Nissan Altima Hybrid and the "Intelligent" Key
Created August 31, 2009, at 12:52 am by CRUISER64
I recently purchased an '09 NAH and have the following questions regarding the "intelligent key" aka keyless ignition.
1) How far can a person drive the car without the intelligent key in the actual car? I went and visited a relative and they wanted to take my NAH for a spin, so I said sure and they got behind the wheel and went down the road (about a block) and then came back. I realized after the fact that I had the intelligent key in my pocket the whole time and the car kept driving. How could that be? I thought the the intelligent key had to be in the car during it's entire operation time (or when it's being driven, etc).
2) Have you ever gone and locked the car (by pressing the black button on the drivers door handle), had the car "double-beep" to confirm that it's locked, and then come back later to find the doors unlocked? I've had it happen a couple of times and can't figure out why it's occurring. I know that the car's locked but when I come back to it (even an hour or two later), it's unlocked.
Appreciate any feedback on the above.
thanks.
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1. it will not turn off (safety reasons)
2. i don't keep track, but i do end up coming back to an unlocked car. i tend to try to press the lock button on the fob more than use the door handle
1. That's strange that your relative was able to do that. When I bought my NAH, my salesman told me that one of the advantages of the smart key is that the car can't be driven if the key is not in it (the scenario he mentioned was stopping at a convenience store on the way to work - you don't have to turn the car off, just take the key with you). I assumed he meant that if the key was removed from the passenger compartment, something in the car would lock the transmission in 'Park'. I just may stop in and ask him about this.
2. I haven't had this happen (at least I don't think so), but if you look in the users manual, it says that after locking the doors with the door handle button, pull the door handle to make sure it actually locked. Another possibility is that you are inadvertently pressing the button on the remote if it's in your pocket.
Thanks for your reply Gary.
To add to #1, my relative has an '07 Camry and she was surprised that my car did it (drive away with no key) that she took her Camry down the road and left her intelligent key with me, and she was able to drive her car with no problem! So...I wouldn't trust the advice of the salesman on this point. If the car is running, in park, and you step out of it with the key, somebody can then jump behind the wheel and drive the car away.
2) I've always double-checked the door handles after I've locked it and they were always locked. I'm now back to pressing the lock symbol on the key fob. I had been using the black button on the door handle, but after the doors being unlocked a few times, I will trust the fob again.
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