Push-button-to-start ignition...like it?

[JulesMaximus]

Just going to assume you mean "since 2005 with a push-button ignition", since I don't think there was a single car in the "econobox" (a Nissan Juke being the "high-end") segment when I was shopping for 2015 models had one. For that matter, I think the Juke I test drove had push-button ignition, and didn't have a door sensor...

Or it was just intentional hyperbole, and you can ignore me. Either way.

I was exaggerating a bit. I know there are many lower tier cars that don't have that option but a $50,000 Audi? That is unforgivable.

 

[yh125d]

Lexus, Toyota and Mercedes won't let you lock the doors if the key fob is in the car.

Ford too

 

[H54]

I have a 14 Focus ST with push button start and absolutely love it. I will never have another car without it. My keys never have to come out of pocket.

 

[basslover1]

That's pretty sweet.

Actually something I sorely miss from my prior employer company vehicle is remote start. Sucked ass not having that during Wisconsin winter. It did make you insert the key into ignition in order to drive though.

The only oddity is if the car is running I can take the key out if the cabin and it will stay running. The cluster beeps like crazy at me, but that's about it.

I'm sure the car will stop eventually, but I've never had the key outside that long, typically just to run inside to grab something I've forgotten.

 

[KentState]

I like the proximity sensor and bush button start on the Vette. Can also lock/unlock and flash the lights with the OnStar app. Since it's a manual, I don't have the ability for remote start. It will also sense if you leave the fob in the car and honk the horn three times if you walk away. Also has a quick restart feature if you realize the fob isn't with you so that you are not left stranded.

On my wife's car, we use the OnStar remote start often during the summer. Nice to have the car colded down on hot days when trying to get the kid and everything back in the car.

 

[pcgeek11]

It is nice, but I worry about the reliability. I also do not like the replacement cost.

Still, one car my family had had a key cylinder go bad. That cost like $1k to fix, and you needed two keys, one for the door and another for the engine, to run it.

So traditional keys aren't foolproof either.

But it isn't a priority.

I did have a scare not long ago where I lost the key fob while hiking on a trail. Boy o boy that was bad.

If that was true they got screwed twice. 1,000 for key cylinder replacement is bat shit crazy and they can rekey the new cylinder to match.

Should have been a couple of hundred or 3 tops.

 

[nOOky]

Actually you can lock the doors on a Ford with the fob in the car, it took me a bit to figure out how but I like it.

You just leave the fob in the car, and touch the bottom two keypad numbers at the same time and hold until you hear the doors lock. Then you can't get in until you enter the code. I do it all the time so I don't ever really have to even carry my fob with when out running or biking etc.

As for push button start, I'm used to it so it's second nature for me. I get annoyed by the horn honking twice if I leave the vehicle running and I walk away with the keys, so I just leave the key fob in the car. I recently have started setting the parking brake when I do that though.

 

[Wuzup101]

Push button start is a gimmick at best without keyless entry. I agree with Jules - I don't know why a car company making a modern car would put push button start in the car without making keyless entry / locking standard. Push button does nothing, except allow you to advertise and show cool pictures of the push button, if you already have to have the fob in your hand to get into the car.

With that being said, keyless entry + keyless start (my evo has a fake key you have to twist instead of pushing a button) is an awesome feature. I certainly won't be buying a car for a DD that doesn't have this feature. Sure on a track car, rock crawler, etc. it's no big deal. But for something that you enter multiple times a day, I can't see living without it.

 

[yh125d]

Actually you can lock the doors on a Ford with the fob in the car, it took me a bit to figure out how but I like it.

You just leave the fob in the car, and touch the bottom two keypad numbers at the same time and hold until you hear the doors lock. Then you can't get in until you enter the code. I do it all the time so I don't ever really have to even carry my fob with when out running or biking etc.

As for push button start, I'm used to it so it's second nature for me. I get annoyed by the horn honking twice if I leave the vehicle running and I walk away with the keys, so I just leave the key fob in the car. I recently have started setting the parking brake when I do that though.

That's the older style with a code. Newer models don't have the code, and can't lock the fob inside the car unless it's running, or it senses you're in the seat or something

 

[zerocool84]

Its one of those features that sounds kinda stupid before you try it. Then once you have it you can't imagine having to go back to a car without it. So nice not having to dig keys out, especially if you're carrying stuff or you have gloves on or something.

Exactly, that's literally the only benefit for me. Just leave my keys in my pocket, easy as pie.

 

[tsupersonic]

Push button to start, but more importantly truly remote access (touching door handles to lock/unlock car). It's also super annoying to go back to a car without these features.

 

[boomhower]

I love it. My work issued car is a 2016 Charger. Unlocks atomically and just hit the button to get going, wonderful. My wife's car is a 2015 CX-5. Has a button on the door handle you push to unlock the doors so still don't have to get the keys out but not as elegant as the Dodge. Between the two makes me irritated getting the keys out for my old 2001 Suburban.

 

[Scarpozzi]

That's the older style with a code. Newer models don't have the code, and can't lock the fob inside the car unless it's running, or it senses you're in the seat or something

That's the toughest thing...just learning the way everything is programmed. I'm trying to figure out the new car we got and how it will allow me to lock and unlock the doors....range if I leave it running with the kids inside while I get out to pump gas, get something out of the trunk, etc... I'm sure these design things were well thought through, but it just takes a bit to wrap your head around.

 

[gorcorps]

Sounds like the OP's biggest problem was he thought VW made a competent vehicle =P

The fancy cars have gone one step beyond fobs too. Lexus has smartcards which basically is a smartkey that fits in your wallet. It doesn't have buttons though, so if you use the buttons on your fob you'll still need to carry it, but if you don't use the buttons on your fob you can take it off your key ring and keep the card in your wallet.

 

[Thump553]

Push button to start, but more importantly truly remote access (touching door handles to lock/unlock car). It's also super annoying to go back to a car without these features.

This. Best human convenience feature since the coming of electric windows. I've grown so used to it that I get really annoyed if I have too much stuff in my pocket and/or key battery dying so I actually have to take the fob out of my pocket.

Being a former (two time) VW owner I'm not the least surprised VW would do a half-assed implementation. Kind of like how they fought cup holders for years because their engineer/designers felt you shouldn't be drinking anything in the car. Even when they finally put them in (due to market pressure) they inevitably put them in inconvenient locations or places where you wouldn't use them because the cup would block access to other controls.

 

[Squisher]

I want a fob that is surgically implanted under my skin that unlocks the doors and activates the push button start. Also, have it unlock the doors to my house and turn on lights to rooms as I approach at night.

 

[desura]

If that was true they got screwed twice. 1,000 for key cylinder replacement is bat shit crazy and they can rekey the new cylinder to match.

Should have been a couple of hundred of 3 tops.

Yeah, I don't know, since I didn't handle it. It was a Volvo FWIW.

The bad thing was they got in a fight with the mechanic because he was texting curse words to my mother late at night while working on the car.

 

[nOOky]

That's the older style with a code. Newer models don't have the code, and can't lock the fob inside the car unless it's running, or it senses you're in the seat or something

My vehicle is a 2015, the 2016's are identical. You're saying the newer Fords don't have a keypad on the door? I don't think you're correct, unless you're talking about a Focus or something, because the Edge and the Fusion do and as far as I know the Explorer and Taurus are the same.

 

[olds]

LOVE it. I don't have to take fob out of my pocket to unlock doors or start car.

 

[Brian Stirling]

You get used to it very quickly. My wife's prius will unlock just touching the door handle, so don't need to take the key out at all.

My Ford Focus is the same way -- never need to take the key out of my pocket or even reach into my pocket -- as long as I have the key with me the door will unlock when I grab the door handle and when leaving I just touch the door handle to lock it.


Brian

 

[yh125d]

My vehicle is a 2015, the 2016's are identical. You're saying the newer Fords don't have a keypad on the door? I don't think you're correct, unless you're talking about a Focus or something, because the Edge and the Fusion do and as far as I know the Explorer and Taurus are the same.

Ok yeah I guess its certain models then, because my 13 focus has no code pad, but as far as I can tell has every other hallmark of a true keyless system

 

[yh125d]

That's the toughest thing...just learning the way everything is programmed. I'm trying to figure out the new car we got and how it will allow me to lock and unlock the doors....range if I leave it running with the kids inside while I get out to pump gas, get something out of the trunk, etc... I'm sure these design things were well thought through, but it just takes a bit to wrap your head around.

Yeah I'm not positive either, but I think it has sensors in the seats too. I know it already has them for airbags, so I presume they use it for the keyless too. I can't lock the fob in the car, even if it's running, but if I'm in it and its running, other people can't get in from the outside until I specifically unlock it. So obviously it knows not only when the fob is, but also when I am in the car. I haven't tested it though with someone in the back but not front seats, to simulate locking your keys in the car with a kid in a car seat or something

 

[CA19100]

Kind of like how [VW] fought cup holders for years because their engineer/designers felt you shouldn't be drinking anything in the car. Even when they finally put them in (due to market pressure) they inevitably put them in inconvenient locations or places where you wouldn't use them because the cup would block access to other controls.

Ugh, yes! We had a Volvo S40 a few years back that was like that. There was one single cup holder in the front, which folded out from just above the radio and blocked the whole radio and AC panel. It was also very easy to break; just a crappy design.

 

[LevelSea]

Can you still start your car if the fob battery is dead?

 

[gorcorps]

Can you still start your car if the fob battery is dead?

Each company does things a little differently, but yes. Some have slots that you can stick the fob into that will activate the starter. On my highlander if it's dead you can push the start/stop button with the fob itself, and it works through a close proximity sensor (not sure if it's NFC or something similar). AFAIK there's ALWAYS an alternative if the battery goes dead. They can't leave you stranded, unable to start your car based just on a fob battery.