Pushbutton start question

[sdifox]

no, I meant under my skin.

err, whut.

you prefer "Hand over your arm" to "Hand over your keys" ?

 

[RKS]

err, whut.

you prefer "Hand over your arm" to "Hand over your keys" ?

ME: Dude, I don't have any keys (I can give them a non-functioning key fob)
Potential Thief: It's cool, I can't drive a stick anyway.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

my favorite part is when i left my keys in the trunk, it wouldnt let me close it. i was getting pissed, thought my trunk was broken lol

 

[HardcoreRobot]

also, the convenience is not push vs turn, its in not having to take your keys out at all.

 

[KIAman]

I don't have comfort access on my 330 but it does have a push button start. Although I have a feeling that the comfort access feature is really just a software change because I cannot keep my doors locked with my keys in the car or trunk and the dash will even tell me with a loud DING if I left it somewhere.

Anyways, I've tested turning off the car, removing the FOB then starting the car. It works as long as you do it within 10 seconds. And this works indefinately as long as the next time it is off is no longer than 10 seconds.

Also, even those with comfort access must insert the FOB once in a while because it will recharge the batteries.

Interesting sidenote about locking:
If I lock my doors from the outside, it cannot be unlocked by people inside. opening the door handles won't do anything. They are literally trapped.

 

[hanoverphist]

Interesting sidenote about locking:
If I lock my doors from the outside, it cannot be unlocked by people inside. opening the door handles won't do anything. They are literally trapped.

that doesnt sound fun at all. for the people you lock in.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Wondering if anybody on here has a newer car that has the push button start where you don't need a key for the car? I remember hearing on some of the newer vehicles, there is a fob that acts as the key for the car wirelessly? So basically there is a button on the dash to start the car and as long as you have the fob in your pocket you can push the button and start the car.

I started thinking about how these work and I'm sure it has some type of proximity sensor to it so that when you're further away than say 10 feet it won't start. What happens if you leave your keys on the roof of the car and drive off though? Or perhaps you leave them sitting on the hook in the garage? The car is close enough to let you start it, but after you drive off what happens? Does the car shut off? Will it keep running? What happens when you get where you're going and turn the car off? Oh shit, I forgot the fob and now you're stuck?

Just curious if anybody knows how these work and if they are idiot proofed?

Our Lexus won't start unless the key is within a couple feet of the ignition button. You can't start it if someone is standing a couple feet away or even by the trunk. Likewise you cannot open the trunk if the key is in the car and not within a couple feet of the trunk switch (it has a soft touch switch that clicks open the trunk just by pressing on it as long as you have the key fob on you).

We've owned the car for 5+ years now and had no trouble with the key fobs...although, my wife did lose one and it cost over $200 for a replacement.

Only trouble I've had with it is valet parking. Sometimes I'll get out of the car and forget that I have the key in my pocket. The valet usually comes and finds me to ask for the key.

 

[Born2bwire]

Is turning it so much more difficult than pushing a button?

My mom was talking about that with my aunts. For them, it is a huge "wow" factor, as in "wow I can start my car with a button!"

What I find appealing is the whole system. You walk up, put your hand on the doors and it automatically unlocks. Sit down, buckle up and then you can just push the button to start it up. The whole convenience of getting in without using keys is just nice. It's particularly appealing with the thought of bad weather like rain or snow. That way I can get into the car easier and cleaner and I don't have to fumble around with keys in and out of my pocket with heavy gloves on.

It's such a damn minor thing but it is soooo tempting.

 

[kevman]

My C6 has it, and it would probably drive without shutting off if you don't have the fob inside when you turn it on.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Also, even those with comfort access must insert the FOB once in a while because it will recharge the batteries.

This is incorrect. The keys on Comfort Access cars are not rechargeable and putting the key in will have no effect on the non-rechargeable battery in the keys. Honestly I wish this were not the case, but it is. I do like having Comfort Access, if only because I think it's silly to have a car where the driver has to both insert the keys AND push a start button. Between Comfort Access and bluetooth, I like being able to get in my car and use the car and my phone without taking anything out of my pockets. I wish I had both features on my E46 M3.

 

[DivideBYZero]

This is incorrect. The keys on Comfort Access cars are not rechargeable and putting the key in will have no effect on the non-rechargeable battery in the keys. Honestly I wish this were not the case, but it is. I do like having Comfort Access, if only because I think it's silly to have a car where the driver has to both insert the keys AND push a start button. Between Comfort Access and bluetooth, I like being able to get in my car and use the car and my phone without taking anything out of my pockets. I wish I had both features on my E46 M3.

Bluetooth is fairly simple to add. The parts are not cheap, but then when are they ever?

EDIT: Search ebay for 'e46 bluetooth ULF'

 

[SparkyJJO]

Personally, I want to stick the key in the ignition and have physical contacts. That way, if anything screwball was to happen (think of the toyota problems, whether they were real or not) and the car gets stuck accelerating or whatever, you can always turn the key and shut down ignition.

With a fob, and an electronic switch controlled by the computer, if the computer ever did screw up, you're screwed. Some things just simply should have a physical switch.

no, I meant under my skin.

NEVER would I want something like that, ever. I don't care how "convenient" it may be, it would also be convenient for anyone wanting to know where you are. Besides, I can't stand needles as it is, having something embed something in me permanently? Screw that!

 

[nanaki333]

my altima has the push button thing. it's annoying because it's not very friendly for remote start.

 

[KentState]

Both the Vette and the V had keyless entry/ignition. Both utilize two door antennas, one in the center of the car and a forth in the trunk/hatch. Both will not allow you to start the car unless you are in the front seats. You can walk off once the car is started and it will continue to run. Like Jules, I've had valet guys come running in asking for my keys after they park the car.

Question for you guys. Do you set your car to auto lock/unlock based on proximity? For about a week, I didn't realize that my second FOB was not programmed to auto lock/unlock. Was a disturbing discovery when I was able to open the car at work without a FOB.