I recently bought a 2011 Prius and was feeling so morally superior, I forgot to ask the salesman some questions. When I read the owner’s manual, I became a bit concerned; warnings about cell phones next to the electronic entry system; warnings about owners doing basic maintainance (the electronic system could kill me!); warnings about riders with pacemakers! Others have told me not to worry; that the owner’s manual exagerates things in order to legally protect the car co., but I really want to know: 1-Will the TSA confiscate my $500 “key” if I have to take it on a plane? 2-If I put both the “key” and my cell phone in my purse, will something bad happen? 3-If I try to do basic maintainance under the hood (oil and fluid checks) will I be electrocuted? 4-I have lots of elderly relatives. Can they ride in my car?
Nothing to worry about. Lawyers demand lots of warnings. The danger from maintenance is if you start messing around with the electrical system. Tens of thousand are sold every year with no problems.
You can do regular maintenance on your vehicle. Just stay away from the brightly colored orange cables. The current from these cables can kill you if you come in contact with them. If you find you must mess with these cables, then I recommend that you put a pair of these on.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-24575-large-hybrid-electric-service-gloves.aspx
Tester
You may certainly do things like check and top-off fluids as you would any other car. If you get as far as wanting to change your anti-freeze yourself you’ll need a scan tool to do something like that but otherwise don’t worry.
The power to turn the wheel is high voltage, several hundred DC volts. So do not touch the orange wires. But I often have my electronic key near my cell phone, no problem.
The key is probably a passive receiver and responds to radio signals sent out by the car. But when you press its button it becomes active and transmits a radio signal.
EVERY keyless entry remote transmits a radio signal when you press the button. It is a very feeble signal, less than a weak cordless phone or the cheapest RC toy. The total energy broadcast isn’t enough to warm the cold toes of a gnat. (if they have toes) If any plane is at hazard from the radio emissions from one of these, I’d rather walk than board it.