Perhaps Genesis could ... for every new car owner

[TinsleyC]

Just curious about this, do you feel the Faraday container is needed if the fob is kept more than a few feet from the car?

Have we confirmed that the fob communicates with the car when the keys are within operational range, whatever that is - 50-75 feet?

If so, we have four ranges in play here -

1) when the fob allows you to start it (key in car)
2) unlock the car, the key being within a few feet of the car,
3) when the key is close enough to unlock the car (50-75 ft), and
4) when the key is out of range of the car - 75+ feet away, or in a Faraday container.

I can see how 1 & 2 could drain the fob battery but not sure how 3 could. Don't think 4 would at all.

 

[RJL24]

Just curious about this, do you feel the Faraday container is needed if the fob is kept more than a few feet from the car?

Have we confirmed that the fob communicates with the car when the keys are within operational range, whatever that is - 50-75 feet?

If so, we have four ranges in play here -

1) when the car allows you to start it (key in car)
2) unlock the car, the key being within a few feet of the car,
3) when the key is close enough to unlock it lock the car (50-75 ft), and
4) when the key is out of range of the car - 75+ feet away, or in a Faraday container.

I can see how 1 & 2 could drain the fob battery but not sure how 3 could. Don't think 4 would at all.

I can only report my own experience with my car.

I'm driving a 2019 G80 with two fobs and credit card key. the credit card key is a very nice accessory. It fits nicely into my wallet.

All fobs work within about 40 ft to 50 ft of the car through doors and walls.

The Faraday box that I bought from Amazon and the two Faraday pouches one for each fob seem to work fine.

My only suggestion would be if you have a key that communicates with your car from distances inside your house you might consider getting one of these pouches; they're only about $7.46 for a two pouch set from Amazon.

I bought a Faraday box ($19.99) because it looks nice and I can now throw in my wallet with the credit card key fob and my money clip easily into it.

I keep the Faraday "box" in my kitchen which is right off the garage.

I now feel assured that the credit card key fob will not communicate with the car.

 

[TinsleyC]

Good summary RJL.

As said, I typically keep my keys within clicking distance to the car which was made in Feb '19, sold Nov '19, so I assume batteries are at least 16 months old.

I don't mind replacing them every 2 years but if they failed sooner, I'd consider a different method.

Not to beat a dead horse, but is your car close to that wall where the fob is, or on the other side? My fob is also kept right near the garage door, that door is on the side of the garage (not at head), but my G80 is in the farther spot - so 15' from the fob. If your car was continually within a few feet of the car, I could see how it drained the fob battery.

 

[RJL24]

Good summary RJL.

As said, I typically keep my keys within clicking distance to the car which was made in Feb '19, sold Nov '19, so I assume batteries are at least 16 months old.

I don't mind replacing them every 2 years but if they failed sooner, I'd consider a different method.

Not to beat a dead horse, but is your car close to that wall where the fob is, or on the other side? My fob is also kept right near the garage door, that door is on the side of the garage (not at head), but my G80 is in the farther spot - so 15' from the fob. If your car was continually within a few feet of the car, I could see how it drained the fob battery.

And therein lies my issue.

The front of the car faces the wall and on the other side of the wall is my kitchen.

 

[EdP]

And therein lies my issue.

The front of the car faces the wall and on the other side of the wall is my kitchen.

Mine faces the other way but both fobs are in range. Both fob batteries are about 2 1/2 years old. One fob is about 8 feet from the car, the other maybe 20. I don't understand how the fob batteries are going bad fast unless they are not so good to start with. I don't see how or why the fob would be communicating unless you push a button. The car should be looking for a signal but the fob does not care what you do. Unless your car has insecurities and needs validation.

 

[RJL24]

Mine faces the other way but both fobs are in range. Both fob batteries are about 2 1/2 years old. One fob is about 8 feet from the car, the other maybe 20. I don't understand how the fob batteries are going bad fast unless they are not so good to start with. I don't see how or why the fob would be communicating unless you push a button. The car should be looking for a signal but the fob does not care what you do. Unless your car has insecurities and needs validation.

I leave all the issues with the batteries and the fobs to the dealer.

I bought the car new so I have free access to the dealer for any kind of servicing on all parts of the car until March 2022.

With concierge service if something is wrong with the battery or the fob - it doesn't matter to me why-

I just call the dealer's service dept. and have them send me a replacement car, take my car and the fob and figure it out.

The theory is however that the keys stay active if they're not in a faraday pouch and they are in close proximity to the car.

 

[joegr]

I think some of you are talking about the range when pushing a button on the fob. I think that the problem range (range where the car and the fob see each other without pressing a button on the fob), is probably 2 meters or less.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

I think some of you are talking about the range when pushing a button on the fob. I think that the problem range (range where the car and the fob see each other without pressing a button on the fob), is probably 2 meters or less.

agree button range and proximity range are two entirely different things

Proximity range is about 3 feet as I stated earlier, and only from the sides of the car, not the front or rear.

easy to measure, as you approach the car the auto mirrors unfold. That is your distance marker.

standing behind does not unfold the mirrors as the touch free trunk feature antenna, if equipped is back there so it takes priority. Standing in front of the car does nothing.

i can stand directly In front of my G80 with my hands in the hood and the Car will not respond to either credit card key nor fob.

from the sides I measured it at 37” from the door handle to my pocket where the car responds, and I can literally take a step back and the mirrors will fold up.

3 feet is the limit IMO.

Additionally per the picture posted of the car in the garage. There would be no response to the proximity sensors as it is too far away and at the front of the vehicle.


IMO the battery drain issue most experience is because they have the fob and their cell phones too close together throughout the day.

again as stated and seemingly glossed over by most, it is a known issue by most manufacturers that Bluetooth 4 and 5 interferes with the the vehicle proximity key fobs because they operate on very close frequencies.

 

[TinsleyC]

Mr. Incredible, the Bluetooth issue is significant, just didn't think it applied to the OP, not me either. But it's great to know. It could affect my wife because she keeps keys and phone in the same purse, but then again she doesn't drive my car. I keep phone in right pocket and keys in left pocket.

The OP also could have simply had old batteries to start with.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

Mr. Incredible, the Bluetooth issue is significant, just didn't think it applied to the OP, not me either. But it's great to know. It could affect my wife because she keeps keys and phone in the same purse, but then again she doesn't drive my car. I keep phone in right pocket and keys in left pocket.

The OP also could have simply had old batteries to start with.

but when you place them down at work or home, how close are they? 1 foot or so seems to be enough to excite the fob.

also to note, it appears to only be an issue when the phone isn’t connected to a Bluetooth device, like the car or earbuds. Once connected the phones Bluetooth is not searching for a connection, and that seems to be the rub, when bluetooth is in search mode.

 

[RJL24]

agree button range and proximity range are two entirely different things

Proximity range is aboit 3 feet as I stated earlier, and only from the sides of the car, not the front or rear.

easy to measure, as you approach the car the auto mirrors unfold. That is your distance marker.

standing behind does not unfold the mirrors as the touch free trunk feature antenna, if equipped is back there so it takes priority. Standing in front of the car does nothing.

i can stand directly In front of my G80 with my hands in the hood and the Car will not respond to either credit card key nor fob.

from the sides I measured it at 37” from the door handle to my pocket where the car responds, and I can literally take a step back and the mirrors will fold up.

3 feet is the limit IMO.

Additionally per the picture posted of the car in the garage. There would be no response to the proximity sensors as it is too far away and at the front of the vehicle.


IMO the battery drain issue most experience is because they have the fob and their cell phones too close together throughout the day.

again as stated and seemingly glossed over by most, it is a known issue by most manufacturers that Bluetooth 4 and 5 interferes with the the vehicle proximity key fobs because they operate on very close frequencies.

Thank you for your comments

 

[Ragnar]

Had our 16” Genesis since new and have only replaced the fob battery’s once. As to location here’s where mine has always hung. Never had a problem.