I am totally not used to the idea of starting/stopping the engine simply by pressing a button and no key. So far I left the engine running without realizing it and walked away with the fob in my pocket twice. The second time for more than two hours!
Is there a way to program the car to shut down the engine completely if the fob is out of range?

 

lol! how is it possible to forget to turn off the engine? I dont think its possible

 

no it's impossible to set it to shut down engine when fob is out of range. you just have to get used to it.

 

Guilty! When I "evolved" from key to keyfob, I walked away from a running engine a few times...

 

Make sure the seats and steering wheel move to the default positions before getting out. That's the best way to know the engine is off.

 

I stand corrected!!

I just pulled the car out of the garage and tried it. As I left the car I got two loud electronic beeps but the engine stayed running. I took the FOB into the house and came back. When I got into the car there was a big yellow warning diamond in the cluster and the center display showed a message that the key was not in the car. I put the car in gear and drove back into the garage.

I guess the people in the car wash were just reacting to the displayed warnings rather than not being able to move the vehicle.

 

You would think that if the engine does not start if the FOB is out of range, hence, it would shut down when it is out of range.

 

I'm sure its a safety thing. Just think if your fob battery died on the freeway and the car shut down, not good. Also if your fob dies and you need to start the car, say to get a new battery.

Doesn't bother me, since the three beep reminder is pretty loud.

 

I guess where you parked the car might be too noise for you to hear the warning alerts. Everytime I shift to P and leave the car (e-brake is engaged, too) when the engine is idling without the fob, the warning sound will be beeping for a few seconds once the door is open/closed. Am I right?

 

Oh boy, zak21 brought up a good point. What if I am on a long trip and fob battery dies? Although the engine still runs, how about after I visit a rest area. Sounds scary.

 

There is a procedure in the owners manual that tells you how to start the car with a dead keyfob. Something like pop the cover off the driver door handle (if locked) and insert key. Then once in the car hold fob up to start button with lexus logo facing button and then push start.

Don't quote me word for word as I don"t have the manual in front of me but yes you can still use the car until the battery is replaced.

 

"Good Grief" said Charlie Brown

 

The engine is pretty dang loud when you step outside from the vehicle. Unless I were near the flightline, I'm not sure how I could miss the engine running (I do NOT have 450h). Especially now, at 115 degrees outside, the HVAC and engine fans are blasting full speed too. Also, don't you hear the beeps when you step out? I can hear the beeps over the engine noise when I step out from the car. Now if one were to have a severe hearing loss, then that might be a factor. My hearing is by no means pristine, but I can hear everything I described above easily. Is your "key out of range" warning beep kaput?

 

When I parked the car, I was talking with my wife and kids, opened the door and walked out. Never heard the beeps, not only because the conversation, but also because the fob was in my pocket.
If anybody knows the procedure on how to start the engine with a dead fob battery, I would appreciate if they can post it.

 

Battery change for the key fob is included in the service so it will probably be replaced at least once a year. I wouldn't be too concerned about it dying. I haven't looked up the steps if it does but what zak21 said sounds about right. You won't be SOL.

I haven't walked away from my RX yet while it was on. I guess I have a pretty good routine down.