Technology is great until it isn't

[MightyJawa]

I’ve got a Mustang Mach E and love Ford’s keypad on the pillar just for situations like this. I’m really surprised other manufacturers haven’t developed something similar.

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[seatosummit]

I work in Tech and I had the card in my wallet on day 1. So many things can happen physically or mentally to the phone or app.

Same -
I also stash the wrist band in a very discrete location such that I can at least start the vehicle if everything does to hell.
Someone else with access to the truck can unlock remotely, customer service has the same ability.

 

[Kidentist]

Always carry the card with you. This is a must with any EV.

Stupid question: "So having both your phone and the Keycard with you won't interfere with access to the car?".I dont have the R1T yet.....so that is why I ask.

 

[seatosummit]

I’ve got a Mustang Mach E and love Ford’s keypad on the pillar just for situations like this. I’m really surprised other manufacturers haven’t developed something similar.

Ford has implemented this since the 90s and I agree it is a winning feature. Kinda strange that others haven't emulated.

 

[seatosummit]

Stupid question: "So having both your phone and the Keycard with you won't interfere with access to the car?".

No - the phone uses bluetooth and the card (and wrist band) use RFID. RFID has to be a few mms from a sensor to function.

 

[endress14]

Same -
I also stash the wrist band in a very discrete location such that I can at least start the vehicle if everything does to hell.
Someone else with access to the truck can unlock remotely, customer service has the same ability.

Also how do it with the card. Stashed in the car so I can start after a remote unlock. Wear the band on bike rides and in backcountry in case phone takes a hit and I can’t call anyone.

 

[zefram47]

PaaK has been pretty damn reliable since the one day in early 2023 when their backend servers caused an issue and it didn't work for maybe 8 hours. But after that event, most of us carry one of the key cards in our wallets just in case.

 

[tate16t]

Stupid question: "So having both your phone and the Keycard with you won't interfere with access to the car?".I dont have the R1T yet.....so that is why I ask.

Not at all.

 

[tate16t]

You can remote start the car either with another app/person, or via Tesla themselves. My wife was able to remote start it and let me drive, as a test, when I was in another city. You can call Tesla and have them start it after some authentication (I presume, didn't test it).

Oh yes, I do recall this option. So, its not a requirement to have the card with Tesla’s but its the better option instead of relaying on calling someone.

 

[SwampNut]

I've never carried the card, and often not even my wallet, so my tolerance for risk is different from yours. I'd rather leave the house with a phone and nothing more.

 

[s0ysauce]

No stupid questions, that's how we all learn. No it doesn't interfere. There are occasions that I have both the phone acting as a key with proximity unlocking, the key fob and the key card which is always in my wallet. The key fob is not set for proximity locking, only the phone is. I've experienced no problems with this.

Stupid question: "So having both your phone and the Keycard with you won't interfere with access to the car?".I dont have the R1T yet.....so that is why I ask.

 

[SwampNut]

I have everything set to proximity. I carry the fob to give out when the truck is going to be worked on, like a tire change. As long as any device is near the truck, it stays unlocked. The work fine together.

 

[TollKeeper]

Im one of the few that ALWAYS carry the FOB.. I had one unpairing issue with my phone after an update, but then it automatically repaired.

I open and close the offices I work at, so I always have to have keys on me anyways, so one more thing on the key ring wasnt that big of a deal.

 

[Chewy734]

Always carry a card with you. I learned that in Death Valley last summer when my phone wouldn’t turn on because it was too hot outside. ?

 

[SoCal Rob]

You can remote start the car either with another app/person, or via Tesla themselves. My wife was able to remote start it and let me drive, as a test, when I was in another city. You can call Tesla and have them start it after some authentication (I presume, didn't test it).

Don't these solutions require access to a phone to contact another party?

I completely agree with @jjswan33. It's easy to imagine that the phone is lost, damaged, out of power, and/or without cellular coverage at the current location. I think keeping the RFID card in a wallet separate from the phone seems like a low risk, no cost, high benefit choice.

I had a Ford with the external keypad like @MightyJawa described and it was great since you didn't need anything with you and you didn't need to phone a friend (or manufacturer) for assistance to get into the vehicle. If Rivian had this then you could hide a card in the vehicle and have available-anywhere 2FA: PIN + card.

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