[Mcdeeee]

Anyone figure out the solution to this? I just purchased the Volt and have the same issue, since I to surf.
My Prius I just traded in had a button under the steering wheel that disabled the keyless entry feature. I could leave the FOB in the car and just keep a non electronic copy in a magnetic hide-a-key.

 

[dsweet]

Anyone figure out the solution to this? I just purchased the Volt and have the same issue, since I to surf.
My Prius I just traded in had a button under the steering wheel that disabled the keyless entry feature. I could leave the FOB in the car and just keep a non electronic copy in a magnetic hide-a-key.

Just An idea, I have a 2014 and the fuse for the passive entry module is in the fuse block in the Rear Compartment on the right. Perhaps you could replace the fuse (F3 for me) with a fused "surfer" switch. You will likely be get gear out of the rear compartment anyway. I don't think just pulling the fuse is wise, as the fuse block is not made for repeated insertion/removal. I imaging you'd have to lock the doors via remote before hiding it.

 

[voltech]

Just as pulling battery out of fob not wise. How bout you hide fob more than its 3ft range from any of the doors? If you have a front license plate bracket then you could glue a magnet to the backside corner for your fob. My 2011 doesn't have passive entry so I don't know if that will work but it's worth a try.

 

[Fulgerite]

I can think of three possible solutions:

1. Instead of hiding the key fob in a magnetic key box under the fender.... Hide the key fob in another location nearby. (Under a rock somewhere.)

2. Take the battery out of the key fob. Hide the fob as any other car key... Use the fob mechanical key to open the door and insert the key fob into the emergency start slot in the center dash compartment to drive home.

3. Buy a small waterproof case like this one and keep it with you.

http://www.inanycase.com/cellphone/1020-IAC-AQUA608.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Magnetic-Ke...068?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23499bd64c

http://www.yorktownindustries.com/P...of-case-that-holds-your-small-valuables..html

 

[Mcdeeee]

I've given up trying to find the solution for this that is quick and simple. The only thing that would solve this would be a software update from GM so we can disable the function without batteries coming out, aluminum foil or whatever.
I'm wrapping in 3 ziplock bags and putting it in my wetsuit in the small of my back. It bugs the crap out of me, but there's no better solution. I've found :-(

 

[Fulgerite]

The car came with two key fobs. Take the battery out of one key fob. That will be your surfing Keyfob. The second key fob will be your normal key fob for daily driving.

When you go surfing use the key fob without the battery. You can manually lock/unlock the door with the mechanical key. Hide the key fob as you would hide any other metal key. When you return to your car you can retrieve your key fob former hiding place and open the door with the mechanical key and then insert the key fob into the emergency start slot located in the top center dash compartment. The Volt can be started and driven without a battery in the key fob.

I fail to see how this is different form a 1962 pickup truck. Just buy a hide-a-key that fits the key fob. Take the battery out of the key fob. Problem solved.

 

[Mcdeeee]

The car came with two key fobs. Take the battery out of one key fob. That will be your surfing Keyfob. The second key fob will be your normal key fob for daily driving.

When you go surfing use the key fob without the battery. You can manually lock/unlock the door with the mechanical key. Hide the key fob as you would hide any other metal key. When you return to your car you can retrieve your key fob former hiding place and open the door with the mechanical key and then insert the key fob into the emergency start slot located in the top center dash compartment. The Volt can be started and driven without a battery in the key fob.

I fail to see how this is different form a 1962 pickup truck. Just buy a hide-a-key that fits the key fob. Take the battery out of the key fob. Problem solved.

This is a good plan, but I loose the functionality of auto entry feature the rest of the day. I'm a lunch hour surfer during the week so I'd be giving up that feature pretty much all day, every day.

I guess this is the only thing I really miss that my Prius had, a simple button to that simply disabled that feature.

 

[LuisHarrison]

It really works.. Hurrah

 

[Sheldon]

It really works.. Hurrah

Which workaround really works? Sometimes I go kayaking or paddle boarding, or tubing; no oceans nearby for surfing, but its the same problem. My last car was a 2004 mazda, which had an old-fashioned waterproof car key; these electronic keys aren't waterproof, and with proximity keys, you can't even hide the damn keys ... I'm attracted to the idea of getting a door-only key for my Volt, if I could temporarily disable the electronic key.

edit I just ordered one of those plastic key holders from inanycase

 

[TheGlitch]

Solution

Same problem for me. I don't like that the keyed entry to the Bolt involves prying off some moulding -- that's bound to break with frequent use.

Other rejected solutions
- I thought of drilling a hole through the moulding to allow easier keyed access, but I didn't end up trying it for fear of messing things up.
- I didn't like the fob in the ziplock solution. I'm guessing this is a new fob waiting to happen.

Here's the best solution I came up with.
1) Get a realtor lock box. I got this one: "KeyGuard SL-501 Punch Button Large Capacity Key Storage Shackle Lock Box" at www [.] amazon [.] com/gp/product/B00JRWCQLS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (sorry, forum won't let me post the URL so you'll have to remove the brackets and spaces). Make sure to get the large one; the fob doesn't fit in the smaller one.
2) Wrap the fob in aluminum foil. This acts as a Faraday cage, preventing signals from the fob from reaching the car.
3) Put the wrapped fob in the lock box.
4) Attach the lock box shackle to your car door handle or gaps in the wheel.
This prevented the buttons on the door handle from opening the car for me.

I'm considering making a foil lined box instead of wrapping/unwrapping the fob in foil for each session, but I haven't found a box sized just right.

Good luck.

-- Adam