Keyless remote question

I just traded my Prius off for a new Avalon. I did not notice if I experienced that with my Prius. I just walked up to my Avalon with the remote and it started flashing when I approached about 3 feet from the driver's door. Looks like you are probably okay.

 

you might have a button stuck on the remote?

 

It flashes as it communicates with the car. All is ok.

 

The older remotes would only draw battery power from the remote when you used the remote. The one you are now using draws battery power continuously from the remote battery whether you use it or not. Good idea to replace the battery in the remote in about two years. You may know that but just passing my thought along to you.

 

Agreed! I keep a spare battery in the car (just the battery) in case it should ever die while on a trip. You can always open the door with the little key.

 

and start the car by holding the fob up to the power button.

 

As mentioned above, if the battery in the key fob dies, you can hold it up to the power button and then press the power button to start the car.

The smart key system is definitely a two-way system. Get out of the car with the system in READY mode and the car will complain about no key being detected.

 

Right. It pays to be prepared. It would really be something if we would get way out in the boondocks and get stranded because of a dime size little battery.

 

You can't get stranded just because your key runs out of battery.

 

Not supposed to. You can hold the key next to the Power Button and it is supposed to start and maybe it will but if I was between Bismark and Fargo and it went out I would feel better if I had a spare battery.

 

is that like a rock and a hard place?

 

for peace of mind, you may want to try it without a battery. just in case your spare battery is dead.

 

Its amazing... the shelf life of batteries these days. I have some Duracell that say 2018 and some Energizer that say 2023.

 

i hope they're reliable.

 

Just to put your mind at rest: I did the test (removing the battery from the fob and starting the car holding the fob near the power button) and it works ! You don't even have to hold it very close to the button: 2 inches will do the trick. No trouble at all if your fob battery fails in Jackass Flats or in the middle of nowhere.

 

I do feel better about that. Thank you very much for the information and for your trouble doing the test.

 

Except locking and unlocking the car is a bit of a pain until you get a new battery.

 

I do like you. I have a spare battery on hand. We're prepared.