VIDEO: Keyless entry remote not working? Use your head, silly!
As I write this, it's nighttime and monsooning here, else I'd be outside making a fool of myself for the neighbors by assuming the position you see above. So, until more reasonable conditions arrive, I'm putting the call out to you readers. The video embedded after the jump shows a trick that apparently works when you're having difficulty unlocking your car from a distance. Simply hold the keyless entry remote under your chin and try again. Apparently, your cranial cavity helps amplify the signal and boosts the unit's range. Pretty cool, even if you do look like a bit of a tool while you're doing it.
Your assignment: before-and-after distances in the comments. Go!
Thanks for the tip, Chad!
[Source: Metacafe]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Will 8:34AM (6/01/2007)
There's a video clip of Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear doing this. He claims it doubles the unit's range.
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matthew.colvin 8:44AM (6/01/2007)
It wont double your range, but it does absolutly work...for some reason.
boulderhorn 8:43AM (6/01/2007)
i've been doing this for years. when i can't find where i've parked in a large lot (like at a mall or movie theater) this trick works everytime for me. It more than doubled the range of the remote on my 2003 honda accord, and adds about 35-40% more distance to the remote for my 2005 nissan xterra. just my humble opinion.
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Alan 8:56AM (6/01/2007)
Same reason you can unlock some cars via cellphone.
Because the transmitter uses sound.
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bubble 9:11AM (6/01/2007)
RF signal is in the high frequency band (MHz range) so that the microphone in a cell phone won't be able to pick up i suppose. Hence, i don't think the cell phone trick works..
this one seems to make some sense though..LOL..
robz4 8:59AM (6/01/2007)
Thanks but not thanks..With the constant use of cell phones and Bluetooth headsets I have enough radio waves going through my cranial cavity already .
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Mike 9:06AM (6/01/2007)
You mean I can increase the range of my car remote AND look like a total buttface at the same time?!?!
Double awesome!
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Christopher Watts 9:10AM (6/01/2007)
snnnnk....cranial cavity...snnnkk
Back in the old days, we use to insert keys into the door lock and turn left to unlock, right to lock. And it worked everytime. No cavity damage done.
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Alex Nunez 9:17AM (6/01/2007)
bubble,
Don't be so unsure about the cellphone trick. Come back at noon Eastern...
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Adam Denison 9:18AM (6/01/2007)
I was introduced to this a couple months ago and it actually worked. I will say, however, that it doesn't always work for me. Maybe I have too much brain.
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Claude 9:22AM (6/01/2007)
Yeah, I've been using this method for quite a while as well. It really helps get the most out of the batteries in the fob, especially when you're to lazy to put in a new one.
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Jon 9:29AM (6/01/2007)
bubble: I have tried the cell phone trick for myself and it does work.
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Matt DeCillis 9:31AM (6/01/2007)
I've also been using this for about 15 years. If you don't want to look crazy, you can also try using your elbow. Works just as good.
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Aetius 9:32AM (6/01/2007)
Why do you want to unlock you car from so far away anyway? I never unlock until I'm next to the car. I'd hate for someone to jump into it while I'm still 400m away lol.
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Rick Lyon 9:40AM (6/01/2007)
I've done this since 89' with my old Viper alarms. Duh, welcome to two decades ago.
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Hamud 9:40AM (6/01/2007)
Holy sh...t it really works, I just tried...
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BartMack 10:26AM (6/01/2007)
This does work, but you don't really need to open your mouth while you do it lol. I'm glad I saw (and tried) this: I can now remote down the top on my car from far enough away that it's toatlly down by the time I get there! Otherwise the signal range is annoyingly short, like 5-8 feet.
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kheller 10:36AM (6/01/2007)
actually, it's the nasal cavity that amplifies the signal, not cranial cavity. there were rumors on a certain vw forum about whether this actually works.
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Jim in Tampa 10:44AM (6/01/2007)
Someone told me about this trick back in the 90's when the battery was going low on my remote. It worked for me until I could get a new battery.
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Chris Owens 10:59AM (6/01/2007)
I've been doing this for years with my 1997 Honda Civic and my 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. It DOES work.
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