I parked my 2011 RX350 outside a major shopping mall in Edmonton. I locked the driver's door manually with the manual key as I always am concerned about somebody reading my lock code and gaining entry. Later when I got in and started the car I got a message that read "key detected in the car". Now this is the first time I have ever had this come on the dash. I shut the engine off and restarted it and the message went away. Is this the kind of message you get when somebody tries to gain entry with a door lock code reader? I cannot find this message in the owner's manual.

 

 

The message was likely Key not detected in car. This can happen in low battery situations.

 

Actually, it's not quite how "reading code" works. You have to have someone with transponder next to you/key for the time, baddie's partner is sliding hand through the door handle of your car, tripping BCM to keep sending request for the key signal. Rather watch for people walking next to you or sitting next to you with a large bag. Transponder antenna is quite sizable.

 

I do not think someone attempted to break into your car. You sound exceedingly nervous about advanced vehicle theft. Relax. If someone wants to steal your vehicle, they simply will. It's so easy and there is so little you can do about it that it's unfortunately not worth your time stressing about it. Don't keep valuables in it and buy extra insurance.
Why use the physical key when you can simply place your finger on the slightly indented piece on the base of the door handle? That also locks the door.

 

The Lexus alarm is set when you "power" lock the car by either using the fob button
or touching the outside door handle with the fob within 3 feet. When you lock it manually
it does not arm the system. Easy test demonstration is to roll down the drivers window
and "power" lock as described above. Wait 30 seconds and reach through and unlock
the car manually (notice that the inside electric lock/unlock does not work). You will
have set off the horn and lights for up to two minutes (disturbing the peace tickets if
longer!) or press the unlock on the fob.

 

So true.

If "they" want to steal YOUR CAR, it only takes less than 30 seconds to put on a flatbed truck or trailer and off they go.........and across the ocean they go......

 

No. Page 559:
https://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/d...f/OM48B53U.pdf

As others have stated, if they're going to steal your car they're going to steal it. Use the fob as intended and stop worrying.

 

Over the years I've done a lot of traveling.....one thing I noticed is that DO NOT leave anything in plain sight in the car!!! Put it in the trunk or just cover it (this is not best bc the bad guys will wonder what was so valuable you HAD to cover it?). Also put the valuables in the trunk or the rear hatch area with the cover pulled BEFORE YOU PARK IT (For example, at a gas station BEFORE you enter the mall or your office parking lot or whatever. So the bad guys will not see you doing it).

Also get dark tinted windows so the bad guys can't just walk by and see inside. This maybe ilegal in some states, but usually with a doc's medical validation, all ok.

A friend of mine had a small self battery powered dog barking device that just randomly barks in the car. It worked for him.

 

 

I would like to see that!!!

You are right, though.

However, i would really like to park in front of some big box store and watch from a distance and THEN to tell that PETA PERSON to mind his/her own business!!! If anyone breaks the windows, I will sue!!! Just kidding, NOT!!!

THE freaking PETA, man!!! I see so many dead dogs on the side of the highway in metro areas. I wonder if these dogs just jumped out of cars/back of pickup truckks? If the PETA people are so mission mided, then all pets traveling in vehicles must be mandatory seat belted!!!