What problems have you experienced with your keyless entry remote?

[joe]

I am working on the design of remotes here at Rochester Institute of
Technolgy and would like to here from some Hyundai owners.

 

[hyundaitech]

They don't work very well after you submerse them. I've seen a few dead
batteries.

 

[joe]

how about the mechanical design? do you think it could be designed
better?

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

I am working on the design of remotes here at Rochester Institute of
Technolgy and would like to here from some Hyundai owners.

Right away, put major attention into making these goddamn systems
silent! These products have been designed by people who are thoughtless,
arrogant, and stupid. I detest being forced to endure all the beeps and
whoops coming from people getting in and out of their cars! Make the
systems announce status with lights only, and absolutely no audio
whatsoever unless someone is actually breaking into the car.

And, also, make sure that it isn't so easy to push the noise button on
the remote.

You can be the first one to apply your brains and consideration.

Richard

 

[Brian Nystrom]

how about the mechanical design? do you think it could be designed
better?

What's to design? You've got a few button in a small plastic box; it's
pretty simple. The only improvement I can think of is to make it thinner
so it fits in a pocket more comfortably.

 

[Dances With Crows]

I am working on the design of remotes here at Rochester Institute of
Technolgy and would like to [hear] from some Hyundai owners.

Right away, put major attention into making these goddamn systems
silent! Make the systems announce status with lights only, and
absolutely no audio whatsoever unless someone is actually breaking
into the car.

AOL! At least the one on my 2003 Tiburon does what Richard describes.

And, also, make sure that it isn't so easy to push the noise button on
the remote. You can be the first one to apply your brains and
consideration.

I have a feeling that decisions about things like "number of buttons"
and "what those buttons do" are not made by joe. I think joe may have
been looking for comments like "I'd like it if the remote were shaped
like $FOO" or "I'd like it if the remote came in a choice of colors".

Anyway, the only thing I can think of to complain about on my remote is
that the "unlock" button may be too small--it's oval, and roughly 1cm by
0.5cm.

 

[Andy S]

Right away, put major attention into making these goddamn systems silent!
These products have been designed by people who are thoughtless, arrogant,
and stupid. I detest being forced to endure all the beeps and whoops
coming from people getting in and out of their cars! Make the systems
announce status with lights only, and absolutely no audio whatsoever
unless someone is actually breaking into the car.

And, also, make sure that it isn't so easy to push the noise button on the
remote.

You can be the first one to apply your brains and consideration.

Richard

On my remote I only have to push the arm button ONCE to look the doors.
The turn signals will flash. The second push sounds the chirp.

You aren't forced to endure this. You just don't like it because you find
it annoying.
I hear it so often that it doesn't bother me.

As to th OP. Make them thinner. Do what ford is doing with the Fusion's
keyless remote. Incorporate it in to the key itself

 

[B Crawford]

Hi,
I have a 2001 XG & I've had the remote stick 'on'. When I pressed it to
lock, nothing would happen & when I moved into the shade I could see the red
LED was flickering & had most likely been on for quite awhile. Took it apart
& put in new battery which seemed to fix it.
My real complaint is however that it is very easy to trip the unlock button
in your pocket & my wife has locked the car but after tossing the keys in
her purse & closing that has unlocked it again. A design to reduce chance
engagement would be welcome.
BCinBC

 

[Brian Nystrom]

Right away, put major attention into making these goddamn systems
silent! These products have been designed by people who are thoughtless,
arrogant, and stupid. I detest being forced to endure all the beeps and
whoops coming from people getting in and out of their cars! Make the
systems announce status with lights only, and absolutely no audio
whatsoever unless someone is actually breaking into the car.

The Hyundai system IS completely silent, other than the sound of the
locks actuating. It only chirps if you press the lock button twice,
which isn't necessary in order to arm the system. The second press
simply gives an audible confirmation of locking an arming for those who
feel they need it.

BTW, Joe's question was about the remote itself, which has nothing to do
with whether the system is silent or not.

 

[Neil]

The Hyundai system IS completely silent, other than the sound of the
locks actuating. It only chirps if you press the lock button twice,
which isn't necessary in order to arm the system. The second press
simply gives an audible confirmation of locking an arming for those who
feel they need it.

The chirp serves a much important purpose IMO. If a door isn't fully closed
meaning the door won't lock, then the alarm will not chirp. Very useful
when kids and elderly relatives don't close their door fully.

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

You aren't forced to endure this. You just don't like it because you find
it annoying.
I hear it so often that it doesn't bother me.

Beg your pardon: I am indeed forced to endure other peoples' noise
pollution. I'm into silence. Forcing other people to endure your noise
is abuse. Just because it doesn't bother you is loopy and inconsiderate
logic as to why it should not bother me. I pay attention to sound;
perhaps you don't. To quote the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse: "Your
noise penetrates my silence but my silence will never penetrate your noise."

Noise pollution is a serious issue in our society. Some people want
peace and quiet.

Richard

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

The Hyundai system IS completely silent, other than the sound of the
locks actuating. It only chirps if you press the lock button twice,
which isn't necessary in order to arm the system. The second press
simply gives an audible confirmation of locking an arming for those who
feel they need it.

BTW, Joe's question was about the remote itself, which has nothing to do
with whether the system is silent or not.

Actually, I'm on target. You see, I after my Ford was smashed up by a
drunk, I rented a Hyundai Elantra to try it on. And, indeed, I set off
the alarm from far away by accident. My causing a cacophony of whoops
and blasts in the parking lot was caused by the remote's design, as well
as the system's switching. The design of the system -- the
lock/alarm/remote together is stupid, and this went the same way for the
next car: a Ford Focus (the Hyundai was defective so I swapped it at Hertz).

The issue is that most people actually press the button twice -- and
sound the horn, or crazy box, because there's no visible confirmation of
the first press. On the Ford and a GM car, I noticed that when you
_unlock_ the car, it flashes the headlights. So far, so good.

But when you _lock_ the car, you don't know because all it does is blink
the dome light. Now, when in the world are you going to notice _that?_
So, you think that nothing happened, and you press again and whoop 'n
blast everyone in the neighborhood.

The mindless stupidity of the designers, and then the slavish copying of
what's already been done leads to lots of unwanted bleeping, squawking,
honking, angry electo-chirps.

The OP asked about the handheld remote. Right there is one immediate
issue that I discovered: it's too easy to hit the panic button by
accident. But the remote is part of an overall system -- the whole thing
needs some tweaking. The bottom line, of course, is the abuse of people
who may be more sensitive to sound than the designer -- perhaps a guy
who couldn't care less, and, "What the hell is wrong with you; get a life!"

One of my work hats has been closely involved with human engineering
(computers, mostly). And I'm amazed by how much people with brains
overlook sensible accommodations and common sense when they design things.

Here's a guy who was interested enough to ask, and I'm more impressed
that he did than by his gramatical slip. Many engineers I've met aren't
as aware -- they just want their designs to function, and off to the
next project.

A few years ago, when my late electronics technician friend was looking
for a car, I recommended that he pay attention to Hyundais. I've been
interested in Korean products since I began checking out the insides of
some stereo products during the 80s. He bought an Elantra, and I was
impressed with a number of design aspects of it. I honestly don't know
if the cars are designed in Korea, in the USA, or both. But there's a
little more thoughtfulness in the Hyundai's engineering than I'm used to
seeing in domestic cars. So, what's common here is the application of
some reasoning and consideration into design -- whether it's to the car
itself or to the OP's interest in what the _user_ might want in the
remote control. And I know he's a student, but here's a guy I'd love to
work with on a design project. Don't you agree?

Richard

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

The chirp serves a much important purpose IMO. If a door isn't fully closed
meaning the door won't lock, then the alarm will not chirp. Very useful
when kids and elderly relatives don't close their door fully.

That's cool. However, I don't want to be awakened from a nap because
your grandma didn't shut your car door. We need an alternative system
that's not alarming to a neighbor, such as, perhaps, a bright strobe
light. And until the time has come when all cars are outfitted with
bright flashing lights, I want the existing systems deactivated.

Note that we already have a warning: in my Hyundai, if a door isn't
fully closed, the ding-dong keeps sounding _inside_ the car. What more
does the driver need? Those chirps are maddening to have to listen to
for me and for others who are sensitive to sound. It's noise, and even
though the chirps are brief, they're damn loud. And alarming.

The noise levels in our environment have steadily risen -- 100 years
ago, there were no unmuffled small gasoline engines -- no leaf blowers,
chainsaws; there were no boom cars, and no worthless car alarms and door
lock boopers and whoopers driving everyone else crazy. In an urban area,
the overall noise pollution has a psychological effect -- it certainly
makes people tense. Time to get back to quiet.

Richard

 

[Brian Nystrom]

Beg your pardon: I am indeed forced to endure other peoples' noise
pollution. I'm into silence. Forcing other people to endure your noise
is abuse. Just because it doesn't bother you is loopy and inconsiderate
logic as to why it should not bother me. I pay attention to sound;
perhaps you don't. To quote the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse: "Your
noise penetrates my silence but my silence will never penetrate your
noise."

Noise pollution is a serious issue in our society. Some people want
peace and quiet.

Amen to that. We can start by mandating that motorcycles meet the same
noise regulations that cars must meet. I find that a heck of a lot more
offensive than chirps from alarms systems.

 

[Brian Nystrom]

That's cool. However, I don't want to be awakened from a nap because
your grandma didn't shut your car door. We need an alternative system
that's not alarming to a neighbor, such as, perhaps, a bright strobe
light. And until the time has come when all cars are outfitted with
bright flashing lights, I want the existing systems deactivated.

Note that we already have a warning: in my Hyundai, if a door isn't
fully closed, the ding-dong keeps sounding _inside_ the car. What more
does the driver need? Those chirps are maddening to have to listen to
for me and for others who are sensitive to sound. It's noise, and even
though the chirps are brief, they're damn loud. And alarming.

The noise levels in our environment have steadily risen -- 100 years
ago, there were no unmuffled small gasoline engines -- no leaf blowers,
chainsaws; there were no boom cars, and no worthless car alarms and door
lock boopers and whoopers driving everyone else crazy. In an urban area,
the overall noise pollution has a psychological effect -- it certainly
makes people tense. Time to get back to quiet.

While I'm all for reducing noise pollution, if the innocuous chirp from
an alarm system is "alarming" to you, I daresay the the problem is you,
not the chirp. If noise is such a problem for you, you should move to a
more remote area where the ambient noise level is lower. All the
complaining in the world is not going to significantly reduce noise
levels in a city. Cities are what they are and no one is obligated to
accommodate you.

 

[Brian Nystrom]

Actually, I'm on target. You see, I after my Ford was smashed up by a
drunk, I rented a Hyundai Elantra to try it on. And, indeed, I set off
the alarm from far away by accident. My causing a cacophony of whoops
and blasts in the parking lot was caused by the remote's design, as well
as the system's switching. The design of the system -- the
lock/alarm/remote together is stupid, and this went the same way for the
next car: a Ford Focus (the Hyundai was defective so I swapped it at
Hertz).

So because YOU screwed up and set of the alarm, the system is "stupid".
I beg to differ. It works just fine and it's silent unless you press the
lock button twice or hit the alarm button. Figuring out the remote is
NOT rocket science.

The issue is that most people actually press the button twice -- and
sound the horn, or crazy box, because there's no visible confirmation of
the first press. On the Ford and a GM car, I noticed that when you
_unlock_ the car, it flashes the headlights. So far, so good.

But when you _lock_ the car, you don't know because all it does is blink
the dome light. Now, when in the world are you going to notice _that?_
So, you think that nothing happened, and you press again and whoop 'n
blast everyone in the neighborhood.

The mindless stupidity of the designers, and then the slavish copying of
what's already been done leads to lots of unwanted bleeping, squawking,
honking, angry electo-chirps.

So what does that have to do with Hyundai? The Hyundai system doesn't
work that way. If you want to bitch about other cars, there are
appropriate forums to do so. This is not it.

The OP asked about the handheld remote. Right there is one immediate
issue that I discovered: it's too easy to hit the panic button by
accident. But the remote is part of an overall system -- the whole thing
needs some tweaking. The bottom line, of course, is the abuse of people
who may be more sensitive to sound than the designer -- perhaps a guy
who couldn't care less, and, "What the hell is wrong with you; get a life!"

You hit the panic button ONCE, so it's a bad design? Give me a break!
The panic button is there and readily accessible for good reason.

One of my work hats has been closely involved with human engineering
(computers, mostly). And I'm amazed by how much people with brains
overlook sensible accommodations and common sense when they design things.

Sure, that's a problem with a lot of products. However, just because one
of us doesn't like something, it doesn't mean that it's a poor design or
that most other people aren't happy with it.

Here's a guy who was interested enough to ask, and I'm more impressed
that he did than by his gramatical slip. Many engineers I've met aren't
as aware -- they just want their designs to function, and off to the
next project.

What gramatical error are you talking about?

A few years ago, when my late electronics technician friend was looking
for a car, I recommended that he pay attention to Hyundais. I've been
interested in Korean products since I began checking out the insides of
some stereo products during the 80s. He bought an Elantra, and I was
impressed with a number of design aspects of it. I honestly don't know
if the cars are designed in Korea, in the USA, or both. But there's a
little more thoughtfulness in the Hyundai's engineering than I'm used to
seeing in domestic cars. So, what's common here is the application of
some reasoning and consideration into design -- whether it's to the car
itself or to the OP's interest in what the _user_ might want in the
remote control. And I know he's a student, but here's a guy I'd love to
work with on a design project. Don't you agree?

As I said before, the only change I'd like to see is to make the remote
thinner. Other than that, I'm happy with it.

 

[Neil]

That's cool. However, I don't want to be awakened from a nap because
your grandma didn't shut your car door. We need an alternative system
that's not alarming to a neighbor, such as, perhaps, a bright strobe
light. And until the time has come when all cars are outfitted with
bright flashing lights, I want the existing systems deactivated.

You must be a very light sleeper or are sleeping in your car to be awoken by
what really is quite a quiet chirp -- on my Elantra at least. Your bright
strobe light idea sounds quite interesting. Hopefully for your sake that if
implemented, it doesn't shine in your home and awake you in the night.

Note that we already have a warning: in my Hyundai, if a door isn't
fully closed, the ding-dong keeps sounding _inside_ the car. What more
does the driver need?

You're missing the point. The alarm doesn't chirp if the door is not fully
shut. The door ding-dong only happens when the keys are in the ignition I
believe. I wouldn't be trying to lock the car with the remote if it were
still with the keys in the ignition.

Those chirps are maddening to have to listen to
for me and for others who are sensitive to sound. It's noise, and even
though the chirps are brief, they're damn loud. And alarming.

They are alarming by definition and on purpose. The chirp also serves to
inform any potential car thieves in the vicinity that your car is locked.

The noise levels in our environment have steadily risen -- 100 years
ago, there were no unmuffled small gasoline engines -- no leaf blowers,
chainsaws; there were no boom cars, and no worthless car alarms and door
lock boopers and whoopers driving everyone else crazy. In an urban area,
the overall noise pollution has a psychological effect -- it certainly
makes people tense. Time to get back to quiet.

Good luck with your quest.

 

[comish4lif]

Maybe it's my particular unit, but the "panic" button sticks.

Also, on the Hyundai remotes, all 3 buttons (lock/unlock/panic) are on
the face in close proximity. I'veset of the panic button by accident
when holding a handful of keys.

The VW Jetta "switchblade" remote has the panic button on the side away
from the other buttons.

New features? How about a programmable button for my garage door?
Can you make it an MP3 player?

 

[Dan K]

I agree. I've had my 2002 XG unlock itself numerous times and I assume its
because the unlock button is being pressed when the remote is in my pocket.

Dan

 

[Richard Steinfeld]

Amen to that. We can start by mandating that motorcycles meet the same
noise regulations that cars must meet. I find that a heck of a lot more
offensive than chirps from alarms systems.

Different people, of course, are troubled by different types of
particular noises. But they're all intrusive to someone. I feel that we
need broadband quiet. Muffle eveything that's mufflable.

In the case of motorcyles, at least here in California, I'm pretty sure
that they've got to meet the same standards as cars. However, many the
guys who drive them feel otherwise, and get off on removing mufflers
altogether, and even adding gadgets that boost the sound. I think that
the issue is enforcement (same as with boom cars); the cops don't do it.
And (catchin' comes before hangin') it's hard for you or I to turn in
one of these yokels because they're long gone before we can read the
license plates, especially the little ones on the bikes.

Dunno. It's a problem.

Richard