Prius have a Pet Mode Hack which I used once I found out.

great idea!

 

The details might be different between generations. My Gen 3 doesn't easily allow the door to be locked with the metal key while it's running; it just unlocks the door again. You need more devious measures to actually walk away with the door locked. Maybe locking with the metal key was enough in Gen 2?

Pointing that out because I have a Gen 3, your profile says a Gen 2, and here we are in a Gen 4 forum.

 

Gen 4 it works like a treat. I used to lock my Mother in at shopping centres when she sent me into the Post Office or Pharmacy. She chose not to go, but stay and listen to the radio - so I'd lock her with the key. Just short time mind-you. Never done it with the dog.

 

I've done this as well with my Gen4. Feel bad for my dog when I'm at work all day. If I have quick errands to run I'll take him out, then lock him in there while grabbing a phone-ordered pizza, stopping into Harbor Freight for an item, or getting something from a safe shopping area.

It's not the most elegant thing, but at least it's do-able. Even better to park in the shade with the AC on.

 

Interestingly, that did work for me just now with my Gen 3, though I'm quite sure there have been times in the past when it has not. I'm not sure what makes the difference. I generally only have the one fob with me, so it wasn't a matter of the fob not being out of the car.

So I have to agree, it can work the way Kaptainkid1 describes, at least sometimes.

 

I think this was featured on the original yellow "how to start your car" thing that came with my 3rd gen.

sooooooo it's been out for about 12 years I guess ?

 

My work car is a 2010 (G3) and IIRC if you use the keylet to lock the car while in ready mode it petulantly re-unlocks itself.

All of my personal cars lack this "feature" and even though we're in-between fur babies, I am able to lock my cars with the ICE running.
I don't do so often, but I DO have the ability.

IIRC, Toyota finally got with the program and offered an OEM remote start with some of the G4s.
Since you have to lock the car before using this feature, it stands to reason that you're able to leave the car in ready mode while it's locked and fob-less.

 

That's exactly what I remember my 2010 G3 doing on previous occasions (as I mentioned in #3).

However, prompted by Kaptainkid1, I tried it again yesterday (same car), and it didn't do that.

So there may be some other determining factor that hasn't been identified yet. (Either that, or the car has just become less petulant in its old age.)

 

You are correct!

I just did it with Goofy and I am now able to leave the car locked while running if I do the keylet dance (I keep a keylet on my key ring anyway.)

I know I was unable to do so a few years ago, so maybe it was something that they changed when the vehicle went back to the mothership for a TSB.....

 

hot day:

I usually leave the fob in the car, ac on, lock door with the key and take the key.

it usually fires up 3-4x an hour for 2-3 minutes each time to replenish the hv. this is with the AC on low.

 

Quick question, if the car is in Ready and someone can get in, can they just drive off?

 

Yep! But since the key fob is not in the car, if and when he/she shut off the car, it will not come back alive easily. Yeah, with this "pet mode", there is a great risk of the car being stolen with a beloved pet in the back seat. I would not use it, if I love my car and/or pet.

Side story but I have driven off my Prius after dropping off my wife who was riding with me. Then realized that I did not have my key fob with me. The reason the car started in the first place was my wife had her copy of the fob in her purse. Now she is out of the car with the key, I was driving my Prius without a key. Luckily, I realized this fact and turned around and got back to her before she entered the building to get her fob.

 

As I recall, even if a thief found the car in this ‘ready’ condition, they could drive off. However, once they turned off the car, it would be dead to them.
I’ve heard of other stories of people driving off without the fob/card/phone and being stuck once they turned off the car

 

Thank you for sharing this information, it's very helpful for unexpected times when it's too hot for the pet, yet we need to do something and it can't come with.