[YuDanJa]

I'm new to Lexus and this push button ignition stuff, so please understand... (and I'm also debating with another Lexus owner at the work place)

The way I understand it, one can start the vehicle as long as the Smart Key is close enough in range, then drive away from the key forever until the "Stop" button is pushed. In other words, the Smart Key transponder is only required for engine ignition...and that's it; doesn't keep the engine running. Just because you move away from the car, the engine will not automatically shut off from the key being out of range.

The engine immobilizer feature ...basically means your car can't be hotwired because the car's computer requires a code from the key's transponder; has nothing to do with "smart key signals" being in/out of range

Correct?

 

[YuDanJa]

I really have to test this out one day, but I keep forgetting. I have my doubts it works like your Nissan because that means every time the gear is shifted, it is looking for a transponder signal. In the event your Lexus smart key runs out of batteries, you need to hold the 'mechanical' key to the Start/Stop switch...that would mean you need to keep taped up there in order to switch gears.

 

[maxa]

Think of the button as the key and the remote as the immobilizer.
The remote will only effect the starting sequence, cause imagine otherwise if the battery runs low in the remote or something like that. Would be kind of bad on the highway

If a thief steals the car, first of all the remote will have to be inside the car to start it. Its not enough to stand outside it (you cant even start the car if the key is laying on the ground right outside the door).

But if you start your car and then jumps out with the car on, a person without the key will be able to jump in and drive away... exactly like if you leave your key in the car. There will be warnings in the display and such, but no real actions taken.

So leaving the start button on is like leaving your keys in the car but with the advantage that you have the immobilizer left in your pocket so a thief can´t start it up again that easily when he shuts it of.

/Max

 

[YuDanJa]

Hmm...weird. The Nissan guy deleted all his responses. Makes it look like I was talking to myself. But one interesting feature he did mention about the Nissan is that once you put the car in gear without the smart key nearby, it shuts off the engine. And in the event the remote battery runs out, insert the mech key into a 'slot' (compared to Lexus where we hold the mech key to the Start/Stop button), which keeps the engine on even when shifting gears.

So, according to Maxa's reply, I was right.
It's always those meaningless conversations at the work place... start talking about luxury cars...the Smart Key feature, and someone asks "What if a thief hops in and drives away?" That Lexus owner I mentioned earlier said they won't get far because the engine would shut down as it gets away from the key (the "Immobilizer" feature). Of course, everyone was like "Wooooow" ...and I said "Umm...no it won't". Anyway, he owes me lunch now.

 

[maxa]

Yepp you are right, and to clarify; I did test the following things earlier today (before posting my last post) since I got curious.

Test 1
Place remote on ground just outside the drivers door
Result: The start button went green, the dash started up but the car didn't. Warned that the remote wasn't inside the car

Test 2
Started the car with the remote in the car, then I placed the remote in my house and drove away. I was out driving for about 10mins
Result: The car warned that the remote wasn't in the car, but the car didn't shut down

Test 3
While out driving without the remote, I did put the car in Park-mode.
Result: Nothing happened, was just to shift back to drive again and drive away

Test 4
Still out without the remote, I reversed.
Result: The display now told me to shift to Park mode when I had parked, I thought that would mean that if I shifted to Park I wouldn't be able to drive again, but there was no problem. Still just to switch back to drive and drive away

Test 5
When car is on but remote outside, I stood 10meter away and pushed the lock-button on the remote.
Result: Nothing happened. (hoped I would be able to shut the car off and lock it with the remote, but nope nothing happened)


Im surprised that there isn't a lock that disable the possibility to shift gear when the car is in Park mode and the remote is outside the car. This seams like it should be there and I hope some smart guy at lexus add this feature by next software update. And a feature that locks the car when the key is more than 10meter away.
My guess is that the sensors only can sense if the remote is about 20cm away and it would be very irritating if the car locked down every time you got 20cm away from the car so that request is probably a bit harder hehe

I hope this clarify what is happening

 

[YuDanJa]

Wow. Thanks for conducting and posting your test results.
I wonder if your Test 1 result is programmed that way (like as soon as you shut the door on the key, it says remote is not in the car). I'm glad you didn't get stuck out there somewhere far out there without the key if it did shut off.

 

[jhnharvy773]

I'm new to Lexus and this push button ignition stuff, so please understand... (and I'm also debating with another Lexus owner at the work place)

The way I understand it, one can start the vehicle as long as the Smart Key is close enough in range, then drive away from the key forever until the "Stop" button is pushed. In other words, the Smart Key transponder is only required for engine Performance Ignition...and that's it; doesn't keep the engine running. Just because you move away from the car, the engine will not automatically shut off from the key being out of range.

The engine immobilizer feature ...basically means your car can't be hotwired because the car's computer requires a code from the key's transponder; has nothing to do with "smart key signals" being in/out of range

Correct?

My grandmother has a 2005 white Lexus LS and she recently went to the dealership and had work done and they somehow deactivated the smart key. Now the key won't auto unlock and auto crank with the button. How do you reactivate this? Thanks

 

[Matt_RN]

Sounds like the key's programming was deleted. Only the dealer can reprogram the key to the car. Try checking the battery in the key first before bringing it in. It could be something as simple as that.

 

[jimmyc13]

Interesting tests maxa! Did you have someone on standby at home with your key, in case you needed them to call them and have them come to you if you got stranded!?