2010 Civic: Security and Spare Keys

If all we're talking about is for unlocking the doors, then you can have the metal copied pretty cheap. Even get it with a flat head (as opposed to the big plastic cover) so you can stuff it in your wallet.

If you want the key to start the car, then you're stuck with one of the expensive keys that can only be made by the dealer and locksmiths that have extra gear. Local hardware store would probably not be one of those.

That actually sounds like good news because my problem is only locking myself out. If a cheap spare can't start the car it isn't much of a risk to hide the spare underneath the car.

Do hardware store copies NOT start the engine by design or is it a matter of their copying machines simply not being good enough? In other words, can I rely on the cheapo copy being bad enough to NOT be able to start the car?

Steve

You have to have a key with the "chip" to start the car. A $2 Home Depot key has no chip, so it will unlock the door mechanically, but won't answer the challenge from the car computer when you try to start the engine with it.

If you only lock the car with the remote you will never be locked out, the remote requires you have the key in your hand.

It won't start the car cause it is missing the RF chip that's embedded in the head to signal the ECU that it's OK to start. No chip, the ECU assumes it's a hotwiring attempt and won't start.

Excellent point.

Until yesterday I was driving a 20 year old Civic. I have reading the full owners manual on my to-do list. In the meantime you guys have given me some great information. Thanks!

Not a problem if you keep the valet key in the vehicle.

Keys with a chip can be bought on the internet for less than your dealer charges. Here's one:

steve wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@k17g2000pro.googlegroups.com:

Except that if a crook finds out about it, you've just given him free access to your car's interior and engine compartment.

It's a matter of the OEM key having a computer chip inside of it, and the hardware store key /not/ having one.

Not "bad", just missing a critical component. That critical component is part of your car's security system.

I eliminate that little problem by carrying two keys: the valet key is on my house-key ring, and the "chip" key with all the buttons is on a key fob, and that is also in my pocket. The latter key is the one used in the car's ignition switch. God forbid I should accidentally leave it in the ignition (or on the seat), and the doors lock with me on the outside... I still have a key in my pocket to open the door. I don't understand why this is so difficult for so many people.

Heh... Even on my ancient autos, I leave the ignition key under the seat and carry the door key on my key ring (which has about fifteen other keys on it as well).

Simplification of process is not an accepted practice by the mooing masses these days...

JT

Grumpy AuContraire wrote in news:Qp6dnY9RqppvPH3WnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@giganews.com:

Don't blame the mooing masses. Blame the activists and the government workers they target.

Yeah, but it's the mooing masses that permit it to go on and on and on and...

JT

(U gits wot U voted fer)

Grumpy AuContraire wrote in news:Mr2dnVHw7IDctXzWnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@giganews.com:

When unelected (and all-powerful) bureaucrats mandate immobilizers on all new cars, automakers would be suicidal to defy them.

read: "insurance industry lobbyists"

well, it's not like consumers don't benefit. even if they get charged a few hundred for keys over the life of the vehicle - it's a good deal more convenient to not have the car stolen. unlocking the car while you're walking up to it as opposed to having to fumble for small holes in the dark is a good thing too.

You are aware that the valet key is also a "chip" key which will start the car? It just doesn't have the remote door opener buttons on it & is cut such that it won't unlock the glove box or trunk.

After all, what use would it be to the valet if it couldn't start the car?

jim beam wrote in news:mqednW1rNd3P6XzWnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@speakeasy.net:

no,he's referring to the "car czar" and other unelected gov't orgs that are not under the purview of Congress. Lobbyists merely advance positions to CONGRESS,who either enacts them or rejects them.

having had my beloved Integra GS-R stolen,stripped and torched,despite my anti-theft mods and efforts,I like immobilizer keys. However,it should not cost $100 to get a new key made for your vehicle.

jim beam wrote in news:mqednW1rNd3P6XzWnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@speakeasy.net:

Maybe so, but there's a difference between making such a thing an optional convenience, or a mandated imposition.

Jim Yanik wrote in news:Xns9D6F6D11ED478jyaniklocalnetcom@216.168.3.44:

Regulations are usually the purview of the bureaucrats, not Congress. So lobbyists may work on either the bureaucrats or Congress, depending.

Of course, that depends on how the original enabling bill was written...