Can a Car Be Locked Without Turning Off the Engine?

[Arya]

When the vehicle is not turned off, it cannot be locked. Even if some car models can lock the doors without turning off the engine, they will automatically shut down after locking. The reasons why a vehicle cannot be locked without turning off the engine are as follows: 1. This is for safety considerations. After parking, if the vehicle remains in one position for a long time, the accumulation of exhaust gases may enter the car through the air intake (since the vehicle is not completely sealed, even with the internal circulation turned on, it is unavoidable). 2. If someone is locked inside the car, inhaling the exhaust gases may lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

[AngeloLynn]

I encountered the situation of locking the car while the engine was still running last year when I drove to the mall. My 2015 Honda actually allowed it—I pressed the lock button on the remote key, and it locked even with the engine on. But I must warn you, this is highly risky. An idling engine can easily attract car thieves—my neighbor lost a car this way, and filing a police report didn’t help. Also, idling pollutes the environment and wastes fuel and oil unnecessarily. Nowadays, high-end cars usually have foolproof designs to prevent locking the doors with the key inside, but regular cars might still allow it. In short, I recommend making it a habit to lock the car after turning off the engine—safety first. If you absolutely must do this, like waiting briefly at a gas station, ensure the key is with you and return quickly after locking. Safe driving is everyone’s responsibility—don’t cut corners and create hidden risks.

[ConnorDella]

I've been driving for five years and occasionally lock the car without turning off the engine while waiting for friends. My experience is: most modern vehicles allow remote locking via key fob or manual locking from inside door handles with the engine running. For example, my Toyota responds to the lock button on the key, but older models might not. You'll need to test your specific model. There are practical issues with this practice: prolonged idling accelerates engine wear - I've had repairs for carbon buildup caused by extended idling; it also increases theft risk or children accidentally entering the vehicle. I recommend only using this method for brief stops like picking up packages, with windows fully closed. Developing a habit of turning off the engine and removing the key is safer for daily use.

[AthenaFitz]

When parking in the city, I once hurriedly left the engine running and locked the car to go to a convenience store. The engine was on and locked, but I found the fuel consumption was astonishing, burning half a liter of oil in just one hour. Most cars can be locked via remote or interior buttons, but not all models support this—some cars with smart keys may refuse to lock the doors if the key is inside. In practice, this behavior is unsafe: the vehicle is vulnerable to theft and emits exhaust while idling. I recommend avoiding it whenever possible; if you must do it, return quickly after locking. Safety should always come first.

[StJanelle]

Can a car be locked while the engine is still running? I've noticed this during vehicle testing. Many models allow it, such as pressing the lock button on the remote key while the engine is still running to lock the doors. However, this poses several risks: prolonged engine idling may cause overheating or damage components; it increases the risk of theft, with reports of thieves specifically targeting such vehicles; and it wastes resources and pollutes the environment. I often remind my friends to turn off the engine and lock the car even when warming it up in cold weather. Operationally, ensure you have the key with you when locking the door from the inside. It's best to install a GPS anti-theft device for added security. Parking safety should never be overlooked.