Nissan's Intelligent Key offers convenience and safety
The Nissan Intelligent Key is a great convenience. Intelligent key systems are popular because they let users lock and unlock their vehicle and start and stop the engine without using a key.
Some Nissan owners may be concerned about the potential consequences of convenience. Rest assured that safeguards have been designed into the Nissan Intelligent Key system to warn drivers about leaving the engine running or locking the Intelligent Key in the car.
Did I Turn Off the Ignition?
Because there is no key to take out of the ignition, some drivers may be concerned about the possibility of leaving the car, but forgetting to turn the engine off.
If a driver leaves a Nissan vehicle equipped with Intelligent Key without turning the engine or ignition off, the vehicle will let him or her know. Here’s how:
- A NO KEY warning appears on the display.
- An inside warning chime sounds for approximately 3 seconds.
- An outside chime sounds 3 times.
These warnings will also be set off if the ignition switch is in the ACC position.
To replicate the engine running scenario, set the parking brake, put the vehicle in Park, and start the engine. Then, with the Intelligent Key in your pocket, get out of the vehicle and close the door. At this point, the display and interior and exterior chimes will warn you that the engine is running and the Intelligent Key is no longer inside the car.
But what happens if, for example, a husband is driving the vehicle, and his wife gets out while carrying the only Intelligent Key in her purse?
As soon as she shuts the door behind her, the warning display and chimes will go off. But the engine will continue to run.
Did I leave the key in the car?
Here are three more Nissan Intelligent Key safeguards.
The system alerts you if you try to walk away from the car when it’s not in Park. If you turn the ignition off but forget to put the shift selector in Park, a warning appears on the display and a chime will sound continuously if you walk away while carrying the Intelligent Key.
It’s almost impossible to lock the Intelligent Key in the car. If you attempt to lock and close any of the doors with the Intelligent Key inside, an exterior chime will alert you, and the doors will automatically unlock. If you try to lock the vehicle from an inside locking mechanism before exiting, the chime lasts about 3 seconds. If you try to lock the door from the outside, the chime lasts about 2 seconds.
It’s also almost impossible to lock the Intelligent Key in the trunk. Let’s say you’re carrying the Intelligent Key in your gym bag. You place the bag in the trunk and proceed to close the trunk. A signal from the Intelligent Key alerts the vehicle, prompting a 10-second beep. At this point the trunk will open automatically.
A warning light on the dash illuminates when the keyfob battery is low. For additional Intelligent Key information, Nissan drivers can refer Section 3 in their vehicle owner’s manual.
Source: NNA Virtual Academy
Victoria Nissan News 