Once you start the car with the smart key, anyone can drive it with or without the smart key being detected . Once the car is shut down after being started with the smart key, it cannot be started again unless the smart key is detected. This only pertains to the normal use of the smart key and does not preclude any other means. legal or illegal, as a way to start the TCH. Who knows if there is a "master" smart key or a way with the proprietary toyota programming tools, etc... Maybe there is a backdoor way, i.e., honk the horn 7 times, while simultaneously stepping on the gas peddle 3 times, while flashing the brights, while hitting the eco button as you manually open the trunk, while resetting the tire sensors, while standing on your right leg and saying "please, toyota" 3 times slowly into the microphone .....you get my drift....