[no, it's not the battery]
I am very dissatisfied with the range of the keyfob that comes with the TL. I never actually measured it, but I think it's not more than 100-200 feet. Is this normal or am I too used to my aftermarket cheapo 60$ system that I had installed in my '93 Civic, a system that was working at more than 1000 feet with no problems. I remember starting my car from inside the house and using the panic button to find it on huge parking lots. I am seriously thinking about installing an aftermarket entry system but I'd first ask you guys if there's a better solution to this - like adding some sort of receiving antenna or modding the fob itself or something. I'd appreciate any suggestion, thanks!

 

Check out this thread and the longer thread it links to. https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103228

 

You can increase the range by hold the fob up next to your jaw as you point it at your car. But 200 feet is pretty far unless there is nothing in the way.

 

Also there is this. If it worked at 1000 feet, it wouldn't do an good anyway because your car would relock itself before you got to it.

The average time it takes to walk 1 mile is 20 -22 minutes. A 15 minute walked mile would mean you averaged 4 MPH. Most people do not walk this fast for 1 mile or in "normal" walking. So 20 minutes a mile means 4 minutes for 1000 feet.

 

Site says chin..but what i use is my palm. Point the fob into your palm and raise up your hand. Then press unlock/lock and it will work. What i have noticed is..if ur kinda "thick skinned", it won't work as well..but it will work. I tried the palm method and have made it work 6 houses away from my car. Chin method works too.

Edit: when i say palm..i actually mean just a lil below the wrist.you know..where you strap your watch on? That location..point it in the same side your palm opens up at.

 

Man, I get like 30 feet from mine and it doesn't work. It's a peace of shit if you ask me.

 

ok for some reason i try what you guys say..UNDER JAW..CHIN AND still dont work..tell me if im being foolish to think it might work but i did give it a try to seee if it work to get the fastest range i could get..Lmao

 

you try your wrist? Not trying to offend you or anything but i've noticed that a person with more fat will have a hard time doing it. That's just from my experience. Also..when you put it under your chin..i always open my mouth concurrently..for some reason..i think that's how you do it..not really sure though.

 

maybe theres something wrong with your keyfob

 

Like RonA suggested.... BE SURE TO READ THIS --->

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103228

It is a great thread. In the thread that I linked, pay attention to post #12 which says "I use the chin method, but i found that the range increases a bit if you open your mouth at the same time."

Works for me... but, don't let anyone see you doing.

 

the unlocking part makes sense for not having to be far away (since the car will relock anyway)...but when you forget to lock it and have to walk back it sucks.

 

i did this today while i was at Kmart..it worked..but that was from the entrance out to the car..it wasnt that far.. it was like across the parking space where people walk too..normally i cant reach that far but this time i think i really got it to work..what weird was that,,my gf ask me what was im doing opening my jaw and puting the keyfob under my chin when we got in the car.. i told her..do i look cute or what ..she busted out laughing and saying i do the weirdest thing and still be cute in a way that she find it attractive..

 

Dude, take this advice from someone older.... treat her extra nice. She is a keeper. Don't lose her.

 

I believe the range is purposely short to keep organized criminals from receiving the code. When I lived in FL, the standard MO was for bad guys to park in the fancy mall parking lot and wait for someone to lock their desireable car and record the code with a radio receiver. Once the owner was inside the mall, they would access the car. Mercedes tried to thwart this by using an IR fob, but it had to be pointed at the car (like a TV remote) and I suspect it led to a lot of complaints.

 

Oh well...
Although every different posture you may take with that remote, held to every imaginable body part - be it your chin, your wrist, your knee, your hipbone or even your coccyx (I'd never do the latter) may work for some, in my case the difference is just as the original... dismal. It could very well be a placebo effect
Anyways, the most gain anyone obtained in this thread doesn't seem to be more than double, which - credit is due - is quite significant but still not enough for my taste.
Winter has knocked today in Chicago with everything but snowplows on the road and I am closer and closer to replacing the factory keyfob with one of those eBay remote start systems claiming over a mile 2-way communication. The only problem remaining is the engine immobilizer for which I'd have to leave a key in the ignition slot for the remote starting to work. Not very secure though. Btw, if you know a way of bypassing this lock or if there's a thread on the subject, let us know.
Many thanks,

 

thanks for the advice ... yep she sure is a keeper