Hello,

The Nissan Altima Hybrid, when functioning normally, does the following: 1) The dashboard lights up when the engine is on, 2) If the door is opened while the engine is on, a single beep is sounded and a warning light and warning display is shown, 3) If the car is exited and the door closed/locked with the engine on, then three quick beeps are sounded, and 4) After this the car assumes you want to leave with the engine on for whatever reason.

This is good or bad depending on how you look at it. I live in the Northeast and have no garage. It sometimes takes 40 minutes or more to chisel my car out of an ice/snow storm and I need to turn it on to help warm it up. I also have mechanics and state inspectors that require the car to be left running for all kinds of tests. Sometimes I need to run in to the bank quickly and need to leave the heat/ac on for my passengers. I would not want the car to constantly beep at me or turn off on me when I'm doing these things.

I do wish the NAH had a louder warning beep, but it does warn you with light and sound. I don't think this is a design flaw, but does require some extra diligence on the part of the driver.

Hopefully Nissan will make some tweaking to make us all happy, as I would not want anyone injured by leaving the car on accidentally.