobik key that will unlock doors. They also have a slot inside the center console you can insert the fobik into that will allow you to lock the fobik key inside the car. I bet GM vehicles have the same sort of setup.  Defer to your owner's manual on that one.
You could stash a blade key somewhere outside of the vehicle, or you could keep a blade key on yourself somewhere.

Note...
I have replaced dozens of keys over the years that were lost because they were stashed inside one of those little magnetic hide-a-key boxes under the vehicle somewhere and they rattled loose and fell out on the road somewhere. I wouldn't trust them.

[Alchase]

You could also get a second Fob, if you do not have one, and get it programed.
I bought one of Ebay, took it to the Nissan dealer and had them program it for me.

[KFhunter]

I like the bottle idea, going with that.

[jackelope]

The other thing with this is.... do GM vehicles have keypads on the doors like Fords do? Just give whoever the code if so. There's got to be a way to lock the fob inside the vehicle. (owner's manual)

[Igor]

The other thing with this is.... do GM vehicles have keypads on the doors like Fords do? Just give whoever the code if so. There's got to be a way to lock the fob inside the vehicle. (owner's manual)

My wife has a 2020 GMC Acadia AT4.......no key.......no keyhole......no keypad.  You must have the fob on your person for things to work.  My guess is that the new GMC trucks are the same way.

[frazierw]

The other thing with this is.... do GM vehicles have keypads on the doors like Fords do? Just give whoever the code if so. There's got to be a way to lock the fob inside the vehicle. (owner's manual)

My wife has a 2020 GMC Acadia AT4.......no key.......no keyhole......no keypad.  You must have the fob on your person for things to work.  My guess is that the new GMC trucks are the same way.

Have you tried opening the FOB?

[jackelope]

There has got to be a key and There’s got to be a keyhole somewhere. Our Fusions have a cover that pops off the outside door handle exposing the keyhole. Otherwise How does GM expect people to get in their cars if the fob craps out or if the car battery goes dead?

[timberfaller]

  All the more reason to keep the old rigs a running!!  rebuild and rebuild again!

[Boss .300 winmag]

The other thing with this is.... do GM vehicles have keypads on the doors like Fords do? Just give whoever the code if so. There's got to be a way to lock the fob inside the vehicle. (owner's manual)

My wife has a 2020 GMC Acadia AT4.......no key.......no keyhole......no keypad.  You must have the fob on your person for things to work.  My guess is that the new GMC trucks are the same way.

From the owners manual 😉

[Igor]

There has got to be a key and There’s got to be a keyhole somewhere. Our Fusions have a cover that pops off the outside door handle exposing the keyhole. Otherwise How does GM expect people to get in their cars if the fob craps out or if the car battery goes dead?

The stuff I learn by being a HuntWa member is simply mind-boggling.  There is indeed a small funky-looking "key" that is part of the fob.  It ain't easy to get apart. Once removed, there is actually a place to insert it in a small slot under the exterior door handle.  We bought this AT4 new in January 2020, and have never had occasion to worry about a real "key".  Amazingly, the dealership where we bought the Acadia never showed us this feature.

I think I owe someone here an IPA, or two !!!

[Stein]

I don't have a push button start fob, just the regular key that folds into the remote for unlocking and remote start.  I got a regular chipped key for a spare and it will do everything except the remote stuff.  It will unlock and start the car, just not remote unlock or remote start.  Much easier to fit into a magnetic holder thing and doesn't require batteries.

You can buy the keys and fobs online much cheaper and most walk in locksmith shops can program them for you for a fraction of the dealer cost.

[Boss .300 winmag]

A-1 Lock and Key on Burlington only charged $150 for a FOB for a 2020 Ram 1500 including programming.👍