What do you do with car keys?

[Straegen]

When doing some wiring work on my car, I routed a new door unlock switch that is in a hidden location simply to prevent problems like this or locked keys in a car. It uses a toggle switch and pops the locks open if you flip the toggle properly. Nothing fancy and basically required a switch, relay, some wire and a small timing circuit all of which cost about $20.

[chicken]

I use this...

Hitch Safe Secure Key Storage

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by chicken

I use this...

Hitch Safe Secure Key Storage

Expensive, but handy, if you drive a car with a 2" hitch. The rest of us have to find other options...

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by ScubaToys Larry

Why not get a "valet key". Just one that fits the lock that does not have the electronics - then you can lock the keys inside the car, and just carry that.

Yup! Clipped in a pocket or on a D-ring.

[Rainer]

I happen to have my key ring always attached to a double ender. When I shore dive, I just clip it off in my pocket. It doesn't have electronics. When I have keys with an electronic attachment, I just stick them in the dry suit undergarment (after locking the car before closing it). Seems to work...

[Heavy D]

Originally Posted by Straegen

We have seen the practical... now for something a bit higher end:

Keypad Keyless Entry: A1 Electric Online Store

Key pad for your car $189

I bought my truck used a few years back and asked the dealer that I got it from about the keyless entry just for this reason. The dealer installed it for $99. Best money I ever spent for a vehicle accessory. Depending on what kind of vehicle you have and how old it is, you might want to ask your dealer about it.

[bandit6789]

Originally Posted by Straegen

When doing some wiring work on my car, I routed a new door unlock switch that is in a hidden location simply to prevent problems like this or locked keys in a car. It uses a toggle switch and pops the locks open if you flip the toggle properly. Nothing fancy and basically required a switch, relay, some wire and a small timing circuit all of which cost about $20.

Oh man, I can't believe I haven't thought of that before, that's a great idea.

I like the Realtor box idea also, I made one of those into a Geocache, for those of you who know what that is. ( Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site ) There are a <few> only accessible to SCUBA divers

[mike_s]

Originally Posted by chicken

I use this...

Hitch Safe Secure Key Storage

I thought about one of those, but at $70 bucks.... hard to compete with the MasterLock that Compudude posted for $20 bucks.

we use the MasterLock 5400 at work to put keys in. Works great.

[chicken]

$70 bucks if you pay full retail. A quick google search and I was out of the whole deal less than $50. It works for on both of my vehicles and no worries about getting the transmitter wet or losing the keys.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by chicken

$70 bucks if you pay full retail. A quick google search and I was out of the whole deal less than $50. It works for on both of my vehicles and no worries about getting the transmitter wet or losing the keys.

$50 is still more than double $20, for the same end result and more freedom of placement if you don't want to kneel down to mess with it. That can be awkward in full gear, standing there dripping wet and having to get on your knees to get your keys out. Of course, you'd have to do with some cars, too.

I clip my realtor box to my door handle, but not all cars have a loop handle to clip to. My previous car didn't... I either knelt down to a towing point underneath (just as bad as the tow hitch safe, of course) or found a fence or tree or something nearby that I could clip it to a more convenient height.