How to Open and Start a Suzuki with a Dead Key Fob
- Note that if you need or want another manufacturer, click here.
Getting into Your Suzuki
Retrieving the Mechanical Key
Suzuki withdrew from the new car market in the U.S. and Canada after the 2013 model year. Despite this, we 
saw a brand new model in a parking lot. They are coming from somewhere – Suzuki still sells cars worldwide – and it turned out to be a push button start model. Keyless start versions exist in models sold in North America in the past, so the brand deserves coverage.
There are at least two key fob styles. The fob for older models looks like the one shown above to the right. Turning it over, slide the button found on the back down relative to the image to the right and pull the mechanical key away.
The newer Suzuki models the key fob shown to the right looks very much like Mazda and Nissan fobs. 
They also have a button on the back. Slide it to the side and pull the mechanical key away.
In all Suzuki models, the key hole should be visible at the back of the driver’s door handle. Insert the key and turn and you’re in.
If however, a key hole is not visible behind the driver’s door handle, check out our Toyota, Lexus, and Scion page here. You will find the help you need. We did not find definitive evidence of hidden key holes in Suzuki models.
Starting Your Suzuki
Early keyless start Suzuki models still use an ignition switch that needs to be turned to operate. A slot for the mechanical key is hidden by the cap shown.
Squeeze both ends of the cap to pull it away. Then insert the mechanical key and start the car the old fashioned way.
Newer, push button start models work like other models from Japanese manufacturers. Push the start stop button with the key fob while stepping on the brake. The car will recognize the fob, even though the fob’s internal battery is dead and start.
We have a Video here that will be helpful.
——————————————————————-
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
There are three basic locations to try, as shown in the image, but experience tells us you might just as well skip to the last one. The first, top to bottom, is to simply drop the key fob into the cup holder. If this fails, hold the key fob against the front of the console, as we are doing in the image (second). There are several places that can be tried in this case alone.
If all these fail, the next recommendation is to remove the battery from the fob and run through the options again. As it happens, this is exactly what we had to do with the Model X we had and we landed at the base of the console before the car recognized the fob. That location, with the key fob resting in place, is shown in the second image. The fob was recognized at last and we were able to operate the car.
If you were given a key card, place it against the left side of the of the space at the front of the center console just below the screen, as shown to the right. The vehicle will recognize the card, the instrument panel will come to life and the car will be ready for action. Don’t lose the card!
If your mobile phone has gone dead or is missing, place the key card on the center console behind and between the two cup holders. The car will recognize the card and will allow it to be driven.
To retrieve the mechanical key from either key fob style, slide the release lever located on the reverse side of the FAST key fob, as shown, and pull out the mechanical key. It can then be inserted into the lock cylinder at the back of the driver’s door handle and turned to unlock the car. So far so good…
This is the Automatic Shift Lock (
The symbol of a shoe, boot or foot on or very near a pedal is a reminder that the brake must be engaged to start a push button or keyless start car. The image may appear on an instrument panel or on the console near the shifter, but with a start push button or keyless start vehicle, the indicator will appear on the instrument panel.
Don’t confuse these symbols with either of those to the right.
Dangers Inherent to Keyless or Push-button Start Cars
Keyless Start Dangers
The New York Times recently (August 2018) published an article about a problem inherent with keyless start cars. Specifically the phenomenon of drivers pulling into their garages and, lacking the need to remove a key from the ignition switch, walking away with the vehicle still running. The home fills with odorless carbon monoxide, injuring or killing the occupants.
The article notes that since 2006 there have been more than two dozen carbon monoxide deaths attributed to keyless start cars left running in garages. And many more have been injured with some left brain damaged. Its an excellent read and goes into great depth.
Now if your first thought is why would someone walk away from a running car, there are two answers. First, even gasoline powered cars today are remarkably quiet, particularly at idle. Second, since most of these vehicles will lock themselves if left unattended, some drivers expect that an unattended car cars will shut itself off as well. Some will, but it cannot be assumed.
A Danger Inside
There is an additional danger in hybrid cars. These may be operating on battery power when brought inside, and thus be dead quiet. However, if the ignition is left on, the internal combustion engine will eventually fire up to recharge the battery.
There is only one viable solution. Each and every keyless start vehicle on the road must shut itself down if left unattended or if no action is taken after an agreed upon time. This will mean lots of recalls, but it is the only sure fire solution.
And on to the anecdote. Shortly after buying a pre-owned car some years ago, I walked away leaving the headlights lights on. After a 10 hour day, I needed a jump start. Testing this sometime later proved that the car beeped itself silly when the door was open while the lights were still on.
There are beeps and whistles and lights in todays vehicles for everything under the sun, and for the most part, they simply aren’t heard anymore. There’s simply no guarantee that sound will get a driver’s attention.
The same engineer’s group also recommends having vehicles shut themselves down, and the discussion should simply end there. The article also noted that engineers with Toyota wanted more than audible warnings, but were rebuffed by the company. Dollars and cents are always an issue no matter how much they shouldn’t be.
Hidden Keyholes
One of our primary concerns here at DashboardSymbols.com is drivers left stranded by key fobs that have gone dead. I have sat with drivers who were stunned when I pulled a mechanical key from their fobs. We have spoken with others who knew of the key and thought it was only for the glove box.
And of course, the instructions for getting inside are locked inside the car!
Its relatively easy to ascertain that a car was left running causing a carbon monoxide death. But drivers trying to work put how to get in and start their cars if their key fobs have died could very well be in very vulnerable circumstances — dark parking garages, rainy parking lots, etc. If one them is set upon, will it even be possible to conclude that they were vulnerable because their keys had died. Will first responders make the connection?
So, should any and all of this be regulated? Likely yes. But forget that. These are safety issues pure and simple, and to all auto manufacturers, it is in your own best interest to keep your drivers safe! How is this even a question?
Manufacturers, make sure your keyless start cars will shut themselves down if left unattended. All of them. And give your drivers an app with at least instructions on how to get in and start the car or better yet an app that can unlock and start the car for them. Keep your drivers safe.
You want a customer for life right? How about helping to make sure its a good long life.
——————————————————————-
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