New key fobs. We’ve begun a review of all 15 Kia models and model variations and have come across one truly disturbing trend. The company is spreading new key fobs with separate mechanical keys through the product line. Nine models and model variations now use the new fob, first put into use by sister company …
Tag: mechanical key
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/05/lincoln-emergency-entry-review-for-2026-finds-no-changes/
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/04/kia-spreading-new-key-fobs-across-the-lineup/
New old owner’s manual rant
Owner’s manual Its been some time since we had an owner’s manual to rant about, but we have one now, on a 2008 Audi Q7. We were contacted by the owner of said Audi, actually a 2007 model, which evidently has a mechanical key start back up for the keyless start system. But when he …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/11/new-old-owners-manual-rant/
Newest Lexus door handle is a step backwards, prompting this rant
Lexus door handle I recently had the opportunity to work with the latest Lexus door handle and simply can’t shake the idea that the handle is a huge step backwards and completely unnecessary. Let me explain. Lexus, at the advent of keyless open and start, was one of the first auto manufacturers to hide the …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/08/newest-lexus-door-handle-is-a-step-backwards-prompting-this-rant/
Open a Smart with a Dead Key Fob
Getting into your Smart Open a Smart. This page holds all of the emergency open or back-up open procedures needed for Smart vehicles if the battery in the key fob dies or if there are electrical signals interfering with the fob. Smart manufactured the Fortwo model as a two-seater city car a as division of …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/06/open-a-smart-with-a-dead-key-fob/
Why the alarm sounds when using the mechanical key belonging to the proper vehicle!
Using the mechanical key We just dropped a video on YouTube discussing why using the mechanical key sets off the alarm in the vehicle the key belongs to! We discussed it in a post earlier here, but thought we should inform our subscribers. We note in the middle of our videos that the alarm may …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/10/why-the-alarm-sounds-when-using-the-mechanical-key-belonging-to-the-proper-vehicle/
Open a Kia with a Dead Key Fob
How to Open a Kia with a Dead Key Fob This page holds all of the emergency open or back-up open procedures needed for Kia vehicles if the battery in the key fob dies or if there are electrical signals interfering with the fob. First, if you are already inside, click here for help getting …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/open-a-kia-with-a-dead-key-fob/
Lincoln emergency entry review for 2026 finds no changes
Lincoln back-up entry. A review of Lincoln emergency entry procedures using the mechanical key finds no changes for the 2026 model year. These procedures are necessary in the event of a vehicle power failure, the battery in the key fob is depleted or there is radio interference causing a problem. Lincoln is a rarity in …
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