So, I recently bough an '08 Prius. The thing didn't come with the owner's manual......The dealer told me that if I stick the key fob in that little rectangle on the dash that holds it, it will "charge" the battery in the key fob. I think he made that up....but I don't have a manual to refer back to. I kinda feel like that little rectangle is just a holder for people who like to put their keys in the dash like every other car. Anyway, is there any reason to be putting the key fob in there, or is it just as good in my pocket?
He's making it up. It's fine in your pocket. The battery might run out in a couple years. Then you just buy a $2 battery from Radio Shack and keep going. If your battery does go out and you need to drive, that's when you can stick the fob in your dash and go about your merry way.
The battery in the key fob is not a rechargeable battery. It is a common lithium (flat round) battery - CR 2032
FYI, There is a great User Guide published by John. John's Stuff - Toyota Prius User-Guide The fob battery information is on the page-37 of the document. Ken@Japan
It's not rechargeable, I can see as how he might think it is. I know my BMW charged the key with induction or something. (Unless my bmw salesman was also full of crap.) lol
