A PSA TO OWNERS OF LATE MODEL GM VEHICLES - DON'T GET LOCKED OUT!!

[chief38]

I have a 2016 GM Yukon SLT that I purchased new about a year and a half ago (love it)! There is one feature or quirk that it has concerning locking the key fob in the car that needs to be addressed and so I will.

My Yukon has the new keyless push button start feature and all you need on your person is the key fob and the car will start. There is also a safety feature built in so that if the key fob is left in the FRONT of the vehicle, a sensor will acknowledge its presence and the doors will not lock automatically. I DO have the settings on my menu set so that the car self locks after 15 seconds of you exiting assuming you also take the key fob with you and if you accidentally leave it in the cup holder or something it will not lock because it detects the fob. All good right?

WELL....... I found out a few weeks ago (on a long distance trip into PA) that there ARE exceptions!! I was wearing a Suit and had the key fob in the pocket of the Jacket. To avoid wrinkling the Jacket I took it off while driving and placed it in the rear of the SUV. When we stopped for Gas my Wife went to the Ladies room and I was pumping Gas when I heard the car automatically self lock. Chills ran down my spine and I was really surprised and upset! THEN I realized my Wife had the spare key fob in her pocketbook (which thankfully she had with her) and so as soon as she walked over to the vehicle it opened up with a push of the button on the door handle. Whew - I lucked out BUT I ALWAYS take BOTH key fobs for any vehicle including my Harley when away from home. I keep them in two different locations or give the spare to someone else so if something happens both are not lost. Since I was out of Town, I gave my Wife the spare - fail safe!

So for the next week I was thinking of a solution to this problem without having to turn off the auto lock feature on the SUV (I do like that for the most part) . The key fob does in fact have a key in it that is removable for purposes of opening the door with a dead key fob, however the key is normally inside the fob itself. I could have removed the key from the spare key fob to carry separately in my pocket but that would have been another thing to loose or misplace. They do not make regular non transponder keys for this vehicle so I decided to take matters into my own hands.

I found a piece of chrome plated brass and machined it into the shape and size of the key blank. I then brought it into a Locksmith who cut the special grooves into the metal making the key work. The last step was to put a piece of metal onto it so I could turn it in the lock but yet still keep it minimalistic so I could hide it effectively underneath the car. I will pick up one of those magnetic key cases today and put the new spare key in it under the car. Even if someone found the key, while it would open the door the car wold still not start because the fob would not be there.

So the moral of the story here is I suggest making a spare non transponder door key and hiding it if you own one of these vehicles. You CAN buy a blank online and give them the key code for them to pre cut it, but I do not feel comfortable giving out my key code along with my mailing address so I did it my way. I suppose you could also order it uncut and have your local locksmith do it - I just did it my way. I just want to make owners of vehicles with similar entry and start systems aware that even if the key is in the vehicle it has to be in the front seat area to effectively transmit the signal. Don't get locked out!

BTW I own the SUV for 1 1/2 years and it took me this long to find this out - so when on a long trip I'd suggest ALWAYS carrying the spare fob as well - preferably in another persons pocket! If you can make a spare entrance key and hide it under the car, I'd suggest that too!

BTW the home-made key works GREAT!!!

 

[Muss Muggins]

Don't all GM vehicles have OnStar, which can unlock your car from the moon? I don't own one, but I do see the commercials . . .

 

[chief38]

Don't all GM vehicles have OnStar, which can unlock your car from the moon? I don't own one, but I do see the commercials . . .

Yes they do Muss, however you need to pay the yearly fee (which is included for 5 years with my vehicle) but my cell phone was inside the car as well. I suppose I could have asked a stranger to borrow their cell phone but my solution rely's on NO outside assistance if no one else is around. There are times (like when I am in the Field hunting) there is no one else in the area. I do and always try to carry my cell phone with me (for emergency purposes) - but lets say I left it in the locked car in the woods........

The solution I came up with is easy, inexpensive, self reliant and permanent. If and when the 5 year free-bee On-star period is up and I choose not to renew, still no worries.

 

[Rule3]

Don't all GM vehicles have OnStar, which can unlock your car from the moon? I don't own one, but I do see the commercials . . .

"That's all I have to say about that". (FG)



[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrt2q6Mpeyc[/ame]

 

[chief38]

Hey Rule 3, THAT IS HILARIOUS!!!! LMAO!!

 

[M29since14]

Chief38, I've done exactly the same thing (suit jacket in the back seat). Luckily, I realized it in time to get the door open before Murphy was able to strike. Realizing the potential for more of this nonsense, I took a different approach, based on my own preference. I don't care for the automatic locking thing and just don't use it. I've never had a problem remembering to lock my vehicle. "No thank you!" on the auto-locking thing!

 

[chief38]

Chief38, I've done exactly the same thing (suit jacket in the back seat). Luckily, I realized it in time to get the door open before Murphy was able to strike. Realizing the potential for more of this nonsense, I took a different approach, based on my own preference. I don't care for the automatic locking thing and just don't use it. I've never had a problem remembering to lock my vehicle. "No thank you!" on the auto-locking thing!

That it a good choice as well - the least expensive also, however Mrs. Chief sometimes forgets to lock a car so I like the Auto-lock feature. With the spare key hidden, no harm - no fowl and it's an easy resolution if I do make a mistake.

 

[Walkingwolf]

I don't even like the key fob, prefer to open the door with a key. And that little lock tab in the door works great. Just wish I could still roll my window up by hand.

Cars today are high tech, which is great for some people. But anybody that has owned computers know over time that some components over time will break down. Not a big deal on a personal computer, or smart phone, just replace it. Stranded in a vehicle it is a big deal.

Just for an example if the control module becomes confused(programming fails) the headlights can shut off of a night, and will not come on unless the car is taken to a dealership to be reprogrammed. Happened to us.

 

[chief38]

I don't even like the key fob, prefer to open the door with a key. And that little lock tab in the door works great. Just wish I could still roll my window up by hand.

Cars today are high tech, which is great for some people. But anybody that has owned computers know over time that some components over time will break down. Not a big deal on a personal computer, or smart phone, just replace it. Stranded in a vehicle it is a big deal.

Just for an example if the control module becomes confused(programming fails) the headlights can shut off of a night, and will not come on unless the car is taken to a dealership to be reprogrammed. Happened to us.

You're right in that sometimes simpler is better, however with Automobiles we rarely have a choice as to how the car is built. This is how my Yukon SLT was available from the factory and I did not have an option, so deal with it I did.

With all the modern computers, switches, gizmo's and gadget's I am happy to say that the last few cars I've had equipped with all this stuff were extremely reliable and I can't actually recall any tech problems with any of the fancy accessories. If I did have a minor glitch it had to be minor enough for me to forget about it.

Like many things that are new in Automobiles, when we first get the new vehicle we say,"Oh, I can live without that feature", but in a few years when we shop for a new vehicle, we always look for the features we though we could do without.

For instance, I have not owned a car without a sun roof, heated seats, heated steering wheel, remote start, etc. etc. for 20 years now! OK, I'm a spoiled Wuss but I like my creature comforts!

 

[NYlakesider]

With my different Vettes I have over 15 years of experience withe those locking systems. Not only that it is a very big topic on the large Corvette Forum I'm on. At least once a month that topic come up

The first thing I do when getting a new ride is set the system so it only locks when I lock it by pushing the fob button. There are places in the car ) that are dead spots and the sensor will not detect the fob.

I NEVER take the fob out of my pants pocket when driving.

Many golfers or gym rats have a habit of putting the fob in their golf bag or gym bag. They get close to the car and it will unlock, then they put the bag in the trunk and close the lid. The car will re lock most times and you now have a problem

The Vettes have a emergency key that will open the trunk/hatch(depending on model). Many people separate them from the fob so if they goof the key can open the trunk. Once in there you will find a pull strap that will open the front door. Of course the second the trunk pops open the alarm goes off.

It will continue till the fob is recovered and the button pushed. That goes over real well if you have neighbors especially late at night. When I drop my Vette off at the dealers I keep the key and only leave the fob. Twice they have inadvertently locked the fob in a cup holder on the console and I had to use the emergency key to get in.

 

[chief38]

With my different Vettes I have over 15 years of experience withe those locking systems. Not only that it is a very big topic on the large Corvette Forum I'm on. At least once a month that topic come up

The first thing I do when getting a new ride is set the system so it only locks when I lock it by pushing the fob button. There are places in the car ) that are dead spots and the sensor will not detect the fob.

I NEVER take the fob out of my pants pocket when driving.

Many golfers or gym rats have a habit of putting the fob in their golf bag or gym bag. They get close to the car and it will unlock, then they put the bag in the trunk and close the lid. The car will re lock most times and you now have a problem

The Vettes have a emergency key that will open the trunk/hatch(depending on model). Many people separate them from the fob so if they goof the key can open the trunk. Once in there you will find a pull strap that will open the front door. Of course the second the trunk pops open the alarm goes off.

It will continue till the fob is recovered and the button pushed. That goes over real well if you have neighbors especially late at night. When I drop my Vette off at the dealers I keep the key and only leave the fob. Twice they have inadvertently locked the fob in a cup holder on the console and I had to use the emergency key to get in.

The part about keeping the fob in your pocket all the time is great! I've got to get into the habit but first I'd have to separate the rather large key fob from my key ring - a good plan though. Might do that today. I will see if I can deal with the large fob in my pocket all the time. Why they made the damned thing so large and thick is a mystery to me. Of all the vehicles I've owned (lots of them) this is by far the largest and thickest one.

 

[kthom]

I'm fanatic about keeping an extra key somewhere outside my vehicles. I wish I had ten bucks for every vehicle I opened for someone over the years whose keys were locked safely inside their vehicles. FWIW, I have found that the magnetic key boxes will sometimes get knocked loose from their mooring place when underneath a vehicle. Driving through water and or mud and water can splash the stuff into surprising places underneath a vehicle. I locked my self outside my howl car once upon a time at the scene of a serious crash with injuries present. Could not access my radio for communications and it was very embarrasing since my "tools" for unlocking cars were locked inside as well. So I though about the problem and came up with this solution.

You can buy the plain simple shower curtain hooks that operate on the principle of a large safety pin. Most of these are made from pretty good quality steel that is very "springy" in nature. One end is sized to fit a shower curtain rod and the other end is much smaller in size. I have always been able to find a hole or a small enough rod or brace somewhere underneath the vehicle near the front or rear bumper where I can hang one of these hooks with a door key on it. In the beginning, there were few if any remote key locks. When they started using the chips inside the plastic key heads, the doors could still be opened with a regular key, but you couldn't start the vehicle with them. But if you could get the door open, your regular keys were inside, right? I have never had a remote fob so can't speak to that situation for sure, but if a regular key can be made that will open your door, hang one on one of these shower curtain clips and find a suitable spot underneath that you can reach without laying completely down on the ground. The key should not hang down low enough to be easily seen by anyone looking underneath the vehicle and preferably, it should hang where it is not directly in the windstream underneath the vehicle. It will move and swing around a bit but I have only ever replaced on shower curtain hook that was worn to the point where I did not trust it any longer to stay in place. The key will get dirty in time, but it will also become more difficult to to see unless you know where it is hanging. My wife and I have been saved a locksmith charge or a broken window a few times over the years by keeping a spare door key as described. It's a great deal more secure than a magnetic lock box anywhere underneath your vehicle!

 

[NYlakesider]

I'm fanatic about keeping an extra key somewhere outside my vehicles. I wish I had ten bucks for every vehicle I opened for someone over the years whose keys were locked safely inside their vehicles. FWIW, I have found that the magnetic key boxes will sometimes get knocked loose from their mooring place when underneath a vehicle. Driving through water and or mud and water can splash the stuff into surprising places underneath a vehicle. I locked my self outside my howl car once upon a time at the scene of a serious crash with injuries present. Could not access my radio for communications and it was very embarrasing since my "tools" for unlocking cars were locked inside as well. So I though about the problem and came up with this solution.

You can buy the plain simple shower curtain hooks that operate on the principle of a large safety pin. Most of these are made from pretty good quality steel that is very "springy" in nature. One end is sized to fit a shower curtain rod and the other end is much smaller in size. I have always been able to find a hole or a small enough rod or brace somewhere underneath the vehicle near the front or rear bumper where I can hang one of these hooks with a door key on it. In the beginning, there were few if any remote key locks. When they started using the chips inside the plastic key heads, the doors could still be opened with a regular key, but you couldn't start the vehicle with them. But if you could get the door open, your regular keys were inside, right? I have never had a remote fob so can't speak to that situation for sure, but if a regular key can be made that will open your door, hang one on one of these shower curtain clips and find a suitable spot underneath that you can reach without laying completely down on the ground. The key should not hang down low enough to be easily seen by anyone looking underneath the vehicle and preferably, it should hang where it is not directly in the windstream underneath the vehicle. It will move and swing around a bit but I have only ever replaced on shower curtain hook that was worn to the point where I did not trust it any longer to stay in place. The key will get dirty in time, but it will also become more difficult to to see unless you know where it is hanging. My wife and I have been saved a locksmith charge or a broken window a few times over the years by keeping a spare door key as described. It's a great deal more secure than a magnetic lock box anywhere underneath your vehicle!

I do not know about all GM vechicles but my Vettes do not have a key spot on the doors. If your locked out, it can get very interesting. That Emergency key I mentioned in my post will only do one thing and that is unlock the hatch/trunk. Then if inside you work your way to the door unlock strap!

Of course your best bet is not to lock the keys inside. If you can not figure out how to disable that lock setting your salesman or service dept can do it. It only takes a couple minutes of button pushing!

That info is somewhere in your very large (loaded with lawyer speak) owners manual!

 

[LVSteve]

I cannot get my head around this idea of not having keys on my person. Maybe that says more about the way my father drilled me about keys and the places I have worked than anything else.

 

[steveno]

I have a 2004 Colorado with the passlock system on it and a few years ago when you went to start the engine there was nothing but after 10 minutes it would start and run fine. you just never when it was going to do it again. after putting up with it for about a year I decided to get it fixed. there was a switch inside the steering column that had to be replaced and that was $350. I asked if it could be just bypassed and the dealer said no.

my truck also has a nasty habit of locking itself so I always had the extra fob in my pocket

 

[ladder13]

With my different Vettes I have over 15 years of experience withe those locking systems. Not only that it is a very big topic on the large Corvette Forum I'm on. At least once a month that topic come up

The first thing I do when getting a new ride is set the system so it only locks when I lock it by pushing the fob button. There are places in the car ) that are dead spots and the sensor will not detect the fob.

I NEVER take the fob out of my pants pocket when driving.

Many golfers or gym rats have a habit of putting the fob in their golf bag or gym bag. They get close to the car and it will unlock, then they put the bag in the trunk and close the lid. The car will re lock most times and you now have a problem

The Vettes have a emergency key that will open the trunk/hatch(depending on model). Many people separate them from the fob so if they goof the key can open the trunk. Once in there you will find a pull strap that will open the front door. Of course the second the trunk pops open the alarm goes off.

It will continue till the fob is recovered and the button pushed. That goes over real well if you have neighbors especially late at night. When I drop my Vette off at the dealers I keep the key and only leave the fob. Twice they have inadvertently locked the fob in a cup holder on the console and I had to use the emergency key to get in.

All of the above with special mention of only using the fob to lock and unlock with fob/key kept on my person. Never failed once.

 

[chief38]

All great suggestions! I still feel very very good about the spare key I made. The $20 bucks they charged me to cut my home made key blank and the hour or so it took me to make it is still cheap insurance no matter what I decide to do with carrying the fob all the time, reprogramming the menu, etc.

I more than likely will start taking the fob off and just shoving that into my pocket without the rest of the key ring which is just too damned bulky for pocket carry. I'm also going to get one of the two piece take apart key chains today when I get the magnetic key case that will help me accomplish that. Thanks!

 

[jtcarm]

I actually have a big financial interest in GM, but I will NEVER own another of their vehicles.

I've had 3 and they were all junk, excepting maybe my 77 Camaro LT.

That includes a Cadillac SRX.

 

[johngalt]

I do not know about all GM vechicles but my Vettes do not have a key spot on the doors. If your locked out, it can get very interesting. That Emergency key I mentioned in my post will only do one thing and that is unlock the hatch/trunk. Then if inside you work your way to the door unlock strap!

Of course your best bet is not to lock the keys inside. If you can not figure out how to disable that lock setting your salesman or service dept can do it. It only takes a couple minutes of button pushing!

That info is somewhere in your very large (loaded with lawyer speak) owners manual!

My Vette is old enough it still has a keyhole on the door. I think maybe it went away on the C6. They seem to always go overboard with the Vette electronics, compared to other Chevys.

I've never understood this obsession with removing mechanically operated locks.

 

[4011]

I have a key that will only open the door. It's zip tied under the truck. Locked myself out once. Dr. let me borrow his car to drive home and get the other key. Covered now.