All Cars, All the Time

Are Keys Headed out the Door?

More and more manufacturers are adding keyless ignition to either the standard or options list. I've read quite a few articles where automotive writers rail against the innovation and ask for a return to normalcy.

Personally I like keyless entry/ignition systems and find them a real boon. Many times the steering wheel blocks the view to the ignition and it becomes a stabbing affair trying to get the darn key in the slot. Then there's the clanging that goes on, when the car is cornering, if you happen to have a bunch of keys attached to your key ring. There is of course the "fishing for keys" scenario as well, what with other keys, cell phones, coins and hard candy all fighting for space in the front pocket.

Downsides? Firstly, there is a cost for the fancy hardware. Some writers have left the keys in the car and walked away unaware of the security breech. I really don't know how this happens, since you don't need the keys for anything don't they just stay in your pocket? I'll give you the example of bluetooth phones. I used to always forget my cell phone in the car as I threw it on the seat. However, now that I can answer a call with the phone in my pocket, I haven't left the phone in the car in months. There is the issue of security in that these key fobs can be hacked. However, if someone is following you around stealing your key fob info, they are probably resourceful enough to steal your car some other way. You could always put your key fob in a pouch of some sort if you were really that concerned.

I'll place keyless ignition on the top ten list of my "really want" options for my next car. Stability control, integrated bluetooth, ventilated seats and active headrests would be other examples of gotta get 'em features.