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Leaving the Smart Key in the car

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Benevento, Nov 24, 2004.

  1. Benevento

    Benevento New Member

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    We live in a very safe area, and I have always left my keys in the car when it is home in the garage. That way I always know where the keys are (and don't have to search through various pants or coats to find them).

    Anyway, the manual says "store the smart key, keeping it 5 m (16 feet) away from the vehicle." Is this for the obvious reason that it prevents theft, or is there some mechanical or electrical reason for this? Would it wear down the battery or something if I left the fob in the car?

    (I'm brand-new at this, and haven't even put a full tank of gas through the car yet!)
     
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Benvento,
    Several reasons.
    1)The constant communication b/w the key and the car will wear down the battery in the FOB fairly quickly.
    2)After a while, b/c of problem #1, the car will stop sensing for the FOB and you won't be able to start the car with the SKS and you'll end up having to put the FOB in the key slot.
    3)Not safe, any local kid could, potentially, get in and start the car just by poking around on the buttons...not a good thing.
    4)Even 'Safe' neighborhoods have crime.

    Just see if you can change your habits a little. Leave the key in your pocket or purse or coat or whatever. It becomes second nature.

    Enjoy.
     
  3. popsrcr

    popsrcr New Member

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    I'm not sure I get/agree with this, but am willing to learn.

    1 - How could that be? If true, you'd wear down the battery in the remote on a long trip. Not sure how leaving the key in the car would do anything to the key.

    2 - Sure, I'd agree. But is it really that big of a deal?

    3 & 4 - Opinion. While I wouldn't do it, it isn't for fear of theft or crime, just habit. I don't lock the car at home (but I don't leave the key in it) :)
     
  4. Benevento

    Benevento New Member

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    Dr. Fusco,

    Thanks for your input. I appreciate the information. I'll buy your points 1 & 2 (unless popsrcr is correct...I'll check with the local Toyota mechanic about battery drain).

    As to 3 & 4, of course you are also correct in general...folks should lock their cars. But as to specifics, we are blessed with living in a very beautiful and very safe environment (northern Michigan). We have never locked our cars or even our house. I leave my keys and wallet in the car (so I know I will have my driver's license). The garage doesn't even have a door, let alone something that could be locked.

    It is a blessing to live without fear. Of course, something may happen. When it does, we will take other precautions. But in 20 years, nothing untoward has happened, despite the fact that we have chain saws, bikes, etc. should anyone happen by.

    As Alfred E. Neuman used to say, "what, me worry?" Naw, life's too short.
     
  5. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    the battery drain is a reality. realize that after the car is started you may throw the fob into the bushes and drive off without a hitch.

    that is because the fob and vehicle do not communicate with each other after the vehicle is started thus saving the battery.
     
  6. TCD

    TCD Junior Member

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    Howdy,

    In NV if your car is stolen and the keys are in it you are held (from partially to completely) responsible for any actions the car has been involved in due to negligence. This is especially true if a minor has taken the car.

    I for one, do not want to contribute or be involved in even the slightest chance of lawsuits or prosecution resulting from something that is so simple to avoid…
     
  7. popsrcr

    popsrcr New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA\";p=\"52511)</div>
    Ah! I did not know that! But, I guess I still wouldn't view that as a reason not to do it. Just keep a spare. :)
    So, if you turned off the smart entry stuff, and you left the key in the car, would it still discharge? I know the car wouldn't be looking for the key. Or heck, leave the key in the ignition?
     
  8. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(popsrcr\";p=\"52474)</div>
    1)Once the car is in READY mode the SKS ECU stops sensing for the FOB.

    2)Well, if the point of leaving the key in the car is convenience then leaving the key in the car and it not working seems pretty inconvenient to me.

    3&4)Ok, a little opinion...but if that opinion is 5 years old and starts the car and crashes it into something and damages the car or gets itself hurt the owner will be libel. Theft occurs...everywhere....just b/c you haven't been touched by it yet doesn't mean you can't be.
     
  9. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(popsrcr\";p=\"52519)</div>
    Ah! I did not know that! But, I guess I still wouldn't view that as a reason not to do it. Just keep a spare. :)
    So, if you turned off the smart entry stuff, and you left the key in the car, would it still discharge? I know the car wouldn't be looking for the key. Or heck, leave the key in the ignition?
    [/b][/quote]

    If the SKS is off it won't drain the FOB battery...neither will leaving the key in the slot. But what a waste of the SKS's advantages.
     
  10. popsrcr

    popsrcr New Member

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    Sure its a waste, but if you don't care??? I mean, its a toy, if it broke, so what?

    And yes, crime is everywhere, but about that I don't care.
    A 5yr old, no, 12yr old, sure. But I think we both are making some assumptions. My grandparents have never taken a key out of a car, and if I grew up as they did, I wouldn't have either.
     
  11. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(popsrcr\";p=\"52522)</div>
    That was a response to the direct original question as to whether it would drain the battery. And yes, I'd car...I don't consider it a toy. If it doesn't matter to you then fine, but I was trying to address the concerns of the original poster.

    Lemme guess, you don't have kids. I'm not talking about a 5 year old committing a crime, I'm talking about a 5 year old being a curious 5 year old and 'playing' in a car. How easy would it be for them to push the power button then jostle the shifter and get the car in drive or reverse and get it moving...really easy IMO...it happens not infrequently with regular keyed cars and more difficult to shift transmissions.
     
  12. popsrcr

    popsrcr New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco\";p=\"52524)</div>
    That was a response to the direct original question as to whether it would drain the battery. And yes, I'd car...I don't consider it a toy. If it doesn't matter to you then fine, but I was trying to address the concerns of the original poster.

    Right, but you replied to me that it would be a waste. I simple said I thought it was a toy, no biggie.

    Lemme guess, you don't have kids. I'm not talking about a 5 year old committing a crime, I'm talking about a 5 year old being a curious 5 year old and 'playing' in a car. How easy would it be for them to push the power button then jostle the shifter and get the car in drive or reverse and get it moving...really easy IMO...it happens not infrequently with regular keyed cars and more difficult to shift transmissions.
    [/b][/quote]

    Oooh, there ya go making those assumptions again.
    I personally would like to see a 5 yr old put their foot on the brake, press power, and move the shift lever. I *guess* it could happen? Don't see how though. Again an older kid, sure. And, yes, you should be responsible for your stuff. But, if say you live on a farm and have no kids, what are the chances?

    My only point is that you told him "Just see if you can change your habits a little". He doesn't necessarily need to is all.

    Oh well, sorry for the fuss anyway. Acedemic arguements break up my day. :)
     
  13. Benevento

    Benevento New Member

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    I appreciate all the replys, and I know we are all brothers and sisters in Prius-dom (or whatever it's called). We're all friends and on the same side. I understand about battery drain, and will keep my fob in the house. I'm old (61), but I'm trainable.

    As to worry, I guess each of us gets to choose what to worry about. I worry about heart disease and cancer. I fret about losing my hair and gaining weight. I'm concerned about my kids' futures, though they're doing well. I don't worry in the slightest about crime or terrorism here in Northern Michigan, and so far my non-worry has been correct.

    You're right. Our kids are all grown, and there isn't anyone under the age of 21 within 5 miles of here, so for a 5- or 12-year-old to fiddle with my car, they'd have to drive here in the first place. Even my grandchildren are in Texas, many thousands of miles away.

    Is it possible for a kid (or adult) to take my car? I suppose, but it's a risk I'm willing to take, and I will gladly accept the responsibility for damages in the infinitely remote possibility that it happens.

    Again, I appreciate everyone's input. Thanks very much. We're all friends here.
     
  14. karmavore

    karmavore New Member

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    I think the #1 reason for taking the fob out of the car is that you just posted on the Internet to a bunch of people on exceptionally long waiting lists that your car is available for a test drive... anytime. :D

    You may want to consider moving, or perhaps a razorwire fence may be appropriate. :mrgreen:

    Best of luck to you!
    Brad
     
  15. popsrcr

    popsrcr New Member

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    HAHA ! Now that's funny!
    Cheers!
     
  16. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(popsrcr\";p=\"52542)</div>
    I personally would like to see a 5 yr old put their foot on the brake, press power, and move the shift lever.[/b][/quote]popsrcr definitely does not have kids. Most of the kids I know were very inquisitive and quick learners at that age.
     
  17. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IsrAmeriPrius\";p=\"52586)</div>
    I personally would like to see a 5 yr old put their foot on the brake, press power, and move the shift lever.[/b][/quote]popsrcr definitely does not have kids. Most of the kids I know were very inquisitive and quick learners at that age.[/b][/quote]

    My 5 year old twins could EASILY accomplish that..esp. after seeing daddy do iit a few hundred times, but pure curiosity could make it happen too. More than once I've found the doors to my Prius wide open when I thought they'd been out in the yard ridding their little electric cars.

    popsrcr...it was a guess...probably a good one, but not an assumption. An assumption would be "Since you don't have kids." I said "I'm going to guess that you don't have kids." Sure, I made an assumption to say that, but it was not without evidence...which is growing by the minute. I also deal closely with kids in the ER every day and have seen the results of various kinds of trouble they can get into that their parents never guessed they were capable of. It was not a randomly picked age.
     
  18. Benevento

    Benevento New Member

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    This has been a great post. We are all both too serious and too funny! Bless us all!

    I sympathize with Dr. Fusco. I used to work in the mental health field (now retired), and medical work gives one a different view of the probabilities and the prevalence of diseases when one deals with them every day.

    My kids bitch at me for not wearing my seatbelt (which I used to wear 100% of the time until they passed a law requiring that I wear it...now I never wear it), but more people die of colon cancer (about 45,000 a year, 90% cureable if detected in time) than die of not wearing seatbelts (about half of all auto accidents are related to alcohol, and wearing a seatbelt saves only about 40% of that 50%). Why don't they bitch at folks for not getting colorectal cancer creening? Not to mention many other preventive tests and measures.

    Anyway, I know this is off topic, and I welcome Dr. Fusco's corrections if I have mis-stated some of the medical statistics.

    But it relates to leaving my keys in the car. Not even the Prius Nav system can find my house, and I'm willing to bet my life that no one will steal my car and that I will not die from not wearing my seatbelt. I'll die of something, that's for sure, but most likely it will be heart disease or cancer.

    Again, I appreciate the friendly tone of this exchange, and welcome opposing view points.
     
  19. deh2k

    deh2k New Member

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    Benevento,
    Your statistics may be correct about traffic and cancer deaths--I couldn't say. But consider this: riding in a car is statistically a very hazardous thing to do. Seat belts significantly reduce your risk of injury and death if you have an accident. They're not very difficult or inconvenient to use. So why not use them? Not using them just because it's a law makes even less sense.

    One could make the argument that society has a right to insist that people wear them, because traffic injuries are a drain on society (in terms of insurance, medical, productivity, and physiological costs, etc. costs).

    Whether or not cancer tests should be required is a good question, but I don't see why it's relevant here. Sure, a lot of people die of cancer, but a lot of people die from car accidents too. I think it makes sense to do what you can do avoid both things.
     
  20. BobA

    BobA New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TCD\";p=\"52514)</div>
    Tom you haven't lived in Sun Valley...

    Bob Andersen