Opening the door using the sensor on the handle

I only use that area of the door handle to lock the car. To unlock, simply grab the handle and pull. And I believe that's how it's explained in the owners manual.

 

The grooves are only supposed to be used to lock the car.., just open the door without the touching the grooves to unlock the car...

 

yes, it will open with the smartkey in your pocket, if you slide your hand behind the handle as if you wanted to open the door, as soon as it senses your touch you'll notice the car will unlock. There is no need to touch the grooves unless you want to leave the car and lock it.

 

I also noticed while I was standing beside my Prius talking to my daughter, the locked car beeped and unlocked. Must have sensed my fob but it really surprised me.

 

This is a common rookie mistake: touching the lock and unlock areas at the same time. The car doesn't know which one to do.

Tom

 

You're saying the car unlocked itself without you touching the handle or pressing the fob button? I didn't know that was possible.

 

Can happen if it's raining, the water fools the sensor.

 

Very true ... I have to leave the fob in the house when I'm washing mine in the driveway. If I leave the fob in my pocket while I'm spraying it off with the hose it will "sometimes" go nuts locking/unlocking when Im close.

 

Pretty dumb for a smart key.

 

Not really, it is because Toyota changed the locking push button in the G2 to the touch sensitive button on the G3 which makes it sensitive to rain drops or water spray.

 

Not really. It's a capacitive sensor, so water sensitivity is a given. Even so, this isn't a problem in ordinary use. You have to be standing outside by the door while the car is blasted by a hose. Typically this is not a healthy proposition when moving at highway speed.

Tom

 

ha! I didn't even know about the groove/lock feature. Guess I should have read my OM.

thanks!

 

yes rain or washing the car drives it nuts if the fob is close