Woudn't driving without the fob inserted be a bad idea? It will not be charging etc.

What's to keep someone from hopping in and stealing your MINI at a gas station etc, say you have the fob in a coat pocket in the car etc.

Not sure I like the possibilities comfort access adds to the scenario........

I remember reading on here a lady who left her fob on the gas pump, and she started her MINI and drove away, not supposed to be possible either.

 

first off CA keys do not recharge they have a replaceable button battery

That could happen but that would happen to most cars I see at the gas stations around me as everyone leaves the keys in the ignition. And seeing the keys in the ignition is more likely to get your car stolen than someone seeing an empty slot

if they do take you car and the key is in your pocket then they will not be able to start the car if the turn it off or stall it.

Stories are just that stories. I for one know my car will not start unless the key is inside the car or on the cowling just in front of the windshield. I have tested it. If it is in my pocket outside the vehicle and I am standing right up against the drivers door the car will not start.

BTW if they want your car they are going to take it no mater what type of key system you have.

 

+1

 

The owners manual says to give the service dept the fob you most recently used for the most current service data retrieval.

Is a fob in the car but not in the starship docking port still continuously recording service data?

What if both fobs are in the car and neither in the dock, which is receiving data, one, both or niether?

 

I think the real answer is: don't worry about it.

 

That's a good question. I know the fob doesn't charge like the others but how the data logs? not sure

 

Actually the only worry you have is this:

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...ch-discovers/1

Which is actually something worth worrying about. BUT, that is why we have insurance. Having had CA, I don't ever want a car without it again!

 

I did not get CA as I knew if I ever got used to not needing a "key" to drive, I would sometime forget it. However, I personally do not like the Fob/button we have and would much prefer a regular - buy a spare at Walmart for .79 - key. I do not think the button is "neat" as some do.

 

The real problem with that article is what they dont explain.

Yes a car with a push button may be very easy to steal but to do so they need some rather expensive equipment and a lot of knowledge on how to use it.

The car with the old fashioned key is also very easy to steal and only requires about $10.00 in equipment and very little knowledge.

So which car is going to get stolen first. the one with the old fashioned key most likely as the standard theif stealing it will not have the computer knowledge nor the expertise to deal with the electronics needed to start the car with the push button start.

 

Well the MINI dosen't make any Top 10 stolen car list in the USA anyway.....

But my GMC crew cab truck does.



In fact, the Prius and the MINI Cooper are the LEAST likely to be stolen. That's kinda an insult.

 

If you look at snopes.com you can read about this urban legend, with some more explanation. http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/lockcode.asp

 

Did find out that holding the unlock button on my 2011 does open the windows and roof. Dealer told me the new ones don't do that, but mine does. Everyones probably does, but sense I thought mine wouldn't it was a nice suprise.

 

The 2011 owners manual reads the same as my 2010. Great feature, especially now that the warmer weather is coming.........

 

This particular news item is not a BS story as it was just proven by the researcher within the last year - the snopes you mention are old news (<2008). It's a concern. But to the other points. Yes it's expensive equipment - but a laptop and some other stuff can also be stolen.

To the point of you can just as easily steal a keyed car, yes, but all the major muscle these days (the big benzes, bimmers, etc...) are all going this route. So which way will the theft market head to follow?

Most importantly though, the most valid point. Why steal a mini?! I'm mostly concerned about some jag cutting my top to steal my pack of gum!

 

So if you get in the car with comfort access...... When you get out does it lock itself - or do you have to press the fob to lock it?

 

It won't lock itself. You can use the fob, but you can also press a little black rubber switch on either door handle to lock/unlock it. Boot works the same way. CA is something I probably wouldn't have optioned if I'd ordered, but I would get it again for sure. You just leave the fob in your pocket all day. It rocks. I've hardly ever used the lock/unlock thing on the fob.

 

i always use the button on the door. My fob lives in the bottom of my purse never to see daylight.

 

The point of CA is to NOT use the buttons on the FOB to unlock the door or to have a key in the ignition to start the car.

I have a 2011 BMW X5, CA is a $1000 option. I paid extra just to have it. Its a must have option for me going fwd.

My 2008 Toyota Highlander came standard with CA. The Highlander does not even have a slot in the dash to insert the FOB . You always leave it in your pocket, purse or in the cup holder.

All cars will be like this one day very soon. Your house will be like this someday too.

 

I was told by my dealer that the fob, CA or not, has to be placed in the slot in order for the service data to be transferred.......... I have been told other things by dealer that turned out to be totally false so I don't know for sure....

 

I know but I often find myself using the remote to lock.... It's quicker than stop... turn around.... find the button.... feel dorky standing there waiting for it to lock... then walk away....

If CA has proximity or touch unlock AND automatic locking that would be better for me.

 

This logic escapes me . You still have to have the key on your person in order to start the car. You can't drive off and get to the store and then say "darn, I left the key at home." When you get to your destination, you have to take the key fob out of the vehicle in order to lock the car so it's not like you can forget it and lock it in the car.
I leave mine under the ebrake, I almost never put it in the slot except if I'm changing the programming.
I would like to come up with and attractive necklace or bracelet so I can always be wearing the fob and never have to think about it.
Actually it would best to just have something implanted under the skin so it is always there.
Annette

 

Doesn't anyone ever read the manual?

 

+1!!

 

Why do that when you can post questions on Internet forums that have been asked and answered over and over again.