How do I deactivate the car alarm of a Vauxhall Astra for a ferry crossing? VAUXHALL Astra Mk VII (K) Hatchback (B16)

Ah, the classic "how do I silence my car alarm on a ferry without a magic key" dilemma—ferries are great for relaxation, but car alarms? Not so much when they keep blaring underwater (metaphorically speaking)!

For your 2016 Astra diesel, many owners face the issue that the ferry company advises "lock the car with the key," but your Astra likely uses a keyless or remote locking system without a traditional key lock on the door. From gathered info and Astra owner experiences:

- Your Astra's alarm is typically armed and disarmed by the remote key fob or by locking/unlocking the car via the electronic system.
- If the ferry company requires the car to be locked manually (to avoid alarm issues), but you can't lock it with a mechanical key (because your Astra might not have it accessible externally), the usual workaround is to:
1. Lock the car using the remote key fob (press the lock button once, making sure all doors are properly shut).
2. Double check if the car locks automatically when you walk away (some Astras have auto-lock when the key fob leaves proximity).
3. If your remote key fob is dead or cannot lock, you might need to unlock the driver’s door manually from the inside, then press the lock button on the driver's door control panel before exiting and closing the door—this commonly puts the car into locked mode without activating the alarm immediately.
- In some cases, to deactivate internal alarm sensors (such as motion or tilt sensors that could trigger the alarm on a ferry), Astra owners suggest this method:
- Close all doors.
- Open the front passenger door.
- Reach in and press the lock button on the driver’s door panel.
- Then close the passenger door.
This can sometimes prevent the alarm from going off due to movement inside the ferry.

- Unfortunately, the official manual often does not clearly state a "ferry mode" or direct alarm deactivation method for long-term parking onboard.

If these steps don’t work, one last practical tip is to consult a local Vauxhall dealer or locksmith who may be able to program a "valet mode" or temporarily disable the alarm system for ferry crossings.

So, no secret key magic—just a bit of manual button pressing and patience. And hey, if your alarm still goes off, at least it’s keeping the imaginary ferry pirates away, right?