Push button start: Why?

ElRazur · 4 Aug 2006 at 11:41

Thanks FOX, im gonna be putting this in my FTO by the end of the month....so :cool:

...so so

Beepcake · 4 Aug 2006 at 11:41

My memory is overloaded with the amount of cars i've looked at lately, but I think it's the 1 series where you shove your keycard thing in the dash near to the start button.. so your keys scratch the crap out of your lovely dashboard.. great design that :rolleyes:

jpmonkey69 · 4 Aug 2006 at 11:44

eidolon said:
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.

On newer VWs (well my bosses 06 passat) you put the keyfob in a slot, then push it in the rest of the way to start the car...

Mr_Sukebe · 4 Aug 2006 at 12:33

Personally I just wonder about the Renault system. Tried test driving one of their cars a couple of years ago and couldn't, seems that the salesman had dropped the electronic key and broken it, and were waiting for a replacement.
Now when was the last time you dropped a normal key and broke it?

MrMatteh · 4 Aug 2006 at 12:41

my mums car has this

she keeps her card on her, which allows keyless entry and when she is inside the car, just push the button to start it, no need to insert keys or cards anywhere!

i think its a good system

Garrett · 4 Aug 2006 at 12:44

I don't like push button starts at all, especially on the BMW 1 series and other standard hatchbacks.

On an Aston Martin I can see a push start having its place, but on a family shopping trolley I think it just looks stupid. I can just imagine a line of mums outside the school gates all lined up with their different coloured 1's series, 'ladies start your engines please'.....

Nah its just daft.

Firestar_3x · 4 Aug 2006 at 12:46

MrMatteh said:
my mums car has this

she keeps her card on her, which allows keyless entry and when she is inside the car, just push the button to start it, no need to insert keys or cards anywhere!

i think its a good system

Only problem is what happens if the battery goes flat, with a key i can get into the car and pop the bonnet / boot, how do you do that if you have no key?

Saytan · 4 Aug 2006 at 12:56

[TW]Fox said:
First three times: WOW LOL IT HAS PUSH BUTTON START

and here's your answer. people buy cars on the test drive, so anything that makes them go wow the first time they use it is gonna help

Wossi · 4 Aug 2006 at 13:05

jpmonkey69 said:
On newer VWs (well my bosses 06 passat) you put the keyfob in a slot, then push it in the rest of the way to start the car...

Yup, although you also have to press the clutch pedal in

it doesn't start with doing that

. I really dislike the handbrake button in the passat aswell, I was at Birmingham airport and couldn't remember if I had pressed the button or not.

Phantom · 4 Aug 2006 at 13:13

id like an ejector seat button... would that be possible?

Vertigo · 4 Aug 2006 at 13:17

Fox, you're completely right. Regardless of what some people (usually those with one) will claim, push-button starters have no practical advantages at all, they just look cool, end of.

The daftest "key" system yet has to go to the muppets at Renault who managed to produce a card you slot into the dash but with the keyring eyelet at the end which is inserted first :rolleyes:

mightynimrod · 4 Aug 2006 at 13:26

Firestar_3x said:
Only problem is what happens if the battery goes flat, with a key i can get into the car and pop the bonnet / boot, how do you do that if you have no key?

You can get in, the fob holds a metal key to open the doors in such an event

TripleT · 4 Aug 2006 at 13:37

Vertigo1 said:
The daftest "key" system yet has to go to the muppets at Renault who managed to produce a card you slot into the dash but with the keyring eyelet at the end which is inserted first

You're having a laugh?!

And new 5 series do have a push button start, which again is pretty pointless as you have to insert key etc

mightynimrod said:
You can get in, the fob holds a metal key to open the doors in such an event

Yep beemers and mercs have a small key which slides out of the plastic key fob.

Wyvern971 · 4 Aug 2006 at 13:41

Phantom said:
id like an ejector seat button... would that be possible?

Have you not Seem F&F2

the DB5 one would be better though

Mr Joshua · 4 Aug 2006 at 13:54

Nozzer said:
It's funky and cool and some racing cars have them.

As do most busses.

Simon · 4 Aug 2006 at 14:46

Push button start rocks.

Nah, is a bit of a gimmick but I'm still not bored of it. Handy that it is the same side as the ignition barrel though.

Pinter75 · 4 Aug 2006 at 15:09

I can easily convert my 540 to push start. It has a assisted start thing, where you only need to flip the key and the starter will turn untill the engine fires. So by putting in push switch, the starter will still run till it fires. No need to hold the button down.

This may be the same on all 5's I dunno.

Will I do it - probably not - well maybe.

kip02 · 4 Aug 2006 at 15:41

On my dads Lexus IS220d, you just have to walk upto the car with your key in your pocket and the car will unlock, sit in the drivers seat press the clutch and press the start button for it to start.
He still finds himself occaisionally reaching to switch the engine off with the key, which i always find funny.

Zod · 4 Aug 2006 at 16:07

lordrobs said:
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.

Agreed. My door opens as I touch the handle. The engine starts as I push the button. All of this happens while the key remains in my pocket.

Simon · 4 Aug 2006 at 16:12

I dunno if I am the only one but i tend to get in a car and put key in ignition then play with stereo, put on seatbelt, adjust seat maybe and then start the car.

A button is certainly easier in this situation

Push button start: Why?

Man of Honour