PRIUS KEY POPPED OUT OF SLOT !!

Cattaraugus · 02-09-2007, 10:28 AM

A strange thing happened with my 2006 Prius - It's a SUPER cold morning...about 1 degree outside...I jump in the car, put the key in, push the button, and turn the heater full blast - I go inside for about 15 minutes, come outside, open the door, and the Prius key is sitting on the driver's seat....but the car was still on....

What happened?? Is this normal?? Has this happened to anyone else?? I took the key, push it back in the slot, and it locked into place...

All I can think is that I didn't push the key all the way for it to lock into place...and then it just happened to pop out from the spring that is build into the ignition slot.

Any ideas out there??

SomervillePrius · 02-09-2007, 10:45 AM

Never heard of this before, but it makes sense that the car would still be running as it can run, once started, without a key until powered down.

And by the way, there is no reason to warm-up the engine for !5 minutes. It's a waste of a precious resource (gas) and bad for the environment. The Prius has a thermos what will pump warm fluids into the engine on start so it really only needs a few seconds.

Stev0 · 02-09-2007, 11:27 AM

People actually put the fob in the slot to start the car? Where's the fun in that?

brjacobso · 02-09-2007, 11:51 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stev0 @ Feb 9 2007, 08:27 AM) [snapback]387490[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

People actually put the fob in the slot to start the car? Where's the fun in that?
[/b]

exactly! I pride myself in not having to take the "key" out of my pocket. I complain when I have to take out my key to open the front door to my house.

SomervillePrius · 02-09-2007, 12:37 PM

If you look at his profile it states he has a #1....

grasshopper · 02-09-2007, 12:42 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ Feb 9 2007, 10:45 AM) [snapback]387447[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The Prius has a thermos what will pump warm fluids into the engine on start so it really only needs a few seconds.
[/b]

Where is this warm fluid coming from and how did it get warm?

Cattaraugus · 02-09-2007, 12:45 PM

yeah, you guys are spoiled...I don't have the fancy keyless Prius.

naterprius · 02-09-2007, 01:24 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(grasshopper @ Feb 9 2007, 10:42 AM) [snapback]387539[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Where is this warm fluid coming from and how did it get warm?

[/b]

There is a thermos which stores hot coolant up to five days. It is pumped out of the engine when you shut down and pumped back in before startup.

However, I still need to warm up my car in order to defog/ defrost/ deice etc on bad days.

Nate

**TonyPSchaefer** · 02-09-2007, 01:36 PM

Did you keep the doors unlocked?
Frankly, if my neighbor kept his Prius running and unlocked with the key in the ignition, I'd mess with his head a little.

I had a friend move my car around the corner while I was delivering pizzas once.

Warwind · 02-09-2007, 01:45 PM

Your Prius is obviously suffering from premature ejection...

02-09-2007, 10:28 AM	#1
Cattaraugus Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	A strange thing happened with my 2006 Prius - It's a SUPER cold morning...about 1 degree outside...I jump in the car, put the key in, push the button, and turn the heater full blast - I go inside for about 15 minutes, come outside, open the door, and the Prius key is sitting on the driver's seat....but the car was still on.... What happened?? Is this normal?? Has this happened to anyone else?? I took the key, push it back in the slot, and it locked into place... All I can think is that I didn't push the key all the way for it to lock into place...and then it just happened to pop out from the spring that is build into the ignition slot. Any ideas out there??

02-09-2007, 10:45 AM	#2
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 946 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Never heard of this before, but it makes sense that the car would still be running as it can run, once started, without a key until powered down. And by the way, there is no reason to warm-up the engine for !5 minutes. It's a waste of a precious resource (gas) and bad for the environment. The Prius has a thermos what will pump warm fluids into the engine on start so it really only needs a few seconds.

02-09-2007, 11:27 AM	#3
Stev0 Aluminum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 5,711 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 29 Thanked 45 Times in 38 Posts Friends: 7	People actually put the fob in the slot to start the car? Where's the fun in that?

02-09-2007, 12:37 PM	#5
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 946 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	If you look at his profile it states he has a #1....

02-09-2007, 12:45 PM	#7
Cattaraugus Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	yeah, you guys are spoiled...I don't have the fancy keyless Prius.

02-09-2007, 01:36 PM	#9
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,512 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 168 Times in 109 Posts Friends: 23	Did you keep the doors unlocked? Frankly, if my neighbor kept his Prius running and unlocked with the key in the ignition, I'd mess with his head a little. I had a friend move my car around the corner while I was delivering pizzas once.

02-09-2007, 01:45 PM	#10
Warwind Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hedgesville, WV Posts: 137 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Your Prius is obviously suffering from premature ejection...