I am not sure if this has been covered here or not. I did a quick search and didn't find anything.I just bought a new 3rd Gen Prius. I had a 2005 prius. With that model it was possible to remove the mechanical key from the electronic and lock the electronic inside the car. You had to push a button under the dash to utilize this option. I found this option useful when going running or snowboarding. Or any other situation where I didn't want to carry the entire assembly. While the new does have the same button in the same vicinity it has no effect. If I try to lock the electronic key inside while keeping the mechanical separate it will always automatically unlock. Regardless of whatever position that button is in. Actually pushing the button seems to do nothing. There is no audible click when I push it. I did call the dealership but the person I spoke to in the service department wasn't sure. And had no clue what this button was even for.I could not find anything in the user manual either. Anyone know definitively of the this issue? Thanks. Nick
You could remove the battery from the key fob. I'm guessing the button you pressed was the tire pressure monitor system reset/baseline button. I'm sure it's in the manual. It'd be wise to make ensure your tire pressure are at the correct cold inflation pressure and then reset it again. Otherwise, you could end up at dangerously low pressures before being warned. Instructions to disable the SKS without Techstream | PriusChat might work for you. Not sure if that procedure changed/won't work on the '12 since the '12 was a mid-cycle refresh.
You're right that switch is covered in the manual. Never considered it might be part of the tire pressure warning system since it is in the same location as my 2005 prius. Which did not have that system. But in order to reset it you must press and hold for 3 seconds. Since I only pushed it with the vehicle off I did nothing. I suppose I will just have to get used to carrying the entire assembly. Although when I am out on long runs, bicycle rides, etc. I will be concerned about sweat damaging the electrical components. I'll have to come up with some other solution.
Get a small metal box that the FOB will fit in. Remove the key, put it in your pocket, and put the FOB in the box and the box in the car. I would hide it well, as someone could break a window and get the FOB and hence have your car. Anyway, the car will now lock, even with the door lock button.
On my 2012, I can disable SKS via the touchscreen, so you can just use the mechanical key to enter the car, then hold the keyfob near the Start button to start the car.
How do you do this? I haven't come across this in the touchscreen. But I will look. If not I will use the tinfoil method or metal box. Thanks everyone.
Okay I disabled in setting using the touch screen. Now I can't start the car. And no way to turn it on to change the setting back to default?
You need to hold the key fob close to the power button while pressing the brake then the power button. This should all be in the manual. (I have a Gen 2 where we had a slot that we had to put it in, if the fob battery was low.) I'm also annoyed that your salesman didn't tell you about this since you will hit this if your fob battery runs out or if there's some communication problem for some reason. When I bought my Gen 2, my salesman explained the slot to me.
Well he did mention there was no slot. That's about it. I have looked in the manual. Perhaps I'm reading too fast but couldn't find anything on that in the few minutes I spent this morning. But I'm at work now so I have time to figure it out.
Hello @Rebound, I just saw your post from 2012, the year your Prius was brand new. Is the car aging well? Keyless Entry Question | PriusChat I am slowly learning how to access information on the 2011 Prius Model 3 which I bought a few weeks ago. It has the navigation display, so this weekend I figured out how to access the screen which shows the voltage of the 12 volt auxillary battery. Do you remember how to access the screen which allow us to "disable SKS via the touchscreen"? I assume it can be reactivated via the same screen? Thanks for your help.
I still own my 2012 Plug-in. It has over 140,000 miles and zero failures. Best car I ever owned by far. It will soon be my son’s car. I’m afraid I don’t know my way around the Nav screens. But some screens only appear with the car in Park.
Hello @Rebound, Great to hear about your satisfaction with your 2012 Plug-in. Hopefully, your son is excited about his future car. I will try your suggestion and search the various screens with the car in park. If I succeed I will post the sequence to help future users.
