[mcv]

Short range isn't necessarily bad. Modern cars unlock automatically if you try to open the door while the keyfob is in range, so long range could mean someone could unlock your car while you're out of sight.

I don't know if that system uses the same range as when you press the button on the keyfob, but I have read about a hack (probably here) where thieves used a transmitter to extend the range of both the car and the keyfob to unlock the car while the owner is out of sight. That's easier to do the longer the range is.

[HnUser12]

I don't know the inner workings of the fob, but my car has a pretty long range when unlocking with the key fob click, but the automatic unlock without click(keyless entry) works only when I'm next to the handle. It doesn't work even if I'm at the back of the car and someone tries to unlock driver door.

[dtgriscom]

> Modern cars unlock automatically if you try to open the door while the keyfob is in range

Oh, no. Yet another reason not to buy a new car. (Hope it can be disabled in the preferences somewhere.)

Technology trying to guess what I want is almost never a good thing. It'll get it right 80% of the time, but that last 20% is a killer, and means I'll have to monitor it carefully all the time.

My aunt had an older Prius, and sometimes when she locked it and walked away it would still see the fob and unlock itself. She had to carefully sneak away from the car to make sure it stayed locked.