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Post by gato on Jan 6, 2021 7:05:47 GMT -5
Car thefts are way up. Not because ingenious thieves have purchased some radical device on e-Bay, that thwarts modern anti-theft technology, but because thoughtless drivers leave their key fobs to their key-less cars in the vehicle cup holder. Like an obedient robot, the car's computer brain owes its allegiance to whoever has the essential computer chip when the start button is pressed.
Never having owned a keyless-start vehicle, I'm assuming the doors don't lock as long as the fob remains inside?
Police say that if there is any good news, it's that the majority of these thefts seem to be for joyriding instead of a way one trip to a chop shop.
Not to pile onto the carelessness of car owners, quite a number of the thefts take place when owners leave the car running when they dash into Starbucks or wherever, "for just a minute."
My 2018 Chevy, the only new car I've ever owned, has a keyed ignition. I insisted on that, when the salesman at the dealership was going down my list of requirements for a new car purchase. Call me old fashioned, because.... you know ... I am.
The computer chip in my brain won't let me walk away from any of my cars unless it is "off" and locked, alarm set. The concept of leaving the unattended car running, for a dash into a store, makes as much sense to me as leaving my hand on the roaring gas burner on my stove "for just a minute."
I can't drum up any sympathy for those who build their lives around laziness and carelessness.
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TBird
Wholenote
Posts: 298
Formerly Known As: greg1948
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Post by TBird on Jan 6, 2021 7:49:23 GMT -5
I'm a victim of this new keyless start technology (and of my own ADD as well). Not once but twice I've left my Honda HRV running out on the street while I went about my business. Luckily, it was still there both times. I managed to ignore the warning chimes that went off as I walked away.
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Post by slacker 🐨 on Jan 6, 2021 8:52:33 GMT -5
I love the keyless start. I don't ever leave my car running unattended nor do I leave the key fob in the cupholder (except when taking it in for service and it's in the service garage). I frequently stop to quickly pick up a quart of milk on my way to work (I break my fast with cereal usually), and it would be easier, but nope. I believe you can leave it running but locked while hanging onto the fob, but I've never tried that either.
I'm a locked car kinda guy. No reason to tempt the weak and dishonest IMO.
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Post by walshb 🦒 on Jan 6, 2021 9:03:15 GMT -5
I love the keyless start also. I just keep my fob in my pocket, where it belongs.
I do believe I've been able to lock the car while walking away, with the car running. But it seems like my last car wouldn't lock in that situation, so they might not all work that way. (Not that I make a habit of doing that.)
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Post by K4 on Jan 6, 2021 9:08:16 GMT -5
Two words, "Police Mode" and keep the key fob in your pocket.
Keep it running, leave it unlocked, heck put a "steal me" sign on the window. Nope nada, no one will be able to put it in drive.
You do need aftermarket flashing software or have your dealer make the switch.
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Post by Laker on Jan 6, 2021 9:55:24 GMT -5
Like others have said, the fob stays in my pocket for the cars I have with keyless start.
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Post by gato on Jan 6, 2021 11:03:57 GMT -5
Being a classic VW kind of guy, I had never heard of keyless ignitions until the spectacular crash in 2009, where a CHP officer and his family died. The Lexus they were in was a loaner from a dealer and had the infamous floor mat malfunction that jams the accelerator. It also lacked an "override braking system," whatever that is.
The brakes wouldn't stop the car as it continued to accelerate. I'm guessing you can't pop modern transmissions out of drive while it's rolling? And from what I've read, in order to shut off a keyless ignition, you have to have the car in "Park". Pushing the starter button while the car is in drive doesn't do anything.
So I gotta go with a keyed ignition.
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Post by HenryJ on Jan 6, 2021 11:11:19 GMT -5
I'm a locked car kinda guy. No reason to tempt the weak and dishonest IMO. I've been that way since 1971. I was parked beside a church, neglected to lock the car, and had a nice winter coat taken from the car. We have the keyless start also. Occasionally, I still instinctively reach in my left hand pocket before remembering I don't need to. But I like being able to just touch the door handle to lock the car. |
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jan 6, 2021 11:23:31 GMT -5
Its maddening when you think of all the adjustments to technology we must make all in the name of security. Car thieves, identity thieves, burglars, scammers.
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Post by themaestro on Jan 6, 2021 11:25:14 GMT -5
I just keep my fob in my pocket, where it belongs. This. And I hate looking for keys/fobs.
My keys are always in one of three places so I never have to go looking for them: 1) In the pocket of the pants I am wearing. When I take my pants off, the pockets get emptied. The keys go in 2) A dish on my dresser with my other keys or 3) sitting on the half-wall by the door sitting on any stuff I need to remember to take with me the next time I leave.
Because of the large fobs, my cars are on separate keychains, each with only an additional house key on them. The motorcycle is on its own keychain with a house key. I have another keychain with keys to my church and the band rehearsal space. My trailer door and hitch keys are on their own keychain. One last keychain has the keys to my kid's houses and mailboxes. Before I leave the house, I do need to remember to pick up the keychains needed for my current outing.
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Post by rdr on Jan 6, 2021 11:43:07 GMT -5
I never understood the attraction of the 'start' button. Push a button or twist a key, what's the big difference? I prefer a key.
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Post by Mfitz804 on Jan 6, 2021 12:45:43 GMT -5
I never understood the attraction of the 'start' button. Push a button or twist a key, what's the big difference? I prefer a key. I have never had push button start, but my wife has had it on her last two cars. I do put the keys in the cup holder when I am driving, but I never forget to shut the car off. There's a reason for that. One day during Christmas at the Short Hills Mall, having seen friends in the employee parking lot (only used at Christmas time to keep parking by the building for customers), and exiting the car without shutting it off. I had no idea until 10 hours later, when we walked back to the parking lot and I began patting myself down for the keys. I then realized what I had done and found my ride just where I had left it, with the engine running. Good news was, it was December and my car was nice and warm on the inside. |
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Post by slacker 🐨 on Jan 6, 2021 12:52:27 GMT -5
I never understood the attraction of the 'start' button. Push a button or twist a key, what's the big difference? I prefer a key. The main attraction is that you don't have to fumble around for a key. If it's in your pocket or in your purse, you just touch the door handle and it unlocks, then just push the button to start. For my wife, who's keys are perpetually buried in her purse, not having to dig around for them is huge. She doesn't ever pull her keys out of the purse. For me, it's a minor convenience that I wouldn't seek out, but don't mind having. For many I think it was just the new thing that was a cool gadget that, when new, really screamed "I HAVE A NEW CAR" because only the newest models (and higher end models to boot) had it. Now it's pretty ubiquitous. |
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Post by Mfitz804 on Jan 6, 2021 13:03:17 GMT -5
I never understood the attraction of the 'start' button. Push a button or twist a key, what's the big difference? I prefer a key. The main attraction is that you don't have to fumble around for a key. If it's in your pocket or in your purse, you just touch the door handle and it unlocks, then just push the button to start. For my wife, who's keys are perpetually buried in her purse, not having to dig around for them is huge. She doesn't ever pull her keys out of the purse. For me, it's a minor convenience that I wouldn't seek out, but don't mind having. For many I think it was just the new thing that was a cool gadget that, when new, really screamed "I HAVE A NEW CAR" because only the newest models (and higher end models to boot) had it. Now it's pretty ubiquitous. Yeah, my wife drives a Nissan Sentra, which makes having push button start pretty low rent. I’m still excited about having my first car with remote start installed. If I could remember to do it before I get in, that would be useful. |
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Post by slacker 🐨 on Jan 6, 2021 13:28:00 GMT -5
The main attraction is that you don't have to fumble around for a key. If it's in your pocket or in your purse, you just touch the door handle and it unlocks, then just push the button to start. For my wife, who's keys are perpetually buried in her purse, not having to dig around for them is huge. She doesn't ever pull her keys out of the purse. For me, it's a minor convenience that I wouldn't seek out, but don't mind having. For many I think it was just the new thing that was a cool gadget that, when new, really screamed "I HAVE A NEW CAR" because only the newest models (and higher end models to boot) had it. Now it's pretty ubiquitous. Yeah, my wife drives a Nissan Sentra, which makes having push button start pretty low rent. I’m still excited about having my first car with remote start installed. If I could remember to do it before I get in, that would be useful. I use remote start all the time. I walk out of my building at work and start the car. That way it's been running for 30-60 seconds before I get in. It's not all warm and cozy (or cool and comfortable), but at least the engine has had a little time to get oil circulating. |
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Post by Mfitz804 on Jan 6, 2021 13:50:00 GMT -5
^ I’m just not used to having it, and haven’t gotten accustomed to it yet. I’ve done it walking up to the car in a parking lot, just to make sure it’s working.
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Post by rickyguitar on Jan 6, 2021 14:42:34 GMT -5
My new car has remote start. I generally use it as I walk to the car as I am kind paranoid about oil circulation as it has turbo. When I am done at work I open a door and start it, you have to press lock 1st. Then I walk through the building and set the alarm. So far so good. Oh, and the fob stays in my pocket when not driving.
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