How often do you recharge the key?

I wasn't aware that the key was rechargeable. I think the dealer was making things up.

 

I thought the FOB used a non-rechargeable watch battery :huh:

 

That doesn't recharge your key. It uses a standard battery that you need to replace when it dies

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dachshund @ Oct 20 2006, 02:55 PM) [snapback]335700[/snapback]</div>

You don't recharge it. You replace the battery once every 2 to 3 years. It's just a regular calculator type battery that you can get at just about any drug store. (The manual has instructions for replacing the battery)

The slot is for people who don't have the SKS, and for starting your car if the fob's battery ever dies. I typically only use it when I have a valet park my car. I put the fob in the slot so they know where to find it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dachshund @ Oct 20 2006, 02:55 PM) [snapback]335700[/snapback]</div>

The owner's manual says the plug in the dash is for when the battery dies in the fob, so the car can read the key so that you may drive to the store and get a new battery for the fob. In other words, no "recharge" by putting it in the dash slot.

 

The ignorance some dealerships never ceases to amaze me.

 

It doesn't recharge. Apparently many dealers are misinformed on this issue. My salesperson also told me that I needed to make sure I charged the key occasionally in the slot.

 

Anybody know how this works on the HyCam? it has SKS, but no slot...

Nate

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dachshund @ Oct 20 2006, 03:05 PM) [snapback]335717[/snapback]</div>

My last car was 12 years old when I traded it, it had the original batteries in the key fobs, and the original 12V battery under the hood. To be fair, I assume the batteries in the Prius key fobs are sending out some signal all the time, whereas the one in my Volvo (Volvos rock!) was only being used when you pressed the button to open the door. The 12V battery surprised even me, I put jumper cables in the car for the last 5 years or so I drove it, expecting it to die at any time.

 

We all need to make sure that, when we come across a dealer giving missinformation like this, we take the time to correct them - there are many more owners out there than on this site, and i would hate for them to be under mistaken impressions due to dealer missinformation.

 

The SKS fob listens for a low power signal from one of the oscillators in the Prius. When it hears the oscillator, it transmits a code using the same mechanism as if you pressed a button on the fob. Most of the time, the oscillators solicit a request when an event occurs, such as a door handle touched, a door opened, a door attempting to be locked, power button pressed, etc. I believe the room oscillator will be used occasionally to check that the fob is still in the car, but I don't know how often. Whenever the fob responds, the LED on the fob will blink.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(naterprius @ Oct 20 2006, 12:11 PM) [snapback]335727[/snapback]</div>

Hold the HyCam FOB near the Power button while powering on.
The induction field is something like 3 inches around it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(naterprius @ Oct 20 2006, 03:11 PM) [snapback]335727[/snapback]</div>

Sounds a little inconvenient if you are having your car valet parked.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dachshund @ Oct 20 2006, 12:05 PM) [snapback]335717[/snapback]</div>

Unfortunately dealers can say the darnest things at times. At least one dealer has said that moving the shift lever to "B" makes the Prius run on battery alone. :lol:

 

Dealers don't know it all, do they?

 

Longo Toyota told me the same thing. Put the fob in the slot once a week to recharge. Bunch of hooey!