You can't open the trunk door while car is running?

Just use the unlock button on the driver's door before you get out. I've done it many times.

 

How about pressing the unlock button twice on your fob?

SCH-I535

 

pretty sure i've done it. when i get to the recycling center, i put it in park, get out and walk around the back, and oper her up. don't think i have to shut her off.

 

I think the only way you wouldn't be able to open the hatch when the car is running is if you don't have the fob with you. Are you leaving the fob in the car somewhere, in the cup holder, purse?

SCH-I535

 

Noticed that too on my v. Got used to it after awhile and now i just remember to press the unlock button on the door to unlock all the doors after i get in if i need to access the hatch. No idea why it functions this way and prevents access when car is running.As for a workaround if you prefer to keep the fob in your pocket like me, according to the manual(for my v), and i assume this applies to the entire prius family with SKS entry, the dealer can change the setting so that all doors automatically unlock when you open the drivers side door, or as it is default in my v just the drivers side door unlocks when opening it. Check your manual in the section on vehicle settings, some things can only be changed by the dealership.

 

There's also a setting in the "customize vehicle" section that sets all doors to unlock when the driver's door is unlocked. There's also a setting that works with this, that unlocks the doors when you put it in park.

 

Perhaps if you put it in park, assuming that the car is set to unlock the doors when you shift to park? I do it all the time (most recently, today).

 

I too noticed this over the last weekend. I cannot remember whether I tried the option of pressing the unlock key from the door. I had to power down the car to open it.

 

Pearl S is set to unllock when put in "P". Works just fine at the recycling centre.

 

Whether you will or will not be able to open the trunk if the fob is on your person depends on the situation.

If you power on the car (in ready mode) but forgot to get something from the trunk/hatch area (for example). You get out and try to open the hatch, it won't open at all even with the fob. You'd have to put the car in gear then back in park in order to open the hatch. Obviously a safety feature so an intruder can't open the hatch as soon as you power on the car.

On the other hand, once it's in gear (as in during driving), you'll be able to stop the car, put in park and be able to open the trunk while the car is running.

 

Same setting on my v, i believe it was the default setting from factory, i can't recall ever changing it anyhow.
Actually one of the recent changes i made on my settings is the automatic lock setting. For the longest time had mine set to auto lock as soon as car goes into "drive". Got annoyed with the clunking of the locks engaging as i put it in drive, sounded like it was a sound related to the transmission engaging. Decided a few weeks ago to set it to lock all doors once up to a a certain speed, makes the initial startup and drive away nice and quiet now, love it. aren't computers wonderful?