[Simon Thornton]

I’ve just bought a 66 reg Zoe. Regarding the key card/fob, what are the benefits in putting it in the slot by the gearstick?

 

[RiverRock]

When the wireless system doesn't work, you can start your car
But it also reminds you to take your key with you.

 

[Philip Pronto]

I’ve had one for two and a half years and I’ve never put it in the slot. Not reason to and no advantage.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Eclectic]

If you are sitting in the car waiting while it charges, having the keycard in the slot allows you to open the windows! (top tip for Summer, when it eventually gets here )

 

[Cloud]

The window trick is the main one, or I think any other situation where you don't want the car running but want the equivalent of "ignition" (actually I think it roughly equates to 'acc')

 

[donald]

I’ve just bought a 66 reg Zoe. Regarding the key card/fob, what are the benefits in putting it in the slot by the gearstick?

Somewhere to put it, you know where it is.

 

[ThudnBlundr]

Several salesmen have told us that it's to recharge the fob battery. That's obviously a lie as the battery isn't rechargeable!

The only time I've used it was when the fob battery was getting a bit low. It became a bit of a lottery if the car would recognise the fob until I could find the time to buy a new one and change it, so the slot was useful...

 

[RiverRock]

The slot uses a different technology to connect to the key than the wireless system - to it does have uses. Should still allow you to start the car with the fob battery entirely dead.

I was joking above about wireless not working but my Zoe is now at the dealership for the third week with them failing to get it working (wireless didn't work when I picked it up new in January - buttons on fob work but wireless didn't so you have to put it in the slot).

 

[donald]

The dealer may have a point regarding battery, not in that it charges it up, I believe that is wrong (thought it is possible), but more so that it will not flatten the battery from being constantly 'pinged' while in the car on wireless.

 

[Problemchild]

Like the window trick

Ended up cancelling a charge at services trying to open the window

Mainly I keep my breakdown card/charge point cards in it

JJ

 

[Eclectic]

Ended up cancelling a charge at services trying to open the window

JJ

Me too - then I saw someone else mention inserting the keycard in the slot!

Handy things, forums..

 

[PeteKS]

I’ve just bought a 66 reg Zoe. Regarding the key card/fob, what are the benefits in putting it in the slot by the gearstick?

I just put mine in the cubby hole over the glove box - or in my pocket. I've never put it into the slot and only would if wanting to open a window

 

[PeteKS]

The slot uses a different technology to connect to the key than the wireless system - to it does have uses. Should still allow you to start the car with the fob battery entirely dead

Yes - that's because there is a physical key inside the fob (white knob unlatches it) and you can put that somewhere to start the car. But you can also put it in the slot like you said

 

[Problemchild]

My key is always in my pocket

I keep leaving the key in the ignition of the BMW

JJ

 

[RiverRock]

Well I'm currently into week 4 of my Zoe being back at the dealership as they try to work out why wireless locking hasn't worked since I picked up the new car (fob buttons worked).
Diagnostics sent to Renault (multiple times), recoded keys; reprogrammed various internals ,replaced antenna (all three of them), next going to replace the Body control unit... apparently each time the dealer does what Renault says, then they have to send diagnostics back to Renault, then Renault take a number of days to go back to them, then they need to order parts which means they are making one change a week...

 

[Problemchild]

That sucks

Could be anything

Good luck

JJ

 

[srichards]

@RiverRock

If you unlock it with the fob and then start the car, then stop it then get out and walk away did it lock the car automatically after squeaking at you? Mine seems to take longer to notice you've gone depending on which direction you walk off in.

If you double press the fob then it doesn't do keyless entry so a sticky fob could always be doing a double press to lock and disable keyless unlocking.

 

[RiverRock]

None of the wireless system works such as leaving car, coming close to car, buttons on door handle, bring able to start the car without key in the slot etc. Its as if they forgot to install it.
Basically they don't know what's wrong so they are going round iterations of diagnostics, send to Renault, they suggest changing something, ordering part, changing it, reconfiguring everything, testing then it still doesn't work.
Painful process.
Also Renault complaints system says on website they aim to respond within 1 day. After no response after 3 days, I contacted them by text chat to be told their response time is 5 working days...

 

[srichards]

@RiverRock

That does sound like it's just not on the car at all.

If both keys are the same then it's clearly been buggered up.

If a fresh set of new keys doesn't work either I'd be pushing for a replacement car and to reject this one as if it's been assembled so badly they missed this off and didn't notice what else is missing?

 

[Problemchild]

You don’t have an EMP device in the boot do you?

JJ