Warming Up Veichle in the Morning

psychoklr

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Hey guys I just bought a 2003 4Runner Sport fully loaded with jbl etc.. and I love it. The only problem I have is that you can't lock the doors with the key in the ignition. My problem is that in the mornings here it's -30c and I like to let my truck warm up for 5-10minutes but I don't like leaving it running with the key in it. I probably will get a command-start but in the meantime is there anyway I can lock the doors while it's running?

Thanks, Gord

PS. The A20 tires suck on ice / snow worst tires I've ever owned.
 
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psychoklr said:
Hey guys I just bought a 2003 4Runner Sport fully loaded with jbl etc.. and I love it. The only problem I have is that you can't lock the doors with the key in the ignition. My problem is that in the mornings here it's -30c and I like to let my truck warm up for 5-10minutes but I don't like leaving it running with the key in it. I probably will get a command-start but in the meantime is there anyway I can lock the doors while it's running?

Thanks, Gord

PS. The A20 tires suck on ice / snow worst tires I've ever owned.

Not sure about this, but I think you can lock it from the outside with your spare key while it is running. That's what I did on my 93 4runner. Haven't tried it on my 04 yet, but expect it to work the same.

Give it a try and let me know if you would. Thanks and good luck.
 
Howabout starting up the car, and with the other FOB, lock the doors from the outside (considering you don't have an autostart feature).

Upon re-entry, make sure you have the Key FOB around, orelse your out of luck.
 
Thanks guys I just ran outside in the freezing cold and tried it and it wouldn't let me lock it with the fob when it's running but it did let me lock the door with the key. Thank you very much I was worried someone would steal my new pride and joy !! Now if I could just find a way to not put the back window down by hitting the wrong fob button this truck would be perfect :)
 
Your ride could still be stolen even with the doors locked and engine running. A thief could use a window punch to shatter the glass.....jump into the window, shift into drive and take your runner for a scoot. There you would stand in your empty driveway with arms flung into the air and tears in your eyes! Just be sure not to allow a single tear to roll down your cheek---I wouldn't want to see a grown man cry!
Besides, the thief could be the insurance giant GEICO "grecko" lizard taking your runner for a drive to test its durability....for insurance preminum purposes--of course!
_____________
2004 Galatica Gray SR5 4X4 V6
factory moonroof, 17" sport edition rims, rear spoiler, hood deflector, all weather weathershield custom made SUV cover
 
live4swell said:
I would recommend remote start, a lot easier...i have it and I love it

Same here... Its good in the winter to warm it up and good in the summer to cool it down. If you turn on the heater/defroster or whatever it keeps those settings when shut off.
 
For the remote start, do you have an un-cut programmed key in the truck (for the engine immobilizer)?


What brand remote start? This is my first vehicles with an auto-crank ignition. I'd assume the system would need to take the auto-crank into consideration.
 
They sell bypass modules to fool the engine immobilizer momentarily so that you don't need a key with a transponder in the vehicle at all times.
 
sharp4runr said:
They sell bypass modules to fool the engine immobilizer momentarily so that you don't need a key with a transponder in the vehicle at all times.

So you can program a bypass module with the code? That is good news, keys probably aren't cheap to buy and program.
 
I do the same, start the car up and lock the door with my spare key that I had cut, but the thought does occur do me that someone could do a smash and drive:)

Even when I was dating this girl who lived in nomansland, I would lock the door while everyone else left their cars unlocked, I don't trust anyone;):

My friend has a 745il and in sub zero weather he goes WOT, oddly enough the car is problem free with the i-drive:D
 
Bluto said:
For the remote start, do you have an un-cut programmed key in the truck (for the engine immobilizer)?


What brand remote start? This is my first vehicles with an auto-crank ignition. I'd assume the system would need to take the auto-crank into consideration.

Mine is DEI Hornet, I actually had it done by Toyota before I picked up my truck, the price wasnt too high and I probably could have gotten it done cheaper but would rather have toyota do it if anything got messed up with the warranty.
 
Concerns about smash-n-scoot, warmup time

I know it varies from insurance company to insurance company, but I'd be concerned about theft of a running vehicle even if locked. Some companies will deny coverage if a vehicle is stolen with the key in the ignition.

Some companies give a discount on alarm-equipped and immobilizer-equipped vehicles, and I've heard that immobilizer-equipped vehicles are almost impossible to steal without just towing them away. So it makes sense that an insurance company might try to deny coverage if you (by warming up the vehicle with a valid key in the ignition) make it easy for a thief to just pop a window and drive it away. It would take maybe 10 seconds.

I don't mean this as criticism, but I also wonder about warming up for 5-10 minutes. Seems like the engine is up to reasonable operating temperature for gentle driving in just a minute or two, and longer idling might just waste fuel. Maybe it's a matter of driver comfort; I don't know.

But want to be careful not to sound critical here, since I (and my 4Runner) have it comparitively easy due to a garage and a mild climate.
 
Bluto said:
In some states is it illegal to leave an unattended vehicle running.
Pretty much everywhere actually, but it's one of those laws that no one really follows. Y'know, like speed limits? :p
 
Northof49 said:
Pretty much everywhere actually, but it's one of those laws that no one really follows. Y'know, like speed limits? :p

And they give out tickets for both. ;):

The 'unattended vehicle' tickets mostly happen in the city/urban/high theft areas when it snows.

I guess the city looks to increase revenues to cover the salt.
 
Two things, First, -30 C? When it hits 0 F around here, that is cold. I can't imagine waking up to -30 C temperatures on a regular basis. I have a lot of respect for all you in extreme cold regions.

Second, how long does a vehicle need to "warm up"? I know you don't get heat for a while on really cold days, but is it OK to drive the vehicle after only 1 or 2 minutes when it is, say -30 outside?

Thanks.
 

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