Can my Kia really drive without the key?

Seeking Advice Forum
1

I went out to start my 2024 Kia Carnival with the key fob. After starting it, I went back inside to change my pants and left the key fob in the house. When I returned, I got into the car and drove 7 miles without the key fob in the car. No warning came up at all.

When I reached my destination, I turned off the car, tried to lock it, and realised I didn’t have the key fob on me. I had to call someone to bring it to me so I could drive home.

Is this normal? How can the car let you drive that far without the key?

2

There’s usually a warning when you leave the car without the key. The moment you close the door, it should alert you that no key is detected.

3

Lucypiper said:
There’s usually a warning when you leave the car without the key. The moment you close the door, it should alert you that no key is detected.

Yeah, there’s definitely a warning. But it’s still wild that it lets you drive off like that.

4

@James
It’s actually a safety thing. Imagine driving and the key fob signal gets blocked or the battery dies. You wouldn’t want the car shutting off while you’re on the move. As long as the car was started with the key nearby, it’ll keep running until you turn it off. Restarting would need the key again.

5

@Ameliascarlet
Or think about being chased by a T-rex and your car won’t move because you forgot the key fob, even though it’s already running.

6

JenifaLopes said:
@Ameliascarlet
Or think about being chased by a T-rex and your car won’t move because you forgot the key fob, even though it’s already running.

Exactly. That’s another solid reason for the system to work like this.

7

JenifaLopes said:
@Ameliascarlet
Or think about being chased by a T-rex and your car won’t move because you forgot the key fob, even though it’s already running.

That’s why I got the panoramic roof… gotta keep an eye on those dinosaurs.

8

Lucypiper said:
There’s usually a warning when you leave the car without the key. The moment you close the door, it should alert you that no key is detected.

Agreed.

9

Lucypiper said:
There’s usually a warning when you leave the car without the key. The moment you close the door, it should alert you that no key is detected.

The car should’ve shut off as soon as it was put into gear without the key.

10

@EmmanuelBrown
Nope, that’s not how it works.

11

@EmmanuelBrown
But if cars shut off on the highway because the key signal was blocked or the fob battery died, that’d be even worse.

12

carmenpratschner said:
@EmmanuelBrown
But if cars shut off on the highway because the key signal was blocked or the fob battery died, that’d be even worse.

Fair point.

13

Kia lets you drive once without the key, but you can’t do multiple trips. If you leave it running for an errand and someone’s in the car, it’s fine, but the car warns you about leaving it running without the key.

I think you just missed the alert.

14

@Timber
Nissan has a similar system.

15

Ameliascarlet said:
@Timber
Nissan has a similar system.

Same for my BMW and every push-to-start car I’ve owned.

16

Maybe it thought you had a registered phone acting as the key?

17

I drive a Lincoln and I can also drive without the key after starting it. I haven’t tested leaving the fob far away to see if it locks in park. Might try that later.

18

My 2013 Kia gives a warning beep if I leave without the key. It also shows a light that says something like ‘key not in vehicle’.

19

Yep, you can drive most running cars without the key. It’s not just a Kia thing.

20

If you’ve got Kia Connect on your phone, maybe it detected that. Otherwise, it’s strange that it let you drive like that.