What Is Keyless Entry And Does My P1 Volvo Have It? (C30 C70 S40 V50)

This article applies to all Volvo P1 models:

• 2007 - 2013 Volvo C30
• 2006 - 2013 Volvo C70
• 2005 - 2011 Volvo V50
• 2004½ - 2012 Volvo S40

Keyless entry (and keyless start) is somewhat rare on P1 models but does exist. It is a little more common on C30 and C70 models but can also be found on S40 & V50 models.

What is Keyless Entry?

Technically, you could consider all P1 models as "keyless entry" since you can use the key fob remote to unlock the doors, however what we are really talking about is the more advanced proximity system where you can unlock the doors and start the car without taking the key fob out of your pocket.

This system responds to your touch on the inside of the outside door handle and unlocks the car (if the remote is nearby.)  You can also lock the car by pressing the little button on the outside of the door handle while you have the key fob in proximity to the door (see image.)

How can I tell if my Volvo has Keyless Entry?

Keyless Entry does not have a visible key hole on the outside door handles while the non-keyless models do.

Please see the embedded comparison image that shows the two styles of door handles.

Keyless Entry models still have a key hole but it is hidden under a little cover on the door handle. The cover has a little key icon on it (see comparison image.) In the event of a dead remote battery, you can pop the cover off by prying up from the slot on the lower edge of it and use the metal key from your remote fob to unlock the door.

Keyless Entry models also have Keyless Start !

Keyless Start means you can start the car with the key simply being in the driver's seat area (i.e. in your pocket.)

This is the intended convenience of the Keyless Entry system: You walk up to a locked car door, open it, sit down and start the car without ever taking the key out of your pocket.

Unlike later Keyless models that have push-button start, P1 models have a "stove top burner knob" where you would normally put a key in the dash (see image below.)  This functions just like a key in that it lets you turn the car on and off and start it by rotating the knob.

It is not pretty common for this knob to be missing in cars purchased from a used car lot. If it's missing, you are probably sticking the key fob in there to start the car.  If your car has Keyless Entry, but the ignition knob is missing, you can easily add one.

How do I unlock the door and start my car if the remote battery is dead?

If your alarm remote battery is dead, you can unlock your driver's door using the metal key blade that is inside your alarm fob. Slide the key out of the remote fob and unlock the door using the key hole. Just as a warning, unlocking the door this way will set off the car alarm.

To stop the car alarm, you must insert the key fob into the ignition slot and turn the car on. The antenna ring inside the ignition slot will detect the RFID "chip" in your key fob regardless of whether the battery in the fob is working. Once you disarm the alarm, you can turn off the car and remove the key from the ignition slot.

If you have a keyless entry system, you will need to remove the stove ignition/starter knob and insert the key fob in to the key slot. The stove knob has little button on it that will release it from the ignition slot.

Be careful with the aluminum key, as it is not meant to be used frequently and can be bent easily.

How do I unlock the door if my car battery is dead?

This is pretty much the same procedure as above except that the alarm may go off when you connect a good battery (or charger.)

You can disarm the alarm by turning the ignition key switch to the on position.