Leaving key in the car while parked.

Right Angle · 11-04-2011, 01:35 PM

I'm not sure if anyone else has this same habit, but I tend to leave the keys for my cars in them when I park at home. I've done this with cars that have keyless ignition in the past and never had a problem.

Does anyone do this? Have you had a problem with battery drain? I'm assuming it's not an issue, but seeing how the car leaves a fair amount of electronics on for a while unless you lock the car, I can see a potential issue.

It seems like it's been ages since I dropped the car off in Munich, but it should be redelivered in about a month.

Can't wait.

Templar · 11-04-2011, 01:39 PM

Can't say I do this. I usually lock the car in the garage, but I need my keys to get in the house so I take them with me, because they are all attached

Time · 11-04-2011, 01:45 PM

It's illegal in Maryland.

Right Angle · 11-04-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Templar

Can't say I do this. I usually lock the car in the garage, but I need my keys to get in the house so I take them with me, because they are all attached

I figure most people do the same thing. I can't stand bulky key rings, so I have one key ring with my house key and a few work keys on it, and then keep the keys for each car separate. This makes it easier to leave the car keys behind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///MMB

It's illegal in Maryland.

Being that I'm in California, I won't be surprised if illegal here too.

Space Ghost · 11-04-2011, 02:28 PM

Someone just wrote about storing their key to close to the car and issues with battery drain.

1sikbmr · 11-04-2011, 02:30 PM

I think it doesn't allow the car to "sleep" leaving on all sorts of electronics whenever the car senses the key thus draining your battery

edit: sorry for thread jack

Quote:

Originally Posted by Space Ghost

Someone just wrote about storing their key to close to the car and issues with battery drain.

Nice meeting you at dubrun... car looks and sounds beautiful

Prince_of_Persia · 11-04-2011, 02:44 PM

I always lock my car!

Chowster · 11-04-2011, 03:11 PM

People actually leave the keys in their car inside the garage? Maybe for a beater, but not my M. My M is always locked, even inside my alarmed garage. Maybe I'm just paranoid.

ChinoOrtega · 11-04-2011, 03:39 PM

I always leave the key while parked in my garage, I have comfort access and have left my M there for more than a month sitting in the garage, and have had no problems with battery of the car or the battery in the key, so I guess it's not a problem, we leave our X5 the same way, never had any kind of battery problem at all

thai357sig · 11-04-2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChinoOrtega

I always leave the key while parked in my garage, I have comfort access and have left my M there for more than a month sitting in the garage, and have had no problems with battery of the car or the battery in the key, so I guess it's not a problem, we leave our X5 the same way, never had any kind of battery problem at all

Ditto!

My keys constantly fall out of my pockets, and usually when park in my garage I rarely lock the doors. So, sometimes my keys stay there all weekend without any problems. This has happened on average for 2-3 days a week. Since I puchased the car. And my batteries in the FOBs are all original. Though my dash is now informing me that one of them needs to be replaced soon. Probably the one I use 80% of the time.

e1000 · 11-04-2011, 04:02 PM

Where's your house again????????

goldminer · 11-04-2011, 04:04 PM

I think you better check your insurance policy out. I believe that leaving the keys in the car voids the vehicle theft and vehicle contents theft portions of your insurance.

I always lock my car, even in my own garage.

SchnellM3 · 11-04-2011, 04:08 PM

I always lock the car even in the garage.

thai357sig · 11-04-2011, 04:12 PM

Reeel Funny.

Only in my garage do I leave it unlocked. Elsewhere it is locked at all times. But I do have to keep going back to he car to do so. I just hate having things in my pockets while driving. It cramps my other most valuable package.

-=Hot|Ice=- · 11-04-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///MMB

It's illegal in Maryland.

F82_SID · 11-04-2011, 04:25 PM

I always laugh when I see movies where somebody is trying to get away and they just happen to find keys in a car. I always think, "yeah right, nobody is that dumb unless your are some country hick with a POS truck". Apparently, I was wrong. Why in the hell would you EVER do this?! There is no reason for it! I keep my car locked, in a locked garage, and the key in my locked house; and I even live in a great neighborhood!

:stup id:

mkPOTO · 11-04-2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchnellM3

I always lock the car even in the garage.

same, i had a neighbor who had his car stolen with the keys in it and his insurance told him it was his fault and they would not cover it

Right Angle · 11-04-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldminer

I think you better check your insurance policy out. I believe that leaving the keys in the car voids the vehicle theft and vehicle contents theft portions of your insurance.

You're right, this is something I've thought about from time to time. I figure if they're going through two gates and a locked house/garage they'd find the keys anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92_SID

I always laugh when I see movies where somebody is trying to get away and they just happen to find keys in a car. I always think, "yeah right, nobody is that dumb unless your are some country hick with a POS truck". Apparently, I was wrong. Why in the hell would you EVER do this?! There is no reason for it! I keep my car locked, in a locked garage, and the key in my locked house; and I even live in a great neighborhood!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkPOTO

same, i had a neighbor who had his car stolen with the keys in it and his insurance told him it was his fault and they would not cover it

I've never truly given it much thought. It's what my parents did when I was growing up, and it's what I've ended up doing. I do worry about leaving a car unlocked away from home, but so far I've never done it.

I know someone who had a car stolen from their garage using the keys that were in the house. I would look at this in a similar fashion. Of course if I'm wrong, it would be a pricey lesson.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thai357sig

Only in my garage do I leave it unlocked. Elsewhere it is locked at all times. But I do have to keep going back to he car to do so. I just hate having things in my pockets while driving. It cramps my other most valuable package.

This.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 11-04-2011, 05:31 PM

I don't recommend it ... our keys are out off site. First thing the thieves look for now I read some place. You make it easy for them to get away ... where did you say your house id again? ... just kidding never mind

Poppin Fresh · 11-04-2011, 05:52 PM

firstworldproblems.com

Chowster · 11-04-2011, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkPOTO

same, i had a neighbor who had his car stolen with the keys in it and his insurance told him it was his fault and they would not cover it

Wow this would really suck!

JCtx · 11-04-2011, 06:19 PM

Key in range drains battery quicker. Lousy design IMO, but it's what it is. Opening a door when properly closed 'wakes up' the car as well. If you're going to access the car for cleaning, etc., it's better to leave the door half latched so that doesn't happen.

11-04-2011, 01:35 PM	#1
Right Angle New Member 4 Rep 14 Posts Drives: Le Mans E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Leaving key in the car while parked. I'm not sure if anyone else has this same habit, but I tend to leave the keys for my cars in them when I park at home. I've done this with cars that have keyless ignition in the past and never had a problem. Does anyone do this? Have you had a problem with battery drain? I'm assuming it's not an issue, but seeing how the car leaves a fair amount of electronics on for a while unless you lock the car, I can see a potential issue. It seems like it's been ages since I dropped the car off in Munich, but it should be redelivered in about a month. Can't wait.
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11-04-2011, 01:39 PM	#2
Templar Lieutenant Colonel 266 Rep 1,883 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: One of the coasts... iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [10.00]	Can't say I do this. I usually lock the car in the garage, but I need my keys to get in the house so I take them with me, because they are all attached __________________ '11 BMW E92 ///M3 - ZCP and DCT '15 Ford F-250 - Lariat, 6.7 Powerstroke Turbo-diesel
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11-04-2011, 01:45 PM	#3
Time Member 74 Rep 379 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00]	It's illegal in Maryland. __________________ .
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11-04-2011, 02:28 PM	#5
Space Ghost Captain 11 Rep 619 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: USA-PA iTrader: (5)	Someone just wrote about storing their key to close to the car and issues with battery drain. __________________ 2008 E92 M3, ESS VT-1, AA Full Exhaust, Volk TE-37, PSS10, ST BBK, ARKYM Motorsport Spliter, Vorsteiner Diffuser, BMW Edition Grill/Gill's, BMW Performance Spoiler, AUTOcoture Blacked Out Headlights, LCI Tail lights, Vorsteiner Carbon Fiber Center Dash Insert, Ultimate Racing Pedals (Because Race Car), AA SSK, Speed Cloth.
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11-04-2011, 02:44 PM	#7
Prince_of_Persia Colonel 248 Rep 2,513 Posts Drives: 6MT E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (1)	I always lock my car! __________________ AW\|FR 6MT E92 ///M3
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11-04-2011, 03:11 PM	#8
Chowster E60_to_E90 36 Rep 1,201 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Surrey, BC, Canada iTrader: (2)	People actually leave the keys in their car inside the garage? Maybe for a beater, but not my M. My M is always locked, even inside my alarmed garage. Maybe I'm just paranoid. __________________ 2011.5 E90 Dinan M3, SS II, M-DCT, EDC, M Drive. 20" MORR VS8.2 wheels Performance Mods: Dinan St.1 suspension, exhaust, intake; TTPs; BPM St.II, DCT, servo tunes Cosmetic Mods: OEM CF splitters, mirrors, center console, spoiler; Arkym CF diffuser; LUX; tint
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11-04-2011, 03:39 PM	#9
ChinoOrtega Captain 50 Rep 604 Posts Drives: 991 C2S Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Guatemala iTrader: (0)	I always leave the key while parked in my garage, I have comfort access and have left my M there for more than a month sitting in the garage, and have had no problems with battery of the car or the battery in the key, so I guess it's not a problem, we leave our X5 the same way, never had any kind of battery problem at all __________________
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11-04-2011, 04:02 PM	#11
e1000 that's what SHE said! 75 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (1)	Where's your house again???????? __________________
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11-04-2011, 04:04 PM	#12
goldminer Lieutenant 24 Rep 453 Posts Drives: 2011 SG E92 M3, 6MT Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	I think you better check your insurance policy out. I believe that leaving the keys in the car voids the vehicle theft and vehicle contents theft portions of your insurance. I always lock my car, even in my own garage.
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11-04-2011, 04:08 PM	#13
SchnellM3 Digger 204 Rep 2,619 Posts Drives: 03 E46 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pa iTrader: (5) Garage List 2003 BMW E46 M3 Tra ... [8.00] 2009 BMW E92 M3 [8.30] 2009 Yamaha R1 (FOR ... [9.50]	I always lock the car even in the garage. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 /// Melbourne Red /// Fox Red /// M DKG Full Innotech Exhaust - DINAN Intake - IND Engine Bay Appearance - IND Hand Stitched Boot Covers - and much more....
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11-04-2011, 04:12 PM	#14
thai357sig Lieutenant 30 Rep 409 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Amerika iTrader: (0)	Reeel Funny. Only in my garage do I leave it unlocked. Elsewhere it is locked at all times. But I do have to keep going back to he car to do so. I just hate having things in my pockets while driving. It cramps my other most valuable package. __________________ 09'M3 JerezB/Tech/Cold/Prem/PDC/SR/Black Leather/ANTHRACITE Sycamore/IPOD/USB/Rear Sunshade/Premium Sounnd/6MT*Just Hit The Ground! Delivery 02/25/2009*
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11-04-2011, 04:25 PM	#16
F82_SID Brigadier General 207 Rep 3,153 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C 6mt HK Silver Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denver, CO. USA iTrader: (2)	I always laugh when I see movies where somebody is trying to get away and they just happen to find keys in a car. I always think, "yeah right, nobody is that dumb unless your are some country hick with a POS truck". Apparently, I was wrong. Why in the hell would you EVER do this?! There is no reason for it! I keep my car locked, in a locked garage, and the key in my locked house; and I even live in a great neighborhood! :stup id: __________________ 2011/E92/M3/MR/BB/ZCV/ZP2/EDC/2MT
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11-04-2011, 05:31 PM	#19
Mr. ///M3 RD Happy Camper 612 Rep 7,869 Posts Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends : Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50] 2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59]	I don't recommend it ... our keys are out off site. First thing the thieves look for now I read some place. You make it easy for them to get away ... where did you say your house id again? ... just kidding never mind __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found
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11-04-2011, 05:52 PM	#20
Poppin Fresh Colonel 85 Rep 2,148 Posts Drives: With a sunroof and front plate Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bergen County NJ iTrader: (0)	firstworldproblems.com __________________
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11-04-2011, 06:19 PM	#22
JCtx Major General 257 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	Key in range drains battery quicker. Lousy design IMO, but it's what it is. Opening a door when properly closed 'wakes up' the car as well. If you're going to access the car for cleaning, etc., it's better to leave the door half latched so that doesn't happen.
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