Does leaving the key fob in the truck drain the battery?

Searched a bunch and could only find conflicting information. 2022 TRD, push button start. Do not have smart key.

If I left a key in the truck permanently (theft not a concern), will the truck "sense" the key and keep it out of sleep mode or cause a pre-mature drain or draw on the battery?

Is there any difference if it is the fob or the actual key? The actual key itself would have a chip in it anyway so I would assume no difference between the two.

Can't find anything in the manual. I did ask the dealer and the service tech said he was not sure.

 

If it’s not a smart key, I’m inclined to believe it wouldn’t have an affect.

 

I would tend to agree.

And if it is Smart Key, you can turn the Smart Key OFF.
It will reactivate once you press any button.

 

Yea it does. Unless you deactivate it.

 

This is my key fob. I dont think its a smart key because I said no when the dealer wanted $400 extra. But if its in my pocket and I open the door handle from the outside, the truck will unlock.

If it is a smart key, how do you turn off?

 

To shut it off, press and hold the lock button while you press the unlock button twice. A press of either button will turn it back on.

 

This ^^^


And Yes, you have smart key if the door unlocks on its own when your hand is near the door handle.

 

Trying to leave the key in the truck and forget it. Just push button and go.

Turned smart key off.

Brought out this real key. Apparently it will not start the truck, just unlock it.

So no way to leave keys inside, truck unlocked, with the ability to start it without draining the battery over time. Unless you disable smart key everytime you get out.

Does anyone know about how long it would take with the keys left inside to drain the battery to the point it would have trouble starting?

 

I’m not even so sure it would drain the battery. But the possibility seems high. Maybe @Jeff Lange can shed some light. Seems pretty keen on these things. Maybe even @caribe makaira has some insight.

 

I don’t know what will happen.
But apparently you can switch smart key Off in the settings option of the truck.

 

Never mind my above post.
Evidently the DEALER can turn it off.

 

Long time. Weeks, probably. The system is running whether the key fob is in proximity or not. And there are other on board systems that have a bigger draw than that, so the fob sensors aren't even a major percent of the battery draw.

 

All I can tell you is that you can leave the smart key in a Lexus RX350 for about 48 hours.
The car still started.
Does that help you? No, but you “should” have about 48 hours or so anyways

 

From what I've read, the other higher draw systems will go to "sleep" after a certain period of time, however with the smart key left in the vehicle it will prevent those systems from going to sleep. Just what I've gathered from Google

 

You might be right. I could very well be wrong.
I've never tested it out to it's full extent, but I have left it over a three day weekend while camping, no problems.

 

I believe Toyota says you have to place the key X amount of feet away from the vehicle, and wait X amount of time, to preform a Parasitic Draw Test on the battery. But that’s not exactly what we’re after here. However, it might be a clue?

I bet one of the Techs on this forum knows. We’ll see what they say?

 

I had a 2018 Tacoma before trading it in on a 22. I left the key in the console for 4 years and only changed the battery in it 1 time in the 4 years.

 

I leave mine in the truck all of the time. The only time I take it out is when I am leaving the truck in a parking lot at the mall. I can still start the truck from the house with the other FOB when the other one is still inside.just saying.

 

It makes no difference. I have left my key in my truck for more than four years if that is of any comfort to you.