The question "Where are my car keys?" hasn't left the building just yet, but is being shown to the door. Why? The arrival of push-button starters and smart cards in an increasing number of automobiles. Now that Nissan and Toyota have added button-starters to their high end Altima and Camry models, well, you know what that means: soon everyone's going to have them.
The tech-ification of starting your car is supposed to have at least two winners: car designers and consumers. Designers can put the starter buttons anywhere and even make them part of the car's appeal, like Jaguar has done on the new XF with a starter button that pulses like a heartbeat when you get in. Consumers will get a key that does more than just turn on the car, like adjust your seat and mirrors, turn on the heat, and treat you to free In-N-Out burgers. Ok, so not really on the In-N-Out thing. That's the next generation.
Losers -- if there really are any -- would be the folks who make keys and cylinders, and the consumers who lose their smart cards. Though key makers will lose some business, there are still plenty of cars around the world without push-button starters. For those who lose their smart cards, the locksmith and AAA won't help you any more: a $250 check to your dealer's parts department, plus labor, will be in order. In the new world, convenience, like almost everything else, will cost a bit more.
[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tragedy @ Feb 28th 2008 7:35PM
This novelty was cool 10 years ago. Now it's just lame. Has anybody ever complained about using a key to start a car? If so, DIAF.
Tsunami Racer @ Feb 28th 2008 7:46PM
will the in-n-out feature be a dealer installed or port installed option? ha!!!
klitorisaurus @ Feb 28th 2008 7:53PM
How many of these key fobs are gonna come with the car? Better be more than two if they're gonna cost $250 to replace!
ALEXDB9 @ Feb 28th 2008 8:14PM
You only get two. And its not 250 to replace, the guy that sold me my car very specifically told me to not lose any of them.....they can cost up to 600 to replace. I love it....just jump in and press a button. Oh, and its impossible to get locked out.
almost Dr. G.. @ Feb 28th 2008 8:20PM
i mean.. most of us still have house keys.. and id rather not drive with those in my pocket so either way im going to have to take them out..
although i loved the pushbutton start on my s2000 but i still had to put in the key and turn it..
B @ Feb 28th 2008 8:23PM
Technology for the lose.
jojohippo @ Feb 28th 2008 8:32PM
Its not just the Camry... the new Toyota Corolla LE comes with push button start too! (at least it does here in Canada)
smartmlp @ Feb 28th 2008 8:34PM
If you have ever seen a video of the Jaguar XF starting up, it is really cool. Its the only car that I know that starts up like that. It really makes you feel like the car is "waking up" for a drive, and it takes luxury interiors to the next level.
Clinton @ Feb 28th 2008 9:09PM
Jaguar XF Start Sequence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3k9pJaeRwY
john riley @ Feb 28th 2008 9:10PM
Sounds like the new 1958 Dodge push button drive....
Tony @ Feb 28th 2008 10:11PM
Slight correction, it's not just on the high end Altima. Nissan has made push button start (with Intelligent Key) a standard feature on EVERY Altima sold, including the base models. The push button start can also be found in EVERY Murano, and soon EVERY Maxima will have it as well.
remy @ Feb 28th 2008 10:13PM
Being in the north I'd like to not have to take out my giant gloves each time I got to get out my keys of my pants. (Or grab the windows scrapper btw...)hey that sounds just great, walk to car, open door and push button and start defrosting without having to step in and out! ahah! I love this already..
And doesn't this make car harder to steal?
As long as there's a keyhole in the doors for mechanical backu pI don't see the whole negative point of that.
Randy @ Feb 28th 2008 10:20PM
Being a computer wiz here I know that FOBS such as building entry FOBS and MOBIL Speed Passes are absolutely copyable with low tech gadgets. Are these the same thing? If they are, bring your aluminum foil wallet to put your key in because they are VERY easy to copy via walking by someone.
Brendan @ Feb 28th 2008 11:33PM
With all the "race-inspired" this and "F1-derived" that, soon you'll have to plug the starter into the transmission to get the thing running.
BAMF @ Feb 28th 2008 11:44PM
"Now that Nissan and Toyota have added button-starters to their high end Altima and Camry models"
I dont know about the Camry, but its not just the "high end" Altimas that have push button-- even the base model sports one.
Calguy @ Feb 28th 2008 11:59PM
Saab is going to need a new gimmick to replace its' key-in--console schtick.
Shakatar @ Feb 29th 2008 5:06AM
Okay, dumb question. What about steering column locks? How do they work in conjuction with these "smart" keys and how can you move your car if dies (like, out of traffic)?
It's really early and I'm not quite awake, so be gentle.
Leo Meres @ Mar 1st 2008 1:40PM
Instead of mechanical tumblers inside the ignition locks - on the models that still use one - there is an electric solenoid that prevents turning unless released by the vehicle's computer system when the remote key is recognized.
Dave Lawson @ Feb 29th 2008 8:04AM
Ah...yes, there is a whole generation of Fords and GM vehicles that will have the passive entry/passive start systems. GM is rolling this out on the upcoming Epsilon and Delta platforms, starting this fall in GM Daewoo.
This same system will also appear on the next generation Saab vehicles.
ehisforadam @ Feb 29th 2008 9:00AM
All the cars with these push button start and passive entry still have keys, at least for the driver's door in case you loose power. The other issue is, you're still probably going to have to take your gloves off because, at least with the Toyota systems, the sensor on the handle can't detect your hand very well through gloves. There's a capacitance sensor in the handle that detects your hand and unlocks the car. And, they can be cracked, but they're harder than a typical RFID badge because they use a rolling ID code that's reset every time you start the car. Even then, I think most of the systems will only handle 4 individual keys keys at a time.