Push-button ignition

[dd74]

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?

[bell]

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......

[Gogar]

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

[David]

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.

[legion]

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.

[widebody911]

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

[Joeaksa]

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.

[msk1986911]

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.

[Paul K]

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!

[Joe Bob]

Marketing.....

[azasadny]

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...

[Christien]

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.

[sammyg2]

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.

[HardDrive]

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.

[sammyg2]

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

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by David

I understand that many (or all?) of the Japanese systems require you to hold the starter button until the car starts.

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.

[JJ 911SC]

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

[Bob Goding]

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

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by msk1986911

I think it is a marketing gimmick.

This.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Bob Goding

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

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