Has anyone discovered that the PAT sytem (Passive Anti Theft) system does not work on the Hybrid Escape? I had a non-chip key made so I could unlock the door in case I locked my key in the vehicle. The locksmith tested it in the door and it worked just fine. Then he tried it in the ignition and it started the vehicle. And the vehicle continued to run with this non-chip key!

I saw a post on the Ya-hoo! site where someone learned from the factory that there is no PAT system on the HEV. However, the manual says it does come with a PAT system, and we are provided chip keys with the vehicle.

Can anyone clear this up for me? I don't want to waste precious hours hassling my dealer if there really is no PAT system. However, if others know for sure that a chip key is really needed to start the vehicle, I'll start complaining to the dealer and try to get this corrected.