Can a car key still be used if it's immediately retrieved after falling into water?
2 Answers
If a car key falls into water and is immediately retrieved, it cannot be used directly. First, the key needs to be completely disassembled, the battery on the circuit board removed, and the moisture on the disassembled remote key wiped dry. Only after replacing the battery can it be used. Testing is required when using it, and if any functions are not working, the key should be replaced promptly. Below are the functions of a car key: Find Car: The find car function uses the remote or alarm system. Pressing the button will cause the car's horn to sound and the hazard lights to flash, making it easier to locate your car quickly in crowded parking areas. Close Windows: After exiting the car, holding down the lock button can remotely close all four windows. This is a very convenient and frequently used feature. Open Trunk: The remote key has a button to open the trunk. If you're coming out of the supermarket with your hands full of bags—have you ever tried holding down the trunk unlock button (or pressing it twice for some cars)? The trunk will automatically pop open.
That time I was fishing by the river, I accidentally dropped my car keys into the water, but luckily fished them out within three seconds. The first step was to immediately remove the battery, then frantically dry the key casing and battery compartment with paper towels. Never test the key by reinserting the battery right away! You have to disassemble the key and use cotton swabs to absorb any water on the circuit board. Letting it air-dry on the windowsill for two days is the safest bet—if using a hairdryer, keep it on the cold setting and hold it 20 centimeters away for half an hour. There's a chance to revive water-damaged keys, but it depends on whether moisture has penetrated the motherboard. I got lucky this time—after thorough drying, the key worked fine, but I still went to the auto parts market to get a spare key just in case. This incident reminded me to always cover the key pouch when parking in the rain.
