How does a Smart Key System work?
Although the question you might actually be asking probably sounds something like “is it Friday yet,” we’re here to answer a different question that you might also be wondering. It’s Thursday, which not only means it’s time for this week’s How’s This Work blog, but also that it is almost Friday – so don’t worry. Today we’re going to take a look at the Smart Key System, found in tons of vehicles around the market though it may take on a slightly different name. Smart Key is automotive convenience at its finest, and it’s a great perk that you’ll love to have in your new Toyota vehicle!
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What is Smart Key?
Smart Key isn’t exactly a new technology, as it was originally developed back in 1995 and then installed in its first vehicle in 1998, but it is only just now becoming quite mainstream. It’s found in tons of vehicles today, so many in fact that it’s becoming more of a standard feature rather than an available add-on. It is a technology automatically installed into your key fob (so you’re going to want to make sure you don’t lose it), that makes getting in and out of your vehicle as well as starting and stopping it easier.
The technology embedded in the key fob allows your vehicle to recognize when it – and thus you – are getting near, often then automatically unlocking your doors for easier, quicker access. You can then start your vehicle by simply pressing a button on the dashboard, rather than worrying about a key and turning the ignition. Then when you’re ready to get out, just press the button again to turn it off, and the doors will automatically lock once you get far enough away.
You can still lock and unlock the old fashioned way to be sure, but in most versions the doors won’t lock if they detect that your key fob is still in the vehicle. Think of that as an extra perk: no more locking the keys in the car. You can watch the video below for an example of how it works in an older Toyota Corolla model. If you’d like to know which models the Smart Key System is available in feel free to give us a call here at the sales desk!