# Couple nearly dies in keyless entry / start car (Mazda 3)
**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298
**Category:** NYSpeed Automotive
**Created:** [December 17, 2014, 6:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298 "2014-12-17T06:46:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 6:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/1 "2014-12-17T06:46:44Z")
… because they didn’t know they could manually unlock the doors…
> The couple had just bought a new Mazda 3 hatchback, which had just been deposited in their garage after purchasing it from a new car dealer.
>
> After getting back in the car about 7pm to go watch some local fireworks, they realised they had not brought the electronic transponder (which replaced traditional key systems) with them.
>
> The doors automatically locked.
>
> They’d left the new user’s manual in the house.
>
> They couldn’t find a manual override.
>
> Both became convinced they were trapped.
>
> Stressed, the couple repeatedly sounded the horn in an effort to attract attention. But nobody noticed due to the noisy fireworks.
>
> They tried to smash the window with a car jack. The glass was shatter-proof.
>
> When the pair were found about 7.45 the next morning, both were in pretty bad shape. Paramedics told the couple they could have died if found only 30 minutes later.
>
> Mrs Smith spent three days in hospital recovering.
>
> Mr Smith is kicking himself: ‘’Once I found out how simple it was to unlock it I kicked myself that I did not find the way out …”
>
> After hearing similar stories to their own, the couple have decided to campaign for greater care in instructing older people “inexperienced” in new technology on how to operate new cars.
[http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/kiwi-couple-trapped-in-keyless-entry-car/story-fnq2o7dd-1227159245130](http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/kiwi-couple-trapped-in-keyless-entry-car/story-fnq2o7dd-1227159245130)
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### Author:  [@BOBBYGRV](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BOBBYGRV)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 6:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/2 "2014-12-17T06:53:13Z")
> The couple had just bought a new Mazda 3 hatchback, which had just been deposited in their garage after purchasing it from a new car dealer.
What is this, GTAV? I love when they deposit new cars in my garage.
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### Author:  [@neonglh](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/neonglh)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 6:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/3 "2014-12-17T06:56:52Z")
Mazda has shatter proof glass?
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### Author:  [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 7:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/4 "2014-12-17T07:01:29Z")
> [@neonglh](#):
>
> Mazda has shatter proof glass?
When you’re so old and dumb that you mange to trap yourself INSIDE a car I’m guessing cling wrap is probably unbreakable to you too.
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### Author:  [@SRS\_BZNS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SRS_BZNS)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 7:06am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/5 "2014-12-17T07:06:21Z")
I believe its tempered. Not shatter proof. Automotive glass can take a pretty strong impact before breaking though if the force is dispersed over a greater area. That is why they make those emergency hammers for it with the pin point head. I am pretty sure those mazda doors simply open from the inside when locked… like 95% sure. And before anyone says it only the rears have child safety locks, if they have them
The human race as a whole disappoints me.
We should be living on the moon by now and have boots on mars.
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### Author:  [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 7:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/6 "2014-12-17T07:19:56Z")
> [@SRS BZNS](#):
>
> I am pretty sure those mazda doors simply open from the inside when locked… like 95% sure.
They have manual locks on the inside just like every other car ever, lol.
I read somewhere else that the couple was angry at the dealership because they were told “the car won’t work without the key” … so they took that sentence to mean NOTHING would work without the key, even the locks from the INSIDE.
I can give them some leeway for being older, but not much.
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### Author:  [@SRS\_BZNS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SRS_BZNS)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 7:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/7 "2014-12-17T07:29:37Z")
yeah but if the door is locked from the inside and you pull the handle it unlocks and lets you out no? I know my GFs Mazda tribute does that
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### Author:  [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 7:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/8 "2014-12-17T07:41:26Z")
> [@SRS BZNS](#):
>
> yeah but if the door is locked from the inside and you pull the handle it unlocks and lets you out no? I know my GFs Mazda tribute does that
Oh it might, and in that case :ham: :ham: :ham: on them if they didn’t even try the door!
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### Author:  [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 8:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/9 "2014-12-17T08:03:22Z")
im confused how they “could have died” after spending a little over 12 hrs in a vehicle that wasn’t running?
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### Author:  [@SRS\_BZNS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SRS_BZNS)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 8:06am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/10 "2014-12-17T08:06:28Z")
Guarantee you hypothermia.
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### Author:  [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 8:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/11 "2014-12-17T08:13:20Z")
> [@XwalkerX](#):
>
> im confused how they “could have died” after spending a little over 12 hrs in a vehicle that wasn’t running?
It was running though…?
> She said they were told by emergency services if they had spent another half hour in the car and they could have died.
> Afterwards, Mrs Smith spent three days in Dunstan Hospital. Mr Smith, who considered himself ‘‘very methodical’’, said he could not find the unlocking mechanism.
> **[Couple close to death after night in car](https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/couple-close-death-after-night-car)**
>
> An Alexandra couple hope others can learn from their near-death experience after being trapped in their new ''keyless'' car in their own garage for...
It doesn’t say exactly, but I guess I assumed the car was running because how could you make the determination that someone was 30min away from death otherwise. That and the woman was in the hospital for 3 days.
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### Author:  [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 8:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/12 "2014-12-17T08:15:44Z")
avg overnight temps in nov are around 60-65 degrees LOL
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### Author:  [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 8:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/13 "2014-12-17T08:17:40Z")
If it was running I’m even more disappointed in the human race. We could drive it through the garage door and live, but it’s better to just sit here and die.
Maybe long lost relatives of that chick from Lancaster who got snowed in on Transit and decided to curl up in the car and write her goodbyes?
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### Author:  [@BOBBYGRV](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BOBBYGRV)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 8:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/14 "2014-12-17T08:20:04Z")
> [@SRS BZNS](#):
>
> yeah but if the door is locked from the inside and you pull the handle it unlocks and lets you out no? I know my GFs Mazda tribute does that
In my gf’s Nissan Rogue and when it’s running with the doors locked, they won’t open by just pulling the handle. you have to either unlock it manually or use the unlock button.
edit- I realize their car wasn’t running, but it might be the same whether it’s running or not.
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### Author:  [@KA24Power](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KA24Power)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 8:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/15 "2014-12-17T08:29:04Z")
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### Author:  [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 8:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/16 "2014-12-17T08:53:40Z")
^
LOL
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### Author:  [@tpgsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tpgsr)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 8:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/17 "2014-12-17T08:56:24Z")
My car does not have manual locks but simply pulling the door handle it will open and all other doors will unlock. Or push the unlock button?
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### Author:  [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 9:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/18 "2014-12-17T09:07:56Z")
How did they get in the vehicle without a transponder?
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### Author:  [@neonglh](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/neonglh)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 9:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/19 "2014-12-17T09:35:13Z")
I am also curious how they managed to get to the car jack from inside, but they couldn’t open the door.
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### Author:  [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2014, 9:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/couple-nearly-dies-in-keyless-entry-start-car-mazda-3/271298/20 "2014-12-17T09:47:31Z")
> [@tpgsr](#):
>
> My car does not have manual locks but simply pulling the door handle it will open and all other doors will unlock. Or push the unlock button?
On one of the vehicles I’ve driven lately the doors will not open using the door handle if they are locked. It might have been my mom’s CR-V. I know at the time I was pretty surprised and thought it was a bit of a safety issue.
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