Thing on American car door??

[madman]

OK.

I have been wondering this for a while now and i'm sure you USA guys can answer me.

Having never been to the US I have only seen these on tv and I am curious to know what they are. On some cars, on the door, normally near the handle is a rectangular thing, normally black stuck on the door, it looks like it had 4 squares in it, like the expert picture i have included.

So...who can tell me what it is/what its for?

[Blake]

it's a keypad. you can program it to unlock your car by code. if i'm not mistaken, only lincoln does the keypads.

[JL330i_UT]

its on most ford/ lincoln/ Mercury cars. it provides keyless access to the car via a 5 digit code entered into the keypad.

[madman]

Just getting in to the car or actually starting it?

If its just opening the door, then that seems a bit pointless?

[darkphantom]

^yeah, what they said.

they've had it for the longest time...no comfort access yet, huh?

[Blake]

Originally Posted by darkphantom

they've had it for the longest time...no comfort access yet, huh?

comfort access??? now you're pushing it. shit, they don't even have bluetooth in most american cars yet...GM just started shipping cars with bluetooth this MY! (and of course it's only on selected models)

[Blake]

Originally Posted by madman

Just getting in to the car or actually starting it?

If its just opening the door, then that seems a bit pointless?

it's used just to get in. kinda pointless in the keyless entry era.

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by madman

Just getting in to the car or actually starting it?

If its just opening the door, then that seems a bit pointless?

they've been doing this for over 15 years. i think it is a just a carried tradition or style that nobody has sat down to reconsider. with CA, there is no point to have the keypad.

[lauer87]

My friend has it on his late model explorer pickup. The only time its useful is if we are going out somewhere or playing golf or something so that he can lock his keys in his car, and not have to worry about losing them. Other than that it is completely pointless, doesn't start the car or anything, just lets you get into it without your keys.

[jhv]

my friend had an F150, he used it. idk why though, he has a remote for it

[Blake]

Originally Posted by jh valley

my friend had an F150, he used it. idk why though, he has a remote for it

so he can go "look what i can do"

[skierman64]

Here's why the door unlock keypad is really nice to have. When I'm going swimming, snow skiing, boating, white water rafting or any other time you don't want to have to worry about losing or getting your keys wet (or stolen off the beach). You can lock the keys in the car (out of sight) and then just use the keypad to get back into the car. I find it very convenient. Almost all Fords/Lincolns/Mercurys have this as an option or standard equipment.

[Scorpion]

Friend had one on his car, got tried of waiting for him so he gave me the # so I just sit in haha.

[BoostedBMW]

I have always hated those damn keypads... its such an eyesore that there is no way that the functionality of it outweighs the look of having a garage door opener stuck to the outside of your car.

With any kind of keyless entry it makes that thing pretty useless. I can see the argument that you don't need to carry your key/remote, but don't you need to carry cash or a credit card with you everywhere you go anyway so is it a big deal to hold onto a remote? I just don't see the point.

[Spec 1]

I had that on my 2006 Chrysler 300C. I thought it was somwhat redundant at first but as others have said, I did find a use for it and once saved myself from being locked out of the car! It was nice that when I was out in the garage and wanted something out of the car, I didn't need to go inside to find my keys.

[darkphantom]

Originally Posted by Spec 1

I had that on my 2006 Chrysler 300C. I thought it was somwhat redundant at first but as others have said, I did find a use for it and once saved myself from being locked out of the car! It was nice that when I was out in the garage and wanted something out of the car, I didn't need to go inside to find my keys.

that is probably the only time you'd need it LOL

[kaleb]

Have it on my 1993 Maxima, but Nissan puts them in the recess of the door handle, it's very classy. I LOVE it. Never need a key, you can open the windows and trunk from there as well. There was no remote for Nissans back then, so it worked well.

[Tondtar]

It's poor man's value engineered "Comfort Access" option

[Spec 1]

Originally Posted by darkphantom

that is probably the only time you'd need it LOL

Yea, I don't think I used it but maybe 5 times in the course of owning the car. I will tell you the one time I really liked having it: Had my buddy take care of my car for a week I was out of town. I was able to lock the keys in the car and have him come over, punch in the code, and drive away. Pretty sweet actually, but it should certainly be integrated into the aesthetics a little better.