(Owners with American and foreign cars need to know that the security code for this radio is different from the one for standard radios.) The code is typically four to six digits long, is located near the stock shifter switch (usually near the middle of the dashboard on the left side of the vehicle), and is usually printed in big, bold letters on a small label under the switch. (For example, in a 1990s model Oldsmobile Ciera a code could be found as "1234123412341234", where each letter is slightly offset from the next.) The car may have an "L" on the stock switch that is off and on, in the middle, or in a different place. If this L is off, then most cars have a switch or button labeled as "security code" or "lock security" or similar. Most newer cars also have buttons labeled "satellite radio" or "satellite radio interface", and some have a button labeled "emergency" or "beacon".
Most manufacturers now have an option for remote keyless entry, and some have GPS or a factory-installed navigation system which allows you to start the car by pushing a button in the car's remote.
There are some special codes for different model years and model lines, such as the Oldsmobile Achieva, which has a "4" as its security code. When an Achieva is coded, the L is off. This type of remote keyless entry is optional in other brands of cars, such as Chrysler, and GM systems are not interchangeable from one manufacturer to another, so each manufacturer has its own proprietary security code. (See the table of common keyless entry codes on this page for details.)
The radio usually has a small button that makes it possible to override the remote control's security code to activate the car. Usually this button is labelled "manual" or "hands-free" (located on the right side of the keypad).
If you have a car with a manual transmission and a manual key, there may also be a button or switch labelled "Doors-Off" or "Manual" that is used to override the security code for the doors, as the code for starting the car is different from the code for unlocking the doors.
See also
Door lock
Electronically controlled vehicle access
Keyless entry
Keypad
Remote car starter
Remote keyless entry
Vehicle security
References
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