# Is it impossible to lock some cars without the horn honking sound? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 28, 2014, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907 "2014-01-28T00:23:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/41 "2014-01-29T21:30:14Z")
> [@bizerta](#): > > She had intentionally set off the alarm so that she could find her car. Has anyone actually heard a car alarm that went off while the car was being burglarized? I have done this on rare occasion, as well as using the chirp, then another press gives a short ‘beep’ (the kind that the OP does not like, but I only use the beep rarely), while trying to locate my car. As for if it works during a car burglary, I don’t know I have not seen one, but I usualy will investigate a car alarm if practical, I guess one could be a actual burglary, as opposed to an owner who usually gains access by breaking the window and who hot wires the car instead of using the key jk ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/42 "2014-01-29T21:31:22Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > No one’s saying you shouldn’t be able to remotely honk your car, just that it shouldn’t happen automatically when you lock it. That’s not how I read **bizerta** ’s statement, but my car doesn’t automatically honk when you lock it, either. It takes two clicks for it to beep and confirm that it is locked. The first click locks it. The second confirms it. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/43 "2014-01-29T21:33:58Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Just hit the “door lock” button on the drivers side door as you get out, as opposed to using the fob and all the doors lock and no horn is beeped. As I said, when my car is in antitheft mode it honks whether locking or unlocking. In the case of locking it’s one honk. In the case of unlocking it’s continual honking from the time I unlock it until I insert the key into the ignition, which is at least two honks because I’m not that fast. I try not to offend (and it offends ME and I particularly try not to offend myself) so I disable it as soon as I can. I wish there was an easier way. The easier way seems to be to take it to a Kia dealer and have them do it. I am not remotely a mechanic and just opening the hood is a challenge. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/44 "2014-01-29T23:05:43Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > The OP didn’t ask about beeping, she asked about honking. Vehicles that honk when they lock/unlock are way more annoying than those that give a little cheep. Yeah, but when I said ‘beeping’ I meant either. My '04 Pathfinder doesn’t chirp, it honks the horn briefly. But it’s so short, a fraction of a second, I just don’t see the big deal and have never heard of anyone complaining about them (before here!) > [@bizerta](#): > > And while we’re on the subject, the buglar alarm went off in the car next to me in the parking lot last summer. When the owner arrived, I advised her of that fact. She had intentionally set off the alarm so that she could find her car. She’s just an idiot. If a cop (or even just a mall security car flunkie) had been nearby they probably would have told her so. On my (and I assume most) cars you can just hit the lock button again (i.e. with it already locked) to use it to help locate your car. It’ll honk & flash the parking lights. I almost never forget where I park but I have done this occasionally. Not excessively of course, it should only take one or at most two tries to locate it, and doing just this (one honk/beep/flash) in _a big parking lot_ could hardly be considered annoying… ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/45 "2014-01-29T23:27:25Z")
> [@Hail\_Ants](#): > > Yeah, but when I said ‘beeping’ I meant either. My '04 Pathfinder doesn’t chirp, it honks the horn briefly. But it’s so short, a fraction of a second, I just don’t see the big deal and have never heard of anyone complaining about them (before here!) It probably depends on the setting. Late at night in a quiet suburban neighborhood, for example, I can see why people would find even a brief honk annoying. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/46 "2014-01-29T23:36:06Z")
Our 2007 Mazda 9 doesn’t honk with one push of the fob, but does if you push it twice. Our 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee honks each time you press the lock button. I much prefer the Mazda way of doing it. I don’t have to wake up the entire house if I come home late, but still have the option of an audible confirmation that the car is locked. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/47 "2014-01-30T01:37:18Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > Makes note not to buy car which cannot behave in polite society… > > For all those whose cars MUST make noise: > > Please move into condo towers and park only in the underground spaces. Do not park them on the street or in apartment complex lots surrounded by people trying to sleep. Not even city streets in residential areas. > Thank you. That would be nice. Our neighbours who like to come home at midnight and honk away right next to our house are not my favourite neighbours. > [@Hail\_Ants](#): > > Just wanted to say I’m amazed at how many people are annoyed by the ‘beeping’ car lock/alarm sound. Car alarms going off in the middle of the night? Sure! But just the short little beep? Doesn’t really seem that noticeable… > [@SmellMyWort](#): > > The OP didn’t ask about beeping, she asked about honking. Vehicles that honk when they lock/unlock are way more annoying than those that give a little cheep. The honking is annoying. I’d say most people don’t bother complaining about it because either they are doing it themselves, or they’ve just gotten used to hearing honking all the time. > [@bizerta](#): > > \ Has anyone actually heard a car alarm that went off while the car was being burglarized? We had another neighbour whose car alarm went off like clockwork, nearly every evening. If someone was stealing that car, _I_ certainly wouldn’t be lifting a finger to stop them. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/48 "2014-01-30T21:38:35Z")
Car false alarms are so common that most people ignore them. That means they are worthless. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/49 "2014-01-30T22:27:38Z")
I think I’m jaded because the thing that really pisses me off is the jackass coming up to pick up his carpool buddies in the morning and honking, honking, honking until they come out. And then honk, honk, honking, when they don’t. Repeat. This doesn’t seem to happen that often anymore, but it used to be a staple of the neighborhood, and not just limited to one person. I have never in my life honked for someone to come out of their house. So, yeah, little beep? Does not register. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2014, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/50 "2014-01-30T23:31:41Z")
> [@SpeedwayRyan](#): > > One of the first things I did when I got my new car was to disable the lock beep. It just feels like I’m being rude and annoying if I allow it to beep, because it’s kinda loud. It still flashes the lights and you can still hear the “click” of the locks, and that’s plenty of feedback for me. Yep. My Nissan Versa lets you turn beeping the horn off, which I was glad to discover the directions for not long after buying it. That beeping made me feel like an asshole trying to get attention. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2014, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/51 "2014-01-31T00:03:06Z")
I compared the beeps to '50s cars with chrome _Automatic_ written in script and attached to the trunk, V8 glued to the front fenders or Tubeless engraved on the tires. Unfortunately, with the beeps it’s taking longer than usual before nobody cares about “Wow . . . a remote control!” ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2014, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/52 "2014-01-31T00:07:49Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > Car false alarms are so common that most people ignore them. That means they are worthless. Worthless and unnecessary - technology has evolved so the car can alert the owner that there’s a problem - the sleeping neighbours don’t need to be involved in it any longer. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2014, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/53 "2014-02-01T03:52:11Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > I compared the beeps to '50s cars with chrome _Automatic_ written in script and attached to the trunk, V8 glued to the front fenders or Tubeless engraved on the tires. > > Unfortunately, with the beeps it’s taking longer than usual before nobody cares about “Wow . . . a remote control!” Well, thirty years ago it was a status thing, like cellphones. But today the ‘beep’ still has a practical function (like cellphones). It lets you know that the doors are closed all the way, locked, and the alarm is set. Again I don’t find this to be too intrusive a method of doing this. > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Worthless and unnecessary - technology has evolved so the car can alert the owner that there’s a problem - the sleeping neighbours don’t need to be involved in it any longer. Hopefully yes. But even now I can’t help but think that a car alarm will still discourage someone who’s breaking into a car from just sitting there and continuing. At least in all but the most urban of areas. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2014, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/54 "2014-02-01T04:58:21Z")
> [@Hail\_Ants](#): > > Well, thirty years ago it was a status thing, like cellphones. But today the ‘beep’ still has a practical function (like cellphones). It lets you know that the doors are closed all the way, locked, and the alarm is set. Again I don’t find this to be too intrusive a method of doing this. Has your car ever failed to lock when you pressed the lock button on the fob? My cars haven’t for 20 years, and it’s been that long since I allowed any car to honk when I lock it (and I can hear the locks, anyway). Locking honks (or honking locks) really are a long-extinct status symbol. It’s like pressing the off button on a cell phone or cordless phone. You don’t think a phone is still on (NSA excepted) because it doesn’t ring when you turn it off. ---
**Author:** ![ed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c77e96/32.png) [@ed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ed)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/55 "2014-02-02T16:31:17Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > FWIW I have never seen a car where the keyhole in the drivers door isn’t mechanically connected to the door lock. > Furthermore it has been decades since I was aware of vacuum operated locking systems. > Do you have a cite for either one of these statements? I can’t help you for your cite, but I will point out that some cars (like my Nissan Altima) don’t even have keys at all. Which I realize isn’t what you are asking about, but I think is relevant to the conversation. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/56 "2014-02-02T16:43:39Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > Has your car ever failed to lock when you pressed the lock button on the fob? Mine, does, in fact sometimes not lock. I have to press the button extra firmly to get it right, and sometimes it does not lock. This happens several times a week. Also, it’s not uncommon for someone to not properly close their door (by closing it on a seatbelt). That happens about once a month. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/57 "2014-02-02T17:43:18Z")
> [@ed](#): > > I can’t help you for your cite, but I will point out that some cars (like my Nissan Altima) don’t even have keys at all. Which I realize isn’t what you are asking about, but I think is relevant to the conversation. Read your owners manual. There is probably a mechanical key inside your smart key fob. There will be a keyhole in the driver’s door although on some cars it has a cover over it that has to be removed. Otherwise what will you do if either the battery in the smart key or the one in the car go dead? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/58 "2014-02-02T17:54:30Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Mine, does, in fact sometimes not lock. I have to press the button extra firmly to get it right, and sometimes it does not lock. This happens several times a week. Also, it’s not uncommon for someone to not properly close their door (by closing it on a seatbelt). That happens about once a month. That’s one worthwhile function of the lock beep, letting you know when a door or the trunk is not completely closed. Just a few days ago I tried to lock my car and the lights flashed but no beep, signaling something was not right. A quick inspection showed the trunk was open by a half inch. No argument from me that it’s debatable whether the benefit is worth the annoyance factor, but there is a benefit to the beep. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/59 "2014-02-02T18:19:36Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Just hit the “door lock” button on the drivers side door as you get out, as opposed to using the fob and all the doors lock and no horn is beeped. That won’t work on my 2013 Accord. If you try, all the doors will lock except the driver’s side door. This car really goes out of it’s way to make sure you can’t lock the (smart) key inside the car. You can use that button if the doors are shut to lock yourself in, but you have to use the key fob or the little button on the door handle to lock the doors when you get out. > [@AskNott](#): > > Car false alarms are so common that most people ignore them. That means they are worthless. I remember a few years ago I heard a car alarm going off and made a similar statement. The person standing next to me said “I bet no one’s trying to break into that car right now though” Good point. If you were trying to break into a car and the alarm started going off would you say ‘whatever, no one’s going to pay attention to it’ or would you run away and try to break into a different car that didn’t have an alarm blaring? Think about it. Even though everyone ignores them, if you’re nearby, most people at least glance at the car that’s making all the noise. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907/60 "2014-02-02T20:26:04Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > Has your car ever failed to lock when you pressed the lock button on the fob? … Yes. The remote has a battery in it. They’re pretty long lived, but if you keep a car long enough, you can wear out a remote, either because the battery craps out or some other reason. I may have had a battery die, or just broke the damned thing. I tend to be hard on stuff I carry in my pants pockets. Keychains keep falling apart on me and so on. That’s one reason I like to carry my cellphone some other way. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-impossible-to-lock-some-cars-without-the-horn-honking-sound/679907.md?page=4)