Other key options?
#1
![Question](https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/icon5.gif)
Are there any other options to the dull keys that were shipped with the RX-8? When fob + keyring is bulkier than your cellphone, I'd say that someone didn't really do their homework on the one piece of the car that you always carry around with you.
So, can the european rotor-shaped keys work in US cars? I can't tell from the catalog; are they "thin", or do they also have the stupid "hey, let's make this a quarter-inch thick" piece of plastic? Are there third-party fobs that dont' look like they're big enough to be powered by AA batteries?
I hate lugging this thing around; almost wants me to skip the fob and just unlock the doors the old fashioned way...
So, can the european rotor-shaped keys work in US cars? I can't tell from the catalog; are they "thin", or do they also have the stupid "hey, let's make this a quarter-inch thick" piece of plastic? Are there third-party fobs that dont' look like they're big enough to be powered by AA batteries?
I hate lugging this thing around; almost wants me to skip the fob and just unlock the doors the old fashioned way...
#2
yeah i know what you mean...
the rotor key looks to be a lot sleeker and can be had for 140 bucks...im really looking forward to getting one, hopefully i will too lol
________
Gm high feature engine specifications
the rotor key looks to be a lot sleeker and can be had for 140 bucks...im really looking forward to getting one, hopefully i will too lol
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Gm high feature engine specifications
Last edited by P00Man; 04-16-2011 at 07:48 PM.
#3
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i've gotten no word back from anybody i asked about whether the key is compadable with the us cars, and the holder for the key is a remote, so whether or not it can be used on us cars as well
#4
Re: Other key options?
Originally posted by lbrintle
So, can the european rotor-shaped keys work in US cars?
So, can the european rotor-shaped keys work in US cars?
According to Mazda, the other market keys will not work in the US cars, because they use different security mechanisms -- there are no other options other than the fat-as-hell and ugly-as-hell versions that were shipped with the car.
She did do the usual "if we get enough complaints, we will probably redesign it and come up with something [thinner] in a year or two and you can get your key re-cut" so if you also hate the key, give Mazda customer service a call and say "hey, I hate the key. Can we have something thinner with a cooler fob?" C'mon... do it for me.
#5
the US keys supposedly have a security chip built into them making them bulky...so if someone was to make a copy of your key, it still wouldn't work because it does not have the right chip
#6
Originally posted by BRx8
the US keys supposedly have a security chip built into them making them bulky...so if someone was to make a copy of your key, it still wouldn't work because it does not have the right chip
the US keys supposedly have a security chip built into them making them bulky...so if someone was to make a copy of your key, it still wouldn't work because it does not have the right chip
#7
Originally posted by lbrintle
The chip is really small; lots of cars have this chip, and don't have a 3/8"-thick key. <shakes head>
The chip is really small; lots of cars have this chip, and don't have a 3/8"-thick key. <shakes head>
on another note, if these keys needed to be this bulky, why not go all the way and add the keyless entry, trunk release, and panic button all in one? why make them separate like that? someone needs to get fired...
#8
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Agree with this completely. Mazda should take a look at my last new car's key design - a Lexus RX-300. The electronics were integrated w/the key and the plastic part of the key was less than 1/2 the size of our 'fob' and way thinner.
I might guess the key electronics 'brick' (by the looks of how big and glompy it is) is of American design, American made, as it was for only the American market.
Oh gosh it actually is, what a surprise!
http://www.visteon.com/utils/contact/index.shtml
I might guess the key electronics 'brick' (by the looks of how big and glompy it is) is of American design, American made, as it was for only the American market.
Oh gosh it actually is, what a surprise!
http://www.visteon.com/utils/contact/index.shtml
#9
Administrator
Visteon purchased 100 percent of Naldec from Mazda Motor Corporation for an undisclosed sum. Currently, the majority of Naldec's sales are to Mazda.
Naldec's manufacturing plant in Hiroshima produces approximately 4 million air bag, antilock brake, keyless entry, speed control and other electrical modules annually. The corporation employs approximately 220 people, including about 70 engineers.
Naldec's manufacturing plant in Hiroshima produces approximately 4 million air bag, antilock brake, keyless entry, speed control and other electrical modules annually. The corporation employs approximately 220 people, including about 70 engineers.
#10
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Originally posted by Spin9k
I might guess the key electronics 'brick' (by the looks of how big and glompy it is) is of American design, American made, as it was for only the American market.
I might guess the key electronics 'brick' (by the looks of how big and glompy it is) is of American design, American made, as it was for only the American market.
#11
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Originally posted by BillK
You apparently have never seen the way cool but thick Audi "switchblade" keys...
You apparently have never seen the way cool but thick Audi "switchblade" keys...
#12
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Volvo also has the switchblade key, and I believe Mercedes as well.
Basically the key folds INTO the fob, and you press a button to eject it, works great!
The Mercedes key is even more funky as it isn't your standard key, it's more or less just a block that sticks into a square hole.
Basically the key folds INTO the fob, and you press a button to eject it, works great!
The Mercedes key is even more funky as it isn't your standard key, it's more or less just a block that sticks into a square hole.
#13
Prodigal Wankler
Originally posted by Wing
The Mercedes key is even more funky as it isn't your standard key, it's more or less just a block that sticks into a square hole.
The Mercedes key is even more funky as it isn't your standard key, it's more or less just a block that sticks into a square hole.
#15
why have any keys at all when you can get one of those credit card sized remote entry cards? a friend of mine got one of those and he basically just leaves his keys inside his car...the card is stored in his wallet at all times so when he leaves the car, it automatically locks, when he approaches his car by 5 feet or so, it automatically unlocks...pretty cool feature since it also included a starter kill in the event that someone broke in and tried to drive off
#16
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Originally posted by BRx8
why have any keys at all when you can get one of those credit card sized remote entry cards? a friend of mine got one of those and he basically just leaves his keys inside his car...the card is stored in his wallet at all times so when he leaves the car, it automatically locks, when he approaches his car by 5 feet or so, it automatically unlocks...pretty cool feature since it also included a starter kill in the event that someone broke in and tried to drive off
why have any keys at all when you can get one of those credit card sized remote entry cards? a friend of mine got one of those and he basically just leaves his keys inside his car...the card is stored in his wallet at all times so when he leaves the car, it automatically locks, when he approaches his car by 5 feet or so, it automatically unlocks...pretty cool feature since it also included a starter kill in the event that someone broke in and tried to drive off
How about the push-button start at jt-imports? Probably not great for security, but way cool.
#17
i found this one quick...i'm sure with some research you can find better deals or better brands but this one is almost like the one my friend has:
http://www.12voltshop.com/proddetail...t=19&path=1,19
http://www.12voltshop.com/proddetail...t=19&path=1,19
#18
Prodigal Wankler
Originally posted by BRx8
a friend of mine got one of those and he basically just leaves his keys inside his car.
a friend of mine got one of those and he basically just leaves his keys inside his car.
#19
couldnt the key be taken apart, put in the new/existing (chip in your current set of keys) chip and your done...
could be wrong, but oh well, i really wish mazda had a nice key, at least for the rx-8 if not for all their models
edit:
just making the fob out of a higher quality plastic would go a long ways
________
Zx14 Vs Hayabusa
could be wrong, but oh well, i really wish mazda had a nice key, at least for the rx-8 if not for all their models
edit:
just making the fob out of a higher quality plastic would go a long ways
________
Zx14 Vs Hayabusa
Last edited by P00Man; 04-16-2011 at 07:51 PM.
#20
Originally posted by P00Man
couldnt the key be taken apart, put in the new/existing (chip in your current set of keys) chip and your done...
couldnt the key be taken apart, put in the new/existing (chip in your current set of keys) chip and your done...
well fine, i guess you could, but you'd have a really ugly key with a computer chip scotch-taped onto it...i'd rather have the big and bulky Mazda fob instead...:D
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