What is the overall range that the remote key will function. It seems I need to be within 20-30 feet of my Mini for it to work. Most alarms and remotes I have had in the past work up to 100 feet. I wouldn't think it's a battery issue since the car is only three weeks old. Any thoughts?

 

Maybe it is a matter of being within line-of-sight of the sensor? My range is about the same.

dan

 

The key for my '05 has a much shorter range than my '03 did - as you say, around 20-30'. It's also nearly impossible to hit it twice to unlock all doors without waiting a full second or so in between. It's smaller and nicer-looking, but I miss the fuctionality of the old key.

One trick, though - try holding your key up until it touches your jaw, then try it. Mine works from over 100' away if I do this, and I'm pretty sure that the waves aren't frying my brain. I can't explain how it works, but it works!

 

That's the normal operating range for the new ('05 and up) OEM keys. The older Valeo (2002-2004) remote keyfobs had a slightly greater range, but not too significant.

 

Your head turns into a huge signal amplifier/antenna. I put the keyfob against my chin all the time and works fairly well.

 

ZZZZZ! Eh? What's that you... ZZZZZ! what's that you say? I don't think that my ZZZZZ! my key has any negative effects on my ZZZZZ! brain. What year is it? ZZZZZ! Mom?

 

thanks guys, not i'm going to have to try turning myself into an antenna tonight . what can i say im inpressionable. otherwise 20-30 ft on my 06 MC cabrio.

 

I have the older key and get maybe 100 feet for a single unlock and need to be about 50 feet in a wide open lot to reliably get the windows down.

Still sucks though. I had a company vehicle, a Ford Explorer that seemed like it would work a half mile away.

I had the interior side panel off and there is a littel module that seems to have several antenna connections on it. We traced it and it looks like several leads go into and out of it, including th emain antenna lead for the radio as well as a smaller one. I wonder if there is some wire hidden in teh rear that can be added to for better range?

 

the key to the chin works for me.....I have a separate FOB for my aftermarket burlar alarm and its range is greatly increased also by the FOB to the chin trick....pretty cool

 

I really don't know why it works, but placing the key to your chin does improve the range quite a bit. I wonder who though of it.

 

My Valeo only works from about 60 inches away.

 

Who knows. I've been doing it for years. It also tends to make people nearby tilt their head like the victrola dog.

 

The receiver is in the rear view mirror...or at least that's what they had to replace since I had no remote function at delivery. Maybe the jaw thing gets it at more of a clear line of sight to the receiver.

 

It's been demonstrated that it will work as far as your cell phone will reach. I know this sounds crazy, but one of our members tried this and demonstrated it to us. He locked his keys in the MINI, called his wife at home--he put his cell phone next to his MINI, she actually transmitted the code from the Valet key through the phone and unlocked his car. Sounds far fetched?? Try it. It's wild.

 

No way! How is that possible!?

I want to hear from more people who have done this!:smile:

 

"Valet key"? I thought the two keys are the same

 

What a great tip!

My 05 range is about 20 ft, so I went out in the yard and tested it on my chin. I can get 60 or 70 ft out of it now! I'm flabergasted.

 

And if you wear an aluminum foil hat, you get about 200' . Though I should try this...

But seriously, the thing about the cell phone - I read on snopes that the whole cell phone activating key fob was a rumor. Also, I thought the valet key had no buttons. Are you sure he wasn't just joking around? Fingering the second key in his pocket?

John

 

this is the valet key
(with no remote buttons)

 

Maybe octaneguy didn't mean the valet key but the second spare key remote?

But, seriously signals traveling through the phone? I HAVE to try that one..

 

Probably so. I was going to try it but my remote was working too well-- through interior walls & a cinderblock garrage. (without my jaw) Figures!

 

you gotta let us know it that works hyobum, its sounds pretty far fetched though dont it

 

I have seen this happen with a 2005 Chrysler product. The guy had his keys and told me the story. He gave me his keys to hold and called his wife and asked her to put her key to the phone. He "aimed" the speaker of his cell phone at the truck and the door unlocked. I did not press a button on his keys.

 

Heh, if you do not want to look as ackward in public, just put your key behind your palm and it increases the range aswell I do it all the time, it actually does increase the range.

 

OK, I'm going to do a controlled scientific expirement (ie, take my MNI out for a drive tomorrow ) and give this a try. I'll do two tests:

1) cell to cell (same carrier/model cell phone)

2) land line to cell

and post the results. A perfect reason to take the MINI for a spin!

If it doesn't work, I'll repeat the experiment at my friends house with his cell phone, repeating tests #1 and #2.

John