[KeriVit]

Originally Posted by Eug 

Hmmm... I can always remember my bank account PIN codes when I'm drunk.

I can be pretty sure you don't drink as much as he does.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by KeriVit 

I can be pretty sure you don't drink as much as he does.

Then perhaps he should stop driving to the bar. Over two drinks and I'm over the legal limit, but I'm not incoherently "drunk" obviously. If I have 4 drinks I'll definitely be tipsy, but I can still remember my PIN code. I rarely get totally blitzed these days.

My guess is that he'd be over the legal limit for quite some time before he starts losing his memory of his PIN code. In that zone, he still shouldn't be driving.

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by Eug 

Yes. I never have to take the keys out of my pocket. All I need to do is press my foot on the brake and press the start button.

That picture makes it look like the start button is on the car itself. I assume the start button only works if it detects the wireless signal from the transmitter on your keyring in your pocket?

[Eug]

Originally Posted by CharlesS 

That picture makes it look like the start button is on the car itself.

Correct. It's on the dash.

I assume the start button only works if it detects the wireless signal from the transmitter on your keyring in your pocket?

Again, correct.

If your transmitter battery dies, you can still start the car by putting the FOB in the dash keyfob slot. (There is also a physical key inside the fob, but that's for the door, again in case the battery dies.)

This is not a Prius, but the idea is the same:



The picture shows the fob inside the slot.

The metal ring is where the physical key located (inside the fob).

[KeriVit]

Originally Posted by Eug 

Then perhaps he should stop driving to the bar. Over two drinks and I'm over the legal limit, but I'm not incoherently "drunk" obviously. If I have 4 drinks I'll definitely be tipsy, but I can still remember my PIN code. I rarely get totally blitzed these days.

My guess is that he'd be over the legal limit for quite some time before he starts losing his memory of his PIN code. In that zone, he still shouldn't be driving.

I agree. I didn't say it was a GOOD philosophy. He's an idiot. Now back to other options of keyless entry... sorry for the topic detour.

I want a remote starter so I can cool down my car in the summer heat.

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by Eug 

If your transmitter battery dies, you can still start the car by putting the FOB in the dash keyfob slot. (There is also a physical key inside the fob, but that's for the door, again in case the battery dies.)

Okay, time for some more devil's advocate:

What happens if you have to walk through heavy rain to get to your car, and water gets inside the fob and shorts out the circuitry?

[Eug]

Originally Posted by CharlesS 

Okay, time for some more devil's advocate:

What happens if you have to walk through heavy rain to get to your car, and water gets inside the fob and shorts out the circuitry?

Good question. I dunno. Never has happened to me though, or anyone else I've seen on the Prius forums. I guess the other question is what happens if someone runs over your fob and breaks it.

However, I will point out that I can start the car with the key fob even if the key fob has a dead battery, despite the fact there is no electrical contact between the fob and the car. The fob's shell is made entirely of plastic, yet put the fob in the slot, and you can start the car, even if you can't open the door with the fob.

So I don't know if the car is sensing a very low level of signal from an almost dead battery, of if there is some other method of sensing the fob that doesn't require any electricity at all. Is that possible?

[Thorzdad]

Originally Posted by shifuimam 

Unlikely. My 1990 Nissan Maxima GXE had the keypad. I don't know why they dropped it, it's a damn handy feature on a car...

I was told my a Nissan mechanic that the keypads were prone to failure, especially in winter ice and snow.

Was your Maxima that retro pearl aqua-green color? We went with boring metallic gray on our SE.

[imitchellg5]

I was never a fan of the big panel near the handle, but the new Ford and Lincolns with the touch sensitive panels on the door frame are pretty slick. Personally though, I'd probably forget the combo, unless you can pick it yourself.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

Lincoln's

*cough*

Personally though, I'd probably forget the combo, unless you can pick it yourself.

You can. You have a master code that's permanent and a temporary code that you can set to anything you'd like.

[Dakar V]

Originally Posted by CharlesS 

Okay, time for some more devil's advocate:

What happens if you have to walk through heavy rain to get to your car, and water gets inside the fob and shorts out the circuitry?

Are you one of those guys that get manual crank windows because it's "less parts that can break"?

[CharlesS]

Well, the windows not opening and the car not starting are not exactly on the same level...

Besides, I already said that I'm kind of playing devil's advocate here.

[dav]

Originally Posted by CharlesS 

Well, the windows not opening and the car not starting are not exactly on the same level...

Besides, I already said that I'm kind of playing devil's advocate here.

my car seems to work the same as Eug's prius. i believe the keyfob is waterproof and could handle total submersion in water, however, i'd be concerned if i left the keyfob in my pocket through a washing machine cycle.

[Eug]

What car do you drive?

[imitchellg5]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

*cough*

Wow, that is annoying. I just took part in my pet peeve. Grrrrr.

[dav]

Originally Posted by Eug 

What car do you drive?

an infiniti g35