What is the reason/purpose for keyless push button start on new cars

[Ralph S.]

??????????????

[Terry D.]

Re: What is the reason/purpose for keyless push button start on new cars

Maybe one is makes it much harder to steal?

[Keith B.]

Re: What is the reason/purpose for keyless push button start on new cars

convenience would be my guess

[Mark E.]

Re: What is the reason/purpose for keyless push button start on new cars

A major benefit is convenience. No need to retrieve your key to enter and start. And you can pretend you're an F1 driver.


Speaking of harder to steal, it is curious that locking steering columns and gear selectors introduced in 1969 were dropped decades later. A cost saving measure, or deemed obsolete with electronic anti-theft technologies?

[Leif A.]

Re: What is the reason/purpose for keyless push button start on new cars

I was with BMW when they launched the 1-series back in 2004. Among it's many innovative features was the first, modern keyless, pushbutton start. Automobile manufacturers transitioned to push-button start systems for several reasons. Push-button start systems are seen as more convenient and modern, as they eliminate the need for a physical key. They also offer added security features, such as keyless entry and keyless ignition. Additionally, push-button start systems can be integrated with other advanced vehicle technologies, such as keyless entry, remote start, and smart key fobs. Overall, the transition to push-button start reflects the industry's focus on innovation, convenience, and security in vehicle design

[Tom L.]

Re: What is the reason/purpose for keyless push button start on new cars

There is one flaw though. I can get in my linciln with no key fob along with my wife, who has it in her purse, drop her off and rive away 100 miles then park with no way to restart the car. Yes, the car does honk when the fob leaves the car but I'm guilty of having the attention span of a man : ) this hasn't happened to me, almost once.

Our local paper printed a story about someone that had gone into a bagel shop with their car running, left the keys behind and drove from Long island to Pennsylvania. Apparently the owner knew the person and when he found out that they were stuck, drove the keys to them. At least that one had a happy ending. Technology, no matter how well thought out, will always find a way to bite us in the a$$.

[Owen L.]

Re: What is the reason/purpose for keyless push button start on new cars

There is one flaw though. I can get in my linciln with no key fob along with my wife, who has it in her purse, drop her off and rive away 100 miles then park with no way to restart the car.

I've long thought that the missing fob should lock the transmission from going into any gear.

[Mark E.]

Re: What is the reason/purpose for keyless push button start on new cars

I've long thought that the missing fob should lock the transmission from going into any gear.

This almost happened to us this morning! I dropped off Nina at the airport skycap/bag-check curb and turned off the car. After unloading her luggage, the car would not start and flashed "smartkey not found". We tried starting it with her and her carry-on aboard- no go.
Then, just before the sky cap checked her suitcase, we put it back in the trunk and that worked! It turns out the key was in a jacket pocket which she packed last minute.

Thankfully we figured this out before it was checked. I had visions of begging DFW police to let me leave the car curbside unattended while I Ubered home and back for the spare key.

[Justin S.]

Re: What is the reason/purpose for keyless push button start on new cars

I too drove across town without the key and fob after dropping my wife off. I was luckily able to make it back to her.

This and the auto stop feature are my two least favorite "technological advancements"

[Ralph S.]

Re: What is the reason/purpose for keyless push button start on new cars

I still have to take the clicker out of my pocket to unlock the doors, And sometimes if i bend over the doors unlock because other keys in my pocket hit the open button on the clicker I HATe THE WHOLE SYSTEM along with the auto stop

[Bill M.]

Re: What is the reason/purpose for keyless push button start on new cars

I prefer the key. I have fake hips and carrying anything in my pockets annoys me. I carry a single key for my 2020 Silverado custom

[Owen L.]

Re: What is the reason/purpose for keyless push button start on new cars

I still have to take the clicker out of my pocket to unlock the doors, And sometimes if i bend over the doors unlock because other keys in my pocket hit the open button on the clicker I HATe THE WHOLE SYSTEM along with the auto stop

Friday I was getting into my truck with the keys in my pocket and ended up triggering the alarm on my wife's car - at 7AM! Ain't technology grand?