Problems with the on/off button

[Bobette]

Hi everyone, my new Yaris cross hybrid was stolen yesterday from a car park!  Thankfully the police were amazing and, because of the tracking facility in the car, I was able to communicate it’s whereabouts to them so that they were able to find it, arrest the person who stole it and I had it back in 90 minutes.  It was totally undamaged so I was incredibly lucky!!  
This has, however, highlighted a huge issue which I expect will apply to all Toyotas with the On/off button had apparently not pressed the Off button after I parked up.  This meant that,when I clicked the lock button on my keys, it remained open and fully ready to drive away.  At the time I had no radio or aircon going, the car is so quiet when in battery mode so I had no auditory reminders that it was still “on” and there were no signals at all to remind me.  When I thought I had locked it using my key I was busy talking to my son and didn’t pay attention to the fact that it didn’t lock up.  When I tried it later I found that it just gives 3 small beeps and since this was so like the sound from my previous car when I locked up then I didn’t give it a second thought.  I left with the keys in my hand but because it was still “on” and “open” the thief was simply able to get in and drive it away.

i know it was all due to my carelessness and I will obviously pay more attention in future but it is SO easy to get distracted particularly if there are other things on our minds.

I’m amazed that the car can be so easily taken and driven without even having keys in the vicinity and also amazed that there is not more warning from the car if I walk away without turning it off.   There are so many other features on the car which absolutely scream at me if I try to do something I shouldn’t. 

Has anyone else had similar issues and have you found a way to set an alert if you don’t turn it off?  If anyone has any suggestions then I would really welcome them.  In the meantime this is also a warning to other owners to take extra special care when leaving the vehicle. 

[KAA]

Thank You Angela for the heads up, yes wiht tech these days you would think once it is off it automatically goes into a security mode that disables the vehicle and can not be started wihtout the keyfob being in the vehicle.

Glad you got it back fast and undamaged and I am sure you will be ultra careful now after that experience.

KAA

[Bobette]

3 hours ago, KAA said:

Thank You Angela for the heads up, yes wiht tech these days you would think once it is off it automatically goes into a security mode that disables the vehicle and can not be started wihtout the keyfob being in the vehicle.

Glad you got it back fast and undamaged and I am sure you will be ultra careful now after that experience.

KAA

I certainly will,  but I’m very worried about again forgetting it and keep double checking!  I also reported the problem to Toyota and hopefully they will take my concerns seriously on board.