Treacherous Technology

[Thick McRunfast]

Having a good morning. Early start and I'm running early.

Unlock my truck and on the passenger side load in laptop, briefcase, etc, reach across, stick the keys in the ignition, start her up, close the passenger side door, walk around and..... locked!

Must have hit the lock button on the fob.

Spare key is in the briefcase of course because I always have that with me.

Standing in the rain waiting for the locksmith.

[giacomini]

Many cars lock the doors up automatically when it is turned on, at least mine does that too. Fortunately, I left a window open when that happened...

[the ombudsman]

Welcome to the wonderful world of modern cars.

One thing I hate is the roof light shutting off about two minutes after you leave the car, leaving you there wondering if you forgot it on...

The automatic door locking is another wonderful innovation. From mildly frustrating, when trying to open a rear door and it is locked, to downright insulting, like what happened to you.

It seems like some auto engineers really don't know what to do...

[giacomini]

Originally Posted by the ombudsman

Welcome to the wonderful world of modern cars.

One thing I hate is the roof light shutting off about two minutes after you leave the car, leaving you there wondering if you forgot it on...

The automatic door locking is another wonderful innovation. From mildly frustrating, when trying to open a rear door and it is locked, to downright insulting, like what happened to you.

It seems like some auto engineers really don't know what to do...

Now what about "integrated" alarm and lock systems...

When I want to open any doors I might turn off the alarm. But if I turn it off and open only the rear door, the alarm sets off in about 30 seconds...

So everytime I want to open the back door I have to open one of the side doors too.

[hover]

There's a butt-sensor in the passenger side linked to the passenger airbag on many cars, there should be one linked to the driver's side and the lock relays where it won't lock the car while running unless someone is seated and holds the button for 5 seconds, as a safety.

These auto-locks are a solution looking for a problem. Or creating more problems. Or, it's a joint conspiracy with the locksmith union.

Don't get me started on the hide a key pushbutton start features makin the rounds lately. Are you really that lazy you cannot operate a key with regularity?

[Indiana Mike]

Most cars have the ability to be reprogrammed to either enable or disable options like those discussed .

It is usually a series of key turns and brake or accelerator presses.

.....

I always leave a window cracked when I start my car and leave it ...hard do in the obtain or snow though.

[Lonesomedave]

let me suggest (for the op's problem, not the general gripes with automotive technology that others have expressed)...

take the electronic opener that you got when you purchased your car OFF of your keychain, and keep it in your POCKET with your change.

what happened to you is a perfect example of why you should not have it anywhere else. you might lock your briefcase in the car but you will never lock your pants in there.

if the electronic opener is attached to your key (that is, if it is an integral key/opener unit)- as on my wife's Mazda- then, keep your spare key, with electronic opener in your pocket.

since i started doing this, have never had a problem.

[MatticusMania]

I dont start my car until Im sitting in the dirvers seat. Problem solved.

[Thick McRunfast]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I dont start my car until Im sitting in the dirvers seat. Problem solved.

That's the new procedure because 40 minutes standing in the rain and $140 bucks out of pocket turned a good day and running ahead to a not so hot day and way behind. Took the guy all of 10 seconds to open the door.

[bassistjoe93]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I dont start my car until Im sitting in the dirvers seat.

Same here.

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by Lonesomedave

...take the electronic opener that you got when you purchased your car OFF of your keychain, and keep it in your POCKET with your change...

In my case (and many others), the Lock/Unlock buttons are built into the Key itself. Couldn't separate them if I wanted to.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Thick McRunfast

That's the new procedure because 40 minutes standing in the rain and $140 bucks out of pocket turned a good day and running ahead to a not so hot day and way behind. Took the guy all of 10 seconds to open the door.

Yikes, thats a pricey job!

A few weeks ago I lost my keys at Magic Mountain.
First time Ive ever lost them.
I called my parents and they drove about 50 minutes to drop off my spares. Thankfully they were at home.

[Thick McRunfast]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Yikes, thats a pricey job!

A few weeks ago I lost my keys at Magic Mountain.
First time Ive ever lost them.
I called my parents and they drove about 50 minutes to drop off my spares. Thankfully they were at home.

I guess when you've got somebody by the huevos......

Honestly if it had been my truck and not the company truck I'd have told the guy to forget it and busted the window because I bet I could get a replacement from salvage cheaper.

But like everything else the price of being stupid goes up to keep pace with inflation

[TolerancEJ]

When I got my first car, I used black eletrical tape to attach a spare key inside the front bumper. This was when bumpers were still made from metal & hollow inside. Eventually, I ended up getting locked out on a particularly cold, snowy/slushy day with my keys mocking me from the ignition.

So, I remembered my spare. Yes, it was still there. However, electrical tape after being attached for a long time does not like to unravel easily. I had to go to a nearby shop & buy a utility/box cutter knife to cut the tape.

[Bloodhammer]

Like Dave said, keep a spare key or fob in your pocket. I have two keychains - one for my truck key and it's fob and one for my truck key and all the rest of my keys. My stupid horn alarm goes off if I open the door with the key, but it stops the moment I slam it into the ignition switch.

Stupid alarm also honks the whole time I'm jump starting the truck, too. I hate that - it makes me look like I'm stealing my own truck. It's just not practical to assume that your battery will never get drained or fail.

[Bassamatic]

Originally Posted by Indiana Mike

Most cars have the ability to be reprogrammed to either enable or disable options like those discussed .

It is usually a series of key turns and brake or accelerator presses.

.....

I always leave a window cracked when I start my car and leave it ...hard do in the obtain or snow though.

The dealer can often make changes to the programming of your lock and alarm system. E.G. - My wife's car unlocks ONLY the driver's door with the first button press, mine unlocks all the doors. It may be possible to program it so that the door cannot be or remain locked if it is open and then closed.

[Indiana Mike]

Originally Posted by bassistjoe93

Same here.

I usually do that unless its 5 degrees....

[elgecko]

That's why my truck has manual door locks/windows. Also, I keep a key card in my wallet, it was free from the Auto Club.

[bassistjoe93]

Originally Posted by Indiana Mike

I usually do that unless its 5 degrees....

Understandable! I live in mid west Georgia so the coldest I deal with is 15-20 degrees a few mornings out of the year.

[pocketgroove]

Originally Posted by Thick McRunfast

That's the new procedure because 40 minutes standing in the rain and $140 bucks out of pocket turned a good day and running ahead to a not so hot day and way behind. Took the guy all of 10 seconds to open the door.

I lock my keys in fairly regularly...luckily, I have a AAA membership and they'll send someone out to get them out for free. It's definitely worth considering. The membership doesn't cost much, and it covers lockout services, towing, flat tires, general roadside assistance, and they'll even bring you five gallons of gas at no charge if you run out. Just sayin'.