red light of a car with "key" sign

It means your key is within range of the vehicle, and you can start up.

I couldn't find my key the other day, but I was happy to have the Smartkey! I knew it was in the vehicle and I was able to get home where I could make a thorough search. It had fallen down next to the seatbelt latch, and was just hanging there out of sight.

Of course the downside to the smartkey is when person A has it in the purse/pocket and person B is driving. Person A gets out and when person B turns the car off, they won't be able to restart!

 

Don't laugh, but I've seen my parents do this....

Actually, on their car, when my mom got far enough away from the car, it simply shut off....

 

I'm not certain if the page number in the 2007 Owners Manual are the same as the 2008, but in my Owners Manual, on page 7 there is a list of indicators and their meanings. The indicator you describe is referred to as:

"Hybrid vehicle immobilizer / Theft deterrent system indicator light"

On page 21 there is an explanation of the "Hybrid vehicle immobilizer system" for smart key use:

"DEACTIVATION USING THE SMART FUNCTION

The hybrid vehicle immobilizer system is a theft prevention system. When you enter the vehicle carrying a smart key and press the "POWER" switch, the electronic code in the key is automatically checked to determine whether it corresponds to the registered ID code for the vehicle. If the ID code is verified, you can start the hybrid system."

continued on page 22 with:

"Carrying a smart key and pressing the "POWER" switch automatically cancels the system which enables the hybrid system to start. The indicator light will go off."

On page 22 there is an explanation of the "Hybrid vehicle immobilizer system" for non-smart key use:

"DEACTIVATION USING THE KEY

The hybrid vehicle immobilizer system is a theft prevention system. When you insert the key in the key slot, the transponder chip in the key transmits an electronic code to the vehicle. The hybrid system will only start when the electronic code in the chip corresponds to the registered ID code for the vehicle."

continued on page 23 with:

"Inserting the registered key in the key slot automatically cancels the system, which enables the hybrid system to start. The indicator will go off."

Furthermore both page 22 and page 23 indicate:

"The system is automatically set when the hybrid system is off and driver's door is opened. The indicator light will start flashing to show the system is set.

If any of the following indicator conditions occurs, contact your Toyota dealer.

• The indicator light stays on except when the theft deterrent system is setting or activating (See theft deterrent system on page 46.)
• The indicator light does not start flashing when the hybrid system is off and driver's door is opened.
• The indicator light flashes inconsistently.

For your Toyota dealer to make you a new key with built in transponder chip, your dealer will need your key number and master key. However, there is a limit to the number of additional keys your Toyota dealer can make for you.

In other words:

If you turn the car off and open the drivers door, the light should start flashing. It should continue flashing no matter if the doors are locked, unlocked, opened, or closed. If you insert the key into the slot (or carry the smart key into the car and press the "POWER" button), the indicator should stop flashing.

There are further details on page 46.

Try looking in the index of your Owners Manual under "Theft deterrent system" and "Keys" if your pages don't match mine.

 

Normal. It's just the immobilizer light. It is not an indication that a smart key is in range.

Tom

 

It means that the car's immobilization system is working properly. The light is there to tell thieves not to bother trying.

 

Be very careful here! Prius does not power itself OFF automatically when the fob is removed. If you don't push the power button it will stay in the ON state, and anyone can drive it away. Did your mom perhaps hear the engine stop and mistakenly think that the car was then safely powered down?

 

Yes, it certainly WILL keep running. At least the 2007 I drive does...hubby dropped me off at the walk-up ATM, then drove off to find a parking space. I was peeved when he didn't come back to pick me up, but he couldn't since he had turned off the car and couldn't restart it.

 

This is embarrassing, but I didn't notice this warning light for the first week or so in my new Prius. I guess I was busy watching the video game on the MFD. I thought, and a friend seemed to confirm, that it was a wrench that was pictured, not a key. Panic!

I looked quickly through the manual but did not find it there. I drove it to the dealer and asked them what it meant. The first guy had no idea, so he brought a second guy out to look at it.

Second guy said it was the security system indicator light. I turned red and sheepishly replied "Thanks. How much do I owe you for the stupidity?" No charge.

These cars are still new to some of the people that sell and service them.

 

it means red is a nice color, but blue mica spectra is better