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A Comprehensive Guide to Keyless Ignition Systems

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Keyless ignition systems are one of the major highlights in today’s automobile world. It is considered a major convenient amenity and is gaining rapid popularity. It is also termed a push-button start, keyless start, smart key, and an intelligent key. Irrespective of what it is called, this particular feature allows you to ignite your car’s engine without the need for any key. It saves you time and makes the process simpler when the car insurance ensures its security under accidental circumstances.

History

The keyless ignition system first made its entry in the late 90s and early 2000s. However, this feature remained exclusively restricted to luxury car models. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class was the first mass-produced vehicle with a keyless ignition feature, gradually followed by Acura, Cadillac, Lexus, and Rolls-Royce.

By 2008, this feature became more popular and became a standard for nearly 11% of vehicles. By 2018, the statistics jumped to a whopping 62%, as per the sales in the US.

How does Keyless Ignition work?

The keyless ignition system comes with a special fob which you can carry conveniently in a purse, pocket or any place in proximity to the special receiver ideally positioned inside the vehicle. The fob is capable of transmitting a typical low-frequency signal to the built-in computer system of the vehicle, which validates the right signal being sent, and allows you to start the engine by pushing the button on the dashboard. Switching off is also similarly convenient and easy. All you need to do is to press the start/stop button for turning down the engine.

Most of the vehicles that possess keyless ignition also feature keyless entry. It simply allows entering and boarding the car without any need to hit any particular button on the fob or insert any key to the door.

Popularity

Although keyless ignition has become very popular and even within the budget, it still has not achieved the status of a car necessity, as is the case with power steering, power windows, or automatic door locks. However, its convenience is the only USP for several car lovers and vehicle owners. It is especially helpful for drivers with certain physical ailments like arthritis that hinder them from performing the normal function of gripping and turning on the key.

Security measures

The keyless ignition facility bears relevant protective measures so that the engine never turns on at the wrong time. The vehicle’s computer system allows pre-start safety checks to sense if the concerned vehicle is properly parked and the driver’s foot is ideally placed on the brake before starting the ignition. For added safety, some models also bear a switch, which you need to rotate or flick before you press the start/stop button. To get the motor running seamlessly, it is best that you position the key fob inside the car.

The keyless ignition system allows the prohibition of unauthorised break-ins and car theft. As the vehicle’s computer will only recognize the signal from the designated fob, it’s difficult to get it started otherwise. There is neither any metal key that can be copied nor any mechanical steering column that can be forced. This allows for enhanced safety and security of the concerned vehicle.

Disadvantages

Although keyless ignition is easy to use and convenient, it bears certain crucial disadvantages too. It makes it all the more difficult to conveniently lock your keys in the trunk or the car. The fob can remain safe and secured with you always. But certain advanced systems never allow the door to get locked, in case your fob remains behind in the car itself or the cargo area. Under such circumstances, if you forcefully try to lock the trunk lid or the door with the fob inside the car, it will send a loud signal. In case, your car battery goes dead with no usage, while you are out, the situation is quite sour.

Depending on the circumstance, the commonest solution to the problem is to contact the manufacturer’s emergency service and get it remotely unlocked. If you are using any app of the carmaker or calling them for help, the company’s representative can send a special signal for unlocking the door and get it started to do the needful.

In some makes, there remains a secret key, which pops out at the right time and unlocks it. It can also be inserted into the emergency port for starting the engine. With keyless ignition, one of the major failures is to turn off the motor undetected. It leads to fatal carbon monoxide poisoning. A lot of people have faced loss and damage while stepping out of the car when it is still in gear. This has led to several accidental circumstances.

Keyless ignition featuring vehicles are more prone to hacking. Technologies have advanced enough to capture the designated signal and use it in an unauthorised manner. The entire process is much more astute and sinister than conventional break-ins.

Solutions

Car manufacturers have become more concerned about the shortcomings of the keyless ignition system.

Some car makes a warning alert if the ignition fob gets removed from the car, with an idle motor. Some cars are specially made to automatically shift to parking mode as soon as one door opens. Certain makes allow the engine to automatically get turned off if it sits idle for a specific period.

Self-security

While owning, maintaining, and riding a vehicle with keyless ignition, you have to remain very alert for proper operation. Despite all the warning systems and built-in signals, you have to ensure that it remains in the ideal position before undertaking the following step.

Conclusion

Before buying the latest model vehicle featuring keyless ignition, you have to make the necessary provisions to insure it with befitting car insurance.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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