Locked smart key in car

[Ajb485]

A warning for those with the smart key fob. When I first got the 2021 Telluride SX, I tried everything I could think of to lock the key in the car to see if it was possible. No matter where I put the key (after locking doors with either the interior lock switch, or using the key fob lock button), when closing any door or the hatch, the car would unlock the doors, so I thought it was idiot proof.
it isn’t.
I came back from fishing to my locked car, opened the back hatch (clearly the car recognized my key in proximity), and absentmindedly put my tackle vest in the back and closed the hatch. It was then that I remembered my key was zippered in the vest, along with my cellphone. When the hatch closed, nothing automatically unlocked, and I could not open the back hatch even though my key/vest was right near it inside. None of the doors would respond either. So, I had no key, and no cellphone. Luckily I was at a campsite and made friends with a couple dudes that had a Cellphone that works out there. I called roadside assistance from my insurance company. Three hours later, my car was opened. this could have been much worse since I regularly go to remote places where even cell coverage is non-existent. I carry extra water and a battery jumper, but I would have hated to have to bust out a window to get into the locked car.
Bottom line, I RE-tested trying to lock my key in the car when I got back home (where my spare key is), and sure enough, if my cellphone is near the key fob inside the vehicle, the car doesn’t see the fob. Curiously, it seems to recognize the fob outside the vehicle even though the phone is next to it. In my case, the fob and phone were in the same pocket in my fishing vest, which prevented the car from recognizing the key when it was inside the locked vehicle as the hatch was closed.
I think I’ll get one of those old-guy belt pouches for my phone. I’m 57 so I think I’m nearly qualified to wear one. Maybe I’ll get another pouch for the fob.

 

[ELCapiTRAN]

If the guy loaned you his cellphone you could have logged into the kia app and unlocked your phone. I had to do that before.

 

[ronniebell]

If the guy loaned you his cellphone you could have logged into the kia app and unlocked your phone. I had to do that before.

If your one-year free subscription has expired, you no longer can do this I thought. I can't. I think most people don't continue the subscription since it's so expensive (about $240/yr or more).

 

[ELCapiTRAN]

If your one-year free subscription has expired, you no longer can do this I thought. I can't. I think most people don't continue the subscription since it's so expensive (about $240/yr or more).

I think it's cheaper but I guess you could have logged in, subscribed for the month and then unlocked your car. I'm not sure if there would have to be any physical confirmations after you subscribe. I intend to keep the subscription going. The remote start from distance is the one feature I like too much. The remote on the keyfob doesn't have the range I need. There are a few other nifty features but the auto start/stop is a must.

______________________________

 

[ronniebell]

I think it's cheaper but I guess you could have logged in, subscribed for the month and then unlocked your car. I'm not sure if there would have to be any physical confirmations after you subscribe. I intend to keep the subscription going. The remote start from distance is the one feature I like too much. The remote on the keyfob doesn't have the range I need. There are a few other nifty features but the auto start/stop is a must.

Good points, but in this context, the gentleman would have had to remember his password and the URL to the Kia address when using another person's phone. In my case, my browser password manager saves the password (which is very long and secure) and I don't remember the URL because I use the app in my iPhone.

 

[ELCapiTRAN]

Good points, but in this context, the gentleman would have had to remember his password and the URL to the Kia address when using another person's phone. In my case, my browser password manager saves the password (which is very long and secure) and I don't remember the URL because I use the app in my iPhone.

Figured there would be a good chance they'd still remember the password. IF they finance through Kia, it's the same account and you can access the car controls and kia subscription through that site.

 

[Ajb485]

If the guy loaned you his cellphone you could have logged into the kia app and unlocked your phone. I had to do that before.

I wanted to try that but the remote location only gave him phone service, and that was just barely. We were deep in a steep river valley. Data would’t work. My phone wouldn’t go out at all turns out, for phone, text or data. Usually Verizon Works pretty good but his att won the day. Do you think the Kia service uses normal cell towers? I was wondering that too that day.

 

[PittPa]

I'm sure if you try hard enough, you can manage to lock your keys in other similar vehicles

______________________________

 

[BenDoubleu]

That sounds strange it doesn't work in this spot but I think I may have seen it momentarily not working like this as well. The good news is, remote campsites have lots of rocks and so I don't think that you need to fear getting stranded.

 

[jovialjulian]

I hope this doesnt happen to me but if it does why not call kia instead of my insurance?

 

[Ajb485]

I hope this doesnt happen to me but if it does why not call kia instead of my insurance?

I was wondering that too, I wasn’t sure who at Kia I would call, or how to find their number. For some reason, I could remember my bank/insurance company’s number we used to have to call all the time back in the 80s (way before cell/smartphones, when you had to remember phone numbers). I now have a laminated list of phone numbers I keep with my drivers license.