I have a 2008 with smart key. I keep it in my pocket, all works well. If a car jacker stops me and I give up the car, How far will he get if I still have the smart key and it is not with him?
As far as he can go without turning the car off. Prius won't shutoff as long as there is gas in the tank, but once powered off it won't restart without the fob. This is how Prius is designed so that if your smartkey battery dies while you're driving, the car won't suddenly quit say in the middle of the freeway.
Correct and this bears one other risk: Don't keep your key too close to the car inside the house, otherwise anyone could drive off without they key (for example if your driveway is right in front of the entrance door and you keep your key right inside the door on a hook or so)
What RobH said, plus, if the key is within range for more than a minute (iirc), the system shuts off.
And should the fob battery die, you can still start the car by placing the key right next to the start button. (Use the tiny spare key inside the fob to get inside)
Regarding 2G Prius, it is necessary to insert the fob into the dashboard slot. However 3G Prius does not have this slot, hence you need to hold the fob near the POWER button.
holding it next to PWR button also works...I know because I bought my car with a dead SKS battery and thats how the salesman started the car for me on the test drive.
Oh Patrick, Gen 2 with Smart System will no need to insert the fob into the slot. Mine has this function and the key was in my pocket ever since I owned the car for 2+ yrs. Really keyless get in ,fobless in the slot during driving..
Patrick is referring to the backup starting system used when the smart key has failed. Obviously you don't need to insert the fob when running in smart mode. Tom
