Very Bad Key Loss Situation
03-06-2016, 12:55 PM
#16
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if car ever needs moving when locked and lost key, use 4 wheel dolly's under wheels - the car can be pushed by 1 person easily - but have 2-3 people on hand to make sure the car rolls in direction you want
Last edited by groovzilla; 03-06-2016 at 01:17 PM.
03-06-2016, 01:13 PM
#17
Why wouldn't this work: Get a new key cut from the dealer, open the car door, turn off parking brake, push the car out of the spot, install tow hook on the bumper, and use a regular car to strap tow it up and out of the garage and then put it on the tow truck. If the alarm is yelling, just disconnect the battery.
Lets see some photos of the car in situation in the car park?
Thanks
03-06-2016, 03:22 PM
#18
But, you could then open the hood and disconnect the battery. I'm saying that in ignorance, since I'm assuming the frunk does not go into lockdown if the alarm is blaring.
My local dealer will not have a key made unless you show them proof of title. Registration won't do, since here in TX anyone can register a car.
My local dealer will not have a key made unless you show them proof of title. Registration won't do, since here in TX anyone can register a car.
03-06-2016, 06:04 PM
#19
I bought four wheel dollies from harbor freight with a coupon. Surprisingly good quality and very easy to move cars. I would probably do that. What a royal PITA, sorry to hear about your situation. Some of these replies are hilarious.
03-06-2016, 06:20 PM
#20
Your problem is they keep sending flatbeds. You need a regular tow truck that's lower and shorter. The normal tow bar supports the front wheels and the wheel dolly things they have supports the back wheels. None of your wheels are on the ground and both axles (you now what I mean) are supported.
03-06-2016, 11:44 PM
#21
Track Day
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For anyone curious, this is how it played out at the dealer:
Dealer has a special tow service they use for 911s and AWD cars that require special attention. Tow guy came (standard truck this time), got into garage but after measuring turn radius with car potentially on back, was very hesitant to try it. He said, worst case scenario, he could absolutely get it out but no guarantees about front bumper and aftermarket wheels not being damaged. I can't describe the garage well, but there is a sharp 90 degree turn at the top of a steep incline, and this has the tow truck driver nervous.
So anyway, went to dealer today with my registration and ID card. They ordered keys from Germany. Will arrive after about 3-4 weeks (I'm in Asia). Dealer said if they can't extricate the car, they'll send a tech to the garage to program the key, which is somewhat relieving.
Dealer has a special tow service they use for 911s and AWD cars that require special attention. Tow guy came (standard truck this time), got into garage but after measuring turn radius with car potentially on back, was very hesitant to try it. He said, worst case scenario, he could absolutely get it out but no guarantees about front bumper and aftermarket wheels not being damaged. I can't describe the garage well, but there is a sharp 90 degree turn at the top of a steep incline, and this has the tow truck driver nervous.
So anyway, went to dealer today with my registration and ID card. They ordered keys from Germany. Will arrive after about 3-4 weeks (I'm in Asia). Dealer said if they can't extricate the car, they'll send a tech to the garage to program the key, which is somewhat relieving.
03-07-2016, 12:06 AM
#22
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It might have helped if you had mentioned it was a C4 and you were in Asia, and not N America.
Oh well, my bad I guess.
Oh well, my bad I guess.
03-07-2016, 12:11 AM
#23
Track Day
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Mine is not a C4, it is a GT3. I just mentioned that the dealer has a special guy they call for the C4 models because AWD cars are not common here, and a typical tow service would likely mess it up, so they've got a guy who specializes in towing exotics, lowered vehicles, and 4WD vehicles, who I assume has developed a bunch of tricks and methods over the years dealing with these types of situations.
And yeah, you guys were all correct, extricating the car from its resting place isn't a problem at all. They've got rollers and other tools. They can move the car around in the garage. It's the exit from the garage that was the issue.
And yeah, you guys were all correct, extricating the car from its resting place isn't a problem at all. They've got rollers and other tools. They can move the car around in the garage. It's the exit from the garage that was the issue.
03-07-2016, 10:27 AM
#25
Yeah now it makes sense. I don't know too many here in the states that keeps a gt3 in a public parking garage, let alone buys or sells a gt3 with only one key.
03-08-2016, 03:03 AM
#28
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I could’ve sworn I had a key made in a few minutes at the dealer without having the car there. Just the VIN #, registration (North Carolina, USA), and a borderline unreasonable amount of money. But from memory, they made the key including the immobilizer without the car. I want to say you can have up to 5 keys before they need to reprogram the car, and the first 3 are used up by default (two keys + valet from the factory).
03-08-2016, 04:22 AM
#29
Exactly
Why wouldn't this work: Get a new key cut from the dealer, open the car door, turn off parking brake, push the car out of the spot, install tow hook on the bumper, and use a regular car to strap tow it up and out of the garage and then put it on the tow truck. If the alarm is yelling, just disconnect the battery.
03-08-2016, 04:33 AM
#30
Lost my only 996 key. Why do I only have one? That's all I got when I bought the car and I was too complacent to get another made. Anyhow, only key is gone.
Main problem is that the car is in an underground parking garage, wedged into a parallel parking spot at such an angle that it is going to be extremely hard to get out. One tow company couldn't even get their truck into the garage. Car is 7 levels underground.
Anyway, I know that I am going to pay a huge amount of money for the new keys, but can someone explain to me what's going to happen if nobody's tow truck can get in there to remove my car and actually get it to the dealer?
I know I can get a key cut using my vin number and ownership documents, but as I understand it, the car needs to be towed to a dealer to get the key programmed. If I am unable to somehow start the engine, it's looking like the car will not be leaving the garage.
Main problem is that the car is in an underground parking garage, wedged into a parallel parking spot at such an angle that it is going to be extremely hard to get out. One tow company couldn't even get their truck into the garage. Car is 7 levels underground.
Anyway, I know that I am going to pay a huge amount of money for the new keys, but can someone explain to me what's going to happen if nobody's tow truck can get in there to remove my car and actually get it to the dealer?
I know I can get a key cut using my vin number and ownership documents, but as I understand it, the car needs to be towed to a dealer to get the key programmed. If I am unable to somehow start the engine, it's looking like the car will not be leaving the garage.