Anyone Know Why Prius Has No Auto Off Feature?

The above behavior can be difficult to explain. The user knowing about auto shut off can end up encourage bad actions/behavior such as people habitually NOT turning their car off (because they "know" it will shut itself off), thus resulting in people's Priuses being stolen due to that window of vulnerability.

I've seen many folks just leave their headlights on after they've shut off, locked and left their car because their car has some auto shut off (I've asked them about it or told them they left their lights on). What's to say that some Prius owners won't do this, if it's implemented?

 

Mike- you thought it out well, but I just do not see how you can improve on how it is now. You want the car off, turn it off. You want the car on, leave it on. It takes only 1 jab of your index finger. If you are too distracted to remember this you need to put down the cell phone.

 

Steve - You sound like a young man. Wait until you are a little older and you will see how your memory fails you.

If the auto off feature is added, it should allow drivers to turned it on or off depending everyone's taste. For sure it will benefit many of us.

Many states in the US make it illegal for leaving your car running unattended due to auto thefts which draw police force away from higher priority jobs to solve car stealing problems. I think 15 minutes deday is too long. The car should turn off by itself within 60 seconds from the time the driver seat is emty. Sixty seconds should be enough for a person to get off his/her car to pick up the mail or close the garage door. Sometimes at the red light, you would try to grab something in you pant's front pocket and lift your butts from the seat, your car would still be on. However once the car is in motion, the auto off would be disable.

 

i hear ya man, i'm getting there myself. if it saves one person from co poisoning, it's worth it. now where did i leave my car keys?

 

Key's! where are my pants?

 

I like it the way it is I have never forgotten to turn off/power down a car ever in my 29 years of driving.

Mike

Mobile on my SGH-i717

 

I'm 44 so I'm far from young. I've been driving since 1986 and have never forgotten to turn off my car. If I ever do please take away my cell phone. To me someone forgetting to turn off their car is distracted. Solve the real problem by putting down the phone rather that build an overly complex and unneeded additional system that adds cost, complexity and another point of failure to your car.

 

you've got 6 more good years my friend, enjoy them.

 

been driving since '74 and a few weeks after getting the prius I forgot (for the 1st time) to turn it off when I went to the drugstore, had nothing to do with my cellphone, it rarely rings...just forgot!

 

I am not sure why some people just try to deprive others of benefits which are totally harmless to them...

I personally haven't forgotten to turn off my Prius but I can say for sure that it will happen to my wife if I let her drive mine. Unlike the normal gas engine cars, hybrid vehicles are silent when they stop. Once the parking brake is applied, you can not tell if the car is on or off.

Would you tell your older parents to go out there to find works instead of receiving social security fund? You and millions of people can work, why can't they?

 

The conversation is virtually identical to the one that occurred when 'smart keys' started being used in some cars (go Prius!).
I'm pretty sure similar conversations were made when those new fangled power windows hit the market.
And most likely all the way back to the electric starter motor.

Some people see it as adding unnecessary complication, others see it as a convenience and some others actually see it as a convenience that actually improves the entire car owning experience.

Some others are just uncomfortable with change or are set in their ways.

 

What happens after 50?

Mike

Mobile on my SGH-i717

 

The mind is the first thing to go :-(

Mike

Mobile on my SGH-i717

 

you forget to turn off your car!!!!!

 

this is the 1st car that I've owned with push buton start, and it is so quiet when you stop, heck once I forgot to put it in park and started to get out only the lunge forward saved the day that time.....I have since bought a dodge that also has push button start and there is plenty of engine noise when you stop, don't believe that I will ever leave it running!

 

No one wants to steal a Prius:-D

SCH-I535 ? 2

 

My Prius sounds like George Jetson's space mobile when it moves slowly

Mike

Mobile on my SGH-i717

 

no, the putting is the first thing to go, then the mind.

 

you don't want to know.