"card" Fob

[gafear]

Anyone found a way to dismantle the FOB and create a credit card like version (like the model Y/3)?

It would be nice to keep it on the walet whenever I need to use valet. I tried to use valet last week with the code, the valet looked confused and told me it was easier for me to just park at the front of the restaurant lol..

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[timbop]

The tesla card is passively powered - you have to touch the car with it to read the card. The Ford fob is battery powered, so you would need at least the thickness of the battery and circuits. In other words, it won't be the same nor practical.

 

[kulaga]

Wait, I know... a low tech PAAK - Make a cell phone case with the fob hardware. ?

 

[OH2AZ2OH]

The tesla card is passively powered - you have to touch the car with it to read the card. The Ford fob is battery powered, so you would need at least the thickness of the battery and circuits. In other words, it won't be the same nor practical.

I agree, there's no way to shrink the fob to the size of a credit card. But, I am interested in how much that gigantic fob could be shrunk. Obviously, the key blank is entirely useless for the MME, which I think is could result in a straightforward 20% size reduction. There's no way I'm going to tear open my one and only fob, but I thought about buying one somewhere (preferably cheap) just to tear apart to see how small it could be possible to make.

 

[praxiscat]

I hope not, those cards are one of the worst parts of a Tesla.

 

[timbop]

I agree, there's no way to shrink the fob to the size of a credit card. But, I am interested in how much that gigantic fob could be shrunk. Obviously, the key blank is entirely useless for the MME, which I think is could result in a straightforward 20% size reduction. There's no way I'm going to tear open my one and only fob, but I thought about buying one somewhere (preferably cheap) just to tear apart to see how small it could be possible to make.

I think much of the size is to accommodate the buttons and to "feel" right in one's hands, so if you just wanted a buttonless transmitter to get in the car it could be much smaller. But it still needs to be somewhat rigid and thick enough for the button cell battery

 

[BMT1071]

Disassembly is easy enough. I'd guess an ambitious 3D printer owner could end up with something 1/3-1/2 the current thickness and 3/4 of the length.

 

[Marcel]

It would be great to have a bluetooth transmitter and battery in a small package like a KAAK, no buttons just handsfree like a key/phone approach.
Maybe like a Apple AirTag??

 

[phil]

I hope not, those cards are one of the worst parts of a Tesla.

Really? Seems like it would be a nice feature. I wish Ford offered a key card.

Of course, it would need to work properly...

 

[phidauex]

It seems like something someone should offer, but I’ve done a fair amount of searching and can’t find anything… I’m thinking just a “minimal” fob with no buttons, the transmitter and battery. It wouldn’t be as thin as an RFID card, but I’m sure it could be 1/5th the size of the giant Ford fob.

 

[New2EV]

You'd have to have 2 other FOBs to program it to your car yourself. I doubt any dealer would program a "customized" FOB for you. Aftermarket FOBs run $30-$40 online. Doesn't seem like it would be that hard to take one apart and 3d print a holder to keep the battery and board together. I've thought about trying it.

 

[Kabish]

I think the card idea is cool, wife’s Hyundai has one. Her car came with two fobs, a card, and the app. Options, like a company should provide.

Another cool thing you can do with those is use a ring. They sell a “Tesla” ring that seems to work pretty well. Just have to use it in the right orientation.

 

[New2EV]

My aftermarket FOB came in today. I programmed it to my car (using my 2 other FOBs) before dismantling it. Seems like it could be made a little smaller. Key will be to make it strong enough not to break in my pocket without adding a lot of unnecessary bulk. I'll work on it some this weekend.

 

[Marcel]

@New2EV no buttons, just keyless entry is your goal?

 

[TTT]

You could certainly substitute a smaller battery so long as the voltage is correct, especially if you are never going to use the higher power transmitter and just the short range lower power loop.

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