National - Cut the key chain

Just wonder if anyone ever cut the key chain/ring thing. It's kind of bulky to carry 2 keys and a national tag around.

The stations I rent from typically have just the key, remote, and the tag. I know some put all the keys and remotes with the tags, which I can imagine being very bulky.

Either way, I think it would not be wise to cut the chain unless 1) you can put it back exactly as you got it before you returned it; 2) you're absolutely sure you won't misplace the items if separated (or are willing to pay the lost key fee if accused of losing one of the items).

Wear cargo pants?

Just wonder if anyone ever cut the key chain/ring thing. It's kind of bulky to carry 2 keys and a national tag around.

I've done it when they have TWO bulky electronic key fobs, TWO keys, and the stupid tag.

The wire is hard to cut, so get a serious tool.

Worst I've seen is the Pathfinder I got at MSP... 2 regular keys, a valet key, and 2 largeish fobs and of course the National tag. That was a pocket-full. :-)

Worst I've seen is the Pathfinder I got at MSP... 2 regular keys, a valet key, and 2 largeish fobs and of course the National tag. That was a pocket-full. :-)

Same with the Armada

Also, with all the "new" keyless entry systems where you don't even have to push a button on the keyfob itself to unlock / start the car as long as one of the keyfobs is "in the vicinity", you'll have to worry about where to put the "extra" keyfob if you've separated them out. You could be leaving yourself open to theft from / and of the car itself if you leave the "other" keyfob in the car / trunk etc. The Chrysler 300 for one of the "common" rental cars has this feature.

Come to think of it, if a car is equipped that way and you only get one keyfob, you probably should test out the unlocking / starting of the car when you have the keyfob pretty far away from the car (in case they left the keyfob in the trunk - like mentioned sometime back here in the forum).

The opposite situation can be puzzling. When I had a National Challenger one-way out of LGA last year, I noticed the keychain had a barcode and 2 key fobs. The ends were shaped like a blunt, thick key, to be "inserted," or rather held in place apparently magnetically, into the ignition. The doors had the usual silver slot for a "regular" key, but there wasn't one on the keychain. I later did a one-way National Grand Caravan out of NJ, and realized it had the same setup.

The opposite situation can be puzzling. When I had a National Challenger one-way out of LGA last year, I noticed the keychain had a barcode and 2 key fobs. The ends were shaped like a blunt, thick key, to be "inserted," or rather held in place apparently magnetically, into the ignition. The doors had the usual silver slot for a "regular" key, but there wasn't one on the keychain. I later did a one-way National Grand Caravan out of NJ, and realized it had the same setup.

I had the Chrysler Town and Country which had the same kind of keys. I got locked out of the car, so I called National and asked where the door key was (the car battery died) and they said they didn't have it and it would cost $48 to send someone out. I called AAA instead and when he came out, he asked to see the key. He pushed a little black button on the front of the key fob and and the key slid right out. I got jumped off and he realized it died because the interior lights would not cut off. Don't know how I missed that, but I got it exchanged as soon as I left.

The Chrysler keys (with the metal key "inserted" inside the keyfob) is the influence of Mercedes (when they owned Chrysler), that's the way Mercedes keys have been since the late 90's. "Basic" models require that you put the "key" into the holding place - I believe there is an infrared reader that matches the key to the car - "loaded" models now have KeyLess Go - which means that the doors can be unlocked/locked and the car started when a "key" is within 3 feet of the car (hence my warning in my previous post).

The Chrysler keys (with the metal key "inserted" inside the keyfob) is the influence of Mercedes (when they owned Chrysler), that's the way Mercedes keys have been since the late 90's. "Basic" models require that you put the "key" into the holding place - I believe there is an infrared reader that matches the key to the car - "loaded" models now have KeyLess Go - which means that the doors can be unlocked/locked and the car started when a "key" is within 3 feet of the car (hence my warning in my previous post).

Yes it is basically the same system (also notice they still use the same window switches). The key is actually just metal, the actual security chip is located within the actual FOB. You can start the car/use the remote with or without the metal key inserted.

In fleets like Zipcar the mechnical metal key is usually removed.

Also, with all the "new" keyless entry systems where you don't even have to push a button on the keyfob itself to unlock / start the car as long as one of the keyfobs is "in the vicinity", you'll have to worry about where to put the "extra" keyfob if you've separated them out. You could be leaving yourself open to theft from / and of the car itself if you leave the "other" keyfob in the car / trunk etc. The Chrysler 300 for one of the "common" rental cars has this feature.

Come to think of it, if a car is equipped that way and you only get one keyfob, you probably should test out the unlocking / starting of the car when you have the keyfob pretty far away from the car (in case they left the keyfob in the trunk - like mentioned sometime back here in the forum).

Thanks for this post. I owe you one. I had my tools stolen from my trunk in what I was certain was a locked 300. I never thought about a fob hanging around in the car somewhere.

As for cutting the cable, no. I had one come apart and "fixed it" with a cable tie by putting all of the keys on it. I showed it to them and there was not a problem.