Key fob is crap

[jwanderson88]

Wireless devices like key fobs have a certain number of failures for various reasons. Range is a big one. If you're too far away they don't work. Then there is objects which are in the way, like walls, that block the signal. So I make allowances for my Rivian key fob. But there is a line where the failure rate just isn't acceptable and my Rivian key fob has been over the line for a long time. Maybe always. I can be standing ten feet away and I push the lock or unlock button and nothing happens. Then I face the truck and "point" the key fob at the truck (what is the front or back of it?) and it might open on the second or third try. I know that sometimes the truck takes a few seconds to "wake up" and then it will lock or unlock the doors. I have a Chevy Volt and Honda Ridgeline. I imagine all Chevy/GM and all Honda key fobs l have the same mechanism and they always respond to the key fob almost instantly. So what is going on with the Rivian key fob (I just put a new battery in it)? It seems one of the updates was supposed to improve the response of the key fob, but it still isn't good enough for a top-of-the-line truck. Is there any Rivian owner who feels like their key fob works like it's supposed to?

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[Jodys18]

Same here!

 

[Dark-Fx]

Vehicle is asleep and won't unlock until specific things are out of sleep. Architectural issue. Rivian has been working on reducing vampire drain which has the side effect of making sleep take longer to come out of.

Maybe their gen2 R1 vehicles won't have this same problem.

 

[jjswan33]

I'm with @Dark-Fx this is not a fob issue. Same issue if you try to open the gear tunnel, tailgate or frunk while it is asleep, it is not unusual if you have to press the button 2-3 times before it opens.

It's annoying I will agree but better then just keeping the truck awake all the time.

 

[jwanderson88]

How about just waking the vehicle up enough to unlock the doors? Then while you walk to the car, pull the handle, open the door, and sit down, the car could be turning on the radio and the heater and all the other stuff. Could there be a two-stage wake up? Because I don't want to have to stand next to my car and push the unlock button over and over. It may seem like a little thing, but the key fob is our first interaction with the car every day. So whatever it is, the key fob or the car, it is a big problem.

 

[jjswan33]

How about just waking the vehicle up enough to unlock the doors? Then while you walk to the car, pull the handle, open the door, and sit down, the car could be turning on the radio and the heater and all the other stuff. Could there be a two-stage wake up? Because I don't want to have to stand next to my car and push the unlock button over and over. It may seem like a little thing, but the key fob is our first interaction with the car every day.

Well everyone uses their car different.

Personally I have proximity locking with my fob (not my phone) and I have it off at home.

At home it stays unlocked in the garage. When I am out and about it locks as I walk away and unlocks as I approach, occasionally a second or two late but not a big inconvenience at least to me.

System could certainly, and likely will, have improvements over time.

 

[biglet]

How about just waking the vehicle up enough to unlock the doors? Then while you walk to the car, pull the handle, open the door, and sit down, the car could be turning on the radio and the heater and all the other stuff. Could there be a two-stage wake up? Because I don't want to have to stand next to my car and push the unlock button over and over. It may seem like a little thing, but the key fob is our first interaction with the car every day. So whatever it is, the key fob or the car, it is a big problem.

Your idea of a "big problem" is likely even more insignificant than even a minor inconvenience for most people. Some people would wait even longer if it meant being able to stop vampire drain entirely (for example folks that live in rentals and can't install a home charger).

Regarding the "can there be a two stage wake up" question, probably not. Depends a lot on the architecture of the computer systems in the car, how they're powered, what needs to start drawing power in what order to enable vehicle functions, etc. If pressing a button twice on a key fob is the end of the world for you just pull out your phone as you're walking to the car and unlock it with that.

 

[proto]

In 8 months I’ve owned I’ve never had the occasion to even use my fob. PAK all the way here.

 

[SDH]

I'll tell you what works 100% of the time .... the key fob for my Jeep. Have it on my person, walk up to the car, pull the handle and opens every time. Press the handle - it locks. Simple.

STOP OVER COMPLICATING EVERYTHING !

 

[Dark-Fx]

I'll tell you what works 100% of the time .... the key fob for my Jeep. Have it on my person, walk up to the car, pull the handle and opens every time. Press the handle - it locks. Simple.

STOP OVER COMPLICATING EVERYTHING !

Yeah but then I'd have to drive a Jeep.

 

[CrazyOne]

I share the frustrations. This is one thing I will never get used to. I don't know how Rivian implemented it, but the Key fob is Bluetooth. Bluetooth and no button on door enables them to make it resistant to certain kinds of attacks, that are too easy with traditional fobs. Especially when proximity is off. It is off at home for me. I don't know whether they did this or not.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/is-your-car-key-fob-vulnerable-to-this-simple-replay-attack

 

[moosetags]

I had not used my Key FOB until a few minutes ago. It did not work at all under any circumstances. I opened it up and checked the 3 volt battery. I tested the battery and it was putting out 1.6 volts. I just ordered a new Energizer VR2450 battery. I will test the FOB again with a good battery.

 

[SANZC02]

I had not used my Key FOB until a few minutes ago. It did not work at all under any circumstances. I opened it up and checked the 3 volt battery. I tested the battery and it was putting out 1.6 volts. I just ordered a new Energizer VR2450 battery. I will test the FOB again with a good battery.

You might want to keep it with you in the vehicle for a few days to see if it gets an update. They sent an update to the fob a few months ago that helps with battery life.

 

[txtravwill]

Compared to other fobs, yes Rivian is awful. Different tech. Def still carry it as a backup as if the Bluetooth module in the driver door handle goes out, no phone or cards will work but fon can still work.

 

[C.R. Rivian]

Wireless devices like key fobs have a certain number of failures for various reasons. Range is a big one. If you're too far away they don't work. Then there is objects which are in the way, like walls, that block the signal. So I make allowances for my Rivian key fob. But there is a line where the failure rate just isn't acceptable and my Rivian key fob has been over the line for a long time. Maybe always. I can be standing ten feet away and I push the lock or unlock button and nothing happens. Then I face the truck and "point" the key fob at the truck (what is the front or back of it?) and it might open on the second or third try. I know that sometimes the truck takes a few seconds to "wake up" and then it will lock or unlock the doors. I have a Chevy Volt and Honda Ridgeline. I imagine all Chevy/GM and all Honda key fobs l have the same mechanism and they always respond to the key fob almost instantly. So what is going on with the Rivian key fob (I just put a new battery in it)? It seems one of the updates was supposed to improve the response of the key fob, but it still isn't good enough for a top-of-the-line truck. Is there any Rivian owner who feels like their key fob works like it's supposed to?

No problems here. I use the fob for proximity open and close...though in crowded parking lots, I usually lock manually.

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