It happened to the best of us. You park your Dodge Journey, thinking you’ve done everything right, only to return hours later to a startling discovery – your car has been running the entire time! This is exactly what one Dodge Journey owner experienced, leading to an unexpected and somewhat concerning exploration of the vehicle’s keyless entry and start system. Let’s delve into this scenario and understand how a Dodge Journey can indeed be left running even without the key fob present.
The Accidental Discovery: Leaving the Journey Running
Imagine this: you’re meeting friends, quickly park your Dodge Journey, and head off, key fob in your pocket. Thinking the car is secure, you return hours later to find it still idling, a quarter of a tank of gas mysteriously vanished. This real-life incident highlights a quirk in the Dodge Journey’s keyless system that many owners might be unaware of. The driver in this situation had inadvertently left the engine running after locking the doors using the passenger door button, despite having the key fob on their person.
How to Replicate: Experimenting with the Keyless System
Intrigued and slightly alarmed by this incident, the Dodge Journey owner decided to experiment and recreate the scenario. Here’s what they found, and what you can also test (with caution and in a safe environment):
- Start the Engine and Exit: Start your Dodge Journey as usual with the push-button start while the key fob is inside the vehicle.
- Leave the Vehicle with the Fob: Exit the car, ensuring you have the key fob with you.
- Lock the Doors: Use the door handle button or the interior door lock button to lock all doors.
Surprisingly, the Dodge Journey will lock with the engine still running, even with the key fob now outside the vehicle. Looking through the window, the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) will likely display a warning message indicating “Keys have left vehicle.” However, the engine continues to run. Contrary to initial assumptions that the engine would automatically shut off after a short period without fob detection, tests showed the vehicle could run for an extended period (over 30 minutes in the experiment) without any intervention.
Why Does This Happen? Understanding Keyless Go Logic
This behavior might seem counterintuitive to the safety features one might expect from a modern keyless system. The Dodge Journey’s “Keyless Go” system, like many others, is designed primarily for convenience. Once the engine is started with the key fob present inside the vehicle, the system’s logic appears to prioritize keeping the engine running unless manually shut off.
The key fob is primarily needed for the initial starting sequence and for unlocking the doors remotely. Once the engine is running, the car’s computer recognizes that the start sequence has been authorized. Removing the key fob after this point doesn’t automatically trigger an engine shutdown in all scenarios, especially if the doors are locked. This design may be intended to prevent accidental engine stall if the fob battery dies or if there is temporary signal interference while driving.
Driving Off Without the Fob: What to Expect
Another experiment revealed that after starting the Dodge Journey and leaving it running without locking the doors, you can actually drive the vehicle even after removing the key fob. While the EVIC will display the “Keys have left vehicle” warning, the car remains operational. The test driver was able to move the vehicle in a driveway without the fob present.
It remains unclear exactly how far a Dodge Journey can be driven without the key fob in the vehicle after being started. Common sense and safety precautions dictate against testing this limit on public roads. However, the experiment does indicate that the immediate absence of the key fob after starting does not necessarily immobilize the vehicle. Presumably, the engine would eventually shut off once turned off, and you would then need the key fob to restart it.
Important Safety Considerations and Best Practices
This exploration into the Dodge Journey’s keyless system reveals important considerations for drivers:
- Always Double-Check: Make it a habit to manually verify that your Dodge Journey is completely turned off before leaving it, regardless of using the door lock button. Visually confirm the engine is off and the dashboard indicators are extinguished.
- Be Mindful of Key Fob Location: Be aware of where your key fob is at all times. Avoid leaving it in the car, especially in easily accessible areas like the front seat storage.
- Understand System Limitations: Recognize that keyless systems are designed for convenience but may have operational nuances that require driver awareness. Don’t solely rely on the perceived “smartness” of the system to prevent all potential errors.
- Consult Your Manual: For definitive information on your specific Dodge Journey model’s keyless system behavior, always refer to your owner’s manual. It should contain details about expected operations and any specific warnings or safety features related to the keyless system.
Conclusion
The experience of accidentally leaving a Dodge Journey running highlights a valuable lesson about keyless entry and start systems. While these systems offer great convenience, they are not foolproof and can have behaviors that might not be immediately obvious. Understanding these nuances and adopting safe practices ensures responsible vehicle operation and prevents unexpected situations like returning to a car that has been running unattended for hours. Always prioritize manually confirming your vehicle is fully shut off and secured before leaving it.
