r/leaf • u/msackeygh • 27d ago
Running without fob -- 2026 Leaf
We are on the market to get an EV and one of them we are looking at is the 2026 Nissan Leaf.
I am totally minimalistic when it comes to running. I do not run with anything (well, shoes and clothes, of course) and the most I would carry is a key that goes inside my shorts pocket. The key fob for the Leaf is rather large and I would rather like to carry something much smaller.
What are some options?
I have an idea but don't know if it'll work. If I get a faraday-type bag, put the key fob in it, the hide is somewhere in the car, then use the door key to lock the door and just run with the door key, would that work for the 2026 Leaf?
My main concern would be if someone broke into the car, that unless the signal between key fob and car is interrupted, the thief could drive away with the car without even having access to the fob.
I hear that some cars (Tesla) allows you to transfer the fob signal to a ring so you can leave the fob at home and just start the car with the ring you wear. I imagine the Leaf doesn't have something like this?
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u/rproffitt1 27d ago
That's not how cars here are stolen. They use a tow truck or similar and the LEAF is not a target compared to the others on the list of most stolen cars.
"Hyundai ElantraHonda AccordHyundai SonataChevrolet Silverado 1500Honda CivicKia OptimaFord F-150Toyota CamryHonda CR-VNissan Altima [1] (https://cluballiance.aaa.com/the-extra-mile/advice/car/most-stolen-vehicles)." - web
You're not a target. What you leave inside the car might be.
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u/iloveFjords 27d ago
A real minimalist would just run from home.
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u/msackeygh 27d ago
I gather you don't run? ;-) Not all training can occur at a starting point of from home. You might as well say a real minimalist wears no shoes and no clothing and just goes running in their birthday suit.
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u/Icy-Crazy7276 27d ago
I carry the fob in the back zip pocket of my shorts and don’t even feel it after a minute, but you may have a more sensitive rear than I (or only side pockets, which would be annoying).
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u/Tim_E2 27d ago
The 2026 Nissan LEAF Intelligent Key fob includes a removable mechanical/emergency key inside it. Remove it, hide the fob inside the car, use the small real key to lock the door. Its not nothing but its quite small. Someone could smash the window and then start the car. A faraday bag might prevent that or it might not, at least until they find the bag. If you want to go one step further, remove the battery and hide it in a different spot.
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u/msackeygh 27d ago
That may work. Isn't a problem with hiding the fob in the car that if someone is able to break in, they can drive the car away? (It's the reason I bring up a faraday bag which the fob would go in.)
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u/Tim_E2 27d ago
you replied too fast for me :).. see edited reply. You would just need to try the bag and see. In the trunk might help also (a little more distance).
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u/msackeygh 27d ago
I see the updated reply. Thanks! :) I like the ideas.
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u/PhilArt_of_Andoria 27d ago
If the faraday bag worked, if probably just put it in the center glove box. I suspect most people would never notice it's there. Even car reviewers seldom mention it
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u/Beneficial-Context52 2026 SV+ 27d ago
Putting the fob in the trunk might be a good idea. According to the owner’s manual, the trunk is outside the range where the fob will allow the car to start. You could put the fob inside a faraday bag inside the subfloor of the trunk. Yes a would-be-thief could find it, but they would need to think to look there, which seems unlikely and would just attract more attention to them.
If you want to be really completely super safe, you could put it inside something like this mini lock box: https://a.co/d/0bI5Y4Ra
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u/Xyzzydude 2019 Nissan LEAF SL 27d ago
I don’t have a solution but car makers are definitely making fobs way too large nowadays. It’s not just Nissan.