Your Ridgeline truck key-RFID technology and $100!

[kahnartist]

I posted this story on another site after reading a number of posts about a few folks locking themselves out of their trucks.
I didn't want to type it again so cut and pasted it here. So, sorry if you've already read it.

Here is some interesting info from my investigation of getting a non-HONDA key for the truck if you ever lock yourself out...

RFID technology is what is in the key (a new chip), and the 'difficulty' of cutting a 'cheap' replacement in case you accidentially lock yourself out.

To explain what RFID is to those who don't know: I took from this website: tombartel.com.

Radio frequency identification, or RFID, is a generic term for technologies that use radio waves to automatically identify people or objects. There are several methods of identification, but the most common is to store a serial number that identifies a person or object, and perhaps other information, on a microchip that is attached to an antenna (the chip and the antenna together are called an RFID transponder or an RFID tag). The antenna enables the chip to transmit the identification information to a reader. The reader converts the radio waves reflected back from the RFID tag into digital information that can then be passed on to computers that can make use of it.

The above comes from the "RFID Journal" FAQ page. RFID is seen as "the next bar code" - a supply chain advancement for the new millennium, allowing retailers and others to track inventories with small radio frequency embedded labels.

From the Spychips.com site:
A number for every item on the planet - RFID employs a numbering scheme called EPC (for "electronic product code") which can provide a unique ID for any physical object in the world. 6 The EPC is intended to replace the UPC bar code used on products today.

Unlike the bar code, however, the EPC goes beyond identifying product categories--it actually assigns a unique number to every single item that rolls off a manufacturing line. For example, each pack of cigarettes, individual can of soda, light bulb or package of razor blades produced would be uniquely identifiable through its own EPC number.

Once assigned, this number is transmitted by a radio frequency ID tag (RFID) in or on the product. These tiny tags, predicted by some to cost less than 1 cent each by 2004, are "somewhere between the size of a grain of sand and a speck of dust." They are to be built directly into food, clothes, drugs, or auto-parts during the manufacturing process.

Receiver or reader devices are used to pick up the signal transmitted by the RFID tag. Proponents envision a pervasive global network of millions of receivers along the entire supply chain -- in airports, seaports, highways, distribution centers, warehouses, retail stores, and in the home. This would allow for seamless, continuous identification and tracking of physical items as they move from one place to another, enabling companies to determine the whereabouts of all their products at all times.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

So: My story about looking into a cheap 'hide a key' in case hubby locks himself out of the truck:

I went to a locksmith and this is what I found about the new 'ridgeless" Honda key (pun un-intended).

We are AAA members and I've had good luck with the free plastic 'courtesy keys' they cut you (if you are clever enough to hide them under the car body), to get in the door of your car to retreive keys left on the seat/ignition.
This worked with my 2002 Nissan Maxima (I had a plastic key in my wallet and left the keys on my seat).
You just need to be very gentle with the plastic key and not break it off in the door! This only works for keys with the two metal ridges on each side. My key is 'chipped', but not sure RFID technology was in place then. I do have a chip in my key though and cannot put a 'fake' in the ignition. Dealer told me: if you put ANYTHING but your key in the iginition, computer will 'freeze' car and you will have to tow it to the Dealer and have them 'reprogram' at an astronomical cost.

Well, with these new 'ridgeless' Honda keys , the AAA plastic courtesy key is no longer an available option....

I went into the Mill Valley Locksmith over Thanksgiving, and happened to be driving the truck that day.

The locksmith asked what I was driving and I showed him the new key. The locksmith firmly told me 'no way'...we can't make you one of those keys (go directly to the Dealer). But then his assistant came over who was listening to the entire conversation.

He had the EXACT match/key blank to it and told me he could make me a door key (ONLY)...for $25.00. Of course, you could NOT put the key into the ignition...it was only for use in the door; for retreiving keys left on the seat/ignition (and having the door lock behind you).

Well, $25.00 sounds like a ton of money (for a Hide-A-Key), until you find out that one from the Dealer with the RFID chip in it is about $100 bucks plus!
Also, if you do lock yourself out, you will be waiting for AAA or a service to arrive (which could be at least an hour +), which makes it worth the investment.

The locksmith told me he'd do the key, and wait to see if it let me in the door (or else I'd get my money back right there).

I think I'm going to have the locksmith make us that door key and find a solid spot for the hide-a-key under the body as a Christmas 'stocking stuffer' for hubby. It won't start the ignition, but it will get him in the door. The Alarm may go off as well...but hopefully the real set of keys will be available within a few seconds to shut off the alarm.

We are not even sure how AAA (or other auto service folks) get into these newer vehicles with these new computer chip coded keys.

The Dealers out here in CA will DEMAND your truck registration, ID, VIN# etc., before ANY KEY IS CUT. Many have this prominently posted in the parts area.
There are so many internet rumors out there about people running in to Honda and 'stealing' cars just by getting a key cut. Well, they are just that: rumors.
Dealers are protecting themselves (against law suits) by demanding ID that you are the certified owner of the vehicle before ANY key is cut: even with the $100+ price tag on them.

Hope this info helps if you don't want to spend the big bucks for a $100 'spare' key from Honda; AND if you can find a willing locksmith who has the 'dummy' blank key in stock.

PS: Another helpful forum member mentioned one of the Honda aftermarket sites had a key for $30.00 bucks. Well, upon further investigation, this is also a 'blank' and won't open anything.

If you want sticker shock, call your dealer and ask how much to CUT and PROGRAM your key...since each key is different for every truck.

I guess a good rule would be: don't lock the doors unless you have the key in your hand with the remote! (In other words, no pushing down on the lock button on the door).

[cdsac]

you could contact your salesman and tell him that you didn't get a valet key. they will cut you one on the spot (if they got them in inventory) I did that with our civic (wich didn't come with a valet). They cut one on the spot for us. Our accord came with a valet key but i needed another one for the hide a key, ssooo I told the dealer i didn't get a valet key. They ordered one and cut it as soon as it came in. they new the vehicle key code so they had it ready when i arrived. I kinda feel bad for lying cause they are such a awesome dealership, But heck we get a new car or truck every year from them.

[DopplerDon]

What is the price of a duplicate valet key? Is this a less expensive option to having a fully functional key as the spare (in case of lockout)? I don't know but it may be a economically sound option when compared to $100.

[Ridgeline2006]

I had a funny experience last weekend...I was out Christmas shopping with my wife's car. After our second stop I noticed that I didn't have my Ridgeline key with me anymore which I thought I had put in my pocket before we left home. I went back in the store to look for it, couldn't find it. Went to another store to do some more shopping, called the first store, they didn't have it. Went to dinner, worried about the key the entire time, went back to the first store, couldn't find it. Resigned myself to thinking I'd need to spend a hundred bucks on a new key, went home, found the key on the key rack! What a relief!

[colorider]

Ridgeline2006 wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")I had a funny experience last weekend...I was out Christmas shopping with my wife's car. After our second stop I noticed that I didn't have my Ridgeline key with me anymore which I thought I had put in my pocket before we left home. I went back in the store to look for it, couldn't find it. Went to another store to do some more shopping, called the first store, they didn't have it. Went to dinner, worried about the key the entire time, went back to the first store, couldn't find it. Resigned myself to thinking I'd need to spend a hundred bucks on a new key, went home, found the key on the key rack! What a relief!

So the moral of the story is to ALWAYS go shopping in the RidgeLine and not your wife's car!!!

:shock:

[Ridgeline2006]

EXACTLY!!!! :):):):):):)