Push-button starting all the rage

A few faithful readers pointed me to this New York Times article about push-button starting at the New York International Auto Show. Bye-bye car keys?

Cars of course did not start out requiring keys. In the beginning, you just pushed the starter button to engage the system. As always, vandals and thieves appeared, so crude mechanical keys served us well for about a hundred years. They served as a double security, first at the door and second at the ignition. But now…

They can be found on about 55 cars and trucks, including luxury models from Audi, BMW and Mercedes, and on Nissan’s inexpensive Versa as part of a $700 “convenience package.” Push-button starters have also become standard on hybrid-electric vehicles, like the Toyota Prius.

The Prius led the way here, even using our familiar Power icon to reinforce the message, “hey, I’m digital!”

Here’s how it works…

Today’s keyless models use a fob — the small remote control device that most modern cars use to lock and unlock doors — but it performs the additional duty of sending a signal to the ignition. For the car to start, the fob has to be somewhere near the dashboard, perhaps stowed in a cup holder.

A driver then just needs to put a foot on the brake, and push the button. The engine comes to life, or, in the case of hybrids, the word “ready” lights up on the dashboard. Turning off the car happens the same way: gearshift in park, foot on the brake, finger on the button.

Of course, if you lose the fob, it’s probably a lot more expensive than losing your keys. Probably a nice source of revenue for the auto dealerships.