I've always been extremely practical with cars. I don't care about nice cars; I'd much rather drive a fuel-efficient Prius than a sports car that gets ten miles MPG. However, the other day a friend let me drive his Honda S2000. It was a convertible; I'd never been in a convertible. It was a two-seat car, I'd never been in a two-seat car. It was a manual transmission; I'd never driven a manual transmission on a car made after the year 1990 (because most new cars are automatics). So even though I don't care about nice cars, I decided to accept the offer simply because I was intrigued by it. Anyways, I get into the car and put the key in and tried to turn it but it didn't turn. My friend then looks at me and says, "The start button is right there." I was shocked! I started laughing also, I'd never seen a car with a start button. I was wondering, what is the point to that? Is there any benefit to cars having the start button instead of turning the key? And are many new cars like this nowadays or is it simply the sports cars?
Start Buttons in cars
I don't know about that one, but I think on most of the cars with that, it means you don't have to actually put the key in. As long as the key is in the car, the RFID tag in the key will register with the car and make the start button work. The lock/unlock buttons may work the same way: as long as the key is near the car, it will open.
It may be slightly more convenient, but I think it adds an unneeded level of complexity to the system, and could cause major headaches when the car gets old.
It may be slightly more convenient, but I think it adds an unneeded level of complexity to the system, and could cause major headaches when the car gets old.
| ocalhoun wrote: |
| I don't know about that one, but I think on most of the cars with that, it means you don't have to actually put the key in. As long as the key is in the car, the RFID tag in the key will register with the car and make the start button work. The lock/unlock buttons may work the same way: as long as the key is near the car, it will open.
It may be slightly more convenient, but I think it adds an unneeded level of complexity to the system, and could cause major headaches when the car gets old. |
Yeah, I know. That's what I was thinking. It's just another thing that can go wrong and cost you money to fix. If the key is already in, then what's the trouble in simply turning it rather than pushing a button? I didn't see how it added any convenience.
I guess it could help if your hands are cold (too numb to feel the key properly turning) avnd you just want to run the accessory line on your car? 
There really is no benefit of having a start button. but its still cool to have - its just one of those little things that makes life more interesting.
There really is no benefit of having a start button. but its still cool to have - its just one of those little things that makes life more interesting.
| ocalhoun wrote: |
| It adds an unneeded level of complexity to the system, and could cause major headaches when the car gets old. |
I agree. I'm so happy that my truck doesn't have power windows/locks. One less thing to break. And also the peace of mind that nobody will close the window on your hand.
Some race cars have them, so they started putting them on expensive cars, particularly GT-style cars and sports cars. I think it's silly. It's actually one of the reasons my mom just got a Civic hybrid instead of a Prius. The Prius has automatic keyless entry and a start button, but the fob costs $450 to replace if it's lost or broken. I'd take a normal key any day of the week. I say simpler is ALWAYS better. But push-button starts are kind of cool, in a 80's pop-up-headlight everybody-gets-tired-of-it-after-a-while kind of way.
I think the Camry has the start button option. That kinda kills the wow cool factor of it. It was originally set up so you wouldn't have to take to keys out of your pockets to drive the car. on the nicer cars anyway. the Lexus models had it set up so that when the key was close to the car the doors unlocked when you pulled on the handle and then you pressed the start button to start the engine.
The technology is always growing, but it think that such technology has a great down size. If there will be electric failures, your car will not start. So i don't recommend an electronic start.
Give me an old system with a key, then there is less chances on electronic failures.
Give me an old system with a key, then there is less chances on electronic failures.
Start buttons are cool and it makes everything more confortable, but they are difficult to install by yourself
It's something that have to catch the eye of the customer, It's make car looks more as ... spaceship. I'm consious that it is another thing to go wrong (like had happen to J.Clorkson on his brand new Ford GT40) but stil, I'm the opinion that it looks nice.
Viper has also one with big white START instription
Viper has also one with big white START instription
| Afaceinthematrix wrote: |
| ... most new cars are automatics ... |
I can't agree with this. The most new cars have a manual transmission. I think the quota between manual and automatic must be somewhere by 3/2 (this is the situation in Austria).
People like driving cars with manual transmission, because they need less fuel and (my opinion) driving a car with manual transmission is much more fun.
Is the situation in your countries very different?
And I think the Start/Stop-Button is real nonsense. The Rénault Laguna of my friend has one (instead of a key this car has a key-card) and I can't get used to this kind of starting a car. I love the good old key.
In the US far and away the most cars bought are automatics. I understand that in Europe a majority are manuals. Not sure about the rest of the world.
| wewa wrote: | ||
I can't agree with this. The most new cars have a manual transmission. I think the quota between manual and automatic must be somewhere by 3/2 (this is the situation in Austria). People like driving cars with manual transmission, because they need less fuel and (my opinion) driving a car with manual transmission is much more fun. Is the situation in your countries very different? And I think the Start/Stop-Button is real nonsense. The Rénault Laguna of my friend has one (instead of a key this car has a key-card) and I can't get used to this kind of starting a car. I love the good old key. |
Well I know that the majority of cars in Europe and Asia are manuals, but since I'm from the US I rarely see a new car that is manual. Maybe we're lazy? I don't know. But the only manuals that you really see here are either in sports cars (it's considered fancy) or in really old cars.
| Afaceinthematrix wrote: |
|
... since I'm from the US I rarely see a new car that is manual. Maybe we're lazy? I don't know. But the only manuals that you really see here are either in sports cars (it's considered fancy) or in really old cars. |
Ok so I can say that in Poland automats have only "luxurious" car. By "luxurious" I mean something like Audi A6/A8 /Allroad, New Skoda Octawia / Superb, MB S-class etc. In my opinion this kind of cars prefer people that have chosen to get from A to B in easy-style, majestet. People with manuals (me including) are more temperament, like Italyans - do you imagine Diablo with automat ??
After stories from life heard from my friends girlfriend I had concluzion thar Yeah, US guys are in this case layzy. As I said befoure, people with manuals wont to derive pleasure from their trip.
One advantage with a start button is that you can't force the lock with a screwdriver and start the engine that way. But to be honest, it really doesn't matter to me what method is used to start the car - using a key is just a convention and isn't really any better or worse than having a button on the dashboard.
I think a start button is pointless, and serves no function in real world cars other than for appearance. As in the s2000, doing two steps to start the car, makes no sense to me. The other of having the key in the car (certain proximity), well then anyone can start the car while you are in it, which can be quite dangerous... say a passenger chooses to push the button for whatever reason, while the car is in gear... dunno, i just see an accident waiting to happen.
Necessary on race cars, as they dont have keys...
Regarding not being able to punch the column to steal the car, well most newer cars have prevented this. It is more common that the keys are coming encoded, and need to be in the ignition in order to turn over. But with all electronics, they can be bypassed.
Necessary on race cars, as they dont have keys...
Regarding not being able to punch the column to steal the car, well most newer cars have prevented this. It is more common that the keys are coming encoded, and need to be in the ignition in order to turn over. But with all electronics, they can be bypassed.
Well it is pointless 2 place a start button in the car when u have to put the key in it anyway. Plus with it it means u have something extra to repair if it messes up. But it does look cool!!
On my PC I have a start button so why not on my car? Seems pretty old fashioned to have to put a key in a lock and then turn it to start a car. Offhand, apart from cars, motorbikes and some boats I cannot think of a device which uses the put-a-key-in-a-lock-and-turn-it way of starting.
I'm a fan of simplicity, particularly when it comes to vehicle electronics. Every gadget and gizmo they add is just another thing that is going to fail at some point. There's nothing wrong with start buttons per se, but remote fobs are expensive, hard to replace, and error-prone. And any system with a start button AND a key you have to insert somewhere is just a time-wasting gimick. I'm all for computers & electronics in cars when they increase reliability, efficiency, functionality and performance, but sometimes mechanical systems are still the best.
| Davidgr1200 wrote: |
| On my PC I have a start button so why not on my car? Seems pretty old fashioned to have to put a key in a lock and then turn it to start a car. Offhand, apart from cars, motorbikes and some boats I cannot think of a device which uses the put-a-key-in-a-lock-and-turn-it way of starting. |
Some generators and lawn mowers... Some construction equipment... some small planes.
Most things that have internal combustion engines that are self-starting use an ignition key to start.
cars should have keys to turn the ignition.
buttons look like they are building cars for dumb people
buttons look like they are building cars for dumb people
| chiggersy2k wrote: |
|
buttons look like they are building cars for dumb people |
Wait, they're not? I thought for sure they were building cars for dumb people.
Why else would they put a big plastic cover over the engine, preventing one from seeing (or fixing) it?
i think it works good with the old normal key to get in and key to start and stuff i dont think its really necesarry to have a somple push button there not suposed to be like big toys and there would be more chance in stealing of them and if ur battery dies ur in a real mess.
Another thought: In a normal car, you can turn the key to a special position for 'accessory', that way, you can run the car's electronics and lights without starting the engine. How could you do that with a start button car? Or what if I wanted to put it in neutral and roll it down a hill without starting the engine (something I often did on my sloped driveway when I needed to move my truck to a different spot on the driveway)?
 |