I love my little VRS;

BUT I really hate the key fob.

There is little to distinguish the open and close buttons, so you can't see which is which in the dark. I have scratched the close so I can feel the 'close' button, at least then when I press, I am reasonably reassured I have locked the car, rather than opened it a little more. This at least has saved me walking back to the car and ducking down to see whether the little flashing LED has come on before walking away again.

Then there is the remote central locking 'two presses to open all doors' feature. What fool thought this one up??? What purpose does it serve, apart from winding me up? Time , after time, after time I forget to press twice to open the bleedin' passenger door.

Or I think I've pressed it twice, but I've done it too quickly , thereby fooling the daft little processor in the key fob!!

Also, why doesn't it work in the ignition? Why do you have to take it out to press the 'open boot' or press 'twice to open the door round the other side that has the road atlas on the seat that you want to use on your journey, remembered just after starting up the engine, but can't get to because you need to remove the key from the ingnition and press the key fob twice' button!!!!

What really gets my goat is somebody, somewhere was PAID for this Rubiks Revenge of a keyfob!! AAAAHHHHHHHHH!!

Feel better now.

Just get the convienance system recoded for all door unlock.

If you wan to open the boot or other doors flick the CDL button, dont need the remote.

The function to unlock only the driver's door on the first click is to prevent people being able to get into the car when you approach it in a dimly-lit carpark. I think it's a great idea personally.

Took me ages to get used to which button is unlock and which is lock. But the indicators flash once for lock and twice for unlock and I remember which is which by 2 flashes and "unlock" being longer than 1 flash and "lock" - sad I know but it helps me!

And as Lummox says, if you want to open the other doors and boot, just use the button on the armrest on the door, generally more easily accessible than a key in the ignition.

I DO agree about it not being adequately responsive to recognise the second click though...

The 'click twice to open the doors' thing is annoying sometimes if you get the timing wrong. Too fast - it doesn't work...

Too slow - Mrs gets annoyed...

As for the buttons - hmmm.

Three buttons. Middle on is boot. Of the top of my head top = lock, bottom = unlock.

You can tell which one it is by looking at it Also, if the key is 'open' you'll have that to help you work out which direction it's pointing, or if 'closed' you can find the release knob thingy which again helps you work it out.

It kinda becomes second nature.

That said, must admit a keying within the buttons themselves might have been a good addition

Never have a problem with mine - lock at the top of the remote, unlock at the bottom. I have the one-door unlock and actually asked for it I do have a little trouble sometimes getting the timing right if I want all doors open, but big deal. I quite like the key design, like the flick out key and that it feels solid.

And yes, just use the door switch if you want to manually unlock the doors and the boot.

Maybe get one-door unlock taken off at dealers (or someone with VAG-COM) and get the alarm beep feature enabled too, which should help you to know whether the car's locked/unlocked itself?

Simple really

Steve

Never have a problem with mine - lock at the top of the remote' date=' unlock at the bottom. I have the one-door unlock and actually asked for it

Simple really

Steve[/quote']

I have the same type.

Cant find the buttons? Are you having a laugh?!

Never had that problem, and never looked at the fob to find them!

If you dont like how the buttons unlock your car, get the convienance system like Lummox said.

I swear some people just set out to complain about anything they can

I think it's the best key I've ever had with a car.

However I do think the "boot opening" function is somewhat dubious - and risky. Why not just unlock the car and open the boot normally - that avoids the potential risk of locking the keys in the car if you use the "boot" button, put the keys down, then close the boot when it auto relocks.

Don't say only a fool would do that - been there, done that, with my MX-5 - took 4 hours, the AA and a locksmith to resolve...

Also since the key is so tactile, I find myself playing with it all the time in my pocket... Ooh-er...

Don't say only a fool would do that

I wouldnt, I've been close on a number of occasions!

For that reason I just unlock all the doors, not worth the risk!

I've got single button lock/unlock on all doors and the boot.

I've also got single beep on lock and double beep on unlock - no confusion ever.

I love my little VRS;

BUT I really hate the key fob.

There is little to distinguish the open and close buttons' date=' so you can't see which is which in the dark. I have scratched the close so I can feel the 'close' button, at least then when I press, I am reasonably reassured I have locked the car, rather than opened it a little more. This at least has saved me walking back to the car and ducking down to see whether the little flashing LED has come on before walking away again.

Then there is the remote central locking 'two presses to open all doors' feature. What fool thought this one up??? What purpose does it serve, apart from winding me up? Time , after time, after time I forget to press twice to open the bleedin' passenger door.

Or I think I've pressed it twice, but I've done it too quickly , thereby fooling the daft little processor in the key fob!!

Also, why doesn't it work in the ignition? Why do you have to take it out to press the 'open boot' or press 'twice to open the door round the other side that has the road atlas on the seat that you want to use on your journey, remembered just after starting up the engine, but can't get to because you need to remove the key from the ingnition and press the key fob twice' button!!!!

What really gets my goat is somebody, somewhere was PAID for this Rubiks Revenge of a keyfob!! AAAAHHHHHHHHH!!

Feel better now. [/quote']

First of all, change the stoopid little red LED for an ultrabright blue or white one, then you'll see it flashing as it lights up the whole car.

Second, get your car recoded as others have said... You might not like it, but in the state of our society only unlocking the drivers door in dimly lit areas is well advised.

Thirdly, SCRATCHING the remote so you can find the buttons? Have you not tried just looking at it... you can see where the buttons are in relation to the fixed point of the blade release button in daylight... so you should be able to remember where they are in the dark? If you can't remember something like that, how do you remember which pedal is which when the cars in front slow down???

I love the Central Locking on the Fabia...

The single door unlock is a great idea (as previously stated regarding dark car parks at night etc...)

I have also had anti-hijack enabled (locks all the doors after you get to around 10mph and doesn't unlock them until you turn the ignition off - or you crash, whatever is sooner).

In addition to this, I've had the arm/disarm beep enabled so I can be sure I've locked the car without having to look for the red LED flashing.

I love the boot opening function... Very cool, and yes IIRC, you can just hit the Central Locking button on the drivers door to unlock the boot when the car is running...

Regarding the key: Best key I've ever had. Easy for me to learn and very nifty... I suppose that's why it's used over pretty much the whole VAG range... Up to Bentley's I'm told!

Have no problems with only the drivers door being opened with one press. I didn't know that you could get the 'beep' at lock and unlock. Is this available on all models. I have an 04 Fabia Elegance TDI.

If this is available will the dealer charge me for this?

Cheers,

Paul

Have no problems with only the drivers door being opened with one press. I didn't know that you could get the 'beep' at lock and unlock. Is this available on all models. I have an 04 Fabia Elegance TDI.

If this is available will the dealer charge me for this?

Available on all with the alarm I think so yours should be enable-able. Can be done by someone with VAG-COM local to you, or a 2 minute job by the dealer. You can even decide if you just want a beep at lock or a beep at unlock, or both. Down to dealer whether they charge you for it - most probably will not

Chris

I like the central locking on the Fabia, especially the auto-opening/locking boot, and the anti-hijack which is the same as the Clifford alarm I had on my previous car

As others have said, it can be easily tailored to what you want with a VAG-COM or recoding via your local dealer.....

Chris

I cant get the beep to work on mine however i try :(

There is little to distinguish the open and close buttons, so you can't see which is which in the dark.

wtf?

If the key is in your pocket say.. you just feel for where the small button that flicks the key out. The 'Lock' button is just bellow that. I have absolutly no problem finding my buttons, and pressing the right one.

RCe

Scratching your key to find the button! Bit extreme isn

I cant get the beep to work on mine however i try :(

Only the models with the alarm sirens work, I believe. Doesn't the Octy only have an immobiliser?

Chris

Have you scratched the gear stick as well?

I just press all the buttons till the car opens or shuts.Easy

Getting my Dad to have a drive was a laugh. He drives an s reg octavia so he ambles along and undoes the door with the key, takes his seat and jumps out of his skin when the alarm goes off - almost pi**ed myself!

Technology is lost on him.

He then proceeded to 'accidentally' red line it in first. Plonker.

He loves it too - an ageless car! :P

ps the key fob is great, no complaints here. I think it is quite a sophisticated design and is easy to use...

Only the models with the alarm sirens work' date=' I believe. Doesn't the Octy only have an immobiliser?

Chris[/quote']

Arrrrrr yes Chris i guess you are correct, i didn't know if it sounded the horn instead.

Thank you to the helpful people who have made positive comments to my lighthearted rant.

I had no idea you can change the settings on the key fob, the dealer didn't tell me this when I said I didn't like the two clicks system.

Also, the alarm beep. Thank you again, very helpful.

And the door switch to release all doors/boot. Very useful , helpful information. All these little bits of information will make enjoyment of my wonderful little car complete.

This is the type of information sharing a forum such as this should encourage.

As for the people making rude and personal comments; shame on you.

true, the man was only venting some feelings... Shame on you all... tut tut :P

Seriously, i see where you are coming from - but there have been some options given so hopefully you'll go back to loving your motor!