Alexei Volkov
Plastic emergency car keys were once a common occurrence, especially in the 1980s and 1990s, when locking oneself out of the car was a frequent issue. They were often provided by AAA to their members and came in the form of a credit card-like stencil with a key attached by a flexible plastic hinge. While they were intended for emergency use only, some people used them regularly, although the plastic material was not designed for regular use and could deform after a few uses. Today, most cars have transponder keys or keyless systems, making simple plastic keys less useful. However, some people still find them handy to keep as a backup in their wallets.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are plastic emergency car keys legal? | Yes |
| Why were they used? | To unlock and start the car in case of emergencies, such as locking the real key inside the car or losing the real key |
| Were they durable? | No, the plastic material would not hold up to regular use and could deform or break after a few uses |
| Where could you get them? | They were offered by AAA to their members, car companies used to provide them with new cars, and they could be purchased at hardware stores and locksmiths |
| Are they still available? | Yes, they can be found on eBay and possibly at hardware stores and locksmiths |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic emergency car keys are intended for one-time use only
- They are marked for emergency use only as they can damage the lock
- They are useful in case you lock your keys in the car or lose them
- They were offered by AAA to their members in the past
- They are not very common today, but you can buy them for classic cars
Plastic emergency car keys are intended for one-time use only
Plastic emergency car keys are typically intended for one-time use only. They are designed to be used in emergency situations, such as when a driver locks their keys inside the car or loses their primary keys. Due to the soft nature of the plastic material, these keys can deform or break after a few uses, rendering them ineffective for regular use.
The idea of a plastic emergency car key originated from the days before central locking when it was common for drivers to lock themselves out of their cars. These keys were often provided by companies like AAA to their members as a backup option. They were designed to be thin and flexible, resembling a credit card with a key-shaped stencil in the middle, connected by a flexible plastic hinge.
While plastic emergency car keys may not be as common today, they can still be useful in certain situations. For example, if a driver has a modern car with an immobilizer, the car won't start without the presence of the keyfob chip. In this case, a plastic emergency key can be used to unlock the door and retrieve the primary keys locked inside.
It is important to note that plastic emergency car keys are not meant to replace regular car keys. They are intended for temporary access to the vehicle in emergency situations only. Using them excessively or as a primary key can cause the plastic to leave debris inside the lock, leading to potential jamming issues.
Some car manufacturers, such as Audi, have included plastic emergency keys with their vehicles. These keys can be cut to match the original car key and stored in the glove compartment or wallet for easy access during emergencies. However, with the advancement of technology, newer cars are now equipped with keyless entry systems or transponder keys, reducing the likelihood of being locked out and requiring a physical key.
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They are marked for emergency use only as they can damage the lock
Plastic emergency car keys are marked for "emergency use only" because they are not durable enough for regular use. The plastic material can be deformed by metal lock components after just a couple of uses, and in extreme cases, or if used excessively, the key can leave debris inside the lock, causing it to jam.
While these plastic keys may not be suitable for everyday use, they can be extremely useful in emergency situations, such as when a driver locks their keys inside the car or loses their primary key. In these cases, a plastic emergency key can be used to unlock the car door and, in some cases, even start the car.
The relevance of plastic emergency keys has diminished in recent years with the increasing prevalence of keyless entry systems and transponder keys, which require a specific microchip to unlock and start the car. However, for older car models without these modern features, plastic emergency keys can still be a valuable backup option.
It is worth noting that some organizations, like AAA, used to offer plastic backup keys to their members, but this practice appears to have been discontinued. Nowadays, individuals with classic cars from the 80s or 90s can purchase these types of keys from places like eBay and have them cut to match their car's locks.
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They are useful in case you lock your keys in the car or lose them
Plastic emergency car keys are useful in case you lock your keys in the car or lose them. They are typically cut to match an individual's car key and mounted on a card that can be folded out and inserted into the lock. While they may not be durable enough for regular use, they can be handy in emergencies.
Some car manufacturers used to include plastic emergency keys with their vehicles. For example, Audi provided plastic keys with some of their models, and Ford offered an Uncut Ford Credit Card Emergency Key that could be cut to match the owner's Ford key. Additionally, organisations like AAA previously offered plastic backup keys to their members.
Having a plastic emergency key can be beneficial if you lock your keys in your car. In the past, locking oneself out of a car was a common occurrence, often happening when locking the car from the inside before shutting the door and realising the keys were still inside. A plastic emergency key stored in a wallet or elsewhere could provide a quick solution in such situations.
Plastic emergency keys can also be useful if you lose your primary car keys. They can help you access your vehicle and, in some cases, even start the engine. However, modern cars with immobilisers require the presence of the keyfob chip to start, limiting the functionality of a plastic key.
While plastic emergency keys may not be as prevalent today due to advancements in car technology, they can still be purchased for certain classic car models from the 1980s and 1990s. These can be found on websites like eBay and cut to match the specific car.
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They were offered by AAA to their members in the past
Plastic emergency car keys were offered by AAA to their members in the past. This was mentioned in a 2015 Reddit post, with some users recalling that they had one of these keys for their first cars, which they used in the late 1990s. Another user mentions that they saw this on the 1990s show Moesha, where the character used the AAA card key in Mexico when they lost their car keys.
AAA offered these plastic backup keys to their members, which could be used to tow a friend's car as long as the member was in the car. Members could also call AAA and ask for a ride, and their request would be fulfilled as long as it was not unreasonable.
These plastic emergency keys were useful in emergencies, such as when individuals locked their real keys inside the car or lost them. They could be used to open the car door and, once inserted into the holder in the glove box, start the car. However, some users expressed doubts about their usefulness due to the torque required by car locks and ignition switches. The plastic material might not hold up to regular use and could deform or break with excessive use or age.
While AAA offered these plastic backup keys in the past, it is unclear if they still provide this service to their members. The discussion on Reddit spans from 2015 to 2022, with some users expressing disappointment that they did not receive a plastic backup key when they joined AAA.
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They are not very common today, but you can buy them for classic cars
Plastic emergency car keys are not very common today, but they were certainly more prevalent in the past. Back in the days before central locking, it was fairly common to lock yourself out of your car. Plastic emergency keys were a solution to this problem. They were typically designed as a credit card with a key-shaped stencil in the middle, connected to the card by a flexible plastic hinge. This allowed the key to be bent out of the rectangle and into the lock.
While they may not be common today, plastic emergency keys can still be purchased for classic cars. If you own a vintage vehicle from the 80s or 90s, you can find these keys on eBay and have them cut to match your car's locks. They are a fun novelty item for car enthusiasts and can be a conversation starter at car shows.
It's worth noting that plastic emergency keys are intended for occasional use. The plastic material is not as durable as metal and can deform after a few uses, potentially leaving debris in the lock. Therefore, these keys are marked for ""emergency use only." However, some people have reported using them multiple times without issues.
In addition to purchasing them separately, plastic emergency keys were also offered as a membership perk by AAA in the past. Some car owners found these keys useful, especially when locking their keys in the car or losing them. However, others questioned their usefulness due to the concern that the plastic might break or not provide enough torque to operate the locks.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic emergency car keys are legal and were common in the 1980s and 1990s. They are intended for emergency use only, as they are made of plastic and may not hold up to regular use.
Plastic emergency car keys were offered by AAA to their members. They can also be purchased from hardware stores, locksmiths, or on eBay.
Plastic emergency car keys are typically cut to match the original car key. They can be used to unlock car doors in the event that the regular keys are locked inside or lost.
Plastic emergency car keys may not be useful for modern cars with immobilizers, which will not start without the keyfob chip present. However, they can be handy in certain emergency situations, such as when keys are locked inside the car.
