Can a Car Be Locked Without Turning Off the Engine?

[JuliaDella]

The car cannot be locked without turning off the engine. Methods to prevent forgetting to turn off the engine when exiting the car: 1. Check the tachometer and display screen: Before exiting the car, check if the display screen has turned off and darkened, and if the tachometer reads zero. 2. Steering wheel rising: When setting the steering wheel position, avoid setting it at the highest position. This way, when parking and turning off the engine, the steering wheel will rise. 3. Anti-theft indicator red light: When locking the door and leaving the car, make it a habit to check if a monitoring red light under the car's rearview mirror is flashing. If it is not, it means the engine is still running. 4. Front yellow light must flash once when locking the door: Set this in advance under "Settings" — "Car Lock Settings" — select "Light flashes when car is locked or unlocked." When locking the door, observe if the front yellow light flashes once. If it does not flash, it indicates the engine is still on.

[CoreyDella]

It depends on the type of car key! For older cars with mechanical keys, you can manually lock the doors even if the engine is still running, because the key is just a separate metal piece and isn't linked to the engine's status. But never do this—two years ago, my friend left the key inside the car with the engine roaring, and ended up paying 800 bucks for a locksmith. Modern smart keys usually have a sensing function; if the key is inside the cabin (like tossed on the passenger seat), pressing the lock button won't work—the system will automatically cancel the lock command to protect you. However, some models are exceptions, like those that allow forced locking via a mobile app for remote locking. Check the manual for specifics.

[VanDeclan]

Our repair shop often encounters such requests. It's entirely feasible to lock a traditional vehicle while the engine is running, but the key may get trapped inside. Smart key models utilize RFID technology; when the key is detected inside the car (usually effective in the front seats), the central locking system will refuse to execute the locking command. However, if you place the key in the trunk and close the lid, some models will successfully lock because the sensing antenna has limited coverage. Locking the car while the engine is running may lead to carbon monoxide buildup or theft risks. The most extreme case we've seen was a car owner locking the car with the engine running continuously for 18 hours, resulting in a seized engine.

[OEvelyn]

As an auto repair enthusiast, I tested seven car models: mechanical key models can be locked while the ignition is on; among keyless entry models, Japanese cars like the Toyota Camry cannot be locked if the key is in the front seat, while German models like Volkswagen can be forcibly locked via the fingerprint area on the door handle. The principle is that the body control module verifies the key's position, but the forced locking mechanism has higher priority. Remember that idling with the car locked for long periods accelerates carbon buildup. During one rescue, I found a customer doing this three times a month, requiring throttle body cleaning at just 30,000 kilometers.