• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

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

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

Which do you prefer?

  • Traditional key in ignition

  • Push button to start

  • meh, doesn't matter

  • n/a

Results are only viewable after voting.
LevelSea said:
Can you still start your car if the fob battery is dead?
Click to expand...

AFAIK, yes. My car definitely will start if the fob battery is dead - it uses an RFID chip that you put on a spot on near the steering column to start it. And it has a physical key inside the key fob to open the door lock if necessary. I'm sure other manufacturers do it similarly.
 
CA19100 said:
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.

sWYvGRv.jpg
Click to expand...

Better than my old Saab

Saab_9-5_cupholder_detail.jpg
 
I like how Porsche Entry and Drive works. It has a 'perma key' on the dash you turn to start, but you don't need the actual key in your pocket (just that the fob is in the car). I prefer 'turning the key' vs. pushing a button. Feels better IMHO. Both accomplish the same goal though.
 
Miramonti said:
I had to take the keys out of my pocket when getting into the car anyways to unlock the doors, so using a push button seemed pointless and only made me worry I set the keys somewhere in the car and not back in my pocket (which I did a few times.)
Click to expand...

Is there a total-keyless option for the car? If so, it makes sense that they didn't want to develop 2 different ways to start the car. If not, then really it is just done to appease owners who want "cool" features.
 
Jumpem said:
I love it. The key never has to come out. Just walk up to the door and it unlocks as you pull the handle. Then press the button to start the car when you sit.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but I don't want my keyring with keys/fobs to the car, truck, other car, house, boat lock, mailbox, etc sitting in my pocket while I'm in the car. I'll accidently leave them in the car if I put them in the center console as well. No, keys belong in the ignition so I am forced to take them with me when I exit said car.
 
slag said:
Yeah, but I don't want my keyring with keys/fobs to the car, truck, other car, house, boat lock, mailbox, etc sitting in my pocket while I'm in the car. I'll accidently leave them in the car if I put them in the center console as well. No, keys belong in the ignition so I am forced to take them with me when I exit said car.
Click to expand...

If you can remember to leave the house with your keys, then surely you can remember to leave the car with your keys as well. Especially since the car can't lock with the fob still inside, you should immediately know that you don't have the key on you when you go to lock the car... and can't.
 
I like keyless ignition (and keyless entry), but I'm not a big fan of push-to-start.

I actually prefer the keyless start on my Versa: The key slot was still there, but it has wider wings around it. You can just turn the ignition and start the car without the key, but if the fob is dead, you can just insert it like a trad key and start it.

I think the thing that annoys me about push-to-start is having to hold the gasbrake pedal.

Edit: Duh. Meant brake pedal.
 
Last edited:
sphenodont said:
I like keyless ignition (and keyless entry), but I'm not a big fan of push-to-start.

I actually prefer the keyless start on my Versa: The key slot was still there, but it has wider wings around it. You can just turn the ignition and start the car without the key, but if the fob is dead, you can just insert it like a trad key and start it.

I think the thing that annoys me about push-to-start is having to hold the gas pedal.
Click to expand...

Hold the gas pedal?
 
sphenodont said:
I like keyless ignition (and keyless entry), but I'm not a big fan of push-to-start.

I actually prefer the keyless start on my Versa: The key slot was still there, but it has wider wings around it. You can just turn the ignition and start the car without the key, but if the fob is dead, you can just insert it like a trad key and start it.

I think the thing that annoys me about push-to-start is having to hold the gas pedal.
Click to expand...

That did annoy be a little at first, but the fact is you have to press the brake anyway to move out of park, it sort of becomes second-nature to just press brake + keyless ignition and push brake to move to drive.
 
Last edited:
exar333 said:
I like how Porsche Entry and Drive works. It has a 'perma key' on the dash you turn to start, but you don't need the actual key in your pocket (just that the fob is in the car). I prefer 'turning the key' vs. pushing a button. Feels better IMHO. Both accomplish the same goal though.
Click to expand...

The 2nd gen CTS-V was like that. Made it easier to select the accessory/run/off by turning the knob instead of messing with a button.
 
gorcorps said:
If you can remember to leave the house with your keys, then surely you can remember to leave the car with your keys as well. Especially since the car can't lock with the fob still inside, you should immediately know that you don't have the key on you when you go to lock the car... and can't.
Click to expand...

One would think so, but in practice, it doesn't work that way for me.
 
basslover1 said:
I've been driving manual cars for over a decade so I'm used to having to push in the clutch to start anyway but I could see how that would take a bit of getting used to.
Click to expand...
There was time you could start without pressing clutch.
But my last manual requires clutched in
 
I have a 2016 MINI Hardtop 4 Door. I have to push the button on the remote to unlock the door, but once I am inside, I just have to push the start toggle while holding the clutch in, brake for an auto. In order to not have to push the button on the remote you have to add comfort access. I found that weird at first, but I had a BMW before that which I can touch the door handle to unlock, but I used the button on the remote anyway, so nothing changed for me really, it was just weird to not have the option to not use the remote to get in the car.

damImage.wide._0.jpg
 
I have push button start... I hate it. I hate it because of the strong parasitic draw on the battery. Having a "smart key" or anything like that is very hard on car batteries, especially if you don't drive 15K miles a year.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top