I finished my shopping, packed my car (Cirrus). I find it's hard to dig out my keys once seated, so I've been putting my keys on the car dash in front of the wheel. Right handy once I get settled. Today was a cold day... about 30 with a stiff wind blowing. As I was getting in, the keys fell off the dash, hit the steering column... and disappeared down the tilt wheel slot! Crap-o-la!!I tried tilting the wheel down & I could just touch them but they were jammed. I tried the coat-hanger hook but FAILED. I ended up with them falling all the way to the knee panel. I couldn't reach behind it. I tried fishing some more. No luck. I couldn't see the screws but eventually I was able (with frozen fingers, kneeling on the asphalt) to drop the knee panel with the general (Phillips head) purpose screw-driver from the door pocket. About an hour to get back on track.These klutzy MS fingers will be the death of me yet!I will be taping over or otherwise covering that slot.

Man, that sucks. I am on the road alone a lot... and usually keep a spare key in a pocket most of the time.

I carry a spare key in my wallet for that exact reason. I've already been locked out of my truck on a fire call. :banghead:

I have a key screwed in a hidden place. I was about to go after it... but then I'd still have had to retrieve my usual key with the fob. I did lock myself out of the truck at a fuel stop... I pulled the key out enough that it wouldn't ding but left in the switch. No pockets in my reenacting clothes anyway. I must have bumped the door buttons.I borrowed a screw driver & retrieved the hidden key at the pump... no body looked twice. I'm going to tape something over that slot. It might happened somewhere I wasn't supposed to be, then I'd really be screwed.

Russ, may I suggest a chain for around your neck with the key on it.....no more frustation! Just slip it in your shirt and you've got it all the time. Love ya, mm

Actually I do use a lace around my neck for keys now, if I have my reenacting clothes on. Also one on a mini-mag for trips to the outhouse... I never dreamed that the keys... or anything else for that matter... would drop in there. It was a perfect bullseye, too. Now that I've warmed up it's almost funny. It takes a bit for the brain to click... What just happened? I have some dark felt I've used for other things... I can cut a piece to fit. Velcro if it needs attaching. In the truck, I have the center seat flipped down as a console... I put them there before climbing in. But if something happens once, it can happen again!

Actually I do use a lace around my neck for keys now, if I have my reenacting clothes on. Also one on a mini-mag for trips to the outhouse... I never dreamed that the keys... or anything else for that matter... would drop in there. It was a perfect bullseye, too. Now that I've warmed up it's almost funny. It takes a bit for the brain to click... What just happened? I have some dark felt I've used for other things... I can cut a piece to fit. Velcro if it needs attaching. In the truck, I have the center seat flipped down as a console... I put them there before climbing in. But if something happens once, it can happen again!

Kind of like my hose clamp in the turbo...

I roll the window down a few inches any time I am running back and forth between the truck. Been locked out too many times.

Laid the strip of felt. It'll catch a simple key ring.

I roll the window down a few inches any time I am running back and forth between the truck. Been locked out too many times.

Only been locked out once, but I do the same thing. A few weeks ago my dad dropped his cell phone down behind the gauge cluster on the tractor. Between the two of us it only took about 15 minutes to fish it out.

At least I was not locked out & could access the tools in the car. The coat hanger & a hunk of braising wire were in the trunk... I have rescued others several times over the years. The lock out on the truck, I must have bumped the manual lock button getting out (with my MS I tend to hang onto something to be sure my legs are going to hold me when I reach the ground). My truck auto locks when I reach a certain speed (I think it's to help keep doors closed in a crash). But when you get out, only the doors you open unlock. So I use the electronic lock to unlock the whole vehicle. If I bump the manual button, the passenger's side is unlocked. Putting the keys in your pocket is better...

i have had that happen a few times, to where i have 3 keys i keep on me. 1 is hidden on the truck, the other is the driving key. this key goes from ignition to hidden spot in the car. the other key is on my key chain ring which is on my hip, this is used to unlock the door only.i have done it so many times they though i had altimeters. !

My hidden key requires knowledge & a screwdriver to get to as it's taped to the back of a license plate then the bolt run through the enlarged hole... a very long bolts through those square gripping things. Many years ago, I worked at a camp IN NH's Lake Winnipesaukee. The vehicles had to left at the landing. Days off you could borrow a canoe or catch the camp boat's 2X daily run. On of the couselors had a hot Mustang... & discovered it wrecked. He called the Police who had a warrant out for him for Felony Hit & Run with injuries. It seems the neighborhood kids had been taking it joy riding... repeatedly using his hidden key. He said he'd been suspicious about losing gas! Fortunately he had a good alibi. I had gone ashore once and found all my tires flat... apparently the kids were PO'd I had not left them a key! I was GLAD I had not. Although the other couselor was cleared, his insurance didn't cover everything. Years ago, a mechanic joked that he knew where everybody's hidden key was... except mine. Easy to spot most up on a lift! One could not see mine without removing the plate & the electrical tape.

i locked myself out of my 1500 a few years ago... 30seconds and a coat hanger was all i needed. these trucks are easy to unlock

I finished my shopping, packed my car (Cirrus). I find it's hard to dig out my keys once seated, so I've been putting my keys on the car dash in front of the wheel. Right handy once I get settled. Today was a cold day... about 30 with a stiff wind blowing. As I was getting in, the keys fell off the dash, hit the steering column... and disappeared down the tilt wheel slot! Crap-o-la!! I tried tilting the wheel down & I could just touch them but they were jammed. I tried the coat-hanger hook but FAILED. I ended up with them falling all the way to the knee panel. I couldn't reach behind it. I tried fishing some more. No luck. I couldn't see the screws but eventually I was able (with frozen fingers, kneeling on the asphalt) to drop the knee panel with the general (Phillips head) purpose screw-driver from the door pocket. About an hour to get back on track. These klutzy MS fingers will be the death of me yet! I will be taping over or otherwise covering that slot.

I get it flagmanruss, we should not leave our keys on the dash so they can fall of the dash and disappear behind the steering column down the tilt wheel slot, good advice. Thanks!!!