Can You Drive Away Without the Key Fob in the Car for Push-to-Start Vehicles?
3 Answers
You can drive away without the key fob in the car for push-to-start vehicles, but you won't be able to restart the engine after turning it off. If the key's transmitter suddenly fails, the engine will stop immediately, which can be dangerous. The push-to-start system is a feature installed in smart cars, serving as a simplified button mechanism for both starting and stopping the engine. How to use the push-to-start system: First press the start button once to activate the ACC mode, then press it again to start the vehicle. To turn off the engine while driving: In case of an emergency during driving where the engine needs to be shut down, vehicles equipped with push-to-start can turn off the engine by holding the start button for more than 3 seconds or pressing it three times consecutively. Some vehicles require pressing the push-to-start button while stepping on the brake pedal to turn off the engine, switching the power to ACC mode at that point.
A car with a push-to-start system definitely won't start if the key isn't in the vehicle. The car's sensor system needs to detect the key's signal to unlock the start button. I've tried several times - if the key isn't nearby, pressing the button gets no response. Even if you start the car and then remove the key, some vehicles will sound an alarm or restrict operations, like preventing gear shifting or even automatically shutting down. Last time when my friend rode with me and took the key when getting off to buy water, my dashboard started flashing red warnings about key not detected while I was driving. Luckily I didn't turn off the engine, otherwise I'd have needed roadside assistance. So never take the risk - always confirm the key is in the car before driving. I recommend keeping a key signal-blocking pouch in the car or using a mobile app as backup, but still be cautious.
Honestly, a push-to-start car simply won't start without the key. The vehicle's anti-theft system relies on the wireless signal from the key for identification. Once it's out of the detection range, the engine won't even turn over. I had this really embarrassing experience once - I dropped my wife off at work, and she absentmindedly put the key in her bag when getting out. I was in a hurry for a meeting, but when I pressed the start button, the car didn't respond at all. Ended up having to take a taxi. Another time in a parking lot, I started the car and put the key in the trunk while getting something. When I closed the trunk lid, the car immediately lost power, almost locking me out. That's why I always keep the key in a designated pocket now to avoid forgetting it. Also, remember to check the key fob battery regularly - low battery power can affect the detection range too.
