key fob range????

[mtvslick]

does anyone know the range of the 03 Elantra key fobs? and can I increase this range by putting a bigger antenna on the modual in the dash?

Mark,

[vsolo]

how far do you need it,?? if you dont get to open the door with in a minute it locks itself again.. See my post about battery cleaning, it did restored my original range :)

[southpawboston]

you probably could put a longer antenna on the ETACS unit, but i'm not certain it would improve the range. my stock range is great-- easily a city block. and my fob battery is already 2.5 years old with a lot of use.

[mtvslick]

mine from new is only about 25 feet so I must have got a dud!

Mark,

[kylemorg]

I've found that my '02 fob range depends on how much interferance may be around. For some reason at work, I can trigger it from 200 feet or so. In shopping centers sometimes it only works from ~20 feet or so.

Like SPB, my fob is about 3 years old now, and still on the original battery.

[Atomic]

Seriously, here's a quick tip: Put the top of the key FOB pressed firmly under your chin(FOB pointing up instead of at car) and press the button, it turns your head into an antenna. It easily creates another 50 feet of range, and yes I'm serious, old trick from back in the installer days for auto start, hehe.

[wildman92]

I heard of that trick from someone I worked with. Though I have never tried it. Sounds like a neat trick if it does work.

[Atomic]

Yah, I had my remote hooked up so I could roll the windows & sunroof up/down, pop the trunk/doors/gas cover, turn on the neons, turn on the radio, start the car, blah blah blah. One hell of a relay pack to hide in my celica, but it was cool. When I'd leave the shop, I could start my car on the otherside of the parking lot (250ft+) and freak everyone out, using that remote trick. The problem isn't that the antenna for you alarm in the car isn't long enough, because basically you can turn your whole car into an antenna for your alarm. The problem is the transmitter range, imagine the size of the antenna they could barely cram in there, that is why it works.

[Chef]

The "Chin" trick is a classic...however you may look a bit "odd" with your FOB under your chin as you walk the parking lot cursing to yourself..."why ain't this F***'n thin working!"