New age of car keys: Innovations beyond mere entry and ignition

The traditional key inserted into the ignition is now a thing of the past. Current innovations offer much more than just car access without a remote. Modern keys have many advanced features.

One of the features, particularly useful in the summer, is the ability to quickly cool the vehicle's interior if it has been sitting in full sunlight. Simply hold the door unlock button longer to lower all the windows and ventilate the cabin. It works the other way around too – holding the lock button longer ensures no window remains open.

Are you having trouble finding your car in a large car park? Depending on the car model, simply hold one of the buttons longer, and the car will respond with a horn sound, indicating its location.

An attractive but not always available option is that in case of problems, the key can activate the car alarm, attracting passers-by's attention.

This feature is particularly useful in Mercedes cars. Simply press the vehicle lock button twice to disable the keyless system. This way, the car will not respond to a passing cat, which could open the boot. Additionally, it provides extra protection against thieves who might exploit vulnerabilities in keyless systems.

Modern cars also have drawbacks. Therefore, current keys have a hidden mechanical key that allows you to open the car in case the battery in the device is flat.

Some models, mainly electric BMWs and Hyundais, have a feature to move the vehicle using the electric motor. This can be convenient in crowded car parks, although in practice it turns out to be a rather unnecessary function.