C6 starts without key fob

[EHS]

A reputable Corvette Tech has started a thread on another forum about his experience starting a C6 without the fob -- if the car is not in reverse (manual transmission obviously) and the fob is out of range.

Curious if anyone here has had a similar experience.

Sounds like a throw back to the old sixties Chevys, that you could start without a key if the ignition wasn't on "lock."

 

[OLDGOAT]

This sounds like a handy feature. This sort of "revelation" is the reason I will probably wait until model year "06 to become a C6 owner. Sure, the C6 is a wonderful machine and a fabulous improvement....but there are always bugs in the first year of a new model. Since I will need a front license plate hopefully they will devise a creative solution for the second year. Plus in the few months until '06 is introduced supply will catch up with demand resulting in less price gouging.

 

[EHS]

I asked my salesman at the local Chevy dealer to give it a try with their C6, and he just called and confirmed that if the car is not in reverse, and the fob is out of range, the car can be started without a fob/key.

There you go. Welcome to 1961.

I suppose Chevy might consider this a "feature," like Microsoft does with their software bugs??

Now what happens when the insurance companies find out about this?

 

[vettepilot]

Holy keyless feature Batman, that sure does help getting out of the Batcave in a hurry!


vettepilot

 

[Mr.Cool]

WHAT THE HECK. It sure does however the chime dings like crazy informing you that you are doing something really stupid.

 

[toby]

I'll bet that car thieves won't mind the dinging sound, and won't feel stupid about it while driving their pilfered C6, either.

 

[lov-n-life]

This sounds like a handy feature. This sort of "revelation" is the reason I will probably wait until model year "06 to become a C6 owner. Sure, the C6 is a wonderful machine and a fabulous improvement....but there are always bugs in the first year of a new model. Since I will need a front license plate hopefully they will devise a creative solution for the second year. Plus in the few months until '06 is introduced supply will catch up with demand resulting in less price gouging.

Why wait! With this handy feature, one could completely escape the price gouging all together! Along with 0% financing, and LOW, LOW monthly payments!! And who needs insurance, drive it like you stole it!!!

 

[motorman]

A reputable Corvette Tech has started a thread on another forum about his experience starting a C6 without the fob -- if the car is not in reverse (manual transmission obviously) and the fob is out of range.

Curious if anyone here has had a similar experience.

Sounds like a throw back to the old sixties Chevys, that you could start without a key if the ignition wasn't on "lock."

you have to be blind,deaf and stupid if you leave the C-6 without putting it in reverse or park. i remember most of the GM cars with the ignition on the steering column could not have the ignition turned to lock unless the trans was in park,reverse or push down on a little lever on the steering column. the people who are worried about this do not own a C-6 and they are just looking for a excuse why they don't have one.

 

[lov-n-life]

you have to be blind,deaf and stupid if you leave the C-6 without putting it in reverse or park. i remember most of the GM cars with the ignition on the steering column could not have the ignition turned to lock unless the trans was in park,reverse or push down on a little lever on the steering column. the people who are worried about this do not own a C-6 and they are just looking for a excuse why they don't have one.

Since you have owned several C5s (you lucky devil ), you'll recall that there is no requirement for the C5 to be in reverse (manual trans cars) in order to remove the key, and there is no release button either. Anyone upgrading from a C5 to a C6 is going to have a steep learning curve I'm sure... or for that matter, anyone who is changing brands, as I did. My last Corvette was an automatic C4, then I went to a manual trans Porsche Boxster, also with no key release button or requirement for the trans to be in any particular gear. Now I'm in the C5 and I usually leave the car in neutral (on flat surfaces) or in first. This is out of habit as all of my past cars, except for the C4, were manuals and were left usually in 1st. So for me, there would be a learning curve to leaving the transmission in reverse on the C6. Not that this new problem would be my reason not to buy, that is in fact the absurd market value mark up the car has right now. ESPECIALLY after GM advertised for some time that MSRP was going to be lower than or equal to the C5. I'll wait a year or two for the market to catch up... and of course for the ZO6/ZO7 to debut! I might just have to be the first on my block to have one of those! :L

 

[EHS]

you have to be blind,deaf and stupid if you leave the C-6 without putting it in reverse or park. i remember most of the GM cars with the ignition on the steering column could not have the ignition turned to lock unless the trans was in park,reverse or push down on a little lever on the steering column. the people who are worried about this do not own a C-6 and they are just looking for a excuse why they don't have one.

So as to not respond to this post on both fora, I'll do it here.

Maybe on the automatics you've owned, but the '69 Camaro convertible I drove for 25 years (a GM product), was quite happy being left in any gear, engine stopped, and key out. No need to turn the ignition to "lock" to remove the key.

And, it started just fine, without the key.

It seems to me that here in the next millenium, a car should not be able to run without the key in the ignition, or at least a "fob" in the car, no matter what position it or you are in.

Like the Virginia Slims ad says: "You've come a long way baby." Except, I guess, in theft protection.

 

[EHS]

same as leaving the keys in the ignition with other cars

No. clem, it's not.

When I take the key with me in my C5 and the car is in neutral, or any other gear for that matter, they may be able to roll it away, but they can't drive it away. Since the column is locked, they can't even steer it once they get it rolling. In other words, it's not going anywhere.

In the C6, even if I take my "key," they can still start it, and it disappears.

You see the difference?

Here, let me help a little more.

I stop my convertible, turn of the car, don't bother putting up the top, take my key (or fob), and go get a newspaper in the store next to which I parked.

The C5 stays where I put it; the C6 won't.

You see the difference?

 

[motorman]

So as to not respond to this post on both fora, I'll do it here.

Maybe on the automatics you've owned, but the '69 Camaro convertible I drove for 25 years (a GM product), was quite happy being left in any gear, engine stopped, and key out. No need to turn the ignition to "lock" to remove the key.

And, it started just fine, without the key.

It seems to me that here in the next millenium, a car should not be able to run without the key in the ignition, or at least a "fob" in the car, no matter what position it or you are in.

Like the Virginia Slims ad says: "You've come a long way baby." Except, I guess, in theft protection.

the fob does NOT lock the ignition,putting it in reverse does,the fob only unlocks the ignition.

 

[Gorgon]

EHS, I'm assuming you are not totally familiar with this system so let's explain. When you leave your car in the above do you leave the car running? If the 6-speed is not put into reverse you cannot shut the car down.

Leon

 

[EHS]

EHS, I'm assuming you are not totally familiar with this system so let's explain. When you leave your car in the above do you leave the car running? If the 6-speed is not put into reverse you cannot shut the car down.

Leon

Well Leon, that's what I thought too.

See this thread where I posted exactly that point:

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56839


But then, c4c5specialist, who is probably totally familar with this sytem, corrected me in this thread:

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56722


So, where does that leave it?

 

[Gorgon]

I believe the C4C5 thread had to do with locking and exiting the vehicle with the engine running. Where does he state that not shutting the car down allows someone to take off with your car?

I'm trying to understand as well and will see what I can turn up.

Leon

 

[Mr.Cool]

Now come on, if you turn your car off and leave the key in the ignition someone can steal your car.

If you turn off the C6 and do not put it in reverse someone can steal your car.

In both cases the chimes will warn you that something stupid is occuring.

 

[motorman]

Now come on, if you turn your car off and leave the key in the ignition someone can steal your car.

If you turn off the C6 and do not put it in reverse someone can steal your car.

In both cases the chimes will warn you that something stupid is occuring.

correct

 

[lov-n-life]

EHS, I'm assuming you are not totally familiar with this system so let's explain. When you leave your car in the above do you leave the car running? If the 6-speed is not put into reverse you cannot shut the car down.

Leon

I have not driven a C6, however I almost bought one and the dealer and I played with the car's electrics on the show room floor, including starting the car. The transmission does not need to be in reverse to shut the car off. You simply push the off button. (I don't recall if it actually said "off" or not, but it did shut down in neutral). My understanding is placing the transmission in reverse after shutting the car off, shuts off the electrical system. So, one would be able to shut the car down and leave it in neutral and walk away.

 

[Gorgon]

I have not driven a C6, however I almost bought one and the dealer and I played with the car's electrics on the show room floor, including starting the car. The transmission does not need to be in reverse to shut the car off. You simply push the off button. (I don't recall if it actually said "off" or not, but it did shut down in neutral). My understanding is placing the transmission in reverse after shutting the car off, shuts off the electrical system. So, one would be able to shut the car down and leave it in neutral and walk away.

lov-n-life, correct. That is what I was implying by shutting the car down. Engine off and car fully shut down are two different states so it's essentially like leaving the key in the car in ACC mode where all it takes is a turn of the key to start, yet in this case all that is needed is a button push. I would think chimes and perhaps the fact the radio is still on would be a clue that your car is not totally shut down electrically.

Leon

 

[taracatac]

Once the car is shut down, and the fob removed, can the tranmission be taken out of reverse? If so, will it start without the fob?