Leaving key in ignition

[beerandchips]

Not in the ignition but in the glovebox when stored in the garage and not riding.

 

[Saluda]

My Spyder is garaged and I never leave the key in it. Why make it easier to steal regardless of the odds ?

 

[redrazor]

My key is always in the ignition except when on a ride and stopped for lunch or overnight at motels. At home, it's in a locked shed, key in, parking brake off.

:agree: Me Too. :thumbup:

 

[Knizar]

Keys and locks: Keeps an honest person from messing with it, just slows down a thief. Depends on your vicinity in this world,
but crime in the country is getting worse. To each their own, personally I don't lock anything up at home, bad enough your
property is missing, then you have to fix broken doors and windows too.... JMHO ....Bill

 

[Saluda]

Well I figure the thieves will hit you guys before me.

 

[Haze]

I only take the key out when on a ride and stop to leave the bike unattended.
My Spyder is in a locked garage otherwise and the key stays in the ignition.

 

[Bensonoid]

Does anyone leave their keys in their car's ignition when it's parked in the garage? Why?

I do, in case the garage or vehicle catches fire I want to maybe have a chance to move it out as quickly as possible.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Can it cause problems? IT SURE CAN! :shocked: But not because of the chip per se tho... :lecturef_smilie:

If you leave the key in the ignition, the little 'rain flap' that springs into place to protect the cylinder from any water entry while the key is out won't work & you'll likely be directing any rain &/or condensation that forms overnight down the open hatch & along the channels in the key directly into the works of the cylinder! :shocked: And as surprising as that may seem, even the smallest amount of condensation &/or rain in the cylinder can create some fairly significant issues in there, or in the ignition wiring.....

:agree: plus I always take mine out after I park it ..... and leave it 6 inches from the Ignition switch .... I read here that removing and moving the key allows a complete Re-Boot of the ECU .....Mike :thumbup:

 

[pegasus1300]

Well I do leave my key in the ignition much of the time including when parked on a ride I just put mu gloves over them. In 6 years no one has bothered it. I also leave it in my driveway with the key in it and a cover over the Spyder and no problems.

 

[Mikey]

My key comes out when the bikes out in the weather, in my garage it stays in, even when the bike in winter storage, tender on battery, key in the ignition! No problems yet!!

 

[BryanSD]

Good discussion as I always wondered too about the whole key/chip possibly causing battery or startup issues. Good to know there is no impact. With regards to the practice of leaving the key in the ignition when in the garage...wouldn't recommend it if you have a child or grandchild in the house. Years ago we had an ATV stored in our third stall backed into the side of the wall and pointing to the side of my truck. We hadn't used it in awhile and I couldn't get started. While doing yard work in the back, my 12 year old son decided to "help me out" in hopes of surprising me that he could get the ATV started. Well you guessed it, he got the ATV started, revved it up, and somehow managed to pop it out of neutral. Damage to my side doors and door frame on my truck was $3500! Since then, I don't leave my keys in my Spyders and other toys.

Given the amount of force my son took off in that ATV, I'm just glad he wasn't hurt. We joke about it now (well he may not but I do) that he caused his car accident before he actually drove a car.

 

[vito1943]

Even a locked garage is less secure than a locked house. I never leave ignition keys in any of my vehicles.

 

[Lew L]

Even a locked garage is less secure than a locked house. I never leave ignition keys in any of my vehicles.

+1....

 

[Northofthesix]

Whenever my spyder is at home in the garage the key hangs on a lanyard (actually both keys, on seperate lanyards) inside the front door of the house. Never have to worry about looking for it when it has become such an ingrained habit. The keys for my car, along with those for my wife's and sons' cars all hang on hooks at the back door so that they are far away from the vehicles to avoid potental theft via RF crooks.

 

[RayBJ]

Not understanding how removing the key in a locked space would stop a thief. If a thief is gonna break into a locked garage or shed why would not having the key in the ignition prevent stealing :hun:? Easy enough to release the parking brake without power on and not likely they would start the engine as they rolled it away.

I suppose if I lived in a sketchy area, I could see the need to wire 120v to the door handle. :yikes:

 

[thereverend]

I do, and i like it.

 

[Longtimer]

I am wondering what the insurance company would say if it is stolen out of garge or other places with the key left in it unattended?? Just a thought

 

[2dogs]

I am wondering what the insurance company would say if it is stolen out of garge or other places with the key left in it unattended?? Just a thought

Can't believe how many people here on this site have never experienced a theft. One of the things a burglar looks for is where their victim keeps their vehicle keys. If I intend to leave my house for an overnight occasion, I lock my keys, all of them, in the safe.

 

[beerandchips]

Let us also not forget folks that most burglars are not smart enough to know how to actually start these things and get them to go.

Steve

 

[PGDoug]

I would be checking with my insurance company if they will honour the policy if the key is left in the ignition . Just my nickle on the subject .