Open and Start Audi A3 and Q3
We recently updated our video demonstrating how to open and start Audi A3 and Q3 with a dead key fob battery. As of 2020, the models hide the key hole behind a cap at the back of the driver’s door handle, but we get you past this obstacle.
Earlier A3 and Q3 models have a visible key hole. You can find our video covering these older cars here.
Of course, starting the car assumes that the start battery is good. And if not, we will can get you inside and ready for a jump start.
We added the video to our Audi video page, which now holds now 21 videos, covering Volkswagen models as well. You can see the page here. You can also see the video on YouTube here.
Smart Keys or Intelligent Keys, or Access Keys – or whatever the manufacturer of your chooses to call them – that let you into your car and start it with just a touch use up their internal batteries at alarming rates, catching busy drivers unawares – even though the car had tried to warn you.
Our goal is to help you feel safe – and keep you moving or get you moving if at all possible – rather than leave you fretting whenever your key fob stops working. The instructions for getting into and starting most keyless start cars can be found on our pages – without roadside assistance.
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
Fiat electronic latch forces a Get Out update
Fiat electronic latch
The update of our Fiat back up entry and start pages includes a look at the Fiat electronic latch. Much like keyless start needing back up if the battery in the key fob dies, electronic latches require back up options if the vehicle encounters a full loss of power.
The Corvette start
We have covered these issues on the website and on YouTube for just short of 10 years. It was prompted by the death of a man who did not know how to get out of his Corvette on a hot day in Texas. His dog succumbed to the heat as well. In sum, the back up handle is on the floor, in no position to be even considered as an option.
Fiat
Every car with an electronic latch from the Corvette to all Tesla models feature a back up open option. The Fiat 500e is no different. A separate mechanical pull lever is found below the armrest on both the front doors (right). A simple pull opens the door in the event of a power failure.
Which begs the question: if a mechanical option is to be offered, why bother with the electronic system??
Audi
Audi offers a truly wonderful exception seen in the gif. The electronic latch releases on a simple pull to the first position. The handle then responds to a very, very natural human instinct when something doesn’t work as expected: pull, push, or twist harder! Extra pull effort in e-tron models engages the mechanical release.
Each and every manufacturer should take a long hard look at Audi‘s innovation and flat out copy it.
Our Get Out page is here and our YouTube video is here.
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing could be more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY