Stolen Prius! But how?

Forgive my naiveness, but are you saying that, if the fob battery goes dead, while driving, so goes the Prius? No backup? No safe out? :noidea:

 

No, that's completely wrong. Once you start your Prius with the SKS fob, it will run until either: 1) It is powered off, or 2) It runs out of gas.

For just the reason you mention, it would be silly and dangerous to require a working fob at all times. On the other hand, this feature has caused some embarrassing moments when one spouse drops off the other, only to later discover they have no key fob to restart. The car beeps at you if it is running and you get out with the keys, but most of us would just say "I wonder why it's beeping?" and go on our way. Pay attention to those three beeps.

Tom

 

O.K. Thanks. I couldn't believe otherwise. However, can it leave you stranded if the fob battery goes dead, or is the manual key in the fob the backup for a dead fob battery?

 

If the fob battery goes dead, you will need the manual metal key to open the driver's door. That's the only use for the metal key. Once inside, insert the fob in the dash slot and everything will work as normal.

When the fob is inserted into the dash, it doesn't use its internal battery. Power is supplied by the car (via RFID techniques).

Tom

 

Key (nyuck, nyuck) lesson here: if the car beeps at you, *something is wrong*. Pay attention! And *always* lock the damn thing, no matter where you park or for how long.

 

I do that too. I live in a very quiet area, and never locked any of my previous cars unless I was on the road. I always lock my Prius for just this reason. Doing that will keep you from making most of the stupid rookie mistakes: leaving a door ajar, car running, or keys in the car.

Tom

 

key is "accessible?" all day?? whats to stop someone from taking key, starting vehicle, replace key, drive off?

 

Got it! Thanks! Appreciate the reply.

 

OK, maybe a dumb question here...

Does an SKS fob battery ever go dead just all of a sudden??

I just replaced mine, but it wasn't because I couldn't unlock or start the vehicle - it seemed to be starting to go dead, because I was having to have my pocket the SKS was in directly facing the door, and within 1 foot, in order to unlock the car.

Don't most batteries generally die a slow death?

 

1) no such thing as a dumb question

2) no... lots of battery types put out full power until nearly depleted and then the voltage drops rapidly

3)anything that uses radio waves will not act reliably all the time. there is simply too many opportunitiies for interference. what you describe, happens to me regularly. i am not the primary driver of the Pri and the primary driver claims to never have any issues either. she can lock and unlock the car from the kitchen. i frequently cannot unlock the doors while within arms reach.

now is one fob's battery dying and the other is ok? sure, i'll entertain the thought. am i planning on replacing the battery soon? no... when it stops working, i will. until then, hitting the button 2 or 3 times has not really been all that inconvenient yet but then again, if i drove the Pri more than 2-3 times a week, i might feel otherwise.

 

My FOB won't work - as far as unlocking the car goes - if my cell phone is next to it.

 

DaveinOlyWa -

Thanks for the reminder that no question is ever dumb.:redface:
And your other comments/replies. I appreciate the info.
Also love your license plate!

McShemp -

re: your comment about cell phone causing SKS to not work properly, hmmm... I'll have to pay attention to that! Never thought of it. Which probably shows how much of a non-techie I am -- but I wannabe!

I really, really, REALLY appreciate the PC website, and all the good-natured folk here to help us new types. Happy Pri-eezin' to all!
(combination word comprised of 'Priusing' and 'Breezin')