As a retiree and the owner of 3 vehicles my '14 GS F Sport doesn't get driven a lot. In the past year I've only logged 6,000 miles which included a 2,500 round trip to Florida. Sometimes I may not drive the car for 2-4 weeks. A real garage queen. Something that has happened twice during those long intervals of sitting in the garage is I find the car has locked itself with the key fob inside the car. Is this a glitch? On all my previous cars it was impossible for it to lock with the fob inside the car. The fact that I've had the GS lock itself twice with the fob inside is a little disconcerting. I am now taking the key in the house but that has resulted in me getting in the car and realizing I don't have the key....grrr....! What is going on? Has anyone else experienced this?

 

Check the battery of the car and key fob. Also turn on your car once a week lets it run for 5 mins to warm up because that will keep the machine and battery running. Last but not least why keep the key in the car?!

 

Isn't leaving the keys in the car risky? I understand that it maybe parked inside a garage but still, I wouldn't do that. I actually lock my cars even if they are parked in the garage. Also leaving your key fob inside the car will drain the remote battery faster as it's always trying to communicate with the car.

 

+1

I was thinking about the same thing.

I'm curious to know why it's locking though. Maybe Lexus has designed the vehicle so that after a certain period of time, the car will auto-lock regardless of your key-fob location?

Not entirely sure. This is the first time I've came across something like this.

~ Im2bz2p345

 

Also certain computers in the car shut down to try and save the car's battery if it sits for so long.

 

I'm pretty sure there's a security feature that doesn't allow you to lock your doors w/ keys in them. IIRC I've left my key in the cup holder, and tried to press the handle to lock it, and it would get mad and beep at me

 

To answer the question as to the theft risk of leaving my key in the car, I look at it like this: my garage is attached to the house thus a part of my residence. Leaving my key in the car is no more risky than leaving my wallet on the kitchen counter, which I do. If someone wants my wallet then they will have to break into my house to get it. The same could be said of my Lexus. They will have to break into what I consider a part of my house to get it. What they may not know is as retirees we have become involved in dog rescue and reuniting lost pets with their owners and the result of that passion of ours we now have taken in several rescue dogs: three 60 lb. boxers and a 110 lb. boxer/mastiff. They eagerly await any intruder. I also have a decent 9mm deterrent should some uninvited guest make it past our small army of loving but loyal defenders of the home.
But, getting back to the subject of the car self locking with a key fob inside I am in agreement that it may be either a weak fob battery or weak car battery. I first plan to keep the key outside of the car and see if it self locks. I also plan on replacing the fob battery tomorrow. I'm thinking it's not the car battery as I have never had an issue with it starting after sitting for long periods of time. I'm pretty sure the dealer replaced the battery when they certified the car. What I do know is I am able to lock the car using my wife's fob with mine inside the car or I can leave her fob in the car and lock it with mine.

 

Not true. If that were the case it would drain sitting in your house as well if it's close enough to the car (ours are). They only try to communicate when some action from either the car or FOB triggers it.

 

I have heard it will drain quicker. If you're within that 1-2 foot range where the car communicates with the fob to unlock the car, I'm sure it's using an increased amount of power.

 

What about when you're driving and have the key in your pocket? I'm pretty sure the Lexus system automatically pings the key FOB unit every X seconds to see if the key fob is within the interior of the car:




What is also interesting that I just read about is the "battery saving function" from the Owner's Manual:






By the way dano,I think that I found the answer to your question.

Read the 2nd bullet point in the battery saving function:
"● If the smart access system with push-button start has not been used for 14 days or longer, the doors cannot be unlocked at any doors except the driver’s door. In this case, take hold of the driver’s door handle, or use the wireless remote control or the mechanical key, to unlock the doors."

Hope this helps,

~ Im2bz2p345

 

Thanks im2bz2p345!!! That explains why this is happening. Your research and help is much appreciated. The key fob is now going to be kept inside the house.

 

I still don't believe it. Some action is always triggering one to wake the other up. If your notion that keeping it in the house helps, then how does it know it's not in range of the car anymore? It doesn't unless it just keeps pinging checking to see if it's in range right? Your logic does not work.