My 2011 Sonata SE is the first car that I've owned with a smart key and a push button ignition(which I love). But I have a dumb question about the smart key. I normally keep the smart key in my purse. I'm going to give my baby its first bath, excuse me, I mean take the car for its first car wash this weekend. Do I have to leave the smart key in the car (it's the kind of car wash where the workers clean the interior before they move the car into the wash)? If I walk away with the smart key, will the guys be able to shift the car into N and then back into D and then P? Will the lights and horn start going off like the car is being stolen?

See, I told you this was a dumb question. Thanks for the help.

 

I'm guessing yours is not the first keyless car to go through the wash. I would simply ask them what others do as you hand off the car.

 

Put the thing (smart key) in the dock and let them go about their work.. You walk away with the key, how they going to do their job ?

 

Well, to be honest, I don't think that any of the workers at the car wash I use speak English.

 

Dock? Where, exactly, on the 2011 Sonata SE is there a dock for the smart key?

 

I would suggest reading pages 4-6 thru 4-11 of the owners manual.

 

Thanks. Page 5-10 shows the smart key holder in the center console. Not a well-organized owners' manual, I got to say.

 

My reply was about giving the key to the carwash attendant, not about the dock. Pages 4-6 thru 4-11 that I mentioned were about removing the mechanical key from the smart key fob so a valet (or carwash attendant) can't access your trunk or glovebox. But yes, page 5-10 does show the smart key dock.

The manual has lots of good info about the car.

If you don't feel the manual is well organized might I suggest the Index located at the back of the manual on pages I-1 thru I-10. Specifically page I-6 under the title "K" for "Key".

 

First time I valet parked I ran off with the key in my purse like a dummy. Fortunately the guy knew me and parked it up front so I could get to it. I don't forget anymore but had not read the part about removing the key to the glove box. Guess I'd better heed my own advice-"When all else fails read the instructions"