Starting a car - when did it get so complicated?

[anonymous-user]

[redacted]

[SWoll]

doogz said:

How is getting in your car, not even having to find the key, just pressing a button, more complicated?

This.

[Bisonhead]

Keeping the keys in your pocket massively reduces the risk of someone stealing your keys while you are in the car...so the manufacturers say. I reckon it is something to do with being able to make more money from upselling to a 'keyless go' model?!

[ewenm]

I'm looking forward to these keyless entry and keyless start vehicles getting old - lots of people stuck outside their cars or unable to start them due to electrical niggles

That said, when working, it must be less complicated than priming the engine and cranking the starter handle

[Chrisw666]

doogz said:

How is getting in your car, not even having to find the key, just pressing a button, more complicated?

Because if it like the one in my Dad's 2011 Cmax you can start the car while the key is still in his house, it manages to get off the drive before dying in the middle of the road.

[SWoll]

Chrisw666 said:

doogz said:

How is getting in your car, not even having to find the key, just pressing a button, more complicated?

Because if it like the one in my Dad's 2011 Cmax you can start the car while the key is still in his house, it manages to get off the drive before dying in the middle of the road.

I still don't see how that makes the process more complicated.

And please explain how that could possibly happen?

[Chrisw666]

SWoll said:

I still don't see how that makes the process more complicated.

And please explain how that could possibly happen?

It's not complicated just awkward.

It can happen if the car is left unlocked (which it was on the day in question), with the keys on a table just inside the door about 6 feet from the car, then his son jumps in and starts it to see if it will.

[Sump]

It's not complicated, you're just stupid.

Keyless entry and start is the best thing ever.

[deeen]

ewenm said:

I'm looking forward to these keyless entry and keyless start vehicles getting old - lots of people stuck outside their cars or unable to start them due to electrical niggles

That said, when working, it must be less complicated than priming the engine and cranking the starter handle

Retarding the ignition, adjusting the mixture and hand throttle, pumping the grease feed, dripping the oil, decompression...

[SWoll]

Chrisw666 said:

It's not complicated just awkward.

It can happen if the car is left unlocked (which it was on the day in question), with the keys on a table just inside the door about 6 feet from the car, then his son jumps in and starts it to see if it will.

That's more a question of parental control than a fault of the system though surely?

I was wondering how the car had managed to do what you suggested on it's own...

[scorcher]

Chrisw666 said:

doogz said:

How is getting in your car, not even having to find the key, just pressing a button, more complicated?

Because if it like the one in my Dad's 2011 Cmax you can start the car while the key is still in his house, it manages to get off the drive before dying in the middle of the road.

I thought they kept on going until you stopped and turned the engine off. Then you're fked because you can't restart your car because the fob is miles away. Certainly how it works for the new Ducati bikes as a journalist found out when he left the fob on top of the petrol pump then rode off and stopped for dinner sometime later and ....oh bugger, where's the fob?

[redtwin]

It could be complicated to someone not used to it. The first time I drove a car with those fob things you have to stick in the dash, the service rep (it was a 120d loaner) took a few minutes to explain how to switch on the car *and* switch it off.

I would have figured it out myself as there were instructions on the dash anyway, but it must have been an issue for him to feel the need to give instructions. This would not have been necessary if it was a traditional key in an ignition lock. I can't recall anyone ever feeling the need to explain how to twist a key in a car ignition.

I still don't see how this could be considered an improvement for anyone other than manufacturers who most likely charge more the new type fobs than they do for the old blade type key.

[Superhoop]

Chrisw666 said:

Because if it like the one in my Dad's 2011 Cmax you can start the car while the key is still in his house, it manages to get off the drive before dying in the middle of the road.

Really? With the systems I work with, they key has to be within the vehicle cabin, and I mean in the cabin. Even dangling the key over the door shut of an open door isn't close enough

ETA: As above, they don't normally stop until switched off by the driver, as once they are running, the immobiliser function is complete. It's nothing to do with being in a given range of the key

Edited by Superhoop on Wednesday 1st February 09:40

[joewilliams]

scorcher said:

Chrisw666 said:

doogz said:

How is getting in your car, not even having to find the key, just pressing a button, more complicated?

Because if it like the one in my Dad's 2011 Cmax you can start the car while the key is still in his house, it manages to get off the drive before dying in the middle of the road.

I thought they kept on going until you stopped and turned the engine off. Then you're fked because you can't restart your car because the fob is miles away. Certainly how it works for the new Ducati bikes as a journalist found out when he left the fob on top of the petrol pump then rode off and stopped for dinner sometime later and ....oh bugger, where's the fob?

Yup; my Mondeo will put a warning on the dash display if it thinks the key is outside the car, but will happily keep driving. Until you stop.

I don't like having things in my pockets, so put the key in the steering column slot anyway

[Garlick]

One thing I can't get used to is my habit of checking the car is locked as I leave, coupled with keyless entry. Pull door handle to check it's locked and the door opens again!

I also often forget the push button start in many cars as the key can override it. Get in, turn key, start car then see the start button on the centre console. IMO a button works best with keyless entry as it seems pointless to have to insert the key and then move over to press a button.

[Garlick]

[redacted]

[MarkRSi]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

What's all this putting the key in the steering column nonsense?






ETA I hate photobucket

Edited by MarkRSi on Wednesday 1st February 12:46

[Superhoop]

[redacted]

[hostyle]

Garlick said:

Keyless only lets you in without a key, you still have to blip the fob to lock....but then you can't check it's locked, and that affects my OCD.

Not always the case. My Laguna has keyless entry and go. I can lock the car with a button the key-card, but it also locks itself when the key is a certain distance away. It then 'toots' the horn twice and blinks the indicators twice to show you it's now locked (plus it retracts the mirrors).

It can be funny at petrol stations... fill up and wander off to pay, while the girl friend is still in the car. The car locks up, she moves and the alarm goes bonckers

[Chrisw666]

joewilliams said:

scorcher said:

Chrisw666 said:

doogz said:

How is getting in your car, not even having to find the key, just pressing a button, more complicated?

Because if it like the one in my Dad's 2011 Cmax you can start the car while the key is still in his house, it manages to get off the drive before dying in the middle of the road.

I thought they kept on going until you stopped and turned the engine off. Then you're fked because you can't restart your car because the fob is miles away. Certainly how it works for the new Ducati bikes as a journalist found out when he left the fob on top of the petrol pump then rode off and stopped for dinner sometime later and ....oh bugger, where's the fob?

Yup; my Mondeo will put a warning on the dash display if it thinks the key is outside the car, but will happily keep driving. Until you stop.

I don't like having things in my pockets, so put the key in the steering column slot anyway

I had no idea what would happen but it did stop (or maybe I stalled it and blamed the lack of keys) but I reversed it off the drive while the keys were in the house and onto the road.