[MinnVolt]

If I ever lost the key fob, it would be a hassle getting home for my spare unit. I am thinking of getting a key blank cut to match the car, then either carry it separately in my wallet or in a magnetic box concealed on the car. If I am reading the manual correctly, I could then use the key to enter the car and start it by inserting the key in the hidden slot in the dash storage compartment.

Has anybody tried this?

 

[canehdian]

You need a fob to start the car.
A key blank would get you in the door, however.
Best to order a spare fob, program it to the car and remove the battery. Hide it somewhere in the vehicle.
Then you can use that to start the car as you describe after using your key blank to open the door.
The slot does not read the blade of the key, only the door cylinder does.
The slot just reads the signal from the fob without needing a battery.

 

[PrivatePilot]

x2 - the fob has a transponder in it that talks to the car and authorizes it to operate. A regular steel key obviously doesn't have that transponder and therefore will get you into the car, but that's it.

 

[llninja]

Actually the slot in the dash is just a trick to get the fob as close as possible to the transceiver if your battery is dead, or almost dead. And as others have said, the slot doesn't work to start the car.