1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Will Smart key (fob) battery drain if it is left next or close to car?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by wadood, Apr 1, 2009.

  1. wadood

    wadood New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Edison, New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    My question is that will Smart key (fob) battery drain if it is left inside, next or close to car? I'm a new Prius user.

    I park the car in my garage and usually leave my briefcase inside the car. The key is in my briefcase. Someone said that this will drain my remote battery as car will be continously communicating with the key.

    Is it a bad idea in this case to leave the key in the car overnight?

    My second option is to take the key from the briefcase and hang it to a keyholder in the garage which is only about 2 feet away from the car. Would the car be still communicating with key?

    Thanks.
     
    #1 wadood, Apr 1, 2009
  2. Qlara

    Qlara New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2007
    488
    5
    0
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I think it's 'possible'....but not confirmed.
    This is because whenever I get close (3ft close) to the car, my fob has a blinking red light up. So I think this is saying it got signal from the car.
     
    #2 Qlara, Apr 1, 2009
  3. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    944
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Just hang it at a distance a little further away so the interior lights do not come on.

    Mine never leaves my belt loop holder!!!
    If I lose mine, it's cause I lost my pants!!!
     
    #3 KK6PD, Apr 1, 2009
  4. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2005
    1,761
    208
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    If I remember correctly, the Owner's Manual recommends keeping the fob at least 15 feet from the car when not being used. It will drain the 12v battery as the car will keep pinging the fob.
     
    #4 firepa63, Apr 1, 2009
    Leslie Best likes this.
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,074
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    When in range the fob responds to frequent transmissions from the car. This wears down the fob battery and the 12V battery in the car. Toyota recommends storing the fob away from the car.

    The newer Prius will automatically disable the SKS after a period of time if the fob is left in range. It does this to protect the 12V battery.

    Tom
     
    #5 qbee42, Apr 1, 2009
    Leslie Best likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)