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Keyless Entry defect, or normal?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by davide, Feb 14, 2011.

  1. davide

    davide Junior Member

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    I was walking into a store today when a Gen 3 Prius rolled up, so since I haven't bought one yet, I HAD to talk to the driver awhile. She was very nice...purchased it just before year's end. She said one thing she didn't like was having to press the key fob twice in order to unlock the front passenger door. So I'm wondering: Is this some defect, or just the way it works? Is this what the glossy brochure (in the back, under FEATURES) means by "2-stage unlocking"?
    Also: If I don't buy the Prius IV or V, will I need to insert a key to open the hatch?
     
  2. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    should help answer some of your questions.
     
    2 people like this.
  3. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    You can program it so that pressing once will unlock all doors at once. I have this on mine.
     
  4. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    It can also be programmed so that opening the driver's door will unlock all doors as well. Also, you don't need a key to unlock the back hatch, pressing the unlock button on the key fob twice will unlock the hatch. I have mine set so all the doors unlock when I touch the driver's door handle, this also unlocks the hatch.
     
  5. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    i recommend smart start smart entry.. or whatever they call it now. (i'm so '04)

    this allows you to leave the key in your pocket the entire time. not sure if anyone watched the video.. kinda boring... well.. i Have seen it before....

    it's a joy to be able to walk up, and simply touch with 1 finger to open a door.. even the hatch ( it has a static sensor with a digital touch pad/switch) so it knows you're there and you're simply depressing a button to open the door.. not a real handle.

    then i jump in and start.. it's all pretty instant... not jumbling for keys saves me a LOT of time.

    it only sucks when you forget to transfer your keys to your new pants.. walk out to the car, and it simply doesn't respond... gr.. no key...
     
  6. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    Unfortunately, with the Gen 3 Prius, what you describe only works with the IV and V Models. With the II and III Models the "touch" entry only works on the driver's door. But, there are programming work arounds like those described above...
     
  7. mmcdonal

    mmcdonal Active Member

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    04 Camry Hybrid key worked the same as the Gen III key in this regard. Twice to open all doors. On the 04 Camry key, you would hear 4 beeps as it cycled unlock twice. On the Gen III key, you only hear 2 beeps even though it cycles twice, so I thought that was a nice mod.
     
  8. krelborne

    krelborne New Member

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    "Once for driver side, twice for all doors" is what I would expect. Both of my other cars (Subaru and Ford) unlock this way. I'm happy to see that this is configurable, though, because the driver's door thing sounds convenient.
     
  9. tonyrenier

    tonyrenier I grew up, but it's still red!

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    God! What would she do if she had to use a KEY??
     
  10. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    There is a reason it can be set for one press drivers, two press' all doors unlock. It's called security. On a dark night in the "wrong" part of town, you DON'T want to unlock all doors! Even when that woman is in the "right" part of town, she should be thinking about that!

    As far as one door SKS, it's still SKS. Yup, it's a lot of work to open the door and press the door unlock switch on the door to unlock all the other doors. ;) But you can still keep the FOB in your pocket, opening and starting the car without removing it.
     
  11. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

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    No, the smart key fob will unlock the hatch if it's programmed correctly. I programmed my Prius III to unlock the doors and hatch by touching the driver door handle. I also have it programmed to lock all doors when I put it in gear. Hope this helps.
     
  12. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Yes, that's why I think it's a dumb idea to program it so that opening the driver's side door unlocks all doors. It's better to program the remote so all doors unlock in one step. That way, if you have passengers you can use the remote and if you're alone, you just open the door via the handle and only the driver's door is unlocked.

    I'm amazed how many people here are willing to take this risk.
     
  13. energyandair

    energyandair Active Member

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    I think that it's all to do with your perception of the risk which amongst other things, it has a lot to do with circumstances where you live, drive and park the car.

    It's good that we have the choice.
     
  14. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

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    I even lock my Prius when I'm standing next to it refueling at the pumps. Hey, I've got stuff sitting sitting in the car what can I say?
     
  15. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Exactly. Most in this area don't lock their cars or their houses, even when leaving on vacation. It's common for people to leave keys in the car. If you ask people about it, you get answer like "Well, what if my neighbor needs to use it and I'm not here?"

    It's a good way to live, but I'm not sure that it can last.

    Tom
     
  16. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    Well, considering I'm the primary driver (i.e. my wife never drives it) and we use it to run around on weekends, it's more of a convenience to have all doors and hatch unlock with a touch of the drivers door than digging out the remote when you arms are full or having to open the drivers door and reach in to unlock all the doors. Yes, it's nice to have a choice, and in my case it's not really a dumb idea, but a major convenience option!

    My wife's HS is programmed just the opposite, for the very reason you cite, because she is the primary driver and often is alone. So, having just the driver's door open is a better option for her safety. Again, have the option to program each vehicle to what works best for the primary driver is a smart idea IMHO!
     
  17. davide

    davide Junior Member

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    That YouTube video plus the various comments have been very informative--thanks to everyone.
    This technology is amazing. It will be SO convenient compared to my current 1992 car.
     
  18. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Sounds like 'home', where dad still lives. I've never seen keys for the Great War era 'locks' on that house -- they'd be pointless -- and modern locks would get in the way. I sure hope it can last.

    But I moved out of that rural environment long ago. Relatives in urban Portland suffered kitchen burglaries while they sat at the dining room table. I couldn't even accept the automatic 4-door unlock when the car went into Park. Whether inside or outside, no car door unlocks until I command so. Fortunately, choice is programmable.
     
  19. tonyrenier

    tonyrenier I grew up, but it's still red!

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    Seems that no one has mentioned that if you push the unlock button on the FOB twice all doors and the hatch unlock. This is not rocket science.
     
  20. Bob Powers

    Bob Powers Junior Member

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    I bought a 2010 Prius IV within the week, and my key fop has stayed in my pocket 100% of the time since then. You don't need to use the key or buttons on it to unlock doors, start engine or lock doors. You just have to have it in your possesion and be within about 2-3 of car to enable the door unlock feature on the door handle. This also works with the rear hatch.