Several times a year I've used my wallet key to access my older car after locking myself out, usually when preoccupied with personal or business problems, or leaving the key in the ignition while testing my lights, radio or other electricals. With the RX-8, the remote prevents most instances of locking oneself out, since you don't usually pre-lock the door then slam it shut.

For the rare possibility of locking myself out of my RX-8, I am thinking of using my valet key, with the plastic head removed, as my wallet key. Although that would probably render it useless for ignition, I will get access to my second key inside my car.

Does anybody know what the valet key looks like underneath the plastic head? Hopefully, the metal head is fairly narrow to facilitate insertion into my wallet.

 

Why not just get a $2 copy made at Wally Mart?
Useless for ignition, but that's the whole idea.....
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doc

 

My local key store didn't have RX-8 blanks and they implied that they could only be obtained from Mazda.. I'll check other key stores tomorrow. Keeping my Valet key intact would be preferable to disassembling it.

 

instead of wasting 80 for a nother mazda key just buy one of those magnetic holders that u put under your car and pu ur valet key in there. How you describe it that would be the best way to go.

 

goto home depot, they'll probably have the correct balnk for your 8 ($1.45 for a key)

 

when i got my car they gave me two remotes with ignition keys and one vallet key [door key] if having 3 keys is not enough for you i serious doubt making a 4th copy will help

 

I had the same question, while I have the 3 keys, none of them fit easily into my wallet. So has anyone gotten a flat copy made?

 

This is a little dangerous. I used to have a magnetic holder hidden on my VW Jetta. I happened to have a very expensive stereo system in my car. Some ******* found the key box, and 2000 bucks later, all my stuff was stolen. So that is a bit risky.

 

I have to agree with the magnetic box being a bad idea, but for a different reason. I have locked myself out of homes and cars for many years (don't ask). Tried the magnetic box on the car, only to find out that they can fall off! It was SO cold that night too! Talk about a bad time to be locked out!

 

invest in a clap on door opener

 

If not, just grind it down with a dremel tool or at worst, a file. Imo, everyone should have a Dremel tool

 

You're not understanding the intent of the original post. I have the three original keys. It's not convenient to carry one of the fat original keys as a spare with you all the time: when traveling far away from home for instance. Yes, if I locked myself out of my RX in my driveway, I could easily go into my house and grab one of my spares. The wallet key would be a flat key to keep in the wallet anytime I'm away from my house - and everytime I've locked myself out in the past, I've had my wallet with me.

BTW my "valet" key is not just a door key it works the ignition.

 

I'd talk with the Mazda dealer - there may exist a key blank that's "headless" that fits the RX-8's pattern. They might be able to give a "correct" key cut off the VIN of the car as well for an exact key, not a copy of the original. Worth asking, at least.

Dale

 

There's another place you could store the full-function spare...