Are Car Keys Waterproof?

Like other electronic gadgets, keys for cars aren’t waterproof. The old-fashioned keys for cars are waterproof as they are only a tiny bit of iron, typically brass, that doesn’t rust too much. Modern keys with transponder chips in the fob are also somewhat waterproof since the electronics are encased in plastic.

Is It Ok For Car Keys To Get Wet?

It’s acceptable for keys in cars to be soaked. It’s fairly frequent. Many people carry key rings in their pockets while outside in the snow or rain, and the moisture could easily get onto keys.

If you reside in an area with a lot of humidity, keys could get rusty if exposed to water. You can take some steps to avoid damaging your keys due to moisture. First, you should ensure they are as dry as possible.

If they get wet, wash them with a dry towel immediately. It is also possible to purchase the keychain with a waterproof sealant or cover. This will protect your keys from weather damage and prolong their life.

What Do You Do If Your Key Fob Gets Wet?

If you’ve taken the fob from the water, several choices exist. You could attempt to repair the fob yourself or buy an alternative. We’ll look at both options in more detail later in this article. The manufacturer of your vehicle has hidden a mechanical key from the past inside the fob, which you could use in the interim. Look over the fob to find any levers or catch. Press it and remove the mechanical key from the fob if you find one. Once inside your car, check for a cap made of plastic near the wheel. Take it off, and you’ll find the slot for a key.

It’s more complicated than an electronic remote and intelligent key. But you’ll be able to lock and start your vehicle until you decide if you’d like to change the fob.

How Do You Fix A Water Damaged Key Fob?

As we’ve mentioned that it’s always risky when your key fob is wet. It’s best to be cautious and stop it from occurring in the first instance. If your foot gets wet, there’s the chance to keep it dry.

Step One

When you have taken your device from the pool, you can hold the fob with its button facing down. It is a good idea to shake it up to draw the most water out of its insides as much as possible. Put the fob with its button facing down on the surface of a clean and dry cloth or towel, and allow it to sit there for a couple of minutes. After that, you can use the material or towel to squeeze the most water out of the crevices you can.

Step Two

After that, you must remove the fob as some water may have gotten within it. Follow the procedure we explained to do this. Take the battery off and use an unclean cloth to dry the inside of the fob and circuit board. Remove the battery if it is leaky or damaged, and purchase an alternative. It is possible to replace your battery, even when there’s no apparent harm, as any contact with water can damage it.

Step Three

Dip a cotton swab into isopropyl alcohol before wiping down the circuit board and the fob’s interior to remove any acid residue from batteries or another contaminant. Then let the rest of the components until they are scorched. After that, you’ll be able to install your new battery and then assemble the fob.

Step Four

Test every button on your fob. If they all function, the fob is brand new! If the controls are working and others don’t, you can repeat the cleaning procedure and try the fob again after you’ve completed it. If all the buttons don’t work, it’s either time to reprogramme the fob or replace it entirely.

However, you can’t attempt to dry your key with an air dryer or microwave. The first method will damage the circuitry of your key and ensure that it doesn’t work again. Likewise, the latter is likely to cause an explosion. Be aware that even when you follow this process strictly, there’s the possibility that your key will not be functional, and you’ll need to buy a new one.

Can I Put A Wet Key Fob In Rice?

If your key fob is wet, rice might be an ideal option to dry it out. It’s a simple answer: you can place wet keys into rice to dry it—however, a few things to remember when you take it this way.

The first step is to ensure you have the fob’s key off before placing it in the rice. If it’s switched on, there’s a possibility that the rice may cause damage to the electronic components inside. Second, don’t use uncooked rice.

Rice cooked with cooking will retain more water and speed up drying. Third, you should give your key fob ample time to dry before you use it again completely. Incubating it in rice for 24 hours will be enough to achieve the goal.

When your fob’s keychain is wet, don’t fret; the rice will assist! Switch it off initially and allow enough time to dry completely before you use it again.

My Keys Got Wet, And Now My Car Won’t Start

If you’ve had the misfortune of dropping keys in a lake or puddle and experienced the sinking sensation that comes with it. If those keys are attached to your car’s key fob, you think your vehicle might be in danger, too. It’s not a reason to fret.

If it wasn’t salt water, which is known to damage electronic parts, your vehicle has likely sustained any permanent damage. In the majority of instances, all you need be able to dry the key fob, then give it a few whacks on a smooth surface (like tables) to get rid of any water that might be leaking into the internal workings. Once you’ve finished that, start your car usually.

If it’s not working initially, try again – it may take a couple of attempts to get the signal from your key fob to get through to the computer in your car. If, after a few tries, the car doesn’t start, then there may be some issue in one or more of the sensors inside your ignition system, and you’ll be required to take it to the dealer to have it checked. A few minutes of drying can likely fix the issue, so you’ll return to driving within minutes!

The Impact of Water Damage on Car Keys

Car keys are a vital part of our life, offering our automobiles access and convenience. However, exposure to water may cause damage to keys to cars, rendering them inoperable or creating additional issues. We will look at the consequences of water damage to car keys and then discuss ways to stop and deal with the problem.

Understanding Water Damage

The damage can occur when car keys are exposed to water via accidental immersion, rain, or other water source. Water may seep into the key fob or remote for keyless entry and cause internal components to fail or corrode. The severity of the damage is determined by the length that the key is exposed to, as well as the amount of water and the construction of the key.

Key fob components: Key fobs are typically made up of electronic circuits, batteries, buttons, and internal wiring. If water is introduced into the inside of the key fob, it may damage the circuitry, short-circuit the battery, or trigger problems with the button. In time the damage could get worse, leading to a complete failure in the fob’s key.
Keyless Entry Remotes: Keyless entry remotes, which are often included in car keys, work by using radio frequencies. Water damage can alter these signals, which can cause problems with locking, unlocking, or even starting the vehicle. Short-circuiting or corrosion within the remote for keyless entry can result in malfunctions, rendering it useless.

Effects of Water Damage

On Car Keys Water damage can cause various problems to car keys, affecting their performance and reliability. Knowing the effects will help car owners recognize and fix water damage quickly.

Key Fobs that aren’t responsive: Water damage may result in critical fobs becoming inactive or not responding. Buttons might not be recognized when pressed, and the key fob could not unlock or even start the car. This can cause annoyance and discontent for car owners.
Erratic behavior: Damage to the water can result in unpredictable behavior of remotes that do not have keys. Keys can work sporadically, responding to commands with irregularity. In some instances, keyless keys could be ineffective, stopping accessibility to your vehicle.
Battery Drainage: Damage to the battery by water can cause the storm of a key fob to drain quickly. This can be caused by the short-circuiting process or the constant power consumption due to internal corrosion. Auto owners might notice that their batteries require regular replacement or that the key fob does not work despite replacing it.
Internal and external damage: Water can cause corrosion to the electronic components in car keys, such as the contacts and circuits. Pollution can damage electrical connections and affect the function of the key. If it is dealt with quickly, the internal problem can improve, which makes repairs or replacements necessary.

Preventive Measures

Implementing preventive measures can keep keys in the car safe from water damage and maintain their function. The following steps can drastically reduce the chance of water damage:

Critical Cases that are Waterproof: Make sure you purchase waterproof keys or covers specially designed for car keys. These cases add an extra layer of protection from water and prevent direct contact between your key and the moisture.
Secure Storage: Don’t leave car keys in areas that are susceptible to exposure to water, for example, close to pools, sinks, or open windows. Keep the keys dry in secure areas far away from any water sources.
Use of an umbrella: Use an umbrella or any other cover during rainy weather to protect keys in cars from contact directly with water. If your key gets wet, ensure it is dry before use.

FAQs

Can I swim with my car key?

Place the key in a sealed bag and put inside a tow float. Get a copy of the key without the electronic part and use to drive to the beach (won’t work with cars that require the electronic key to be nearby to start), then tie to your swimsuit.

How do surfers keep their car keys dry?

You can bury them in the sand or camouflage them under a plastic bag, towel, or rock. Ideally, you should be able to spot your car keys from the surf to make sure no one steals them.

Can a key float on water?

A metal key is heavier than water, it will sink in it. A wooden cork, a leaf, and a sheet of paper is lighter than water. Hence, they will float on it.