walking away from a running prius

Insert the fob into the slot in the dash. The car is able to verify the fob through this slot if the battery in the fob is drained.

 

Well, thanks to this thread on PriusChat, you now know that you can lock the door of your Prius warming up in the drive using the metal key.

Of course, in the eyes of the law, you are still not compliant and based on your comments here "you know the law, break said law and then tell other people not to do it".
That is Webster's definition of a "Hypocrite"

 

No question about the personal responsibility for whatever stupid mistakes we make. That said, I guess we've about exhausted this thread. Thanks for the input.

 

Actually you haven't quite yet. If you lock the car while it's running and it is stolen, not only will your insurance not cover you, you will be charged under the law. This has happened to quite a few people in Alberta. It is cold in the winter here, and most people leave the car running to warm it up before leaving. BTW, the Prius will NOT warm up enough if just left idling. It gets the coolant to about 40C when the outside temp is -20C or lower (just below 0F). The interior fans do not come on at this temp. so the interior doesn't warm up.

IF I was a car thief and IF I knew what I know about Prius, I would take one and not shut it off. i.e. fill the tank while it was running. Hey, I'd have already broken at least one law, why not break another.

Last night came out of a Casino (dinner with a group of friends), with the end of a thunderstorm still going (raining). Didn't have a coat, couldn't find Pearl, and wondering in panic if I had accidentally left her on. She was waiting patiently one row north of where I was looking (and was off).
Seniors moment!

 

A few things I've tried with my 2005 Prius:

1. If you have both your fobs, you can lock the running car from the outside as long as one is inside although it does take several pushes. But carrying both = more weight in my pocket. I've done this a few times when running in and out of my home.

2. Once shifted into drive, the key can probably be in NY and the thief can happily drive to California although I've only gone as far as the 7-11 that's about a miles away... and had to call home... *man* But yeah - I can attest to the fact that it is a real pain to restart the car once you power down without your fob. *heh*

I've tried with my 2008 model that I didn't with my 2005:
1. I've walked away with the fob while the car is running and in park. Then my dad went to move the car and it wouldn't shift gears. It WILL, however, beep like crazy... I was unable to repeat this the couple more times I tried. Can anyone verify? I will try this again when I can... but yeah - it is a bit of an interesting topic.

 

I've looked at a few insurance sites that discuss claims and the "keys in the car" exclusion. As some posts have noted, if you leave your keys in the car, whether in the ignition or not, you may not be covered for a stolen vehicle claim. Apparently, there is some argument over whether the insurance company has to emphasize this exclusion to the policyholder. The Prius presents a new twist, with continuing to run without the key inserted in the ignition. Fortunately, I didn't have to make a stolen vehicle claim when I left my Prius running for an extended period of time. I would not want to test my insurance company on whether they would pay a claim or not. I believe that making sure my car is off will become a habit for me the same way I make sure I know where I parked the car in a large parking lot.

 

Good point about kids.

What would a kid have to do to cause havoc in a Prius left running in Park ? Step on the brake and shift to drive ? Perhaps also release parking brake ? I don't think a kid could do that accidentally.

Could a kid lock you out ? IMO, not if you are holding the metal key.

I know it's SOP for an insurance co. to ask where the keys were if your car gets stolen. I've NEVER heard of a theft claim being rejected for leaving the keys in car, at least not in Canada. Any links to prove such a case in Canada or US ?

I'm sure insurance will be suspicious if you left keys in car, especially if the car is old or you are under water on your loan or something. Perhaps they might not want to insure you any more, but I think they still pay.

What is the finance company supposed to do if insurance won't pay (assuming a lease or loan) ? I'm sure you or finance company is SOL if insurance decides you (or a family member, even 14 years old say) did something on purpose though.

 

What makes you think I didn't know I could lock my Prius with the Metal Key? They make these little books that come along with the car, wow, one can learn a lot by actually reading them!
I don't and haven't left my Prius running unattended, and I don't plan on doing it any time soon. I don't trust the fly by wire shift system well enough to leave to it's on demise. Parking brakes under enough engine strain don't always hold a car in place.
Yes, if I leave my Civic running, even with the doors locked, in my own driveway (which is inches from my house and 40 feet from the road) I'm a Hypocrite!

But do you know what?
"I don't know or even care!" eep:

 

Originally Posted by hiremichaelreid
Good point about kids.

What would a kid have to do to cause havoc in a Prius left running in Park ? Step on the brake and shift to drive ? Perhaps also release parking brake ? I don't think a kid could do that accidentally.

Doesn't take much for a kid to figure out things, ever see some of the video games and toys they have out for them? There have also been posts on this site in which people have claimed to just shift into park and not engage the parking (emergency brake)! Surely some thing from the shallow end of the swamp will have their Prius crash due to kids playing in a running car unattended. (Oh, the stories I can tell about being in Military Housing and the amount of car accidents in the parking lots alone!)

Could a kid lock you out ? IMO, not if you are holding the metal key.

Ok, you're counting on people being smart enough to have removed the metal key from their fob before getting out of the car. (or even before that) Big margin of error you're allowing.

I know it's SOP for an insurance co. to ask where the keys were if your car gets stolen. I've NEVER heard of a theft claim being rejected for leaving the keys in car, at least not in Canada. Any links to prove such a case in Canada or US ?

Truthfully I'm not willing to take the time to try and find one, if there is one.

I'm sure insurance will be suspicious if you left keys in car, especially if the car is old or you are under water on your loan or something. Perhaps they might not want to insure you any more, but I think they still pay.

After most people pay off their loans don't they drop the "extras" on their insurance policy's? I my case I'd no longer be covered for theft.

What is the finance company supposed to do if insurance won't pay (assuming a lease or loan) ? I'm sure you or finance company is SOL if insurance decides you (or a family member, even 14 years old say) did something on purpose though.

Don't know about things in the Great White North, but here in the land of the free you are still held accountable for the loan - note.

 

If that's a newly added safety feature, I really like it.

Wonder if pre-08 model's firmware could be upgraded to do this.

 

The following link is to the Financial Ombudsman, July 2004 report on the "keys in the car" exclusion clause for covering car theft. Can't say how legitimate the info is. Apparently, it's a UK publication, so the Brits may have to deal with this issue. I didn't come across anything like this for the U.S. or Canada. It makes interesting reading. I've never heard of anyone who has been denied coverage on this basis. insurance case studies - keys left in or on cars: a continuing problem

 

What about SKS in a womans purse ?

Woman parks at store and (supposedly wisely) brings purse with SKS key into store with her.

Thief snatches purse with SKS, hops in Prius and takes off with all 110 horsepower...

The zombies start with stealing gas, but then they graduate to stealing SKS Prii...

How many confirmed cases of Prius theft or carjacking have occurred anyway ?

 

I haven't heard of any so far.

 

This is why we should have a statute of limitations on old threads.

 

With due respect to old timers, I don't see why us newbies have to be restricted from following up on earlier threads.

 

There are times that I wish that I could lock my Prius with it running. It is cold or hot some times and I like to get the car to temp before putting the baby in it.

 

Use the mechanical key. It works perfectly for this purpose.

Tom

 

I think a hidden switch spliced into the shifter wires may work.