[saket77]

This might have been a stupid question to ask a few years ago to a car owner as the default position for most cars to ‘carry’ the key would be the ignition slot or as some may call it the key cylinder.

However with keyless entry and push button start/ stop features making into regular consumer cars, the owners now have to find a place to park their car keys while driving as these cars don’t have any ignition key slots.

After spending a few months with a new car, I’m still not able to allocate a ‘default’ position for my car key fob while driving. Sometimes I put it in the small open storage areas and at times I use the tiny secret compartment on the right side of the drivers dashboard area as given in the new City. The problem with the former placement is that the keys keep juggling around in bad roads or during spirited driving spells. The issue with keeping the keys in the said small compartment is that you have to open and close the lid every time to access the keys. Small inconvenience I know but the problem is that at times I forget to close the lid and have hurt my knee more than twice as a result

Also, my key ring has a carabiner so I’ve found it most convenient to hook it to my trouser’s loop but I don’t like to move around that way. Now I’m thinking to get an anti slip mat and cut a portion to fit an open storage area which could prevent the keys to slip around while driving, when placed on it.

So I would like to pose the question to fellow BHPians that where do they prefer to park their car keys while driving cars with push button start stop systems.

[amartya_bhp]

Let the key remain in your pocket, after all, that is the pitch of Keyless systems: you don't need to take it out of your pocket! Why would one need to create a special area for storing there keys while driving?

[asingh1977]

Initially I used to keep it under the arm rest storage area. But inadvertently would exit the vehicle, sans key. Panic. Now I wear it on a belt loop with a key fob rubber cover.

[Dr.AD]

Originally Posted by amartya_bhp

Let the key remain in your pocket, after all, that is the pitch of Keyless systems: you don't need to take it out of your pocket! Why would one need to create a special area for storing there keys while driving?

Exactly! In my case, I keep the key in my pocket while driving the car. Simple and works fine for me.

By the way, one of my two cars, Thar 4x4, still has the old fashioned ignition slot and I have to turn the key to start the engine. I actually love it for the sake of nostalgia. And that means there is no question of where to keep the keys while driving Thar.

While driving my BMW 320d, the key is always in my pocket and that has worked fine for me since day 1 of driving that car.

[GTO]

Pant pocket is best for cars with keyless entry & go. Just remember not to walk away with the key, after handing over the car to a friend or valet driver (I've done this a hundred times).

Many BMWs - for some idiotic reason - get keyless go, but not keyless entry. Hence, you have to unlock the car via the button on your key. When driving, I usually place the key in its dedicated slot on the center console:


Even in this era of smartkeys, I don't mind the traditional ignition slot & key at all. Love it in my Thar. There is a certain pleasure to cranking your car the old way and of course, having that fixed place for the key in the ignition slot.

Coming up next and something I'm really looking forward to. Smartphone-based keys where your phone is enough to unlock the car & drive away with it. Have used it extensively with a Tesla Model 3 and loved it! Yes, you can lose your phone, but you can also lose your key.

[MyLife_MyCar]

Here.

When I buy pants (jeans, shorts …), I look out for this tiny pocket first. A very convenient place to keep the key.
My key fob has no keychain or any other keys attached to it. So, it sits nicely in that pocket, and doesn’t interfere with other things that I’d keep in pocket (mobile phone etc.).

Put key in tiny pocket at home -> drive drive drive -> take out key when back at home.

[satnan]

It always stays in my trouser pocket now a days. Initial days I had experimented keeping it near the gear lever but I often found myself going back to the car just to pick it up. Quickly realized that keeping in my pocket is the simplest and most fool proof solution for someone as forgetful as me.

[rosh_aveo1.4]

Originally Posted by amartya_bhp

Let the key remain in your pocket, after all, that is the pitch of Keyless systems: you don't need to take it out of your pocket! Why would one need to create a special area for storing there keys while driving?

Yup, I do the same. Always take it from my shelf and it's in my pocket until I'm back home after the drive and then take it out back to the shelf.

BTW this works perfectly for the Nissan Sunny and the Jeep Compass as it makes a very small sound inside the cabin when the keys leaves the car for a few seconds (when I go outside to open the main gate) which is totally fine. But the stupid Tata Tigor I had earlier, honks the horn 3 or 4 times which is really irritating. So for that car only I used to leave the car key inside not by choice, but rather by a stupid design by Tata.

[GTX+]

9/10 times, in my trouser/shorts pocket. I don't need to take it out as my car has keyless entry. Key fobs are anyways not so big (atleast not mine) to cause discomfort while driving.

But some times I do use the fob to unlock and when I do that, I generally keep the fob in the door grab handle. It fits into that nicely and is easy to take out as well.

[saket77]

Looks like majority of people are keeping the keys in their pocket- which logically is the best place as you can just walk away to lock your car without picking up the key or forgetting and returning back to the car only to pick it up. However, I have 2 keys in the same bunch (for 2 cars) being the only driver, so the bunch gets a little bulky- with a small LED light+ carabiner key ring and it gets a little uncomfortable to keep it in the pocket.

Also agree with some members posting that cranking the car old way with the ignition slot is a much better feeling than the push button start/stop button which doesn't add any functionality to the car. I believe it is a useless addition in name of a modern feature. Plus, when you turn off the engine, all accessories including the music system and dashcam will be turned off as well, which can be kept on in case of cars with ignition slots.

[akhil_007]

Usual 3 taps on pant/trouser which every gent follows subconsciously when they get out of the door
-2 front taps for mobile AND keys(car/bike/house)
-1 tap on the back for wallet

I dislike sitting on my wallet. So it ends up inside the armrest storage or glove box. Car key always stays in pocket.

[Latheesh]

Most of the time inside front center console cup holder. Sometimes in trouser front left pocket.

[KiloAlpha]

I keep the car keys in a cubby hole in the centre console. For 2 reasons.

1. I deeply dislike driving with anything in my pockets. Wallet has its place, cell phone has its place, as do keys.
2. When I reach home, I need to exit the car and open the gate. I usually leave the car idling while I do that - turbo spools down during that time. If the keys are in my pocket, my car gets very annoyed and nags me in a shouty voice, which I also deeply dislike.

[bblost]

My Verna has keyless entry. So I picked up this small multipocket bag from Decathlon:
https://www.decathlon.in/p/8619465/f...8619465&type=p

I keep my office id, wallet, keys inside it.

Inside my car, I put this bug under the arm rest. Otherwise it might be inside my laptop bag.

The best thing about using this bag is that every day in the morning, I know exactly where all my things are. No searching for office id or keys etc.

Life is much simpler.

[It's Magic]

Originally Posted by MyLife_MyCar

Attachment 2644922

I also keep my keys in the tiny pocket of my jeans. When wearing formal trousers or track pants, I just keep them in my pocket.

Originally Posted by saket77

However, I have 2 keys in the same bunch (for 2 cars) being the only driver

You mentioned you carry two car keys together. Although I am the only driver, I keep both keys separate and carry only the required key. However, I often carry my home lock key along with my car keys. In such cases, I keep the car keys in the tiny pocket of jeans and lock keys in the normal pocket. Sometimes, I keep the lock key in my wife's purse or in the cup holders.
Hope this helps you!