Rebadging the Smart Key

[2California]

Re: Smart Key

That's funny--I agree w/ you about trying it, but I could not try it cause did not know where to put the mechanical key (and I searched). That's okay cause now I know and this is a great forum for information to help others and give advice/opinions especially on a new model. Thanks again

 

[Gimli]

Note: "Master Key" is for Canada only. In the US we have a Smart Key with a mechanical key inside it.

Hmmm no, Canadians have the same smart keys as Americans. I'm pretty sure it's the Koreans that have a model which doesn't use smart keys.

If you look at the smart key, there is a real mechanical key inside it (removed my pressing on the silver button in the lower-right corner) which can be used to unlock the driver's door, the trunk or start the car in case the smart key fob batteries run out.

The key hole on the driver's door is pretty easy to find, the key hole for the trunk is on the left side, above the license plate (next to the rear-view camera if equipped) and the hole for the ignition is in the center console, left of the little storage compartment above the ashtray (there's a little swing door covering it). You slide the key in and it will activate the push-button ignition even if the key fob is nowhere near the car. And now, considering 2California's post, I'm gonna have to try it for myself

Some other cars use those "spare key" to activate a "valet mode" specifically designed for that purpose, which disables access to the trunk (the Genesis does this reversed, which is strange) and will limit the car's speed to 10 or 25 mph to lower the chance your car will be taken for a joyride by a valet.

Anyway, about debadging, I've debadged every single car I've ever owned so it's not a shame thing. I just don't like free manufacturer publicity to destroy a car's look. The only reason I have the Korean logo on my trunk is because of the holes Hyundai put on there and I needed something to cover it up (and it's not that much of an obsession that I'll pay hundreds of dollars to have the holes filled and the trunk re-painted professionally). Most people don't know the Genesis logo and it flows much better with the lines of the car than the round flying H logo. I've removed every other marking from the car that didn't leave a gaping hole.

 

[Mark_888]

Hmmm no, Canadians have the same smart keys as Americans. I'm pretty sure it's the Koreans that have a model which doesn't use smart keys.

That is interesting. The Owners Manual mentions that Canadian models (or at least some Canadian models) have a regular ignition key instead of a Smart Key. It did seem strange to me, but check out the Owners Manual.

 

[EdVoylesHyundai]

...and the hole for the ignition is in the center console, left of the little storage compartment above the ashtray (there's a little swing door covering it). You slide the key in and it will activate the push-button ignition even if the key fob is nowhere near the car. And now, considering 2California's post, I'm gonna have to try it for myself

When you do, you will find that slot is for the key fob, but the actual physical metal "key" will not allow you to start the car.

The metal key exists so that you can lock your glovebox and if your battery dies, you can still open the door and the trunk (b/c the power locks and trunk button will not work when the battery is dead. Is it sad that I won $20 off someone when they bet me about this?) Also, if you hand the valet the fob only (no key inside) they are unable to access the trunk and glovebox if you have properly locked them.

 

[bpajax]

When you do, you will find that slot is for the key fob, but the actual physical metal "key" will not allow you to start the car.

Also, if you hand the valet the fob only (no key inside) they are unable to access the trunk and glovebox if you have properly locked them.

However, the valet can reach through the rear seat pass-through and steal all your good stuff! Unless there is a lock I don't know about.

 

[BaywayRic]

However, the valet can reach through the rear seat pass-through and steal all your good stuff! Unless there is a lock I don't know about.

You don't have a trunk monkey???

 

[bpajax]

You don't have a trunk monkey???

LOL - here's my trunk monkey - I almost forgot I had him.

http://www.trunkmonkeyad.com/4wmv.htm

 

[Gimli]

When you do, you will find that slot is for the key fob, but the actual physical metal "key" will not allow you to start the car.

Yep, just confirmed that this morning... that's pretty weird. I wonder if the bypass to start the car through inserting a "dead" key FOB in that compartment somehow is able to read the individual key FOB's code or if you can use the bypass with just any Genesis key FOB.

 

[EdVoylesHyundai]

However, the valet can reach through the rear seat pass-through and steal all your good stuff! Unless there is a lock I don't know about.

Nope, no lock. Just don't anything small enough to fit through the hole in the trunk!

 

[Mark_888]

Nope, no lock. Just don't anything small enough to fit through the hole in the trunk!

There is an emergency trunk release that can be activated from the inside, so all they have to do is use some sort of pole via the passthru to trip the release and the trunk will open.

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[Gimli]

That is interesting. The Owners Manual mentions that Canadian models (or at least some Canadian models) have a regular ignition key instead of a Smart Key. It did seem strange to me, but check out the Owners Manual.

Funny, I see that reference on page 4-3 of the pdf I have of the owner's manual but the Canadian owner's manual doesn't mention "Canada" or anything alike on that page (in either languages). I think it's just whoever adapted the Korean owner's manual for the American market who thought there might be a Canadian version offered without the smart keys... it's not the case.

 

[Roger]

I'm not ashamed of Hyundai, it's a pleasure and a joy when I tell those who ask, "What kind of car is a Genesis". IT'S A HYUNDAI.

 

[puertorico]

Ok guys one thing is to change the front and rear badge but the keys that's like too much, you have to be proud that hyundai made this awesome car, that's the way I feel at least when people on the street ask me what kind of car is that and I tell them is a HYUNDAI GENESIS.

 

[Gimli]

I think the thread got started with tongue firmly planted in someone's cheek

 

[jpq1999]

Quick funny story about valet parking. My wife and I went to the Miami Auto Show in November (I think it was) on South Beach, mainly to see the Genesis. Because of all the "beautiful people" and "wanna-be's" down here, they offer valet parking to the show (like $15-$20). As my wife were walking through the lot (after parking at a meter), we saw two young valet parker kids crash right into each other w/ the cars they were just valeting. They got out, screamed at each other (in Spanish, of course), rubbed the cars where they hit, and ran back and took another set of car keys from the next "victims".

My wife left a note on each windshield w/ our phone numbers, but never got a call.