Emergency key use

[DrAce]

Managed to lock my key in the car the other day (it was bound to happen ). Came out of a shop, openned the tailgate with the key, put the key on the boot floor whilst putting things in the back (doh) and then pressed the close button on the tailgate itself.

Result: car still locked with key now inside it.

So on to the question. I walked back for the spare and whilst at it picked up the emergency key (the thin black one). To my surprise the emergency key wouldn't open the driver's door - though the spare one did. After some experimentation it seems that the emergency key will unlock the car if it's been locked using the normal key but not if the car's been locked and the tailgate open and closed.

Is this expected behaviour? It seems a little odd and sort of defeats the purpose of the of the emergency key to my mind.

thx

[ScottyUK]

Seems strange. Gimme 1 hour and I'll play with mine as I also have the power tailgate (in case it's related). It'd be good to know.

[ScottyUK]

The wife went out in the car hence it took a little longer

OK it works and I'm sure yours does too

Firstly to avoid confusion, Audi define Emergency Key as when you pull the metal key out of the fob and use it. This you'd do if the battery went flat on the fob.

i.e. remove from fob, open door, put back in fob, use to start car.

Note that if you don't get the ignition on in 30 secs the alarm sounds. You can stop it by turning the ignition on.

Now the "Spare key" i.e. Audi speak for the thin plastic one works exactly the same way but obivously you have to insert it into the empty fob held in the glovebox before sticking it in the dash.

I know you're reading this and thinking "but I can't even get in the ******* car" but you can

I found that twisting the key once (clockwise) until the stop turned on the "leaving home" lights on the car. However if you push a little firmer past the stop, you'll hear the drivers door unlock. Note that only this lock is opened. All other doors are still locked and the tailgate release button and central locking buttons are still deactivated until you've cancelled the alarm (by getting the ignition on).

I think what you found was the difference between when it's dead locked and not. When testing this out sometimes I didn't need much effort to open it. This was when the dead locks hadn't kicked in. Leave it for a bit (more than 45secs) and then try and I'm sure you'll find both the Spare key and the Emergency key work in the same way.

I'm glad you raised this as I'd never played with it. I've just explained it all to my Mrs in case she ever needs it.

Oh and it's in the manual but the best tip is when putting the Spare key in the fob, make sure the Audi rings on the fob and the Spare key are facing up. This didn't twig when I was trying it and hence I faffed for a few secs too long and set the alarm off. Oh it's so deafening !!!

[DrAce]

Thanks for that Scotty, as you've correctly guessed I wasn't turning it past that first point of resistance - possibly a little nervous about breaking the plastic.

I'm not sure why the interior lights come on *before* the door opens... that was what got me into a mindset that that was all it did

Spare key no on my key ring and if I ever do head over your way for tweaking I shall thank you properly with beer - assuming you are not sworn off the stuff

[Big Bird]

Good post Scotty= you clearly have too much time to play with!!!!

Very handy to know though, so well done!!

[ScottyUK]

Thanks for that Scotty, as you've correctly guessed I wasn't turning it past that first point of resistance - possibly a little nervous about breaking the plastic.

I'm not sure why the interior lights come on *before* the door opens... that was what got me into a mindset that that was all it did

Spare key no on my key ring and if I ever do head over your way for tweaking I shall thank you properly with beer - assuming you are not sworn off the stuff

Funnily enough I normally do the first month ... or three in the year off any alcohol. I've not decided about 2011 yet

Good post Scotty= you clearly have too much time to play with!!!!

Very handy to know though, so well done!!

You don't now the half of it. Today my 18month old discovered the toilet rolls can be pulled .... and pulled. I wound up a complete roll!

[Zenerdiode]

I'm thinking it may be worthwhile to turn the door lock cylinder every time I wash the car to prevent it seizing the time when I really need it - although in our case, Scotty, we'll probably wear the lock out...

You don't now the half of it. Today my 18month old discovered the toilet rolls can be pulled .... and pulled. I wound up a complete roll!

I remember I was about 4 years old, I dropped a full roll down the loo. Did I tell Mam or Dad? No, the loo brush got it just out of sight round the 'U' - bend.

Job sorted, well, until I heard a yelp as Dad's 'job' nearly floated out of the bowl...