Modern cars with keyless entry systems offer great convenience, but they can sometimes lead to unexpected issues. One common problem arises when your key fob is inside your house or garage, close enough to your vehicle to cause repeated locking and unlocking. This can be frustrating and even a bit concerning if you’re unsure why it’s happening.
The core of this issue often lies in the “comfort access” or “unlock on approach” features. These systems are designed to automatically unlock your car as you get near with the key fob. While handy in many situations, if your key fob remains inside your home, especially near the garage, the car might constantly detect its proximity. As you move around inside, the signal strength fluctuates, causing the car to cycle between locking and unlocking. This is particularly noticeable if you use your phone as a digital key, as most people keep their phones on them at all times, inadvertently keeping the “Key Fob Inside” the detection range.
Users have reported that even keeping their phone inside their house can trigger this lock/unlock cycle as they move around. The sensitivity of these systems can be quite high, and walls don’t always block the signal effectively. Some find that the “unlock on approach” feature, while initially appealing for its futuristic feel, becomes impractical in daily life when the key fob inside the house interferes with the car’s locking behavior.
A simple solution many car owners are adopting is to disable the “unlock on approach” feature altogether. While you might miss the light show when you walk up to your car, it prevents the constant locking and unlocking when the key fob is inside. Alternatively, ensuring your keys, especially if you’re using a traditional key fob, are stored further away from the car can also resolve the issue. This might mean placing your keys on the other side of the house to avoid the car repeatedly locking while you are inside and the key fob is “key fob inside” the home’s perimeter but still close enough to trigger the sensors.
While comfort access is generally quick with both physical keys and phone keys, some users notice a slight delay when using a phone as a key, particularly with the unlock beep. This delay can be more pronounced if the car has been inactive for a while. Understanding how these proximity-based systems work and the impact of having your “key fob inside” can help you manage these features and prevent unwanted car behavior.
