Okay, so this is the first time I’ve done something like this and I’m really confused. I had to head out super early this morning, and of course, I was running late. I started my car to let it defrost and then grabbed my coffee and phone, heading out the door. Only problem? I completely forgot my keys at home, and I didn’t get any alert! I drove about 5 miles to my destination, then back home and realized, wait, where are my keys? They were still inside the house. How did this even happen? Can someone explain?
Did you happen to set up the digital key feature on your phone? That’s the only way I can think of for you to drive without the keys in your pocket.
Tallis said:
Did you happen to set up the digital key feature on your phone? That’s the only way I can think of for you to drive without the keys in your pocket.
I’ve never set that up, so I really don’t know how it happened. I’m definitely going to check out the digital key now, though. That sounds cool!
Did you remote start the car, or did you walk up to it and start it manually?
Zaren said:
Did you remote start the car, or did you walk up to it and start it manually?
I walked up to the car and used the keys to start it manually.
Zaren said:
Did you remote start the car, or did you walk up to it and start it manually?
I walked up to the car and used the keys to start it manually.
Ah, got it. If you start the car with the key, it’ll let you drive without it. But if you use remote start, the car requires the key to unlock it and to shift into drive.
@Zaren
Thanks! I actually called the Toyota dealer where I bought the car, and they confirmed exactly what you said. That’s good to know! I had no idea that was possible until today.
@Zaren
That’s a bit scary because what if you stop the car and can’t restart it? I always assumed if I drove off without the key, the car would alert me somehow.
BillSmith said:
@Zaren
That’s a bit scary because what if you stop the car and can’t restart it? I always assumed if I drove off without the key, the car would alert me somehow.
It’s a good idea to lock the doors if you plan to leave it running. You never know what might happen.
Maybe there was another key inside the car that you didn’t notice?
Sunny said:
Maybe there was another key inside the car that you didn’t notice?
I only have two sets of keys, and both were in my house. But if there’s a hidden key under my seat, I have no idea! Thanks for suggesting that, though.
This sounds like a glitch. My 2013 Venza always gives a warning when the key isn’t detected. It flashes a message on the dash and beeps three times if you try to drive without the key.
Lucypiper said:
This sounds like a glitch. My 2013 Venza always gives a warning when the key isn’t detected. It flashes a message on the dash and beeps three times if you try to drive without the key.
It’s not a glitch. There’s a display notification and an audible alert when you try to shift to drive without the key.
@Raenys
I said the same thing, except the alert happens as soon as you close the door, not just when you shift into drive. Maybe people don’t pay attention, but I think it’s possible OP didn’t get the usual alert due to some glitch.
@Lucypiper
Toyota is usually very good at giving plenty of notifications for safety. I find it hard to believe OP wasn’t alerted. My ’21 Highlander will notify you audibly and on the display if you shift to drive without the key.
Lucypiper said:
This sounds like a glitch. My 2013 Venza always gives a warning when the key isn’t detected. It flashes a message on the dash and beeps three times if you try to drive without the key.
Yeah, I thought the same! It was so weird. When I got back home and realized the keys were still inside, I was just standing there like… how did this happen?
That’s interesting. I remote started my car once and left the key inside. When I went to unlock the car, it wouldn’t open. The car didn’t let me lock the doors either when I left the key in it. That’s how it should be, honestly.
I’m assuming you didn’t turn off the car until after you got home. It would have beeped when you shut the door without the key, and a message would have appeared on your dash. Maybe you were too tired to notice it.
@StarlightSpecter
Yeah, I didn’t turn it off until I got home. I did hear a ding when I first drove off, and the dash showed a message about icy road conditions. I guess I missed the warning about the key, though. Oops!
You must have had another key remote in the car. There’s no way it would start without one.