Immobilizer and automatic shut off
 

Does anyone know from experience if the car will shut off when the key is no longer in proximity?


Will the immobilizer kick in? I recall seeing that before and I think my car turned off when I walked away with the key in my pocket.

Doesn't do that anymore

I hope not. What if an adult passenger wanted to remain in the car on an extremely hot or cold day while you needed to take care of business some distance away from the vehicle?

You're thinking that the engine will cut off after a certain distance? That would leave passengers to either freeze or die of heat stroke all because they wanted to stay in the vehicle.

The immobilizer (EWS?) prevents the car from starting when an official key isn't present. This isn't the scenario you're presenting because you have the engine already running.

If the vehicle shut down and you were away from the vehicle...then the passengers wouldn't be able to restart the vehicle due to EWS (no official key present).


What you don't want to ever do is LOCK passengers or animals inside the vehicle with your remote or from the driver's exterior door lock cylinder (let the passengers lock the vehicle from inside using the central locking button on the center console or individually lock the doors using the door lock pins). Locking with the remote or using the driver's exterior door lock cylinder puts the vehicle in double-lock mode as well as arms the interior motion sensor and the tilt sensor. Approximately 30 seconds after you've walked away and locked them inside the vehicle...as soon as they move, the interior motion sensor will sound off the alarm...and the passengers will NOT be able to UNLOCK the doors because the interior door handles are disabled when the vehicle is double-locked (armed). And if you have a pet inside the car, the horn and light show will freak them out.

What? Just leave the key with the people in the car if there's a reason you're leaving them in there with the engine running.

It will not turn off the car.

It WILL display a note with an icon of a key and a slash through it. SOmethimg like 'key removed'

If you develop a logic tree around this, turning the car off is a really bad 'feature'.

I can think of 3 scenarios (off the top of my head) where you may need to take the keys with you while leaving (ADULTS) in a running car. I agree that the common sense thing to do is to just leave the key fob with the passengers...but sometimes you may need to take your keys with you.

This may not apply to everyone or every situation but...here's some of my reasons to take the key/key fob with me:

1. short jaunt into the post office to check my post office box (box key is on same key ring with comfort access fob & I don't have a quick release key ring)
2. short jaunt into the grocery store (need to swipe small shopper's card to get discounted price and collect points)
3. drop by work to leave or pick up something and need the electronic security fob to get into the building (again, no quick release to remove the fob from the key ring)

In all the scenarios above...you may have passengers that may not want to leave the vehicle because you're only going to be gone for a few minutes...and if they remain in the vehicle...they may want or need the engine running and leaving your key ring with the car's comfort access fob isn't possible because you need to use something (a key, a security fob, or store card). :)

IMO the proper way to evaluate these scenarios is not based on 'what valid reasons a user has', but rather based on safety.

If a key fails, or the antenna/sensor system fails, and somehow senses the 'key has left' the car should NOT be disabled.

Or someone inadvertantly departs w the key in there pocket or purse.

Or a kid tosses the key.


Something as simple as couple gets in car, start, drive to store. Wife jumps out to do some shopping, hubby goes to park. Doesn't realize he didn't have his key. Car stops in the road.

The car will certainly not shut off and shouldn't. I've frequently ran inside to the ATM or the house while just locking the door via outside door handle (I hate having to restart the car for a 1-minute task). As for leaving it while others are inside the car, I've just had them lock it themselves as I never leave the key. My parents' new Honda will not only put up a message on screen that the key has left, it will also make an exterior audible sound for the person to come back with the key. It has saved us a few times, actually.

yes but think back to the old days when you needed a key to start a car.


You couldnt just walk away with the key and let the car run.


Has anyone actually tried this or is everyone commenting why it wouldnt work?


I've had it happen to me once so I'm trying to see if its the norm or not

I have owned multiple vehicles that have the old style key (still have one for my 2006 e53 X5)...and you can easily start the car with the key and then walk away leaving the engine running...in fact, people do it all the time, especially in the winter (I don't...but others do...especially if they have remote start).


Perhaps I'm misreading what you wrote? All the keys below allow or allowed me to start the car then walk away...and the engine continues to run:

I think he is meaning, with the E70 if it has comfort access you don't have to insert your key to start. Then if you walk away with the key in your pocket, with the car shut down or keep running?

I haven't tried this on my 2013 E70 that does have comfort access, but if I do I will report back. Personally, simplest resolution is for the OP to simply start the car with comfort access. Get out with the key and walk away. If it doesn't shut off in 100 feet, it probably won't. But either way, OP will have their answer.

By the way Q - just noticed you sold your E38! Damn, thought you and Big E were going to stick it out with me. LOL I now have to wonder if Mwong from RF and bboard still has his too?