It describes one of the most common standard features in the latest vehicles.
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- Push button startups may be common today, but cranking the engine wasn’t necessarily the dominant method.
- The push button initiation system and the ignition key system activate the same process in different ways.
Do you own a car key, a key FOB, or a combination of both?
Currently, most modern vehicles have push button start standard, completely eliminating the need for an ignition key. The ignition key is not too old, so it’s rare.
Millions of American drivers still drive vehicles that require ignition keys despite their advanced key FOBs with locks and auto-start capabilities. So, what is the real difference between using ignition keys and push button start? Also, how do both work to crank the engine of the vehicle?
Shift from ignition key to start push button
German luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz pioneered what he knew in 1998 as a modern push button start with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. In the early 2000s, other luxury automakers followed suit and began to incorporate keyless entry and push start into their vehicles.
By the mid-2000s, Maistream Automotive brands such as Nissan and Toyota began to feature push button start on vehicles. The 2010s saw a new era of automotive technology and standard features. Push button start has become a standard feature on most modern vehicles.
Today, most of new internal combustion engines, hybrids and electric vehicles have standard push-start systems. Are these systems really improved over the ignition key? And how does it work?
How the start and ignition keys of the push button work
The push button start system sends an electronic signal to the car starter to crank the engine. The ignition key uses a mechanical turning action that helps crank the vehicle’s engine. Push start systems contain fewer parts, which means that components will wear less than those used in the ignition key system.
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Push-start systems use electronics to avoid overcranking, but the ignition key system relies on the driver to control the engine cranking process. Both systems perform the same function, but there are some important differences that suggest why automakers have made push start ubiquitous in the industry.
The difference between push start and ignition key start system
- Ignition key system can be hot wired
- Push start systems have security technology and rely on key FOBs (with battery)
- Ignition key system wears over time
- Push start systems can encounter more complex problems than ignition key systems
Both types of ignition systems have their advantages and disadvantages, and there is no definitive, better system. That said, the modern fob, featuring keyless entry and push start, allows the driver to enter a seamless vehicle experience than the ignition key start system.
Do I need to upgrade and start my car’s ignition system?
Drivers can install aftermarket push button start kits on their vehicles and professionally install the system. The start of the push button provides a more convenient driving and ownership experience, giving the vehicle a more modern feel.
Aftermarket push button start installations range from $200 to $600. If you have a modern vehicle that’s more fun to own with push button start, a system upgrade is worth considering. If you have an older vehicle, you can avoid major complications that may stick to the ignition key.
