Toyota sued over keyless ignition system

[Abstract]

Ah, keyless ignition. A technology car companies have implemented just because they can.

I don't see the point of them, and would rather have a key in place. I know the driver should be responsible for shutting off the car before exiting the car, but if a physical key was present, it would likely be easier to remember. As cars (hybrids or fuel cell engines) become almost silent at idle, I feel that a physical key becomes even more important!

And really, should the car be allowed to be on if the key fob is beyond 10 metres (33 feet) from the car?

 

[MacNut]

The main reason for electric start is to warm the car up in the winter so you don't have to walk outside to start it. The way it is supposed to work is that in order to drive you need to put the key in the ignition. I don't now how this woman was able to park the car and take the key out while leaving the car running. If the key is not in the ignition once you step on the break the car shuts off.

 

[rdowns]

I rented a car a few weeks ago that had a push button start with the keyless fob thingamajig (it was actually a Prius - probably not that dissimilar from the Lexus in question). It was my first time ever driving a car with the push button ignition and not once did I forget to turn the car off before leaving it. Sure, I reached for the steering column a few times to turn the key and take it out, but upon realizing it wasn't there, I knew to hit the button to turn it off.

I reached for the key for 2 weeks until it became part of my muscle memory to push a button instead of grabbing a key ring. Now when I drive another car, I sit there with the key in my hand for an extra second or two until I go for the ignition.

Ah, keyless ignition. A technology car companies have implemented just because they can.

I said the same thing. I also said the same thing about heated seats and a backup camera until I had and used them.

And really, should the car be allowed to be on if the key fob is beyond 10 metres (33 feet) from the car?

Makes sense.

 

[RITZFit]

The main reason for electric start is to warm the car up in the winter so you don't have to walk outside to start it. The way it is supposed to work is that in order to drive you need to put the key in the ignition. I don't now how this woman was able to park the car and take the key out while leaving the car running. If the key is not in the ignition once you step on the break the car shuts off.

all toyotas w/ push to start only require the key be within proximity of the steering column for the ignition system to work (with foot on brake pedal of course). The car does stay on if you get out w/ the key but the car beeps as it detects the key leaving. I'll admit, after working at a toyota dealership and dealing w/ these systems, they are a bit quirky; very convenient for moving a large volume of cars though ...still, no reason to sue the company...personal responsibility needs to be a factor in this case.

 

[heehee]

I don't see the point of them, and would rather have a key in place.

And really, should the car be allowed to be on if the key fob is beyond 10 metres (33 feet) from the car?

It's super convenient. Lets say you are carrying 10 grocery bags and it's minus 5000 out, you don't have to take off your gloves, search for your keys in your pocket/purse and just open the door or trunk.

I've driven a Lexus IS 2 blocks away from the key and it didn't shut off, it did give me a warning though.

I don't now how this woman was able to park the car and take the key out while leaving the car running. If the key is not in the ignition once you step on the break the car shuts off.

You don't have to put your key anywhere, as long as you have to key with you, you push a button to start/stop the car.

 

[rdowns]

@MacNut, check thi out.

http://www.acura.com/Features.aspx?model=TL&modelYear=2011&context=Interior#keyless_start

 

[yg17]

Like I said have you ever lock your keys in your car?

Never

I've driven a Lexus IS 2 blocks away from the key and it didn't shut off, it did give me a warning though.

So how close does the key need to be for the doors to unlock and the car to start? I can't help but wonder about a scenario where you have the car parked in your driveway and the keys are inside but still pretty close to the car, will the doors unlock and the car start?

 

[heehee]

Never


So how close does the key need to be for the doors to unlock and the car to start? I can't help but wonder about a scenario where you have the car parked in your driveway and the keys are inside but still pretty close to the car, will the doors unlock and the car start?

You pretty much have to stand beside the drivers door for it to unlock/lock. I would say no more than 3 ft away from the door handle. One time, I wanted to lock the door (touch pad at the door handle) at the drivers side but the key was in my gfs purse, she was standing at the passenger side, I couldn't lock it.

 

[rdowns]

Never


So how close does the key need to be for the doors to unlock and the car to start? I can't help but wonder about a scenario where you have the car parked in your driveway and the keys are inside but still pretty close to the car, will the doors unlock and the car start?

It's an RFIC chip. I have to be within 3 feet of the car and the doors won't unlock unless I touch the handle.

 

[Sydde]

In these litigious days, this isn't unexpected.

on a side note ... NO KEYS PUSH ... TO START.

I had that Push to Start on my '58 Ford F100. Then we got a starter motor put in.

Sorry, couldn't help myself

 

[sammich]

Also if you have the key inside the car, you can't 'keyless' lock the car either, cos I've tried...unwittingly without my spare key handy.

And you can drive the car as far away as you want without the key, for obvious safety reasons. I drove all the way home (about 30 km) once as I took over the driving when my brother went to work.

 

[Abstract]

And you can drive the car as far away as you want without the key, for obvious safety reasons. I drove all the way home (about 30 km) once as I took over the driving when my brother went to work.

Why is the ability to drive a car without requiring the keys done for safety reasons?

Admittedly, I don't know anything about keyless systems, and I have only been in a Prius that used this system. However, based solely on my intuition, I'd guess that letting people drive without a key in the car is a bad idea, and doesn't improve safety.

I can imagine several situations where not being required to physically unlock the car door would be nice (even if you have remote keyless entry), but personally, I really don't see the flaw in using a remote to lock and unlock the car doors, or using a key for starting the car. I wouldn't want keyless unlocking on my house door either. For the small convenience it ocasionally offers, it seems like it introduces annoyances, and perhaps safety issues as well.

 

[dmmcintyre3]

Why is the ability to drive a car without requiring the keys done for safety reasons?

so the car won't cut off in the street.

 

[Pink∆Floyd]

Sue Toyota because of her stupidity?

Never!

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

This would be easy to do to...

Leave the 'key fob' in your car and it will stay running because the fob is 'in range' and the current condition is 'car started'.

Perhaps Toyota and others *could* make it so that the car shuts down after a certain amount of time if there is no one in any of the seats but short of an embedded CO detector on the outside of the car (which would be a nightmare in a tunnel or parking garage) there isn't much you can do. I'm all in favor of people being able to sue for defective products but when the defect is the person that bought the product, there isn't anyone TO sue.

Yes, the bottom feeding lawyer *should* be tossed on his ass all the way out of the State Bar. It's obvious that they are hoping for cash from Toyota to keep this out of the courts but this would be like suing Toyota because you hit your head getting in the car. It's not their (Toyota's) fault that you are an idiot. If that were the case, would there be ANY corporations left standing?

Imagine suing because you choked on a Teddy Graham or stubbed your toe on a chair... Some stuff just can't be litigated, or at least shouldn't be able to be...

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

The manual warns about the dangers of CO.

In the Prius, the car will auto turn off if it sits with the accessory mode activated but nothing will evidently stop someone from running the car in a garage and wiping out their family.

Time to design a better human?

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

So basically her negligence is Toyota's fault? Bottom line is I don't think the car company should be sued but this should begin to set precedent where keyless ignitions should have auto kill switches. This lawyer will likely get something, which is a shame.

IIRC a lawsuit against Toyota requires notice that seat belts are not efective if the seat is reclined back.... Some guy sued after he lost his legs with the setback fully reclined and his body slid forward in a crash...

 

[gnasher729]

I've driven a Lexus IS 2 blocks away from the key and it didn't shut off, it did give me a warning though.

Colleague of mine loaned his car to a friend and got a phone call two hours later when the friend was stuck at a petrol station about hundred miles away without the key

 

[PantherJeep]

Colleague of mine loaned his car to a friend and got a phone call two hours later when the friend was stuck at a petrol station about hundred miles away without the key

This really is something that annoys the piss out of me about keyless ignition. I can start my Corvette with the key fob sitting 4 feet away from the car then drive away without the fob. I have done this exactly once, and thankfully there was someone at the house who could drive the fob to me so I could drive the car back home.

Then there's the problem of acclimation, which again is annoying. Invariably, if I go to drive one of my other cars after driving the 'Vette for a week or two I:

1.)get in
2.)buckle the belt
3.)adjust the mirrors
4.)look for starter button
5.)swear
6.)dig into my pocket for the key I forgot I needed
7.)insert key in ignition
8.)start car



On the other hand, the nice thing about a big-ass V8 is that I know whether I turned that bitch off or not! GM are therefore safe from my ambulance-chasing attorney. LOL

 

[RabidBear]

The biggest irritant with my 'Vette is that the FOB reminder is occasionally wrong about me leaving the FOB in the car.

But, the 'Vette is so automated in doing a lot of other things like turning the head lights on, locking and unlocking the doors etc that I often forget to turn the head lights on or lock the doors when driving other cars.

This really is something that annoys the piss out of me about keyless ignition. I can start my Corvette with the key fob sitting 4 feet away from the car then drive away without the fob. I have done this exactly once, and thankfully there was someone at the house who could drive the fob to me so I could drive the car back home.

Then there's the problem of acclimation, which again is annoying. Invariably, if I go to drive one of my other cars after driving the 'Vette for a week or two I:

1.)get in
2.)buckle the belt
3.)adjust the mirrors
4.)look for starter button
5.)swear
6.)dig into my pocket for the key I forgot I needed
7.)insert key in ignition
8.)start car



On the other hand, the nice thing about a big-ass V8 is that I know whether I turned that bitch off or not! GM are therefore safe from my ambulance-chasing attorney. LOL

 

[PopCulture]

Gosh. Toyota can't catch a break. First the pedal, now this. SMH.

 

[quagmire]

Gosh. Toyota can't catch a break. First the pedal, now this. SMH.

They don't deserve a break after the whole SUA fiasco. While I agree this lawsuit is completely idiotic, Toyota deserves most of the flak they are getting.