If you have a 2007 Nissan Altima or a 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan, you might want to keep your mobile phone in a different pocket than your car's fancy I-Key fob. The fobs, as you're probably well aware by now, enable and disable the cars' keyless ignition systems. According to Nissan, the problem is that if the fob is touched by a cellphone while a call is in progress, the software that controls the I-Key's automagic goodness could be altered or erased, rendering it useless. Furthermore, the damage is not reversible, and the I-Key simply becomes landfill fodder. Nissan's modifying the key to correct the issue, and will provide new ones to owners once it's straightened it all out. According to the AP, this'll happen sometime in the fall. In the meantime, some dealers are stocking up on spares just in case, and you'd be advised to follow Nissan's advice and keep a little distance between the key and your phone. After all, you don't want the simple act of pressing the Start button to turn into an exercise in futility -- especially over something as mundane as checking your voice mail.
[Source: AP]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Gavin S. @ May 24th 2007 10:35AM
I hate those keyless entry fobs. There is a point when there is too much tech in new cars. I have no problem simply pushing a button on my current keyfob to open my doors.
Steve @ May 24th 2007 10:48AM
Those key fobs are the stupidest things. We have an '06 330i with this dumb feature. Now it is a three step process to start a damn car. What's wrong with inserting the key and turning it to start the car? Another indication of technology not being practical.
Gale @ May 24th 2007 11:00AM
"I hate those keyless entry fobs. There is a point when there is too much tech in new cars. I have no problem simply pushing a button on my current keyfob to open my doors."
I hate those automatic transmissions... I have no problem just pushing in the clutch and changing gears manually.
I hate those automatic garage door openers... how hard is it just to get out and pull them up?
I hate those new motorized vehicles... my trusty horse always starts and is easier to take care of.
I hate those new houses... I liked my cave so much better, and it's natural.
For every change and technological improvement, there will be the change averse and those who dig in their heels in resistance to it. Don't hire these people. If they ran things we'd still have segregation, only men voting and an English monarchy running the US. LOL
Gavin S. @ May 24th 2007 11:11AM
Gale, you made a fool of yourself with that post.
Dinger @ May 24th 2007 11:49AM
So thinking keyless fobs are unnecessary makes me the equivalent to a racist? Gee you must be a blast at dinner parties.
J.Crew @ May 24th 2007 11:07AM
I love the keyless feature on my '07 Altima. I am a rep visiting auto dealers all day long. I get in and out of my car at least a 12 to 16 times a day. It may sound dumb to some people, but this keyless system and push button start is a huge time saver. I don't have to dig in my pants to get out my keys so I can push a button to unlock the doors and I don't have to put a key in the ignition. It seems so simple yet it is such a great feature that I hope I never have to go back to the old ways. Oh, and thank you Autoblog for the heads up on the issue.
Phuc Vu @ May 24th 2007 11:11AM
Those key fobs are unfortunately coming to all locks near you. House, work, garden sheds, storage containers, security systems. Soon everything will be electronic.
Imagine how high your homeowners insurance rates will be in the near future because any 14 year old will be able to hack your locks when... these same kids have NO IDEA how to pick a lock and disable your security system.
Just because we can do it... doesn't mean we should.
But back on topic... You actually think the designers and system programmers would have thought of "cellular devices, or magnetic devices". Idiots! ha ha ha ha.
Kit @ May 24th 2007 11:21AM
Actually, I thought Gale had it spot on (and humorously, too). "I have no problem simply pushing a button on my current key fob..."? So you are willing to give up your old-school key for some functions, but not others?
I like the key-less fobs. Until we get some sort of biometric access to lock and start functions (with memory recognition of all my favorite stations/seating/mirrors etc.!) , this is great tech.
Scott @ May 24th 2007 11:20AM
I can see how these keyless ingnition setups are marginally convenient, but issues like this show the larger flaws. A mechanical (i.e. solid metal) key is so simple to use and fairly idiot proof. I'm not opposed to progress at all, I love my auto tranny, my power windows (although I'd prefer a manual driver's window, the rest need to be power though), I've gotten used to my keyless entry keyfob for the power locks, and although I don't own a garage I'm sure I'd prefer an automatic opener. However, I don't feel those arguments outweigh how minimally time-saving keyless ignition is. You still have to carry the key thingy, so it's not like it saves you pocket space. I'm assuming you can't just make extra spare keys down at the local hardware store which can be a problem. Then you run into things like this story is referring to - electrical gremlins. I don't think I'd actively choose a vehicle because it had keyless ignition, if anything I'd be mildly turned off by it. Maybe not enough to not buy a car, but who knows.
J.Crew @ May 24th 2007 11:21AM
Oh, and the Nissan system is way better than the above mentioned BMW owners. The keyless in the Nissan is so simple. There is a rubber button on the door handle, push it once to unlock the door you are standing next, twice to unlock all doors. You get in the car with the key fob still in your pocket. All you have to do to start the car is put your foot on the brake and push the start button. The car fires up with no involvment other than the key being in your pocket. I don't have to touch my keys to use my car, just have them with me. It is the smartest keyless feature on the market right now.
Gavin S. @ May 24th 2007 11:37AM
I suppose I-Drive is progress and we should never look back nostalgically to a time before it existed. To compare something like these key less entry fobs to an automatic transmission is ridiculous. Just because it is new and and marginally more convenient does not make it better. I think that point is made in the initial post. You are stranded if your cel touches your key fob. I test drove a G-35 that had this system and was turned off by the size of the thing, as well.
RaslDasl @ May 24th 2007 11:33AM
I have a Sentra with the Intelligent Key system and Bluetooth so both my phone and key are always together in my pocket when making a call. I have never had a problem with either system. It would be great to know what type of phone is causing the problem. My guess is it's some older type of technology like TDMA or analog.
araemo @ May 24th 2007 2:10PM
More than likely it's phones where the antenna is still extendable.. if the active part of the antenna is VERY close to the circuitry in the key, it could cause issues. Even worse if the antenna's rubber/plastic shielding is broken/cracked. My phone probably wouldn't cause any problems, its antenna is buried in a centimeter of plastic.
Corey @ May 24th 2007 11:53AM
uh to you nubs and naysayers you still have a traditional key. So you still have back up. For me this system is the cats a$$, jump in hit the go button and your off. One less moving part to worry about.
beanspants @ May 24th 2007 12:01PM
i have no particular problem with the keyfobs, agree that Nissan's is way better than BMWs, but like rain-sensing wipers, it's only saving milliseconds when there are other time wasting (and money wasting) and satisfaction destroying parts of cars that need worked on like the "check engine" light.
Quit wasting time futzing around with easier keyless entry and rain-sensing wipers, and work on the big time wasters.
aliasfox @ May 24th 2007 12:10PM
I'm just worried about the battery dying, locking me out of my car. IIRC, the Altima's doors don't have a normal keyhole. If either the car or the fob run out of battery power, how do I get into the car?
Nissan's ignition is ok - it actually could conceivably save you time once you get used to it. Of course, some of the other ones on the market make you stick the key in a hole in the dash and *then* press the button - which feels more complicated than simply turning the key
Daniel @ May 24th 2007 12:10PM
I had this with my '05 Murano and I loved it. When it is snowing out and you have big gloves on or while carrying groceries, it is so nice not to have to fish out my keys out of my pockets. It is not something that I would make sure every one of my cars had, but I do miss it sometimes.
Jeff @ May 24th 2007 12:16PM
Do you folks realize that many of the "mechanical metal" keys these days are already electronic? Your passive anti-theft system relies on some kind of electronic signal or your car won't start.
You can't get these keys made at a hardware store, and the defect in the Nissan key could have just as easily been in one of these "old fashioned" keys.
Get with the times. If you don't like it, don't buy it. Many people love it. You usually don't have the option to leave out the passive anti-theft system, so which is the bigger potential problem?
Ligor @ May 24th 2007 12:27PM
Nissna claims it's only a certain phone and a certain service, bt they don't specify, adn there havn't been any issues reported from, others.
so I am sure the engieners thought of it, but I am wondering 10yeras form now as technology on cell phones changes - will there be more phones that can do this?
Ligor @ May 24th 2007 12:29PM
it should be: in 10 years when your car is old