I've had to lock my doors by pushing the lock on the door for so long that now that I have a remote, I forget to use it. I'm trying to make it a habit to lock it remotely, so that I can't accidentally lock my keys inside. I have a spare that unlocks the door, but can't use it to turn on the car (something about a chip in the real key). Problem is, that it is in my purse, so if I lock my purse, keys, and cell in my car, I'm totally screwed. Which I have done, just with my less technologically advanced car. I didn't know I had my mom's cell phone number memorized, so it was a damn good surprise when I dialed the right number using someone else's phone. I still had to wait 4hrs before she could get me my spare key though.

take a bit of wire, and put a loop through the key.....then put it behind your license plate and hook it through one of the extra holes back there.

or get this

That 'lock the key inside' was a common problem with all GM products. Even the original Honda's made that problem not possible. If you locked the driver's door, then shut it, the door would unlock.

Unfortunately that solution no longer exists with Hondas. Now you can accidently lock yourself out of a Honda.


One problem I have seen with remotes. The remote in a pocket gets pressed. The locked car then remains unlocked. A problem made worse by the range of that remote.

You can also get an extra valet key, cut away the plastic, and put it in your wallet. Without the head, it's hard to turn, and without the chip it won't start the car, but it's good for when your key's locked in the car.

Manual steering and manual brakes just take more muscle, not more smarts.

But the whole Z family can drive a stick (Mrs. Z and I prefer manual transmission). Z-let 2 has not taken her driving test yet, but Z-let 1 took her test in the Honda (manual transmission) and the guy who gave her the drivers test was amazed.

Toyota pulling ads from ABC as punishment for their aggressive news coverage


Bad idea, Toy.

It takes more ATTENTION.

@Bruce -

I see...it was a mental block on my part.

I'm childless, but if I had had one at 20, and then they had one when they turned 20, their child would be getting their drivers license right about now. Its hard to think of my age in those terms....

Im getting old...:eek:

I prefer how a Honda drives (steers) without engine assist. The power steering adds almost near zero to cars with better designed steering systems. Earlier Accords had zero power steering when the car moved. The larger (full sized) Accords have near zero steering assist. So little difference that when the engine is off, steering difference slight.

Power steering is necessary for under 5 MPH manuevering - ie parallel parking - at least in better designed vehicles.

Power assisted brakes? Without it, then locking up the brakes would be diffcult on all full sized cars.

Do you still have brakes if the engine powers off? Everyone should know that. If a critically important check valve fails, then you lose all brakes. And the only time you would learn about that failure is by testing. Go to any open parking lot. Turn off the engine. You should be able to fully apply brakes at least three times - and still have power assist. You will not if that valve has always been defective. If you do not do that test, then you would never know about the failure until it was too late.

Helpful, anyway. The car I learned to drive on had no power steering at any speed.

I am not sure this is as big a deal as people and the news are making it out to be. Obviously the public is responding as I don't think anyone is buying a Toyota right now. An NPR report stated the other day that over 10 years there have been 19 confirmed deaths from this issue with the acceleration and or brakes. You have a greater risk of being eaten by a bear or struck by lightening. I will be looking for a chance to take my truck down and get a brand new one when they start offering deals to get people to buy again. I would definately buy a Toyota again. Over 95% of them are still on the road after 10 years. Yea, they are still a good auto/truck company.

Last year my roommates car had no power steering and I considered it an upper body workout to get out of tight spots in the snow.

But driving without power steering really makes you more aware of what you are doing. You cannot mindlessly take curves and are forced to even be aware of correcting yourself to drive in a straight line.