I have OnStar and the only OnStar service that’s useful (to me) for the $ 20 a month is the door unlocking. The last three times I’ve requested unlock (clear view of the sky) the service has failed. They suggested I try the Android Onstar unlock app which I did but discovered it only works with vehicles newer than 2010 and mine is a 2003.
So anyway thinking about dropping OnStar and hiding key somewhere on the exterior. I have a GMC Yukon Denali SUV. I normally keep a back up key in my wallet, but it falls out occasionally and I might forget to replace it immediately if I use it.
I’m thinking I should try to affix a secured box or holder somewhere out of sight. I’ve seen plastic keyboxs with silding tops held in place with magnets in the past, but the magnet strength on these keyboxes seemed iffy at best and I have no faith they would hold a key in place held if bumped or jostled severely by a pothole or similar or protect the key from the elements. I cannot open the hood if the doors are locked as the release is interior so the engine compartment as a storage place is out.
Years ago when I had a Honda I plastered a key to the interior side of my license plate by cocooning it in double side foam type sticky tape. It worked but it was a PITA to remove the plate to put it there and it was bear to tear away and pull off when I needed it.
A trick that I read somewhere, but never tried, is to remove one of the screws from your front or back license plate and put it through the hole in your key (with the key behind the plate). Then, if you need the spare key, it’s just a matter of coming up with a screwdriver or a coin or something to get the screw out and freeing the key.
I think my license plate has bolts in stead of screws which would make it a bit more difficult, but it’s still better than not having a key.
I wonder how modern smart keys would react to being exposed to outdoor weather and vibration? I’m referring to the keys with the black plastic sleeve. Theres electronics inside.
If your going to put it on the license plate - I’d suggest using the front.
I seriously doubt a crook would try one of these places looking for a key, but some crooks DO steal license plates. If they are going to steal only one - they would most likely take the back as it usually is the one with registration stickers.
So to me the biggest risk would be a crook attempting to use your plates for another crime - and then finding your key - and thinking - “wow - this is fortunate.”
I agree with the - this might not be a good idea on the electronic keys, but you could find ways around that.
You could probably find a way to waterproof it by putting it in a bag or wrapping it in saran wrap first. As for vibration, it’s going to experience the same amount of vibration there as it would inside your car.
I should probably mention that when I read about this, it was before they had keys with fobs built on to them. You can still get your smart key copied without the fob on it, but that’s just going to get you into the car, in most cases it’s not going to start it.
A locksmith can make a “flat” copy of your key that doesn’t have the thick plastic part with the electronics inside. It will unlock your car, but won’t start it. You can duct tape that to the back of the license plate, and put a functional ignition key somewhere inside the car.
I thought about that. But then I realized that once it’s free, it should be a lot easier the next time. The other thing you can do is just tear the plate off (a lot of plates only use the top two screws), then bend the key and snap it off the screw. Not optimal, but also better then being stuck in the middle of nowhere because you lost your keys.
IMHO - even better than that is to never lock a door - either car or house using the latch on the lock. Always lock it from the outside (using the key - or the fob).
If you get in the habit of doing that - you will never lock your keys in your car or your house.
I am one of the most disorganized people in the world and forget tons of things, but have never locked my keys in my car or house since I started doing this about 20 years ago.
After one or two times locking yourself out of your dorm room I started using a similar logic (and making my roommate do it as well). ONLY use the bolt lock. Leave the lock on the doorknob alone. As long as the bolt was locked either someone is in the room or there was a key outside of the room, it was just a matter of finding it, but you know either you or your roommate locked the door with the key.
Back in the 80’s and 90’s long before remote door entry, my uncle always kept a key in his pocket and another under his seat. He would unlock the door and put the key back in his pocket, then use the one under his seat to start the car. When he got to his destination he’d put the key back under the seat. When I asked him about this he said that he could never lock himself out as long as the only time that key came out of his pocket was to unlock the door.
That’s an excellent point. But sometimes people just lose their keys.
Yeah, and the one thing they all have in common is that they fall off. I’m convinced that the only reason these are still being sold is that people stick them on their cars and never need the spare key, so they never check under their cars and discover that the fucking thing is long gone.
I bet you could just use one of those keyholders but glue it on with some liquid nails or put a sheet metal screw through it.
I’d suggest not putting it in the wheel well though. Find somewhere else. Maybe just under the passenger front door (away from any spots that might lead you to grab at the exhaust.
I wonder if any of the newer hide-a-key boxes have rare earth magnets on them? Seems to me that would that would be the way to go if they’re available.
Ah, here’s one used by geocachers that might fit the bill. I’d trust the rare earth magnets much more than the standard ones.
My other idea is if you have the kind of bumpers that have styrofoam in them, if you can feel it by reaching underneath, maybe you can push a spare key into it. The styrofoam should grip it enough to keep it from falling out but I suppose you could slap on a piece of duct tape, just in case. I don’t drive so don’t know if this is possible but thought it might be worth mentioning.
I’ve never known one to fall off. Even the old cheapies. But then again, they are stuck to old steel bumpers from 1965, when cars were really made of metal!
I’d be happy to sell you a magnet 100% guaranteed to never “fall” off. Hell, you need big pliers to get the thing off!
I use them to hang trailer hitches (six inch drop mothers with 2 inch balls) from the inside wall of the truck bed.
So powerful you need gloves to handle them. If they snap together in your bare hand, you are getting a massive blood-blister at best, lose skin maybe.
I made a little wire loop, and hung it around the license plate bolt, hidden behind the plate. Use slotted-screw plate fasteners, so in an emergency, it can be turned with a coin or a piece of roadside trash. Every once in a while, remove the bolts, check the status of the key, and grease the bolt so it doesn’t lock up too tight to turn with a makeshift driver. In about 40 years, I actually had to use it twice.
Just zip-tie it through some mounting hole or around some strut or whatever. More secure than magnetic, and you can break it free with your hand when you need it.
Use plastic machine screws to hold your license plates.
Use key to lock from outside.
What does the back of you bumper look like? Can you cut a slot in it, put a small ring through the hole in the key, and slide key into slot in bumper - the ring is exposed and can be used to extract key.
Wrap the key with aluminum foil (dull side out) and squeeze it snuggly to the key. Crawl under the car and find a spot that is tucked out of the way and use a twist tie or stainless steel lock nut wire to secure it.
I am such a prepared genius. I had a spare key hidden exactly like this. My back pack containing my wallet and keys was stolen (I hope your death is long and painful you fucking fuck:mad:) while I was at Waimea Bay on Oahu. I said to my girlfriend, no worries, I’ll just get under the car and get my hidden key. When I stood up and smugly unwrapped the aluminum foil, it was only then that I remembered that I had The Club steering wheel lock bar attached to the wheel. :smack:
