I believe it is so if you work in rugid, dirty or wet conditions you can leave the fob in the truck and keep the simple key on you, but that is only my best guess and what I use mine for from time to time.
Mick

 

It is a valet key.

 

I'll have to try it again but mine won't start the car. It turns but I think the display said something like "Key FOB not present".

 

I drove mine for the first few days using this key, but with the fob on the key ring so you may be right. I thought it didn't open the glove box, that's it. And I do not have the push button start.

 

Are we talking about the extra key or the key that is hidden in the key fob?

 

I'm talking about the extra key. I'll have to try starting the truck with it again but I'm pretty sure the last time I tried it said "Key FOB not present". And since you have a backup key inside the key FOB I'm totally confused what the purpose of this key is. Like I said my Grand Cherokee didn't come with these extra keys. It just came with the key fob with the backup key inside.

 

The extra key.

 

Where do u put a key to start the truck if the fob battery dies if u have push button start?

 

The start button pops off and there is an ignition behind it.

 

I been using my extra key for my ram box cargo separator that has a lock on it. At first I didn't know there was a key in the key fob lol. Thanks to this thread I know where the ignition key is

 

It's just another emergency key to get you into the truck. I know, mine came in handy when the service manager locked my truck with the engine running. They key fob spare was in the truck on the FOB, fortunately I kept the "other" emergency key in another pocket.

 

There is a little problem with this setup if you have like me the factory alarm system.

I tested using only the physical key in the key fob to unlock the truck. So yes, it unlocks the door but it also immediately triggers the alarm system and there is nothing you can do to stop it (at least I didn't figure out how to, had to get my fob and press on panic button to finally stop alarm). Even starting the truck doesn't stop the alarm.

Not very convenient.

 

What is the logic??



SuperIke is correct. If you have the factory alarm, opening the door with the key will trigger the alarm and you can't turn it off unless you have a fob. And if you have a fob, you don't need a key to get into the truck.

Maybe I am missing something here.

I guess you could unlock the tailgate without triggering the alarm but that won't get you into the truck.

 

I use the "second" extra key as my "idiot" key and keep it in my wallet just in case I lock the "extra key" in the fob in the truck with the fob.

 

The button on the door handle won't lock the doors if the key FOB is inside of the truck, at least on my push button start Limited it won't.

 

Dad gum there is a key in the fob? I had no idea.

 

The full size extra keys are for the tailgate lock for added convenience, they also unlock the cab door if you have the lock there, there are also two keys that come with the fobs that do the same. I leave the fob keys in the fob and keep one large key in my change purse for an emergency if I get locked out.

 

ahhhh when do you guys keep your change purses???

 

If my memory serves me right, the spare key in the fob is for unlocking the truck only, not for starting, which is not very useful to me (I do not have the button start). If you still have access to the u-connect app, you can unlock your truck from there. Also having a spare key in a magnetic key box hidden outside of the cab can come in handy at some point, providing that your fob is locked inside. But having a spare fob battery on hand, should that die, would be very good indeed.

 

Unless I am mistaken, it will not allow you to lock the fob in the truck unless you have the other fob outside the truck.

 

Possibly but I haven't heard of any changes. If your fob is inside and no fob is near the outside, the horn should beep 3 times and the doors will unlock. Do it a second time and the same thing happens. On the 3rd time the doors should stay locked. It was mentioned in my owner's manual as well which I also tried out to confirm.

 

Its for the tailgate only or else the alarm will go off when using it in the door.Learned this from experience!

 

Did the same here, figured I'd give it a try and the alarm goes off right away. Didn't try the RamBoxes yet though.

 

I can also confirm that trying to lock the doors with the fob inside will only work on the 3rd attempt. First couple times it would beep at me then unlock the doors. I thought this was pretty cool!!

 

This is how I locked my keys in the truck with it running and the FOB inside. With the truck in Park, open the door it will unlock all doors. Then close the door and lock the doors with the lock button, all doors lock. Then once again you just open the door with the door handle and only the drivers door will unlock, and a simple manual push on the lock will lock the door, key FOB still connected to the ignition, truck running and no horn indication.

When I pick my kids up from daycare, I normally do this and take the key out of the FOB. But this particular day I took my D ring off not paying attention to what I did. oops:doh::doh::doh::doh::doh:

 

The extra key lets you open the driver door or lock/unlock the tailgate. It is a lot easier than digging the key out of the fob, especially if you have anything slick on your hands that makes it hard to slide the catch over.

Then again, I just have keyless entry, not push button start so YMMV.

 

I think the real value of the key is if or when your truck battery should die, you can get the door open so you can raise the hood for a jump.

 

Pop out your push to start button Insert your key put your Foot on On the brake and Ram will start

 

Thread is 7 years old. Trucks probably gone.