snagitseven

The plastic emergency key (it's not a valet key) that came with the car can lock/unlock the car as well as start it. You can't lock the car with the regular key fob left anywhere in the car and it's not a good idea to leave the fob or ekey in the car.

Leave the key fobs home and use something waterproof like this to wear while surfing for the eKey which is smaller and lighter.

https://www.amazon.com/Aquapac-NRS-K...950QE9E4B077TW

SYMAWD

Only the A5, 6,7,8 and Q5 come with plastic emergency key.

rfortson

Boom! Done.

Perfect suggestion, and thanks for the link.

Oops, just saw this. I guess I could get by with just the Aquapac.

snagitseven

Why is Audi excluding the eKey in the newest A3, A4 and Q7 models? To save a few bucks? Is there some other process to open the doors and start the car if you lose the fob, it gets damaged or the battery dies in a remote area? If not, that's nuts. The beauty of the small eKey is it can fit in my wallet and provides reassurance I won't be stranded somewhere.

rnederhorst

As a surfer, having taken my key out a few times since I got my new 2017 A3, I was annoyed at the key in the bag situation.

I went to a dealer. We ordered an A4 valet key and put in my VIN and paid $74.12 (incl tax) and the key arrived today. Voila! It works like a champ.
The dealer told me that they can program this thing (it has a chip!) so that I can even start the car with this key and not need the fob. Amazingly cool.

I talked to Audi corporate, who were also a bit perplexed that this was not part of the vehicle. I have lodged a formal complaint about this issue since I would like my $45k+ vehicle to include a $74 part

In case you are curious, the part # is
8K0-837-216

Have your dealer order it and have them key it to your VIN. I can tell you this works because I have personally done it.

Enjoy and hope to see you out on the water

Rob
Surf Track Home - Track Your Surfing on your Phone - Surf Track

rfortson

Thanks Rob, perfect timing. I'm heading to the dealer in the morning for my 5K service. I'll add this to the list.

letaub

Just saw you can get the part for about $50 from a few third-party sellers.

What this doesn't solve is the fact that anyone can still get in the trunk. With my 2005 A4, I could lock the foldable rear seats so no one could get in the trunk if they only had the valet key. My 2015 A3 seats are not lockable.

Stevwang

can you send the link for the third party sellers please?

letaub

Around $61 now; do a Google search.