Abstract: A method for determining a location of a vehicle access device relative to a vehicle includes transmitting information from the vehicle access device to the vehicle. The method also includes determining a received signal strength indication value of the vehicle access device. The method further includes transmitting the received signal strength indication value from a first wireless communication node to a second wireless communication node. The first and second wireless communication nodes are disposed on the vehicle. The method also includes comparing the received signal strength indication value of the vehicle access device to a received signal strength indication value of the first wireless communication node.