RF vs IR? How to? Need more distance

In my car I use my key fob to lock/unlock my doors via RF. I can roll down the windows with the key fob via IR by holding down the unlock button. The problem with the IR is that I must be close to my driver's side door and have the fob pointed directly at the window in the door handle for it to work. The IR sensor is very similar to a 36kHz 3-pin IR receiver from TV remote control like TSOP173. My question, what can I do to get more distance out of the remote. Can I change the receiver somehow, it would have to be the same size. Could I somehow get it to work with the RF in the key fob? Any help would be appreciated.

There are 'learning' remote controls. One of those may work with your car.

RF and IR are different. Once requires line of sight and the other requires adequate radiation. Do you have both?