A simple switch located on a car key fob can help motorists to find their lost vehicles in a busy car park – it can be activated in seconds but many people don’t know about it
Motorists can now easily track down their lost petrol and diesel vehicles in a packed car park just by hitting a simple button on their key fobs.
Just whack the “panic button switch” and it’ll set off the car’s alarm in a flash, making it easy to spot your ride amidst a sea of motors. Gabriel Hambleton from Gold Label Car Care is encouraging the tip as a way to improve safety levels.
It helps you pinpoint where you’ve parked, and could even be a lifesaver if you need to warn others about danger nearby. He pointed out: “Key fobs also commonly feature a panic button designed to activate emergency alert systems.”
Hammering home the usefulness of this feature, he added: “This button, usually marked clearly, triggers the car’s alarm when pressed. It can help you locate your car in a crowded car park or alert others to a potential danger nearby.
“Knowing how to use this can add an extra layer of safety and convenience.” But beware, these tricks can sometimes go pear-shaped. If your car starts kicking up a fuss with the alarm blaring for no reason, RAC experts say it might be your key fob battery having problems.
Fear not though, because a replacement is a cheap and cheerful fix – you’ll find them at plenty of shops, and they won’t break the bank either.
The RAC shed light on the issue, stating: “You may also be suffering from key fob issues. If your car uses a remote key fob to activate the alarm, it’s possible that the fob’s battery is low or that the fob itself is malfunctioning. Replace the battery and see if that resolves it.”
They added: “Sometimes, interference from other electronic devices such as smartphones or other key fobs can cause your car alarm to go off.”
It’s worth noting that having a fully functional car horn is not just a safety measure but a legal requirement too, reports the Express. Horns serve as an essential tool for alerting others of potential hazards, thereby helping to prevent accidents.
Halfords said: “Little do many motorists know, but it’s a legal requirement to have a fully-working car horn, and a faulty or non-existent horn will result in a failed MOT. If the horn is not working in your car, Halfords has a great range of car horns for sale.”
