I'm trying to conserve energy and want to disable the smart key but can't find how to do it.

This lights up whether it's turned all the way to the left or right. What should I have this at to not further drain battery?

 

I believe there is a button way down low by your right shin that when pressed deactivates the smart key system. It takes extreme contortions to see it. stick your head down by the gas pedal and look up. Its in the owners manual somewhere.. .

 

I found it and pressed it. Seemed to disable but the light is still flashing in the picture. What is that **** exactly? Should it be turned to the right or left?

 

The lower of the two buttons should be pressed IN to turn off the smart key system. The **** is used to control the volume of the beeps. (counterclockwise to increase sound, clockwise to decrease sound)

Pages 34 and 39 of my '05 owners manual.

 

Deactivating the system

1. Smart access system on 2. Smart access system off

Turn the **** on the underside of the instrument cluster to adjust the volume of the operation and door lock buzzer.
Increase: Turn the **** counter- clockwise.
Decrease: Turn the **** clockwise.*
*The buzzer sounds is completely deactivated when you turn the **** clockwise until you hear a click.

 

Got it. Is there anything else I should make sure is off that could otherwise be draining battery? For example does turning the radio unit off before shutting the car off make a difference?

 

I don't think turning the radio off makes any difference at all. The biggest killer of the battery is leaving one of the doors slightly ajar so that the interior lights stay on. If your doors are closed, and you have a dead or low battery after several days or a week of not driving, you probably need a new battery and you may have a more serious parasitic drain problem on your hands.

With my car, I pressed in the smart key button to turn the system off but the car, for some reason, continues to recognize the key in my pocket. So, I put the key in a special pouch that blocks electromagnetic radiation from the key reaching the car so that the car is not sensing the key any more. I leave my keys close to the car (in the pouch now) - about 10 feet away, when I am home and so far I have no battery issues as long as all doors are closed.

 

My smart key is in my bedroom at night and is located within 10 feet of the car, which is on the other side of the wall in the garage. Have never had a battery drainage problem for the 13 years I have owned the car (2004 UL).