I want to hide a spare key in one of those magnetic 'hide-a-key' boxes. I was wondering if the PATS chip is sensitive to magnetic influence? Does anyone know if the chips can be damaged by a magnet?

 

I dont think they would be, but not 100% sure.

 

why do you want a hide a key?

Just in case you lock your keys inside?

just get a regular key cut and put in there, that is what I have done.

 

No, they are not magnetically sensitive. However, you can kill one by microwaving it or exposing it to 100+ watts of direct RF energy. Which none of you guys would be getting close to on a regular basis (at least I hope not...).

 

...because I park my truck almost a mile from my office and I have found myself at the truck trying to find my keys when I realize my keys are sitting on my desk. A hidden key solves that problem. I can always wait till tomorrow to retrieve them.

 

ManualF150:

Is that a reference to manual shift?

 

What are you talking about?! My post or my username?

 

Username

 

Yes it is related to manual shift F150s...

 

Not many of us left, I'd suspect. Ford has now quit installing manual shift in F-150's as of 09 model year. My 97 was a 5 speed and so is my 06. My next one will either be a f-250 or whatever I can get a 5 speed in. sigh... Maybe I'll have to buy a dump truck.

 

I had a '99 with a 5 speed scab... I miss it.

But my '07 is a 5 speed too... I love it...

 

I would hide the key inside and like mentioned above get a flat key made that you can keep in your wallet to open the door. Then you wouldn't have to worry about the hide-a-key not being there when you need it, or even worse, someone else finding your hiding place. I have known cases where both of these have happened. A friend of mine is a locksmith that makes a pretty good living opening cars with hidden keys, that can no longer be found.