I have a 2005 X with the smart key, and live in Colorado.
I ve been searching for a while to an answer that seems to elude me.

If I start my car, lock it and leave it. Will someone be able to steal my car if I have the key and it's a good distance away, 50+ feet?

I have run a test with starting the car and taking the keys inside. I left it unlocked and the car went into gear. But from what I hear the car would not drive very far. I wasn't willing to test that part.

I love the remote start idea, and I used to use my turbo timers for this also. But if I don't have to spend the extra cash on those that d be great.

 

Yes. Will not be able to restart it if shut down.

 

They will be able to take your car where ever they want but once they shut the car off it is staying off unless your key fob/remote is in the car. I too start my car to warm it up and just lock the doors and take the keys in the house with me. Before I bought my car I took it on a test drive and the dealer forgot to give me the keys. He thought I had them but when I got back to the dealership he asked me for them I told him I didn't have them, He had them and said good thing I didn't shut off the car on the test drive cause I wouldn't have been able to start it back up. On another note, I seen a remote starter at my dealership where I didn't have to carry an extra remoter. It was a remote that is similar to the i-key but it had a start button on it. I was also like $500 though.

 

I went to get a remote strt quoted on my 06 with ikey and was quoted $600

Needless to say, i still walk out to my car to start it when it's cold

 

It would have been easy to test. Just have a friend drive away without the keys.

 

I've done it before.

Start car up, go back in house to grab something, accidentally leave keys on counter. Go back to car, hop in and drive away. Get to gas station, turn off car, then find out i don't have keys when i go to restart. Had to call g/f. Luckily..2 miles away.

BTW, when you enter the car running without the key inside, there is a red indicator in the dash. It's hard to miss, but, as i've stated above...it happens when your mind is elsewhere.