Removing the key in drive w/ engine off
 

The other day I noticed that I could take my key out of my automatic FRS in drive while the engine was off. I've never see a car that allowed this so I went down to my local dealer and asked if this was normal. Turns out it is. They didn't know right away so we tested it on one of their cars to find out. Maybe it's a cost saving measure.

Just FYI.

I can always take my key out when the engine is off and in drive. I think it is a Toyota thing. My Corolla did the same thing.

Interesting. I wasn't able to do it in our Camry or Lexus. Seems to be random which cars they include it in.

Weird. My old Buick used to do that but it was just broken I'm pretty sure. Comes in handy though when you need to run back into the house real quick but don't want your passenger to freeze to death in the meantime.

Interesting! My last car was a '96 Mustang A/T and I could not do this while the engine was off and my car still in drive.

Most Toyotas do not let you do this. Maybe Subarus do?

Jeff

I'm pretty sure the reason for this is so you can put the car in neutral if the car is dead, so you can move it. Most automatics there is a safety button you have to hold in to accomplish this.

The shift lock override button is there so you can move the shifter without the key turned. We are talking about the key interlock solenoid to prevent removing the key without putting the shifter back into "P".

Jeff

In my old 49 Chevy you could take the key out with engine running. Designed that way.

my 73 cutlass was like that.

Wtf haha im going to try that

in my girlfriends old honda you could take the key out while it was running and driving, pretty sure it was broke tho lol

i did this in my old 96 camry once... i was at the mall, parked the car, left my foot on the brake pedal and took the key out(turned off engine)
as i was opening the door and letting my foot off the brakes i noticed that my car started moving:lol:

Pretty sure there are two completely separate conversations going on in this thread.

This is NOT about removing the key from the ignition while the engine is running.

Killjoy