No key hole?

elsien

This is just to satisfy my curiosity as to what other people think.

Suddenly noticed after having my new car for a month (and putting the key through the washing machine) that there's no door key hole. Not entirely sure how I missed that during the buying process - probably not on my radar as I assumed all cars had key holes due to not having bought one for 12 years.
In my mind this is a bit silly - if my freshly washed key decides to go on the blink miles from home how am I meant to get back into my car.
Any thoughts? Just doesn't seem as practical to me, given that electronics are more likely to go on the blink that your bog standard key.

AndyMc.....

What car are we taking about?

Some of the Land Rover models appear keyless however there is a small plug/bung that pulls out revealing the key slot.

onomatopoeia99

How do you get in if the car battery is flat? I would hope the manual will have some information.

pramsay13

Use the spare?
I have a Dacia which I noticed recently doesn't have a keyhole on the driver's side, however does have one on the passenger side.
Maybe it from being a French car so they thought it only needed one on the driver side but forgot to switch it when they manufactured rhd versions.

facade

My [STRIKE]Renault [/STRIKE]Nee-San has a keyhole on the passenger side, covered up by the fixed part of the handle.


If the fob battery goes you have to get into (the deadlocked) car via the passenger door, and use the key in the ignition, which releases the deadlocks. (Not much point having deadlocks if everybody knows that there is a mechanical mechanism on the passenger side.....)

If the car battery is flat you get in and pull the bonnet.

elsien

Skoda Fabia. And I don't carry the spare key round with me.
I think I need to do a closer inspection. And possibly read the manual.

AndyMc.....

elsien wrote: »

Skoda Fabia. And I don't carry the spare key round with me.
I think I need to do a closer inspection. And possibly read the manual.

On the superb and Octavia using the key blade you prise off the rear part of the handle trim/cover by placing the in from below.

The cover comes off revealing the key hole.

neilmcl

elsien wrote: »

Skoda Fabia. And I don't carry the spare key round with me.
I think I need to do a closer inspection. And possibly read the manual.

I think this is indeed what you should do, particularly the section about emergency locking/unlocking of doors.

Johnmcl7

If your fob has failed but the car battery is still ok then you may still have problems as the car needs the fob to deactivate the immobiliser and also may trigger the alarm if you open the door with the key rather than the fob button. I don't know if that's the case with current VW based cars, it did that with my older Seat and my current Mazda as using the physical key is to get in when the car battery is flat to then open the bonnet and get to the battery.

I have dunked my key fob a few times accidentally and thankfully it's not affected them.

John

elsien

AndyMc..... wrote: »

On the superb and Octavia using the key blade you prise off the rear part of the handle trim/cover by placing the in from below.

The cover comes off revealing the key hole.

Just checked - there's a dint in the right place which isn't on the back handles so that looks hopeful.
I tend to not read manuals unless there's no other option however that's unlikely to work when it's locked in the car!

EssexExile

My dad's Micra has the hidden keyhole on the passenger side. I'm not sure how much help it would be if he needed to use it. The car is usually in his garage hard up against the wall that side!