What to take with you as you go out on a drive

I carry a spare battery for my garage door opener and key fob, which incidentally, are the same.

Never thought to do this until I met up with an acquaintance and his key fob battery died and he couldn’t restart his i3.

 

Carry a fob kit on your key ring. It includes a spare battery in a plastic pill holder and a small jewelers/eyeglass screwdriver that has both Phillips and flat blades. The pieces screw together so there is nothing sharp in your pocket. I did a thread on that sometime ago.

The keys are steel, so they are not going to stop working. Might wear out the ignition key fitting, but not the key.

You can start her with the key alone if you know your PIN code and know how to use it. Here is a checklist:

PIN Code 3204 is used as an example for this case. Ignition switch position “0” is off and position “II” is on.



1) Insert the ignition key and wait at least 20 seconds with the ignition key in off.

2) Turn the key from off to on and back to off as quickly as possible (less than 2 seconds for all PIN numbers) 3 times (count to 3 out loud) for the first PIN number “3”.

3) Count to 5 out loud (a good compromise between more than 2 and less than 20 seconds) before starting the second PIN number.

4) Turn the key off-on-off 2 times for the second PIN number “2”.

5) Count to 5.

6) Turn the key off-on-off 10 times for the third PIN number “0”.

7) Count to 5.

8) Turn the key off-on-off four times for the fourth and last PIN number “4”.

9) At this point the PIN is entered. After 5 seconds or so, turn the key back to on and after 2 seconds or a bit more with the key in the on position, the alarm light emitting diode (LED) will go off and you can start the car. Starting the car confirms you can correctly enter the PIN, the first step in reprogramming the Alarm ECU to accept new remote alarm fobs. Keep trying if you do not succeed the first time, remembering to wait more than 20 seconds before the next attempt.

Carry a battery powered compressor with alligator clamps for when you get a flat tire. Will let you get somewhere where the tire can be fixed. The cigarette lighter will likely blow fuses if you use one with that kind of connector.

 

I keep the spare fob in the glove box.

 

Clyde- Put the checklist in the glove box. No sweat if you drop the screw. Fob fits together fine without it and I probably have 50 spares for later.

One of my hobbies is knife throwing, but not in combat, so no SEALs for me.

Here are my battery/pill holder and screwdriver, both of which fit on a keychain. Amazon has them. My mother's Buick fob quit working once, and it amazed her when I pulled a battery out of my pocket to fix it.


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How / where do I find my PIN code?

 

Unfortunately I do not have the original manual etc.

 

John- Have a feeling you are pulling our chain, but if not Ferrari can get it for you (maybe), or one of the good fob folks can pull it from your red fob or your immobilizer ECU.

 

Change the battery every year. Than you are on the safe side.

 

Or buy a better battery. Mine last a lot longer than 1 year. AGMs are the ticket now.

 

This video doesn't mention AGM batteries, are they a "new" thing in remotes/key fob batteries

 

You should also carry your tow hook and two fresh cans of Fix-a-Flat with you when you're out driving.

 

Dave- You caught me.

On my fobs, I change the battery on the one I carry in my pocket every 6 months, but the other two in the safe only once a year. July 4 and New Years, so I can remember the date.

 

Well said Barry! And don't leave home without your AMEX card and your AAA membership is current!

 

Right, John. Both cards are always in my wallet.

 

FoH, is just too snooty for me. Can I take my Kia Rio to the dealer with my title, driver’s license, and key. I have been to that place twice in the last twenty years. The last time it was a club function.

 

If you use fix a flat or similar on a 575M, you will trash the TPMS sensor. That is why I recommend an alligator clamp compressor and stopping frequently to fill up the tire until you get where you can get if fixed. Not an issue with 456s and 550s.

 

Besides two fire extinguishers (one 2.5 lb halon bottle plus one Element stick) I keep a spare fob battery in the glove box of my 550. Changed the batteries in all 3 fobs after I purchased the car, put in fresh batteries again last spring at the two year mark. I have towing/emergency services through USAA and know which local area towing companies have suitable roll back trucks that can safely load a low clearance vehicle like a 550 (and keep the phone #s in my contacts). Had to have it flat bedded two summers ago and the tow loop in the tool kit works as designed as the attachment point for the winch. Don't leave home without it!