Push button start: Why?

[TW]Fox

[TW]Fox

[TW]Fox

Man of Honour
Joined
17 Oct 2002
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160,196
I like gadgets, they are fun. As you all know, a car full of gadgets is my idea of good.

However, some things I just don't get. Principly... Push button starters.

Place key in ignition, and instead of simply turning it, you have to let go of it and press a button the other side of the steering column.

Why? What possible purpose does this solve? You've already had to put the key in the ignition so why can't we just keep our hand there and turn it?

Electric Windows, Cruise, AC, parking sensors - all nice gadgets which save a bit of effort. But push button starters?
 
Got it on mine, security is loads better as they can't just crack open the steering column shroud, i still find myself going for the normal right hand side to stick my key in even after a year with it :D

Plus, the keyfob is better for being in your pocket - i know VW/Audi have the enclosed foldaway key anyway, but it's just easier all round i think.

All ive got is my Car key/block house key/garage key.

I hate keyrings with masses and masses of gismo's on them.
 
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Keyless entry and push button start would be cool. Leave key in pocket, car opens as you get near, jump in, push button, go.

Having to use both the key and the button is as you say dumb.
 
mightynimrod said:
Got it on mine, security is loads better as they can't just crack open the steering column shroud, i still find myself going for the normal right hand side to stick my key in even after a year with it :D
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Yea, the 1 Series is the only car I've actually experienced it in (Actually I can't remember if the new 5 Series had one).

First three times: WOW LOL IT HAS PUSH BUTTON START
After that: WHY?
 
mightynimrod said:
Got it on mine, security is loads better as they can't just crack open the steering column shroud, i still find myself going for the normal right hand side to stick my key in even after a year with it :D
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No, they just rip the switch out, cut the wires and join them together to turn the starter over.

Really secure :p
 
I've added a push-start to my Prelude, which works alongside the original key-start.

I sometimes get in the car and turn the ignition on so that the CarPC comes on, without the engine running. If i've been playing with the PC, and i'm then going to go somewhere, I can just press the button which is right next to the touchscreen, and the engine will start.

In my Anglia i'm going to have no ignition key, just a push start/stop button :) So I won't have to touch the key at all ;)
 
ConfusedTA said:
I sometimes get in the car and turn the ignition on so that the CarPC comes on, without the engine running. If i've been playing with the PC, and i'm then going to go somewhere, I can just press the button which is right next to the touchscreen, and the engine will start.
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See I wouldnt find that very useful becuase if I want to play computers I will do in the comfort of my room, cars are for driving ;)
 
agw_01 said:
:D That I am. And proud of it :p
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Me too.

Randomly encrypted transponder doesn't allow the wires to become live until it's verified the code from the keyfob.

Even then, you've got to bypass alarm blaring out before sorting that out.

So you've got to get behind the dash itself to sort out ignition wiring to hot-start it.
 
[TW]Fox said:
cars are for driving ;)
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So, if cars are for driving, then why have...

Electric windows, electric heated seats, aircon, 20,000 watt stereo system...

All pointless stuff which just detracts from the whole driving experience :p
 
Fact of the matter is push button or no push button you can't steal the car without the keys anyways so its no more secure with or without.

The renault system is great, place card in to start etc, systems when you put the key in turn it then push the button are just stupid i don't see the added value.
 
[TW]Fox said:
See I wouldnt find that very useful becuase if I want to play computers I will do in the comfort of my room, cars are for driving ;)
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Do you have an aftermarket stereo in your car?


Yes, you do. That's exactly what my CarPC is for. And sat-nav. I have a perfectly good desktop system for media/games, and a perfectly good laptop for everything else when I'm inside.

I have the CarPC in order to have all of my music on-tap, without having to worry about plugging in an iPod etc, or faffing around putting MP3 CDs/DVDs into a drive.
 
I don't see the point either. It would be great if you just got in the car and pressed the button but the fact that you have to turn the key anyway makes it totally pointless to me.
 
The Nissan key recognition system is good on the micras, walk upto car with fob in pocket / open door / get in / press brake / turn dial to start car, if they changed the dial to a button they would have it sorted :)
 
I took a Renault Espace on holiday recently. It had the keyless entry and push button start. They were nice gimmicks but I found the start button was too far away (in the centre column) and I had to streach whenever I started the car.

The 'feature' I disliked the most was the flimsey handbreak button. Give me a real handbreak that I can feel the lock on any day!
 
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