Advice on key and tracker

[Stark999]

Had conflicting advice - should you or should you not carry the tracking device with your key or not?

Need someone to explain to me what works how and where please

Thank you

[BiggaJ]

I have two keys with two trackers ... each tracker is fitted on key ring with each key. Both keys remain in a Faraday box. I once forgot the tracker and drove the car, within a mile I had Vodafone calling me to ask if the car was OK etc.hence, why I have the keys and trackers on the same key ring now.

In fact last night I used the car to drive to the gym, key and tracker together but when I arrived at the venue, Vodafone called me to ask if the car had been stolen. I had to go through a series of validation questions to prove who I was and then proceeded to tell them where the car was now which they confirmed. Turned out they had seen some intermittent transmission from the tracker. I have never had this before.

I find my tracker batteries last about 1 year and then need replacing. When doing this, you then have to have both trackers with you in the car when calling them to make sure they can reset things.

Edited by BiggaJ on Wednesday 18th February 12:07

[alscar]

Stark999 said:

Had conflicting advice - should you or should you not carry the tracking device with your key or not?

Need someone to explain to me what works how and where please

Thank you

Depending on what sort of tracker you have - I assume it’s like the small Vodafone ( previously Cobra ) small black fobs - obviously if the Cat 5 version then you need to carry them with you when in the car but at home I keep ours separate from the keys.

[alscar]

BiggaJ said:

I find my tracker batteries last about 1 year and then need replacing. When doing this, you then have to have both trackers with you in the car when calling them to make sure they can reset things.

Edited by BiggaJ on Wednesday 18th February 12:07

What tracker fobs are these ?
I’ve replaced batteries numerous times as you say for multiple cars over the years but never once needed to call Vodafone and tell them !
There is nothing to actually reset in the fobs themselves - the health check their system performs is with the tracker units themselves.

[Stark999]

Or shouldn’t you carry both on yourself. One the key obviously and the tracker elsewhere, otherwise if both attached they could take both and they wouldn’t be shown as separated

[alscar]

Stark999 said:

Or shouldn t you carry both on yourself. One the key obviously and the tracker elsewhere, otherwise if both attached they could take both and they wouldn t be shown as separated

Yes would always carry separately.
If someone steals your keys why make it easy for them and defeat the whole point of having a hidden tracker.

[LooneyTunes]

Stark999 said:

Or shouldn t you carry both on yourself. One the key obviously and the tracker elsewhere, otherwise if both attached they could take both and they wouldn t be shown as separated

The tracker fob needs to be with you in the car, but you shouldn’t just leave it in there or attach it to the key fob that holds your actual key… otherwise it defeats the whole object of the exercise. That said, the main dealer I bought MrsLT’s Bentley from gives you pouches to do exactly that!

[LTP]

To be clear, I have the Vodafone system in my 2015 V8V (used to be called "CobraTrak", I think) with the separate little black fobs with the flashing LED as shown below


Tracker fob open for battery replacement

This is what I do (your mileage may vary)

• I have two fobs, one in use and one tuned off in a safe at home. If the battery goes flat in the one in use I just swap them
• I never, ever keep my tracker fob with my key - even in the house. Lose both together and someone could steal your car and Vodafone wouldn't know
• I never have the tracker fob lose in the car - it lives in a pocket in my clothing, usually trousers.
• I never give my fob with the key if the car is being repaired or serviced; I tell Vodafone to disable the tracking system alerts (they'll still know where the car is and that it isn't with a fob or at home)
• To save battery life I turn off the "in use" fob when I'm at home and the car is garaged. I turn it on before I get the car out of the garage.
• I never put the fob in my jacket and put it in the boot - I did that once and 2 miles into my journey got a call from Vodafone asking if the car had been stolen
• I keep the fob and my phone away from each other - I think the phone can block the fob signal and create a false alarm (might explain the point above as my phone was also in my jacket)

I did once get a call from Vodafone asking if the car was at the registered address as they couldn't see it. It was in the garage, so the Vodafone agent said I might have to move the car out so their system could locate it. As I was about to get the key with him still on the phone he told me not to bother, everything was OK and they could now "see" the car again.

[alscar]

By and large what LTP has taken the time to type out I also do with a few exceptions.
When the battery in my fob needs replacing I do just that so the spare remains unused in the safe.
I always keep the fob on.
I leave the fob in use when in for a service as even with letting Vodafone know sometimes doesn’t stop them calling you when for instance the car goes on a lift.
If a fob is too much hassle then worth considering the slightly less “ secure “ system of a Cat 7.
I put this one on my new Dark Horse which as a daily I just wanted the lack of hassle when I grabbed the keys to go out !

[BiggaJ]

alscar said:

BiggaJ said:

I find my tracker batteries last about 1 year and then need replacing. When doing this, you then have to have both trackers with you in the car when calling them to make sure they can reset things.

Edited by BiggaJ on Wednesday 18th February 12:07

What tracker fobs are these ?
I ve replaced batteries numerous times as you say for multiple cars over the years but never once needed to call Vodafone and tell them !
There is nothing to actually reset in the fobs themselves - the health check their system performs is with the tracker units themselves.

Mine are the same as the ones LTP shows in his post .... Vodafone have always told me to sit in the car with both fobs and call them to reset them when I replace batteries. I didn't do it the other week as I couldn't get them to answer the phone and then I had the odd issue last night when I arrived at the gym. So later today I will try calling them to have both reset.

[alscar]

BiggaJ said:

Mine are the same as the ones LTP shows in his post .... Vodafone have always told me to sit in the car with both fobs and call them to reset them when I replace batteries. I didn't do it the other week as I couldn't get them to answer the phone and then I had the odd issue last night when I arrived at the gym. So later today I will try calling them to have both reset.

Those are the standard ones but as I said earlier there is nothing for them to reset ?
They are simply batteries that make the fob able to act as a driver recognition device.
Would be interesting to hear their reasoning behind their need for you to call them ?

[BiggaJ]

alscar said:

BiggaJ said:

Mine are the same as the ones LTP shows in his post .... Vodafone have always told me to sit in the car with both fobs and call them to reset them when I replace batteries. I didn't do it the other week as I couldn't get them to answer the phone and then I had the odd issue last night when I arrived at the gym. So later today I will try calling them to have both reset.

Those are the standard ones but as I said earlier there is nothing for them to reset ?
They are simply batteries that make the fob able to act as a driver recognition device.
Would be interesting to hear their reasoning behind their need for you to call them ?

Odd, I shall ask them next time I manage to get hold of them.

[alscar]

BiggaJ said:

alscar said:

BiggaJ said:

Mine are the same as the ones LTP shows in his post .... Vodafone have always told me to sit in the car with both fobs and call them to reset them when I replace batteries. I didn't do it the other week as I couldn't get them to answer the phone and then I had the odd issue last night when I arrived at the gym. So later today I will try calling them to have both reset.

Those are the standard ones but as I said earlier there is nothing for them to reset ?
They are simply batteries that make the fob able to act as a driver recognition device.
Would be interesting to hear their reasoning behind their need for you to call them ?

Odd, I shall ask them next time I manage to get hold of them.

Slightly more concerned that they don’t answer the phone !
Perhaps next time they don’t ,press 2 or whatever the menu says and speak to the Theft team.

[s p a c e m a n]

Not an Aston but the same style of tracker. I keep the fobs on my house keys and store the house keys separately from the vehicle keys at home. If I leave the house then I'll never forget the fobs, if someone takes anything with a tracker in it they won't have the fobs unless they find the house keys

[EVR]

s p a c e m a n said:

Not an Aston but the same style of tracker. I keep the fobs on my house keys and store the house keys separately from the vehicle keys at home. If I leave the house then I'll never forget the fobs, if someone takes anything with a tracker in it they won't have the fobs unless they find the house keys

Just dropping by to say your nickname is hilarious!

[LTP]

BiggaJ said:

Mine are the same as the ones LTP shows in his post .... Vodafone have always told me to sit in the car with both fobs and call them to reset them when I replace batteries. I didn't do it the other week as I couldn't get them to answer the phone and then I had the odd issue last night when I arrived at the gym. So later today I will try calling them to have both reset.

I've often changed the batteries in my fobs in the 7 years I've had my V8V and have never called Vodafone. As I said earlier, I also turn the fobs off when I'm not in the car and, apart from that one odd phone call, the tracker system works fine.

[BiggaJ]

LTP said:

BiggaJ said:

Mine are the same as the ones LTP shows in his post .... Vodafone have always told me to sit in the car with both fobs and call them to reset them when I replace batteries. I didn't do it the other week as I couldn't get them to answer the phone and then I had the odd issue last night when I arrived at the gym. So later today I will try calling them to have both reset.

I've often changed the batteries in my fobs in the 7 years I've had my V8V and have never called Vodafone. As I said earlier, I also turn the fobs off when I'm not in the car and, apart from that one odd phone call, the tracker system works fine.

Just to update everyone, I’ve literally just come off the phone with Vodafone Tracking.

When I bought the car from AM Nottingham, I was told that if the tracker fob batteries ever needed changing, it’s best to speak to Vodafone afterwards to make sure the system can still see the fobs.

Recently, I got a notification saying the batteries were running low, so I replaced both. I then tried to get hold of Vodafone but couldn’t get through. A few days later, they called me to say the tracker signal had been intermittent and asked if everything was OK with the car.

Everything was fine. I’d just been driving between home and the gym. The route I use does have poor phone signal in places, but I’ve never had Vodafone call me about that before. That’s why I wondered if it might be linked to not speaking to them after changing the batteries.

I’ve now spoken to them properly. Apparently, you need to be in the car with both fobs. I specifically asked why this was necessary. I was told that once the batteries are replaced, the fobs and tracker may need to “relearn” their protocols. How quickly you swap the batteries can make a difference.

There’s a red light on the fob that flashes roughly every four seconds. If you manage to change the battery between flashes, the fob may not register that power was lost and everything should continue working as normal. If it takes longer than a few seconds, it’s best to contact Vodafone so they can reset or re-pair the fobs with the tracker.

I’m just passing on what I was told. Don’t shoot the messenger.

[V8 Minotaur]

Good to know - thank you

[alscar]

No shooting and if you have a look at the instructions for battery changing it does indeed say you may need to contact customer services.
In reality I think this is just a myth.
There is no way you can change the battery that quickly in any event especially as you tend not to change until the red light doesn’t flash.
Whether Vodafone contact you to say the battery is getting low I also think is a bit and miss and for some cars it comes almost to the day at 12 months and others no contact at all.
Personally I remain sceptical that they can actually even tell when the battery is getting low.
The last 10 cars or so have all had the same Tracker system so I’ve changed batteries probably a minimum of at least 20 times and even have a diary note to change them at 12 months.
Not once have I ever received a call post.

[BiggaJ]

alscar said:

No shooting and if you have a look at the instructions for battery changing it does indeed say you may need to contact customer services.
In reality I think this is just a myth.
There is no way you can change the battery that quickly in any event especially as you tend not to change until the red light doesn t flash.
Whether Vodafone contact you to say the battery is getting low I also think is a bit and miss and for some cars it comes almost to the day at 12 months and others no contact at all.
Personally I remain sceptical that they can actually even tell when the battery is getting low.
The last 10 cars or so have all had the same Tracker system so I ve changed batteries probably a minimum of at least 20 times and even have a diary note to change them at 12 months.
Not once have I ever received a call post.

Who knows, I take the view that I would prefer to know the system works and they can see my tracker on their system. It's worth a phone call but also odd that they call me when the batteries in my fobs were changed a few days before getting a call from them to ask if the car was OK given some odd connection/glitches. Personally, I'm glad they did call as I had forgotten to give them a call back after trying twice when I changed the batteries.