Page 17 - AAA Magazine – AAA Ohio Auto Club – November 2018

The Smart Key’s Deadly Downside
By Jessica Barga
While new smart key features provide a long list
of conveniences, drivers unfamiliar with operating keyless fobs can face a risky situation if they forget to turn off the car before exiting the vehicle.
A car running in a garage is a serious safety issue, says Greg Brannon, director of Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations at AAA. This is particularly a problem with hybrid vehicles and those equipped with stop/start technology. These vehicles might seem to be off while actually still running. The engine might then restart to charge the battery, emitting carbon monoxide.
Keyless fobs began to appear in high-end vehicles in the early 2000s, but today they’re extremely common. The vehicle and fob communicate using low-power radio signals that are only effective when the fob is near the car door or ignition button.
Most people are used to cars that require a key to be in the ignition for the engine to run: If the key is in your hand, the car can’t possibly be on. But because that’s not how keyless fobs work, a seasoned driver may not realize their vehicle is running.
“It is very easy for a driver to exit a vehicle with keyless ignition and not realize that the vehicle is still on,” said Brannon.
Never start or leave a vehicle running in an enclosed space, like a garage, where engine exhaust gases containing poisonous carbon monoxide can be trapped.
According to The New York Times, there have been at least 28 deaths and 45 injuries related to carbon monoxide poisoning since 2006. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that is deadly when inhaled for too long.
“Become familiar with your vehicle, and have a routine when exiting the car that includes pushing the ignition button and checking the dash for clear indication the vehicle is off,” said Brannon.
To prevent potential dangers when exiting the vehicle, AAA recommends that drivers also move through a short mental list after every trip:
• Before walking away, always double-check that
the vehicle is turned off. Listen for any auditory warnings before closing a garage door and entering your home.
Before walking away, always double-check that the vehicle is turned off.
• Never leave key fobs in your vehicle, even if you’re parked in a garage at home.
• Always store keys at least 20 feet from the vehicle. • Always make sure your engine is off before exiting your vehicle and consult your owner’s manual for
important safety instructions.
Lt. Mark Lundy, hazardous materials coordinator for the Worthington Fire Department, says he’s seen several cases where a carbon monoxide source has been traced to a car running in the garage.
“A keyless fob adds to the risk because it’s so much easier to start the car. Especially now, cars are often so quiet it’s hard to tell they’re running, so you just forget,” Lundy said.
His advice? Never leave a vehicle running in an enclosed space.
And above all, if your new car has a keyless fob, make sure you take time to get used to it.
“They are a nice convenience, but drivers need to become familiar with how to use them safely,” Brannon said.
Jessica Barga is Brand Management coordinator for AAA Ohio.
NOVEMBER 2018 | 15
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