Keyless start - what is the point?

[teradyl]

I've been doing some research on this, since I just got a Touring and it's quite annoying. I first saw the push button start and was surprised to see that the "advanced" keyless entry wasn't on all the models. As one post here said though, it makes sense that it was cheaper to put a push button start in all the vehicles.

I was reading the manual though, and I've found out there are a few key differences in the cars too. The advanced keyless entry cars have many sensors in the car that look for the nfc chip in your fob, which can apparently sense if you're around the drivers door, near the trunk, as well as inside the car. All the other cars (mine included) just have ONE sensor in the middle of the car that just see if the fob is inside the car or not so you can start it. In the manual check pages 3-7 to 3-12 to see the details.

Other than that there's of course the door handle problem, you need a handle with the button on it. I tested a grand touring and it seemed that it didn't even have the touch sensor anyway, you had to push the button on the door to unlock it if you had the key on your person, but that's still a ton better than having to fish for it once and remembering to put it back in your pocket so you don't lose it in the car somewhere.

My family has had a few prius cars before, and IMO those implement the system perfectly. I had one from 2005 where it was flawless. All I had to do was open the door and it would unlock a split second before I pulled the handle without me having to hesitate or wait for it. They also have a slot in the car to put the key fob so you don't lose track of it if you're used to that, which wasn't necessary then, but is for us since we need to use it to unlock the doors anyway!

Anyway, because of these vital differences I don't know if it will ever be possible to rig an advanced keyless entry system on a car that didn't come with it, unfortunately. Anyway have any ideas?

Sigh on mazda cutting costs...

 

[CX-SV]

Toyota and Lexus have a nice keyless system. But it's standard on all Lexus (they are all expensive premium cars, I have one) and not standard on all Toyota cars that compete more directly with Mazda products. It's optional on some Mercedes models in US also (all are premium models, we don't A and B class here and the Smart car is not sold as a Mercedes). Unfortunately this kind of cost cutting is necessary to hit price points in a competetive segment.

 

[VanlaarM]

Solved the concern of locking your keys in the car by using the lock button on the door to lock on exit. Went to Home Depow, copied the key in the keyfob and bought a magnetic box to hold it. Found a spot outside the car to place it out of the airstream. So if we accidently lock the key in the car we can open the door. Now I only take the key out of my pocket to unlock the door and use the door button to lock on exit...

Yes, I was thinking of doing something similar. Could you tell me the brand of magnetic box you used? It would be a big help. I also thought of adding Velcro to the key fob and a place near the button so I consistently put the key in the same spot each time.

Just to add to this....I absolutely love my CX5, but this is such a dumb feature. It's a case of adding something "techy" without completely thinking it through. Realllllyyyy annoying.

 

[darekd]

Yes, I was thinking of doing something similar. Could you tell me the brand of magnetic box you used? It would be a big help. I also thought of adding Velcro to the key fob and a place near the button so I consistently put the key in the same spot each time.

Just to add to this....I absolutely love my CX5, but this is such a dumb feature. It's a case of adding something "techy" without completely thinking it through. Realllllyyyy annoying.

Solved this problem long time ago. I just don't use lock button on the door. I've always used key fob before I got my CX-5.

 

[VanlaarM]

Solved this problem long time ago. I just don't use lock button on the door. I've always used key fob before I got my CX-5.

How did you solve? Using Velcro ?

 

[VanlaarM]

Never mind. I understand what you meant. My issue is I want a consistent spot to put the keys. I wish they at least gave you the option to start with a key.

 

[GAXIBM]

Yes, I was thinking of doing something similar. Could you tell me the brand of magnetic box you used? It would be a big help.

I don't know the box brand but got it at Home Deopw. Since I have gotten used to it I just put my hand in my pocket and press the button closest to the key loop to unlock the car and use the door button when exiting the car so it works good for me, my fob never comes out of my pocket until I get to my house door.

 

[VanlaarM]

Since I have gotten used to it I just put my hand in my pocket and press the button closest to the key loop to unlock the car and use the door button when exiting the car so it works good for me, my fob never comes out of my pocket until I get to my house door.

Yeah, hopefully I'll just get used to it and do it the way you just explained. Thanks for sharing your tips.

 

[chinq6t]

I wish the advance keyless entry would allow the doors to unlock when the handle is pulled.

 

[CX-SV]

I wish the advance keyless entry would allow the doors to unlock when the handle is pulled.

On CX-5 I push black button on door handle to unlock.

On Lexus it unlocks when you slip hand under door handle, it's really not much faster or that much more efficient.

 

[jeisensc]

I've been doing some research on this, since I just got a Touring and it's quite annoying. I first saw the push button start and was surprised to see that the "advanced" keyless entry wasn't on all the models. As one post here said though, it makes sense that it was cheaper to put a push button start in all the vehicles.

I was reading the manual though, and I've found out there are a few key differences in the cars too. The advanced keyless entry cars have many sensors in the car that look for the nfc chip in your fob, which can apparently sense if you're around the drivers door, near the trunk, as well as inside the car. All the other cars (mine included) just have ONE sensor in the middle of the car that just see if the fob is inside the car or not so you can start it. In the manual check pages 3-7 to 3-12 to see the details.

I've had the GT since May 2012, and just to clear a few things up:
* like the smart key in the 2010 (and later) Mazda3, you can't lock the fob in the car
* the "Advanced" smart key in the CX-5 is riddled with bugs. From December 17 to Feb 4 I logged them: 31 times the "Walk-away" lock feature failed, and at least 3 times I had other Smart-key failures (e.g. the time the doors were locked, I pressed the unlock button on the driver door, and the doors locked, repeat 8 times with 10-20 seconds between before finally pulling the FOB out)
* the proximity sensors around the car mostly work, but sometimes don't (you should be able to unlock the passenger door and walk around the car to driver without the doors auto re-locking if you have that feature turned on

It's all controllable though the NB1 touch screen, and what the manual says it does it worth the money, but the implementation is total rubbish (where in my 2010 Mazda3 it all mostly worked).

 

[Kayger12]

^No issues with my 2014 yet.

 

[jeisensc]

^No issues with my 2014 yet.

Good to know. What are your Smart Key settings?

 

[Geoff]

* the proximity sensors around the car mostly work, but sometimes don't (you should be able to unlock the passenger door and walk around the car to driver without the doors auto re-locking if you have that feature turned on.

I have the walk away autolock feature turned on, if I unlock the passenger door and walk around the front of the car the car doors will lock, if I walk around the back of the car the doors will remain unlocked. I understand the reason for this to be the location of the proximity sensors. There are sensors at each side and the rear, nut not at the front.

I also have had a few instances where the walk away lock does not activate, which is a big issue. I now always walk away backwards, allowing me to watch the car to ensure the indicators flash to signal that the car is locked. I could turn the audible warning (beep) up, but I prefer to keep it at the low volume.

 

[MATR6]

I have the walk away autolock feature turned on, if I unlock the passenger door and walk around the front of the car the car doors will lock, if I walk around the back of the car the doors will remain unlocked. I understand the reason for this to be the location of the proximity sensors. There are sensors at each side and the rear, nut not at the front.

I also have had a few instances where the walk away lock does not activate, which is a big issue. I now always walk away backwards, allowing me to watch the car to ensure the indicators flash to signal that the car is locked. I could turn the audible warning (beep) up, but I prefer to keep it at the low volume.

It also depends on how long you take to leave the car.
I noticed if we take longer than the 90 sec setting for auto lock setting, the car doesn't auto lock.

 

[Zeal Red]

I had a similar issue with my 2010 Mazda 3 where I would walk away but it never locked. What I started doing with it and now with my CX-5 is close the door and stand for a second or two and it locks. Has not failed in 2+ weeks of ownership.

 

[tobeychris]

I have the 2014 GT + Tech as well and have noticed that it doesn't always lock.

One of the main factors I have noticed is that if I get out of the car before everyone else, and passenger or rear doors are still open, it will not lock after they are closed.

 

[Geoff]

I had a similar issue with my 2010 Mazda 3 where I would walk away but it never locked. What I started doing with it and now with my CX-5 is close the door and stand for a second or two and it locks. Has not failed in 2+ weeks of ownership.

Rather than standing and waiting I would just press the button on the door handle which then locks the doors.

 

[jeisensc]

I had a similar issue with my 2010 Mazda 3 where I would walk away but it never locked. What I started doing with it and now with my CX-5 is close the door and stand for a second or two and it locks. Has not failed in 2+ weeks of ownership.

Interesting, the walk away locks in my 2010 Mazda3 seemed to work all the time. I've tried waiting like you, but don't always get the first chirp. If I walk way without a chirp and come back to check, it hasn't locked. I basically just walk away, and if it doesn't lock I use the FOB and tell Siri to add a new note so I can add it to my spreadsheet of shame.

 

[Fish64]

I have had similar experiences where sometimes it does not lock, and it is set to lock on walk-away. I found that if I am in a hurry (cold, rainy), I will be walking away while I swing the door closed, almost backhanded (the wide plastic on the side of the door is great for this). That means that by the time the door actually closes, I am already a few feet away from the vehicle, out of range of the sensor. So, if I take my time, no issues. When I am in a hurry, I always remember to use the fob, just in case.