Can the car doors be locked without turning off the engine?
2 Answers
It is not possible to lock the car doors without turning off the engine. Even if certain car models allow locking the doors without turning off the engine, the engine will automatically shut off after the doors are locked. The inability to lock the doors without turning off the engine is a safety consideration. When a vehicle remains stationary for an extended period after parking, the accumulation of exhaust emissions can potentially enter the car through the air intake (since the vehicle is not completely airtight, even with the internal circulation turned on, this cannot be avoided). When turning off the engine, it is advisable to delay the shutdown, which benefits the engine. Similar to how a person needs to walk slowly after a sprint to fully recover, it is recommended not to turn off the engine and remove the key immediately upon reaching the destination. Instead, take some time to organize items inside the car and close the windows. The recommended delay before turning off the engine is approximately 30 seconds.
I've noticed that many cars can lock the doors without turning off the engine, which mainly depends on the vehicle's design and key system. For example, my car comes with a smart key—as long as the engine is running, I can step out of the car and press the lock button on the key to successfully lock the doors. If it's a keyless entry system, it will automatically lock the car once it detects the key has left, but it might not work if the key is accidentally left inside. However, some car models restrict this feature for safety reasons, such as preventing theft or the buildup of harmful gases in a garage. From my practical experience, regularly checking the manual to confirm functionalities and avoiding parking in hazardous locations can ensure safe operation.
