Did the Ignition Key Just Die? 865
cartechboy (2660665) writes "Do you still use a metal key to start your vehicle? We already knew this was old tech at this point, but now it might fully be killed off. In the wake of General Motors' 'Switchgate' fiasco, we've heard the CEO tell a Congressional committee that the recall may force GM to ditch ignition keys altogether in favor of push-button systems. If this became a reality, it would end decades of complaints from customers. Bloomberg approximates at least 18,000 complaints have been filed since NHTSA was formed in 1970, peaking at more than 2,000 in the year 2000. Those complaints resulted in roughly 21 million vehicles being recalled. The push-button ignition isn't perfect, but we know electrical trumps mechanical more often than not. Are you ready for an era where the ignition key doesn't exist?"
Re:I don't like the control it takes away from you (Score:5, Informative)
In a newer engine, the computer controls all aspects of starting and running; timing, spark intensity, fuel quantity, mixture, etc. Holding down the key and cranking is no longer everything needed to start a cranky engine.
Re:I don't like the control it takes away from you (Score:5, Informative)
What if you want to switch it to position 2 and push-start a manual transmission car?
... then you push the button twice without your foot on the brake. It goes to run mode just like the second detent of a traditional key. Pressing once goes to accessory mode. More presses simply cycles between accessory...run...off.
Re:Help! Help! (Score:3, Informative)
Disengage the transmission? I have something that does that. Its called a clutch, and all the cars worth driving have them.
Re:Help! Help! (Score:5, Informative)
Indeed. Pushbutton ignition doesn't bother me at all. The shift-by-wire and throttle-by-wire elements I find more troubling. I've had a mechanical throttle stick - hooked my foot under the gas pedal and lifted, problem solved. I've also had a problem with a mechanical transmission where I couldn't get it out of gear (not a clutch problem, since you can always pop into neutral without a clutch), and that freaked me out.
But my current car has an automatic shift level that AFAIK isn't mechanically coupled to anything. So "shift to neutral" requires computer cooperation in a scenario where we've started with the control computer losing its shit.
There are well understood ways to isolate these kinds of failures, but we've seen that we can't depend on car designers using them. Hopefully the manufacturers will all get onboard with basic fault isolation (e.g., no matter how hard the software that's sets throttle position crashes, the software that responds to "shift to neutral" must be unaffected), before some series of crashes prompts a law.
Re:I don't like the control it takes away from you (Score:4, Informative)
Same here!
With an ignition key, I know that I'm in control. If I step out of the car, I'd normally remove the keys (unless there were other passengers already) and do whatever I have to do before returning, knowing that my car would still be there. With the remote, even if I stepped out w/ it, leaving the car unlocked, anybody can just get in and drive some distance. Maybe he won't get far, but the damage would have been done.
In Europe, most cars use a key card system, if you remove the card from it's slot, the car won't drive.
Re:No, thank you. (Score:5, Informative)
A physical key still unlocks the doors when the car's battery has died. A physical key doesn't itself have a battery to die, leaving you stranded in a blizzard in the middle of nowhere after you stop to pee on the side of the road. And perhaps most importantly - A physical key doesn't cost some $300 to replace when you drop it in a puddle. If that particular scam doesn't solely account for the auto industry's desire to move to keyless fobs, I have a bridge for sale.
I've had my car for 7 years now. Two keyfobs. No keys. Replaced the batteries I think twice in that time. Works perfectly.
If my battery were to ever die, my keyfob comes apart and within is a manual key to enter the vehicle with.
If my keyfob battery is dead, there is a port in which to dock the dead keyfob to read the RFID directly and enable starting the car.
Feel free to sell your bridges to idiots elsewhere. Consumers and engineers alike have given this just a bit more thought. Years ago.
Re:Help! Help! (Score:4, Informative)
If by "mostly doesn't work" you mean that the engine turns off buy you can't remove the key until you put the car in park, then I guess you're right.
But that's a warped definition of not working.
Re:No, thank you. (Score:5, Informative)
Clearly you have never owned a "keyless" vehicle.
I say "keyless" because my Nissan has a physical key hidden inside the key less remote fob to open the door if the car battery is dead.
If the fob battery is low the car will warn you. It's hard to ignore.
If you are a dumb ass and keep ignoring the low battery warnings there is a slot under the dash for the fob to work when the fob battery is too low to transmit.
For what it's worth nearly every car made today has some kind of chipped smart key that costs $50-$100 to replace plus a remote that will cost you $100 or more if you wash it. Key less or not dropping your keys in a puddle will cost you.
Funny thing about keyless.. I never drop my keys trying to get into the car or start it.. They never leave my pocket.
I can't even lock the doors if the key is inside.. the car won't let it happen.
Re:I don't like the control it takes away from you (Score:5, Informative)
It does sometimes take a few extra cranks to get a gasoline engine to start, even if it is tuned and in working order.
The computer that controls ignition knows that too.
Re:If not... (Score:5, Informative)
It's actually a fairly modern idea to have the same key fit both the ignition switch and the car doors.
Obligatory Tesla Plug (Score:5, Informative)
After a year the only problem we ever have is leaving the engine running and walking away from our gasoline car because you get so used to how the Tesla works.
Re:It ain't broke (Score:5, Informative)
However your argument about the feel of it, I completely understand that and it's fair.