PUSH button start long term reliability?

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: horse123
I'd bet a flimsy rubber button is going to burn out/fall apart and need to be replaced probably for nearly as much as a regular key ignition sooner than any good keyed ignition.

Things you rub your finger on a lot have a tendency to wear and look disgusting after a few years.


Mine still looks new. It's an aluminum button. On the 2010+ E class, they use a removable button so they tend to get stolen at used car lots.

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: horse123
I'd bet a flimsy rubber button is going to burn out/fall apart and need to be replaced probably for nearly as much as a regular key ignition sooner than any good keyed ignition.

Things you rub your finger on a lot have a tendency to wear and look disgusting after a few years.


Burn out? I seriously doubt it. It's not switching high amperage starter solenoid current. Just a few milliamps to signal the PCM.

I will agree that they will likely suffer some physical damage though. I've seen plenty with the writing worn off, but some are still in great shape.

 

[horse123]

I'd expect quality on a Mercedes. I'm talking about in like a Civic or Dart or whatever cheapturd cars come with push button start standard to try to impress old people these days.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: horse123
I'd expect quality on a Mercedes. I'm talking about in like a Civic or Dart or whatever cheapturd cars come with push button start standard to try to impress old people these days.


It's not really to impress old people. It just an extra bit of convenience. You don't have to take the keys out of your pocket, you just pull the door handle and it opens or hit the button on the door handle and it locks, no need to fish out out a fob to hit a button. Handy if you're carrying things. Also means you can jump in the car quick and go, saves about 2 seconds.

I do chuckle a little when you mention quality, everyone else seems to have the impression that they're expensive to fix when they break. The door handles have a history of failing, about $300 for a new one with a keyless go handle, even the online prices are at least $150-$200.

 

[Gasbuggy]

I will take a key all day long. Even a low detent GM. There is just something cool and mechanical about the process to me. And most of these buttons look like [censored] after about 3 years.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: Bladecutter
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Key switch versus pushbutton switch?
Key switches rarely give trouble.


Originally Posted By: Nate1979
Ask GM. They did a pretty good job designing ignition switches......


Better yet, ask the family members and friends of people who were killed in GM's vehicles due to the reliability of their ignition switches.

I'm sure they all wish they had bought something that didn't have a faulty GM ignition switch.

BC.


Something equipped with a Takata air bag would be nice upgrade.

 

[Jetronic]

Originally Posted By: flinter
Hi,

I own a 2015 Civic EX with just 10,200 miles. Obviously, the PUSH button start works perfectly. But I was wondering if this will last the life of the car? Let's say a 10-12 year period? Will it prove to be just as reliable as a traditional key? Or will it eventually just break and need an EXPENSIVE replacement??

I have been wondering if some of this technology is REALLY that necessary? Now its actually considered "old fashion" to buy a car with a traditional key start ignition! Now its actually considered too much effort to get in a car, put the key in the ignition and turn it to start!



With how easy those are to steal, you might not need to worry about the button longevity....

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Key switch versus pushbutton switch?
Key switches rarely give trouble.
I've never replaced one in forty years of owning IDK how many different cars.

When they do give trouble, as in taxi use, it wasn't a fun time, particularly with GMs of the day and their overly complex steering columns.

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: Jetronic
Originally Posted By: flinter
Hi,

I own a 2015 Civic EX with just 10,200 miles. Obviously, the PUSH button start works perfectly. But I was wondering if this will last the life of the car? Let's say a 10-12 year period? Will it prove to be just as reliable as a traditional key? Or will it eventually just break and need an EXPENSIVE replacement??

I have been wondering if some of this technology is REALLY that necessary? Now its actually considered "old fashion" to buy a car with a traditional key start ignition! Now its actually considered too much effort to get in a car, put the key in the ignition and turn it to start!



With how easy those are to steal, you might not need to worry about the button longevity....


How are they easy to steal?

 

[The_Jeff]

There are keyless cars you have to press the brake to start. It interrupted my work flow at the tire store. I hate it b/c the added current draw from the brake lights is slightly harder on the battery when cranking. I personally on my own cars never do it so it's notable.

I object to the amount of key-ring space modern cars think they deserve with their fobs etc. Even a thick rubber grip on a key gets on my nerves. I'm in the minority; most car makers use their keys as a piece of jewelry and extension to impress others. Multiple new vehicles on a key ring are a hassle.

GM has a notoriously bad passlock/ passkey security system but arguably the problem is tiny wires in the lock cylinder wearing out from turning-- which would be a non issue with a keyless system. I miss the days of being able to pop-start a stick shift car.

 

[Olas]

Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
I will take a key all day long. There is just something cool and mechanical about the process to me. And most of these buttons look like shat after about 3 years.


+1

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
There are keyless cars you have to press the brake to start.

My G37 requires the brake to be held, otherwise it just cycles through the ignition stops (i.e. acc, off, on). I suppose it's a pretty decent way to ensure someone doesn't start inadvertently, not that it's a giant problem.

As for those talking about durability of the finish on these buttons, the G37's button still looks brand new. I've seen other vehicles where the button wasn't so lucky.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Bladecutter
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
What I don't like is having to step on the brake to get it to start.


You do realize that functionality is because the vehicle has an automatic transmission, right? That has nothing at all to do with being a push button start. That's been a requirement since the late 80's or early 90's.


Pretty much every automatic I have encountered with a keyed ignition cylinder is brake to shift from park, not brake to start. I have started my 2002 automatic trans, keyed ignition pickup many times by reaching over from the passenger side or reaching across the steering column from outside the truck. My manual trans pickup does require the clutch pedal to be depressed for it to start, but not the brake.

I don't think the push button starts are unreliable, they just have to be adapted to and have some different protocols. For example, you can't start a keyed vehicle if you leave your keys sitting on the roof or something. I have heard many stories of the fob somehow getting separated from the vehicle while the vehicle is in use on keyless cars, and generally the emergency key, if there is one, is stored in that fob.

Keys and keyed cylinders definitely do wear out though, sometimes on vehicles that are just a few years old. Buttons can wear out too, but maybe not as bad as a metal to metal part.

 

[Nick1994]

I start from the passenger side all the time too, that's why I don't like having to push the brake.

I live in the hottest city in the United States. It's supposed to be 121 on Saturday. I'm not gonna just go and get in my car. I'm gonna go start the A/C 10 minutes before I leave.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
I'm not sure what you're talking about, I've NEVER had to touch the brake pedal to get a car to start. To shift out of park, sure. Not to start.


Well then, you should do a bit of research. My Cadillac requires the brake pedal to be pressed when started. Most cars with keyless ignitions require the brake pedal to be pressed when started.

And here's an epiphany for you-when I use the remote start on the Cadillac, when I get in the car I have to step on the brake pedal and press the start button!

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
I'm not sure what you're talking about, I've NEVER had to touch the brake pedal to get a car to start. To shift out of park, sure. Not to start.


Well then, you should do a bit of research. My Cadillac requires the brake pedal to be pressed when started. Most cars with keyless ignitions require the brake pedal to be pressed when started.

And here's an epiphany for you-when I use the remote start on the Cadillac, when I get in the car I have to step on the brake pedal and press the start button!
I meant regular keyed cars that use a key to start, not push button starts.

And that is strange having to push the brake pedal to use the start button. I'd understand on a manual transmission car, but it sounds useless to me with an automatic.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
I'm not sure what you're talking about, I've NEVER had to touch the brake pedal to get a car to start. To shift out of park, sure. Not to start.


Well then, you should do a bit of research. My Cadillac requires the brake pedal to be pressed when started. Most cars with keyless ignitions require the brake pedal to be pressed when started.

And here's an epiphany for you-when I use the remote start on the Cadillac, when I get in the car I have to step on the brake pedal and press the start button!


Or the clutch. My BMW required this; our other push button start cars require the brake.

I was able to code the BMW to override it. I may look into doing so on the odyssey too. There are some cases where I like to start a car without having to get in and press the brake. If it were like your keyless start setup, I'd be ok with it, but none of our cars have that feature.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: flinter
Hi,

I own a 2015 Civic EX with just 10,200 miles. Obviously, the PUSH button start works perfectly. But I was wondering if this will last the life of the car? Let's say a 10-12 year period? Will it prove to be just as reliable as a traditional key? Or will it eventually just break and need an EXPENSIVE replacement??

I have been wondering if some of this technology is REALLY that necessary? Now its actually considered "old fashion" to buy a car with a traditional key start ignition! Now its actually considered too much effort to get in a car, put the key in the ignition and turn it to start!




I think the issue is in the Keyless communications, and the electronics in the key/receiver.

Ignition tumblers do fail. The key assembly can go bad, contacts can go bad, etc. Cars that last near forever like old diesel Mercedes cars see this more often (it's interesting to see how worn down car keys can get from use). What will happen to push button start cars when you can't get a key or a receiver, or recode the items to the vehicle?

Different manufacturers have placed the key slot in different places for safety reasons. Saab is a key example, apparently the fey and tumbler can cause some bad leg injury when on the column or dash. I'd suspect that is completely irrelevant for push button...

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Originally Posted By: Jetronic


With how easy those are to steal, you might not need to worry about the button longevity....


How are they easy to steal?


There have been many stories of how they're easier to hack in theory. I don't think it's really happening on a regular basis.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/josephsteinb...r/#182802f24b7c

Originally Posted By: eljefino
There are keyless cars you have to press the brake to start. It interrupted my work flow at the tire store. I hate it b/c the added current draw from the brake lights is slightly harder on the battery when cranking.


I think the brake requirement is to stop people from accidentally starting the car. Just like you've got to put your foot on the brake to shift out of park. Didn't use to be like that, but thanks to people who put their foot on the gas instead of the brake, it makes sure that people really have their foot on the brake instead of the gas when shifting out of park. The current draw isn't really that big a concern for me as the car came with an AGM battery and it's still the original, they last longer than regular flooded batteries. Also cranking the car manually could mean you crank it longer than needed. When you tap the button, it cranks it just enough to start the car. It's just a very convenient feature. I like it.

 

[hpb]

Keyless start is great in diesels, like my Outlander, and the 200 Series Landcruiser I used to have at work, because the computer operates the glow plugs for the perfect amount of time before it engages the starter, giving flawless starts whether hot or cold. I just know that with a normal key, my wife would regularly forget to wait for the glow light to go out...this system is perfect for her

Having to put your foot on the brake is no big deal, and it prevents a 3 year old inadvertently starting the engine while playing. Kids just love pressing every button they can find!