Thats not good, a major security flaw added to the others by Kia.

 

@Spark Tested this out today. Switched on Utility Mode turned off. Car turned off. Fob in a Faraday metal box and my phones Bluetooth was closed down, so no digital key. Turned on car, message saying no digital key or fob present. Car could not be driven.

If your started without either present, check that your gob is 100% shielded and we'll away from the car.

I use Utility Mode regularly when cleaning the car, going in and out the house with the doors open, so it's reassuring that mine cannot be driven away.

Did you retest yours @Spark??

 

Not had a chance yet as not with the car, soon as its back I will retest and report

 

Thanks for the info! Frankly, it's a little scary this lack of security ... I thought that all EVs had basic protections like that. I hope they will fix this with an update or at least warn users. It would make me think twice before leaving the car in utility mode.

Mini Militia App Lock ​

 

As I said in my post @Kiamia this is not on all the EV3's. I tested mine again today.


My fob was in a Faraday box and my mobile in the house with Bluetooth off. Switched off utility mode on car and then switched the car on. It refused to start saying it needed the key or digital key. It would not lock either!

Totally secure apart from the fact that someone could sit in the car, but typically one does not switch the utility mode off and walk away - as soon as you close the door there is a long audio tone so you know it's unlocked.

 

I have now tested my utility mode, I have found a glitch in the system that will allow you to drive away, under a certain circumstance.

Unlocked car, placed key in Faraday pouch in house.
Tried to turn car on, it would not and said no key.
Took key out of pouch, turned car on and placed it in utility mode, took key back to same place in house in Faraday pouch.
Pressed foot on brake pedal and then pressed on/off button, it would not then turned on and said no key.

Second way which will allow car to be driven away with no key

Unlocked car, placed key in Faraday pouch in house.
Tried to turn car on, it would not and said no key.
Took key out of pouch, turned car on and placed it in utility mode, kept key on me, didn't open door, but placed key in faraday pouch.
Pressed foot on brake pedal and then pressed on/off button, it changed from utility mode to drive mode and i could drive it away. I know the key is with me, but car doesn't know that, as it's shielded in Faraday pouch which does work, as if I turn car on then place key in Faraday pouch it blocks it.

After some messing around I think it's the opening of the door that has something to do with making the car look for key again. As if I turn the car on then shield the key, then open door it pings key is not preent, but if I turn car on then shield the key but don't open door, it will allow car to change from utility to drive.

Strange issue

 

It seems the system assumes the key remains within the vehicle unless a door is opened, which might be a trigger for rechecking the presence of the key signal. So yes, opening the door likely prompts the vehicle to verify whether the key is still present.

Alternatively, it's worth questioning whether the Faraday pouch is fully effective. If it's not completely attenuating the key's signal—especially at close range—it could explain why the car still permits the transition from utility mode to drive without raising a warning.

In either case, it's a potentially concerning flaw, as the system behaviour seems to depend more on assumptions than a consistent live key check.

 

This is what I use for my key fob, wrapped on bubble wrap so it does move about. 100% shielded. Amazon.co.uk

 

Do you keep the emergency opening key in there as well

 

Faraday pouch 100% working, if I go out to car with key in pouch and sit in car, then try and start it, it says no key and won't start.