It’s not ideal to leave your car keys with your vehicle, but sometimes you might find yourself in a situation where you need a secure spot to stash a spare key fob. Whether you’re heading out for a surf, going for a run, or just want a backup plan, knowing How To Hide A Key Fob On Your Car can be a lifesaver. However, before we dive into the best hiding places, it’s crucial to understand the implications, especially if you have a modern proximity key. If a thief can simply pull your door handle and your key fob’s signal unlocks the car, hiding the fob nearby might inadvertently grant them easy access. With that cautionary note, let’s explore some less obvious spots to hide your key fob, increasing security while keeping it accessible to you.
Behind Your Tires
One of the simplest and most accessible places to hide a key fob is behind your car’s tires. Every vehicle has tires, and they naturally offer a degree of concealment. Unless someone is specifically looking, a key fob tucked against the tire’s sidewall will likely go unnoticed. The accessibility is a double-edged sword; it’s easy for you to retrieve, but also relatively easy for a potential thief if they are observant. The main drawback is the visibility of the act. Bending down near your tire to place or retrieve something can draw attention if someone is watching. So, while convenient, consider the surroundings before using this spot.
In Your Wheels
Taking concealment a step further, hiding your key fob within your car’s wheels can be a more discreet option. This method is particularly effective if you have wheels with a solid or intricate design that offers hidden crevices. Spoked rims might not provide much cover, but wheels with more solid faces or complex patterns often have gaps and recesses where a key fob can be tucked away. This location offers better concealment than simply placing the fob behind the tire, as it’s within the wheel structure itself, making it less immediately visible. It combines the accessibility of the tire area with enhanced stealth.
Behind Your License Plate
For a more ingenious hiding spot, consider the space behind your license plate. This method requires a bit more effort but offers excellent concealment. Using a coin or screwdriver, you can loosen and remove your license plate. If your key fob is slim enough, it can be placed behind the plate. When you re-attach the license plate, it will securely hold the key fob in place. Unless someone is deliberately watching you perform this action or knows this specific trick, finding a key fob hidden here is highly unlikely. This method provides a good balance of security and relatively easy access for you when needed.
In Your Exhaust Pipe
Another readily available and surprisingly effective hiding place is inside your car’s exhaust pipe or tailpipe. While perhaps not the cleanest location, the exhaust pipe offers a discreet and unexpected spot. It’s less conspicuous than hiding a key fob behind a tire or license plate because it’s a less intuitive place to search. To hide your key fob here, simply bend down and insert it into the tailpipe. Be careful not to push it too far in, or you might need a tool like an extendable magnet to retrieve it. The slight inconvenience of a dirty key fob is often outweighed by the added security and stealth this location provides.
In Your Bumpers
Depending on your car model and bumper design, the underside of your bumpers can offer a fantastic, out-of-sight hiding place. Many cars have a lip or recess on the underside of the front or rear bumper where a key fob can fit snugly. This area is excellent because it’s completely hidden from casual view. Placing a key fob here is usually straightforward, allowing for a quick and stealthy hiding process, even in relatively public places. Even when you know the key fob is there, locating it by feel in the dark can be challenging for someone unfamiliar with the exact spot, adding to its security.
Under Your Hood (With Caution)
Hiding a key fob under your car’s hood can be a secure option, but it comes with a significant prerequisite: ensure you can open the hood from outside the vehicle if it’s locked. Many modern cars require the car to be unlocked to release the hood latch from inside. If you can access your hood externally, then consider this spot. Find a safe nook or cranny away from moving engine parts or extreme heat where the key fob won’t get crushed when the hood is closed. The last thing you want is to retrieve a damaged key fob or find it has fallen into an inaccessible part of the engine bay. While secure from casual glances, the inaccessibility if your hood release is internal makes this a riskier choice.
Inside The Gas Cap Compartment (With Caution)
Similar to the under-hood method, using the gas cap compartment as a hiding spot requires a preliminary check. Verify that your gas cap can be opened without needing to unlock the car. Many vehicles have an internal release lever or button, making this method unsuitable. However, if your gas cap opens externally, it provides an easily accessible yet discreet location. The gas cap compartment is generally out of sight and relatively easy to access when you need your key fob. It’s a convenient spot that blends accessibility and concealment effectively, provided your car’s gas cap design allows for external access when the car is locked.
By Your Windshield Wipers
The area around your windshield wipers, particularly where the wiper arms pivot and attach to the car, can sometimes offer surprisingly effective hiding spots. Some vehicles have deep recesses or cowls in this area. If your car has such features, you can wedge a key fob securely in an empty space. This location is typically out of direct line of sight and unexpected. However, be careful not to push the key fob too far into any crevices, as it could fall deeper into the engine bay or become difficult to retrieve. Avoid placing it where it could rattle or fall out while driving.
In The Grille
Modern car grilles, often large and prominently featured, can surprisingly offer hiding places. If your car has a grille design with gaps large enough to accommodate a key fob, you might be able to tuck it away discreetly. This is especially true for cars made in the last decade, where larger grilles are a common design trend. However, exercise caution to avoid scratching the paint around the grille when placing or removing the key fob. Also, ensure the key fob is securely placed so it doesn’t fall out due to vibration or movement while driving.
In Your Tow Hitch Receiver
The tow hitch receiver is a popular and often excellent spot for hiding a key fob for several reasons. It’s easily accessible, typically located at shin height, allowing for discreet stowing and retrieval. It’s also generally well-hidden as it’s underneath the rear of the vehicle. However, its popularity means that if a thief is specifically looking for a hidden key, the tow hitch is one of the first places they might check. To enhance security if using this spot, consider using a tow hitch storage lock. These devices are designed to look like regular hitch locks but have a hidden compartment for storing keys, making this already good spot even more secure and less obvious.
