Ash83

when I check MMI car > service > registered keys : i get 3 keys registered.

I have 2 full keys + One plastic temp key, does that plastic key counts as the 3rd key that is registered to my car? or i need to take the car back to the dealer to let them disable it?

I bought this car new.

superswiss

Of course the plastic key counts as the 3rd key. Did you think it was for decoration? It has a chip in it so it can start the car and therefore needs to be registered. The only thing it doesn't have is a transponder, so that's what this little key fob housing in your glove box is for. You put the plastic key in there and then slide it into the ignition slot to start the car.

Ash83

i thought the plastic key is to unlock the car

superswiss

It does that, too. You can unlock and start the car with it. The idea is that you keep it in your wallet, so that if you loose your main key you can still unlock, start and drive the car.

mikejaeggi

dumb question about the smart key...why insert it in ignition slot when you can just keep in pocket and hit the push button start? why does Audi make that slot?

superswiss

As I mentioned above, the plastic key doesn't have a wireless transponder. Keeping it in your pocket won't start the car. You have to put the plastic key in the case that's inside your glove box (looks like the plastic shell of the regular key fobs) and then insert it into the ignition slot and push it to start the car.

Also, the whole smart key is optional in most countries, so the slot is also there for when you don't have the smart key option.

Ash83

can the plastic shell alone in the glove box start the car if it was inserted in the key slot? or it needs the plastics key to trigger something inside it to be able to start the car.

superswiss

Nope, the plastic shell alone won't start the car. That would mean somebody could just break into your car and drive off with it. It needs the plastic key inside of it which contains the coded chip that will unlock the ignition.