Smart Key Effective Range?

[blackie2]

Maybe a stupid question but I’ll ask anyway. I was buying gas the other day and my smart key was in my pocket by the fuel tank door and I wondered if some idiot could jump in my 4Runner and hit the start button and steal it? I’m not prone to paranoia but my commute takes me through some rough neighborhoods.

 

[1jzgte]

Umm leave your key on the roof and hop into your car and try to start it.

 

[GRDPro]

Maybe a stupid question but I’ll ask anyway. I was buying gas the other day and my smart key was in my pocket by the fuel tank door and I wondered if some idiot could jump in my 4Runner and hit the start button and steal it? I’m not prone to paranoia but my commute takes me through some rough neighborhoods.

It's not really a question of effective range, but triangulation (or whatever it would be called with 6-ish sensors). These are located strategically in the car that can figure out where the key is in relation to the sensors. So, inside the car, outside the driver door, passenger door, etc. Its not perfect, but I don't believe your scenario is something to worry about.

There is actually a setting where you can have the car only be able to start with the key in the front seat versus both the front and back (but still inside the vehicle)

Greg

 

[fkheath]

Maybe a stupid question but I’ll ask anyway. I was buying gas the other day and my smart key was in my pocket by the fuel tank door and I wondered if some idiot could jump in my 4Runner and hit the start button and steal it? I’m not prone to paranoia but my commute takes me through some rough neighborhoods.

Not to worry.

1. The car can only be started with the key inside the car.

2. If, perhaps, they do start the car and drive away, as soon an they stop, the car will detect that the key is not present and stop the engine.

Now many women like to put the smart key in their purse, then leave the purse in the car while refueling; now you have a problem and a car jack person can drive away since the key is in the car.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

Not to worry.

1. The car can only be started with the key inside the car.

2. If, perhaps, they do start the car and drive away, as soon an they stop, the car will detect that the key is not present and stop the engine.

Now many women like to put the smart key in their purse, then leave the purse in the car while refueling; now you have a problem and a car jack person can drive away since the key is in the car.

I was wondering what the truck would do if someone jumped in drove off when the fob key is in my pocket.

BTW the I read the 4Runner key fob turns off after 10 minutes of non-use.

I prefer the key fob my Mercedes had. You had to put it into the dash like a regular key so there was no I concern about someone getting in an driving off while the key was in my pocket near by.

 

[blackie2]

Thanks guys. And it'll start with the keys on the top of the car by the way. Of course no one saw me do this...

 

[Irish Mike]

There is some bad info here.
It is correct that the car will only start when the fob is in the vehicle.
It is NOT correct that the car will shut off when the key is not detected or within 10 minutes. The car will continue to run until it is shut off and then it will not re-start until the key is back in the vehicle.

It is a good practice to always shut off the vehicle when fueling or running into a store quick and always keep the fob with you.

 

[usdmej]

Maybe a stupid question but I’ll ask anyway. I was buying gas the other day and my smart key was in my pocket by the fuel tank door and I wondered if some idiot could jump in my 4Runner and hit the start button and steal it? I’m not prone to paranoia but my commute takes me through some rough neighborhoods.

assuming you lock your doors before you get fuel, your key being near the gas filler door isn't close enough to convince the truck to unlock your frontdoor and start the vehicle

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Really if someone wanted your smart key equipped vehicle they wear a device that picks up and mimics your key signal.

 

[Ferret]

If a key is lost in the car will it start?