In this article, we’ll take a look at how keyless entry systems work, the pros and cons, and which cars have a keyless system.
What Is Keyless Entry?
A keyless entry system allows you to lock and unlock your car without using a mechanical key. Nowadays, most keyless entry systems use a transmitter fob to generate the lock and unlock signal.
The first keyless entry systems included a numeral pad placed on the driver or front passenger door. Besides locking and unlocking the doors, by entering a code, you could roll down the windows, open the sunroof, or open the trunk.
However, having to manually enter a code every time isn’t efficient, and it doesn’t allow you to remotely unlock or lock your car’s doors. Additionally, there’s the security issue if you’ve bought a used car or if you are lending the car to someone else. While you could change the security code, it’s definitely inconvenient to do it every time.
How Does Keyless Entry Work?
Modern keyless entry systems use a key fob with two or more buttons to control the locks, trunk, or windows. When you push one of the buttons, the key fob sends a radio frequency signal to a receiver unit within the car. Usually, the range is around 15 to 45 feet.
More advanced systems allow you to unlock the doors or open the trunk without having to press any button. You just have to be within 5 to 10 feet of the vehicle and have the key in one of your pockets or in a bag.
When you place your hand on the door handle or move one foot under the rear bumper, the car will detect the movement and send a short radio signal. If the key fob is in range, the doors will unlock or the trunk will open. Furthermore, cars with a keyless system typically don’t use a mechanical key to start the engine. Instead, you can start or turn off the engine with the push of a button.
In general, when locking or unlocking the car, the system will give some kind of audio or visual signal. This could mean flashing the lights or a short usage of the horn, depending on the manufacturer.
What Is Remote Keyless Entry?
You could say the remote keyless entry system is the upgraded version of the keyless entry system. The main improvement is that the remote version can be used over a larger distance. The remote keyless entry (RKE) could also include the remote keyless ignition system (RKI).
So, you can even remotely start the engine and heat up the car, a great advantage during the cold seasons. Instead of sitting in a cold car, you can drink your coffee from the comfort of your home while the windshield defrosts.
Keyless Entry System Advantages
The keyless entry system became so popular that we can’t imagine going back to using a mechanical key to unlock our car. But what made it become so popular?
Convenience
With keyless entry, you can easily control the central locking unit through the push of a button or a small movement of the hand or foot. And the remote keyless entry system allows you even more control from a greater distance.
Security
Modern systems come with better security as they use a technique known as “rolling code.” By using a rolling code, a random number generator is used to create a new unlocking sequence every time you unlock the car. This way, thieves can’t intercept and replicate the unlocking sequence.
Automatic Locking and Turning Off the Engine
Some cars, especially the ones that use a button to start or stop the engine, come with keyless entry systems that lock the car automatically once you’ve walked away. This will save you from getting out of bed or leaving your office to double-check. Additionally, the same system will shut down the engine once the key fob is out of range. This is a great feature to have if your car has a silent engine, or if you tend to be a bit forgetful.
Keyless Entry System Disadvantages
While keyless entry systems make our life easier, there are a few drawbacks you should consider.
Reliability
With a classic mechanical key, there are not a lot of things that could go wrong. You can’t easily break or even bend it, and even if you’ve accidentally put it in the washing machine, it will still unlock the doors and start the engine.
On the other side, replacing the key fob on a keyless system is much more expensive. Also, electronic components might wear over time, and dropping the key on a hard surface might result in a hefty bill.
Security
While car manufacturers are upgrading the security of the system, thieves are trying their best to keep up, and keyless car theft is a serious issue. This is why we’ve listed security as both an advantage and a disadvantage. Thieves can build devices capable of copying the rolling code from the key fob. Once they’ve copied it on their device, they can use it to open and start the car.
Driving Off Without the Key
Some keyless systems allow you to start the engine if the fob is close enough. So, even if you leave your keyless fob on the kitchen table at home, you’ll be able to start the car and get to the office. However, once you stop the engine, there’s no way of starting it again or even opening the doors once you leave the car.
Which Cars Use a Keyless Entry System?
Most modern cars now have a key fob with buttons that allow you to unlock the doors, open the trunk, or roll down the windows. Some models with keyless entry systems include the Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-5, Audi A4, Kia Sedona, Nissan Versa, and Toyota Tacoma, but honestly, the whole list really is now too long to feature.
The bad news is that remote keyless entry systems are usually found on more expensive cars, though as with everything auto-related, it will eventually filter down once hardware prices drop.
Go Keyless
If your car doesn’t have a keyless entry system, you can install one yourself. However, while deciding which system is a better fit for your car, there’s one aspect of the installation that you must not overlook: the installer. No matter how good or expensive the system is, it will not work as designed if the system is not professionally installed.
