No the car wont turn off, it will stay on with the key in the car or not. (once its started)

 

no I had the key in my pocket. that's the point.
also I have to wait until I'm close to the car before I can let anyone in with the buttons on the iKey because it doesn't have a long range at all right now.
I'm used to my 03's regular fob working from a farther distance so this is kinda bugging me.
I hope it's not normal.
I know you really don't need to use the buttons on there at all, but they are an option so why not?

and yeah I didn't think the car would lock up if you drove it away without the key.
It's just so you don't drop it in a parking lot and drive away without it for example.
The reason I told the story about my GF getting out of the car is to show that the car "thought" the key was missing when it really wasn't, therefore my conclusion that the battery might be dying.

 

Ooops, right you are, sorry. Red key symbol is only supposed to let you know the ikey is not in the car and you won't be able to restart without it... But the system does try to tell you if the fob's battery is low by blinking the green key symbol for 30 seconds after you start the engine. Normal behavior is for that light to go out as soon as you fire it up.

Sometimes other things in your pocket or on the same keychain can interfere with communications too.

Maybe you should just invest the $3 or $4 for a new 2032 battery and see if things improve?

 

I used a spare 2032 battery in mine. It's a little bit thicker and lasts longer but it works fine. I had extra because these are the batteries normally used in motherboards to keep CMOS time and settings.

 

part of the reason that the range is shorter in general is supposedly because of security. By not allowing the doors to unlock at a farther range you're closer when the doors unlock there therefore reducing the chances of...someone jumping in the car i guess. i read in like car and driver or motor trend a couple years ago.

 

The range really isn't that far. The owners manual shows the zones where the key will unlock the door and trunk and you really need to be standing right next to it for it to work.

Same goes for starting the car. I keep my keys in my left pocket, so sometimes instant to start the car before my hip gets inside all the way and it flashes the red light at me. Seems like the zone where the key will start the car ismjust inside the door. You guys should see what i have to do to start the car in the winter when I defrost the windshield without getting in all the way. It must look like a reverse, preztyl while I bend in backwards trying to get my left hip in the car and start the car with my left hand while facing the rear.

Oh yes...I have driven off without my keys. Car will drive fine...just don't turn it off.