?s on Smart Key System - Toyota Prius

[esulerzy]

Good morning! Hope someone can answer a few questions for me - getting ready to purchase a 2009 Toyota Prius and it comes with a "Smart Key System" - which I've never had before.

Can anyone tell me how they like this system? Pros/Cons? Did you turn it off, and if so, why? Any information is welcome. TIA

 

[agnes!]

I looooooove my Prius.

The SmartKey is the coolest thing in the world ! You can just have the key in your purse and walk up to the car. When you put your hand on the handle, the car unlocks - don't have to take the key out, don't have to put it in the door, don't have to click it. Then you can just start the car (if you have the key) by pressing the brake pedal down and pushing the Power button on the dashboard.

One thing to be careful of...let's say you go out in the morning and start the car and then go back in your house and then you get in your car(but leave the key in the house). It is possible to run the car without the SmartKey on you. Just make sure you check & the car/key icon isn't flashing yellow - that tells you your car is running but the key isn't in the car.

If your car is going to sit for a week or two(say, you'll be at WDW ), you can disable the SmartKey feature, which is easy to do. The way it was explained to me is that the car is always searching for the SmartKey & even though that isn't a lot of energy, it does add up. So if the car is left for a long while, the battery could possibly drain.

It's a great car - you will love it.

agnes!

 

[BCV513]

I have the Smart Key feature on my Avalon and I love it. My favorite part is that it's just about impossible to lock your keys in the car.

My car is about three years old now and the battery on my remote just had to be replaced. It happened gradually. Sometimes the doors wouldn't unlock right away, eventually I had to go get the second remote. I just went to the dealership and they replaced the battery for free. It took two minutes. Just watch out for that in a few years. It's a wonderful feature. I ended up putting my car keys on a separate key ring and now they never leave my pocketbook.

 

[debbi801]

I looooooove my Prius.

The SmartKey is the coolest thing in the world ! You can just have the key in your purse and walk up to the car. When you put your hand on the handle, the car unlocks - don't have to take the key out, don't have to put it in the door, don't have to click it. Then you can just start the car (if you have the key) by pressing the brake pedal down and pushing the Power button on the dashboard.

One thing to be careful of...let's say you go out in the morning and start the car and then go back in your house and then you get in your car(but leave the key in the house). It is possible to run the car without the SmartKey on you. Just make sure you check & the car/key icon isn't flashing yellow - that tells you your car is running but the key isn't in the car.

If your car is going to sit for a week or two(say, you'll be at WDW ), you can disable the SmartKey feature, which is easy to do. The way it was explained to me is that the car is always searching for the SmartKey & even though that isn't a lot of energy, it does add up. So if the car is left for a long while, the battery could possibly drain.

It's a great car - you will love it.

agnes!

Yep. The only downside is when you need to drive a car that doesn't have the Smart Key after getting very used to it. DH has the Prius. I have a Ford Escape Hybrid. While the Ford Escape Hybrid uses much of the Toyota technology, it does not have the Smart Key. DH gets frustrated when he drives my car because he forgets to put the key in the ignition and then wonders why it won't start.

The only other slight downside we have seen is when we take it some place for service (like to get the tires rotated) or valet parking, etc. It is a pain explaining to the person how to start, drive, and turn off the car.

We love our hybrids!

 

[SandraVB79]

I looooooove my Prius.

The SmartKey is the coolest thing in the world ! You can just have the key in your purse and walk up to the car. When you put your hand on the handle, the car unlocks - don't have to take the key out, don't have to put it in the door, don't have to click it. Then you can just start the car (if you have the key) by pressing the brake pedal down and pushing the Power button on the dashboard.

One thing to be careful of...let's say you go out in the morning and start the car and then go back in your house and then you get in your car(but leave the key in the house). It is possible to run the car without the SmartKey on you. Just make sure you check & the car/key icon isn't flashing yellow - that tells you your car is running but the key isn't in the car.

If your car is going to sit for a week or two(say, you'll be at WDW ), you can disable the SmartKey feature, which is easy to do. The way it was explained to me is that the car is always searching for the SmartKey & even though that isn't a lot of energy, it does add up. So if the car is left for a long while, the battery could possibly drain.

It's a great car - you will love it.

agnes!

My renault works exactly the same way, and I love it. My next car will be a company "pool" car, but when I can order my "own" next company car, it will be one that has this feature.

Oh, last year my car was unused for 2 months, and I didn't disable the function (didn't even know that was an option) and did not have any battery problems.

For women, not having to open your purse and having to look through it to find a key is imo a safety feature!

 

[SandraVB79]

Oh,a nd I have an OT question: I know a Prius is one of the choices I have when I have to order my "own" car. How do you like it? Does it have a big trunk?? (need that feature for all my golf and bakery school stuff ) (oh, and for when I shop at Disneyland Paris! )

 

[agnes!]

Oh,a nd I have an OT question: I know a Prius is one of the choices I have when I have to order my "own" car. How do you like it? Does it have a big trunk?? (need that feature for all my golf and bakery school stuff ) (oh, and for when I shop at Disneyland Paris! )

You MUST go sit in a Prius. The space inside is not to be believed. My nephew could easily drive my DSis's Prius and he's 6'3". Also, 5 adults can fit into a Prius quite easily.

But you asked about cargo room. There is plenty, we can easily fit luggage for three people. The back seat can either flip down in halves or completely down for more space.

agnes!

 

[SandraVB79]

I'm taller than 6 feet, so it's definitely important that a car has a lot of leg room.
Hmmm, if I have nothing better to do next weekend, I might go for a test drive (unfortunately, I have a lot to do )

Sorry OP, I will stop going OT now!

 

[KristiKelly]

My aunt has a Toyota Prius, she really likes it. Awhile back she lost her Smart Key though, they are expensive to replace - so don't lose it!