I haven't read other posts, but put your fob in a little metal container. We keep a spare wrapped in foil. BTW, the Nissan smart fob is designed to be locked in a car ... as long as it can see a 2nd fob exit the car. EDIT ok I read other posts; The Prius 'sees' the fob in the car ... and that puts more juice use on the little 12v aux battery ... not a good idea. As I & others mentioned ... put the fob in a metal container - that way the Prius can't see it. .
Sounds like smart keys are not the problem. Replacement cost is the problem. Unfortunately, that is the price we pay for security. You'd have this problem with any manufacturer that uses immobilizers in their key fobs. This is not just a smart key problem. They usually can only be changed at the dealer and dealers love to rip you off. There's a fellow here on this forum replacing key fobs for significantly less than what you paid. I attach my keys to my work ID card which is then clipped to my pants. The chances of me losing my pants are slim. Turn off signatures in Tapatalk Tapatalk
How much "juice"? If you use the car every day you can't even measure the change in 12v charge status overnight as compared to the key not being in the car. How could that be a problem?
The car is not all about you - and it's not all about me ... what happens is, lots of folks do store their car for weeks or months at a time. The 12 Volt battery gets weak pretty easily. So therefore a general rule (not for you or for me) is to simply keep the fob covered if you store it in the car. Who knows ... maybe someday you'll be on vacation (or me) for a few weeks and then the general rule may apply to us as well. .
I've had a keyless car since 2004. Luckily I've never had a problem but I can imagine numerous scenarios. I think most of these systems are quite similar across different brands. I'm guessing that within a few years we will be unlocking and starting our cars with our smartphones. Wait and see! iPad using Tapatalk
If you're going to leave your smart key in the car (and presumably keep the metal key on your key ring for opening the doors) and you're concerned about draining the key battery check out your owners manual. There is a vacation setting (or whatever Toyota calls it) you can access on the key by pushing the buttons in a certain order which then turns off all the RF functions of the smart key until one of the buttons is pressed again. So in theory you could leave it in the car, turn the RF off and lock/unlock the car manually. Get in the car, power up the fob/car and go on your merry way. I don't see why the SKS is such a burden..... My key is either in my pocket, in my ignition (or stays in my pocket if I'm in the Prius) or hanging on my key hook at home.
I've read the responses to my question and I think I understand that leaving the Smart Key in the car might shorten its battery life, but it won't affect the vehicle in any way. What I don't understand is why so many people think that pushing a button is so much better than turning a key. Thanks for your comments.
Everything these days is Gates-vs-Jobs. If you don't do it the way WE do it, then you're either a moron or a Luddite, (see also: intolerance.) Me? I'm happy for those that are happy with their SKS.
Anyone ever own a car long enough for the lock on the steering column to wear out or even the actual switch that it attaches to? I've owned several and its not a fun time. Many times the key will break off from repeated attempts to force it to work. If that happens at a bad time it leads to you having a bad time. The actual switch that that lock attaches to is usually located further down the column and it is mechanical contact points that are engaged by a push pull mechanism. That switch also wears out and can even cause a short circuit when it falls apart. That usually results in an inline fuse opening in an area that isn't normally accessible (like in a wiring bundle instead of a fuse box). Compare that to solid state electronics that aren't switched mechanically and may never wear out controlled with a single push button. I'm enjoying the button, but time will be the true test.
It's not a matter of being better, since turning a key or pushing a button does the same thing - start the car. It's a matter of preference and ease of use. I like and prefer that without taking the key fob out of my pocket, I can approach my car and the interior lights turn on, I touch the door handle the car unlocks, and when I'm seated and ready to go, just press the power button and off I go.
I think "how primitive" I also think what a pita as the key is sitting in the bottom of a pocket covered by the seatbelt.
Might just need to work on responsibility. When I bought my car they told me specifically 'do not' lose these key fobs they are at least $345 each to replace. I have had my car for 3 years and over 100,000 miles on my car and I have never lost a key fob and am thankful everyday that I went for the keyless option. I know accidents happen. But that doesn't mean you need to throw the baby out with the bath water. Just try doing what most people do, add the key fob to your house keys etc and leave them in the same spot everyday. iPad using Tapatalk
My new wife has a knack for losing keys - usually in her purse. She usually just drops them in and if she uses one of the many pockets in her purse for her keys, she forgets that she put them. Again last week, I got to sit in her passenger seat and be handed the contents of her purse until she found her keys. I told her that when her old Malibu dies, I will be sure she buys a car with a smart key (or gets my Prius) and sew the fob into her purse.
I leave my car "on" and lock the doors with the metal key for a quick store pickup (not the weekly groceries for course) ... this can save 'some' gas in certain circumstances. I think it is also illegal "idling" in some places even if you are in the car. But again, I only do this when SOC is reasonable.
