Push-button ignition
 

I'm trying to figure out what the advantage is of push-button ignition. Why are so many manufacturers evolving to this? I feel the same about push-button ignition as I do paddle shifting or semi-auto/stick floor-mounted transmission: in short, "Why?"

Is it a legitimate improvement to the driving experience, or just marketing hype?

it's so when you lose your key you have to spend $200+ at the dealer to get a new transponder programmed to the car.......same applies if you want multiple keys......

I also imagine that the cost of manufacturing a key/tumbler is higher than a button.

The system in my wife's BMW is pretty cool. The key stays in your pocket and you just push the start button and release. Then the car takes over and starts the car. I understand that many (or all?) of the Japanese systems require you to hold the starter button until the car starts.

I always thought it was trendy because real race cars have a push-button ignition. Of course, the way it works in a race car is completely different (you have to turn on power to the ignition system then hold the start button for the starter to run). Also, every manufacturer seems to have a different take on how you have to turn off the engine if the car is in motion, leading to some deaths/bad accidents when people can't figure it out in a hurry.

Pfft. You guys are late to the party. My 1952 bug has push-button start.

Bling. Its for sales only on the newer cars.

Real cars, like the older Jag's and other Brit cars had them for years but they were not trying to show off then, it was considered normal.

The starting experience in my "new to me S2000" is quite like my Honda snow blower...turn the key and push the start button. But seriously, as much as I like the S2000, I think it is a marketing gimmick.

I don't get why the manufacturers would add an additional step to starting the car.

Pointless.

I was aftermarket 'starter buttons' in the Mini catalog. Quite silly!

Marketing.....

I like the pushbutton start on my MazdaSpeed3, it's pointless, but it's different. After all cars have it, it will be just like everything else...

I suppose it's one less thing to fail - after just replacing an ignition switch in my 911 and a boxster, it's a pretty expensive and common thing to break. But I agree, it's just mostly the "cool" factor.

IT MAKES THE CARS HARDER TO STEAL!

I thought that was well known.
before a slide hammer with a sheet metal screw was all it took to jack a car, now it takes a computer chip built into a special keyfob.

I love the Lexus system. Just walk up with the the keyfob in your pocket, touch the handle and it opens. Get in, push the start button, go. Seamless.

And it's easy to make millions of combinations with the puter chip, with conventional keys there were maybe thousands? Maybe less?

Key to my 08 camry can be in my pocket. It can tell whether or not the key is 2 inches inside the car or 2 inches outside. It won't let me lock it in the trunk. What is weird is you can start the car and leave the key at home, but if you turn it off, it won't start again.

Unlocks the door by me just touching the handle with my hand, while the key is in my pocket.

You're right, $200 for replacements.

I bought my wife a Mini (Cooper) which is equipped with the push button Ignition.

Actually its pretty good and the car key which you don't really need slip in the fob that you put in the dash before pushing the start bottom.

One plus is that there is no key showing meaning that there is no key scratching the paint around the door handle.

Now the thing that pissed me off (maybe I should read the book but apparently it's the same for all BMW) is that you can not put the *&^%$# car in neutral without starting the car :confused::confused::confused:

See how the subject has morphed from the original"Push button Ignition" --to "Push button Start" ----They are different.

This.

Yes... I vaguely remember an Indian (India) joke, that was about the Push Start, Pull Start and Kick Start but it's violent for this thread :D;):D

A lot of old Rovers had them.

THAT is cool and useful.

THAT is true for the other 98% of the cars that have a start button.

Lots of folks on the miata board want to install them. Unless it's a racecar or part of a larger system (as on the BMW mentioned above), then it's a useless gimmick that adds nothing.

My Infiniti works exactly like your BMW.

Strangely - my Pathfinder does not require a key so the FOB stays in your pocket BUT you turn the ignition switch just as you would any 'key' car.

If it's build in... not much you can do but to install them :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: would be like "maybe I should trade my 911 for a WRX" maybe if you are mentally still in you teens "caca" head (it's a smelly 4 letter word... start with an S)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/suppo...oilet_claw.gif

The system on our Cayenne is pretty cool, though a little more conventional looking.

Put the key in the ignition, without turning it or anything, and it sounds like 2-3 deadbolts unlock behind the wheel. I'm guessing it'd be hard to move with them locked.

Then you just twist the key to the right like normal, but just release it, and it cranks it only as long as it needs to to start the motor, you can't over or under crank it.

when I was younger I used to own many cars that I had to push to start

- used to park on hills all the time too

LOL I remember thoese days! Walking a extra few blocks for a hill.

bah, I push started my 914 lots of times, trick is to park on a hill.

$200 for a key/fob thing isn't bad... it was about $110 for a key for moms '97 M...

Oh hell yes! Got a ticket once on the freeway. Officer made me stop my motor despite my lack of a starter. I turned off the motor and asked him if he could call a tow truck for me. He laughed because he thought I was kidding.

He was kind enough to push start me, though.

It may be bling but there is one benefits I can think of.

Have you ever broken a key off in your cars ignition switch?
I've never done it but I have fixed cars over the years with this problem. It's never easy.

.................. Another reason why I got off the new car merry go round years ago.

Save your money or invest wisely instead.

So did my 1964 Mini Cooper S. It was on the floor between the seats. I spilled a cup of coffee on it once and the car wouldn't start for a few days.

and if you do, remember Buy Low Sell High as oppose to guys pass 60's that work for me. I remember that they were shaking their head 10 years ago when I told them I was buying GIC for my RRSP :eek::eek::eek:

Am I a dumb *****?

What's a "GIC for my RRSP"? :confused:

JJ only a canadian would know what a GIC or RRSP is... GIC is a low (no) risk Gov insured savings plan as opposed to a high risk mutual fund. Less interest but not market driven.
RRSP = registered retirement savings program

I've never bought a new car and I'm in better shape financially then most of my friends, including one who makes almost 3 times the money we do.
P!sses him right off.

I had a push button in one of my old bugs...screwed right to the dash.

The company asphalt eater I sport has the push button ignition and keyless door system. I'm indifferent about it. While on one hand it is nice to not have to mess around with a key (I do lock it sometimes) to get in and take off, the other hand says it might deter theft of a Prius.

I leave it unlocked and running most of the day, in some really shady areas, and have done so in several different cities and towns across Texas, but the thieves have yet to touch it.

Maybe I'll get lucky one day.

That is Mr Google is rich :D:eek::D

The start button is just bling as far as I'm concerned. I like the electronic key though. Mercedes had (has) a system where the key is electronic, but you still turn it to engage the starter.
I like the paddle shifter on 6 speed cars. Your shifting has pretty precise when six gates are crammed into the shift pattern. A lot of paddle cars are also dual clutch cars. My only experience with a direct comparison is a VW GTI with 6 spd vs on with the paddle shift dual clutch. I liked the paddle much better.

I have a push button, but i still have to stick my dongle in the dash.


But a big point is overlooked here...

having a push start button also makes it easier to optimize the start through electronics.
You get in
you push the button , done

some people would floor the accelerator when cranking, some would pump the pedal, some would crank a bit to short, some to long.. etc etc..
No more of that , now you simply push the button. From an engine control point of view, it's better.

Obviously you want a system that works, on a car that doesn't go loopy and on the run, with defunct brakes, but that's a whole different story...

pfft....push buttons are nothing new. They used to be on the floor. One Buick model started when you pushed down on the gas pedal.

Lots of 50's British cars had them on the dash. Go back to the 30's and starters were activated in all different manners.

I'll agree with the marketing thing. But, having replaced some key ignitions, I see the less moving parts as a plus.

And whoever said push button starts and ignition are different, well, so? Whatever it takes to get going.