Key fob at car meet opens two cars

[bimmer456]

So I was at a car meet today and two cars of the same make and model parked next to each other. The two had never met but one guys' key fob was able to unlock both his car and the other guy's car, but the other guy's key fob only unlocked his car. I know you can program any keyfob to your car, but this was two people who met by chance and one of the fobs opened the other car. Maybe it's possible he accidently put his car into program mode while the other key fob was being used, as some cars just need a combination of turning on and off the ignition a couple of times to enter program mode to add a key fob. I should have thought of this and recommended to him to delete all fobs from his car and add his fob back. (He has a metal key ignition so it would not prevent him from starting and driving the car). What do you guys think?

[overcoil]

From what I’ve read these instances do happen occasionally.

Historically with mechanical keys I though manufacturers distributed cars geographically to eliminate occurrences.

Few years back in central Virginia I read that electronic keys were being disabled by something at Quantico or similar installation.

Maybe with new keys and the way codes are constantly changed this should theoretically never happen. Interesting.

[MrFastidious]

My Dad's Skoda key fob opened a Rolls Royce parked a few cars down, told him he should have swapped cars for an hour or two!!

[turboawd]

What cars were they? Bought new?

[henrylee]

Were they both BMWs?

[RM7]

Obviously you take the better car.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by turboawd

What cars were they? Bought new?

They were not new. I'm choosing not to say as I think that doesn't matter that much since key fobs work the same way. The make and model identifyer is in the signal along with the unique code that changes which each press so the make and model have to be the same for this to occur.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by henrylee

Were they both BMWs?

No, not BMW.

[positiveions]

I had a ZHP E46. Twice on a different occasions my keyless remote was able to unlock two different Hondas. Lol.

[DocL]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

From what I’ve read these instances do happen occasionally.

Historically with mechanical keys I though manufacturers distributed cars geographically to eliminate occurrences...

When I used to valet in the 80’s at a country club, a guy came out and asked for his red SAAB and gave me his key. I pulled up a four door and he said his was a two door. I went back down to the lot and used the same key to open and start his two door Saab. That was the only time that ever happened to me and it was 35 year ago.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by DocL

When I used to valet in the 80’s at a country club, a guy came out and asked for his red SAAB and gave me his key. I pulled up a four door and he said his was a two door. I went back down to the lot and used the same key to open and start his two door Saab. That was the only time that ever happened to me and it was 35 year ago.

I'm assuming it wasn't a key fob but the metal variety if it was 35 years ago. I know with keyed deadbolts they only have 4 or 5 different keys they come with so you should rekey the lock before installing it.

[DocL]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

I'm assuming it wasn't a key fob but the metal variety if it was 35 years ago. I know with keyed deadbolts they only have 4 or 5 different keys they come with so you should rekey the lock before installing it.

Yes, that's why I quoted the part I did from the person who was speaking historically.