Am I the Only One? Leaving car running on push button start.

[moosedog]

I have not left any of them running but a few years ago I started up my VW Passat to warm it up. Had the key fob in my jacket pocket and then not thinking, changed jackets and drove 35 miles away. I stopped and turned it off, got out and went to close the doors with the fob that was in my coat at home. That was a long day.

 

[Tom S.]

I might suggest you get in the habit of locking doors when you leave your vehicles.

Many of the new models do that automatically - provided you have the fob in your pocket.

 

[sparkyvega]

My Tacoma beeps as well.

I do it frequently. Fortunately my XT5 beeps at me when I do. Then my wife yells at me. Give me a key, please.

 

[Chukar60]

My latest Ford Super Duty has the push button ignition. I don't hate it, but I don't like it very much either.
Mine will honk twice if I leave the truck running and get out. That is of course if you have the fob on your person.
Know a guy with a very high end Ford that leaves his fob in the console because he hates having it in his pocket. Uses the code key pad to lock and unlock it. Very stupid habit. Anyone can get in, hit the button and be gone in a matter of seconds.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I like that feature. Two of our cars, Chevys, have that. I like that I don't have to expend all my energy by pulling the keys out of my pocket. Inside the fob is a "key" that you can get out and put in a slot somewhere in the door handle if the battery is dead in the fob. There's still enough power in the fob to start the car if you put it in the console cupholder. When it's that low it's powered by "fm."
And, yes, I'm that lazy to not have to pull the keys out of my pocket! It's called retirement!
Usually, when I have most of the gadgetry in my cars figured out I know it's time to get a new car. Sooo, it looks like I'll be keeping the Malibu for a while.

 

[LVSteve]

This thread raises a few points.

1) With the reported level of absentmindedness, I think some of you might need to consider giving up driving. No, I'm not kidding.

2) The term "Key fob" contains an important word, "key". Keys are security devices and need to be kept safe, generally on your person. There is no tossing the fob in the cupholder/console or wherever. What is with that? (Yes, I was raised in the big bad city)

3) There is a hardcore of millenials who find 2) utterly unacceptable, because anything in their pockets "spoils their vibe". I say enjoy the vibe of shivering outside your car that you cannot enter, because I'm certain a heavy coat also "spoils your vibe". BTW, many of the current motoring journos fall into this group.

4) Maybe it is time for the really annoying buzzers that go off when you open the driver's door with the motor running. Is this where we discover how many who have already posted are functionally deaf? (Functional deafness can often be induced by having the wife in or near the car. )

5) Yes, I'm having a major curmudgeon moment.

 

[Muley Gil]

When my mom died, she left me her 2014 Prius. One morning, I got to work, parked got out and couldn't lock the door. Didn't know what was wrong with it. Later that day, I realized I hadn't shut it off. Since it goes to electric mode when parked, the gas engine wasn't running.

Even if the car is running, you can't drive off if you don't have the fob.

In my other, older vehicles, I would go out and warm them up and lock the door, always making sure I had an extra key in my pocket. Can't do that in the Prius.

 

[oldbrownhat]

This thread raises a few points.

1) With the reported level of absentmindedness, I think some of you might need to consider giving up driving. No, I'm not kidding.

2) The term "Key fob" contains an important word, "key". Keys are security devices and need to be kept safe, generally on your person. There is no tossing the fob in the cupholder/console or wherever. What is with that? (Yes, I was raised in the big bad city)

3) There is a hardcore of millenials who find 2) utterly unacceptable, because anything in their pockets "spoils their vibe". I say enjoy the vibe of shivering outside your car that you cannot enter, because I'm certain a heavy coat also "spoils your vibe". BTW, many of the current motoring journos fall into this group.

4) Maybe it is time for the really annoying buzzers that go off when you open the driver's door with the motor running. Is this where we discover how many who have already posted are functionally deaf? (Functional deafness can often be induced by having the wife in or near the car. )

5) Yes, I'm having a major curmudgeon moment.

LOL. The "major curmudgeon" in me is thinking, let's get rid of all this fancy electronic horsepuckey and go back to the reliable mechanical systems that have served us perfectly well. The more electronics you put in, the harder/more inconvenient/expensive it is to diagnose and repair. My 2011 Ford Ranger has the usual OBD system but mechanical locks and no "infotainment" system and that suits me just fine. I don't want a vehicle that is as complex as my iPhone and requires mandatory software updates.

 

[ZGrand]

I guess there are some advantages to having old vehicles (my newest is 15 years old). They don't have any of these new features to worry about.

 

[TexasArmed]

Years ago on my Toyota Prius Hybrid, the engine was so quiet I left the engine running when I walked into a gas station. Unfortunately it was not in park. The electric motor running
was not enough to make the car take off, but when the hybrid battery needed charged it was enough to start the car without me in it I had a passenger in it, and the car took off went down
the road, and then tried to climb a hill. A friend of mine was
able to jump into the vehicle and stop it with the emergency
brake. No damage to vehicle but a lesson learned. The manual says to always put the emergency brake on when you
park the vehicle.

 

[rockquarry]

I have that feature on a Toyota Forerunner I bought new about five years ago and I may have had it on the GMC pickup I had before that. I've never seen a need to use it, but I'm not very gadget-oriented.

 

[jeffrefrig]

One thing about the newer cars, also, is they depend on the radio to do other stuff important to the vehicle. So, if you want a real kick-butt stereo system, you're better off ordering the kick-butt sized stereo when you buy your new car. That's for those of us that used to put those ear drum damaging amps & speakers, along with the Craig 8-track players, in our old cars that came with the AM radio upgrade. But, the factory remote start is the best thing since sliced bread if you live where it snows and it's minus **^*)(^ degrees outside.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Past 12 years, all push-button start and electronic key fobs. Took me a long time to get used to this technology, and they change the features from year to year and model to model. Our 2010 AWD Murano was different than the 2015 Altima, and the 2018 Titan is different than both of the others. All Nissans, all different features and procedures.

Just about the time I get used to one I find myself having to deal with the other.

The Murano went away at about 80,000 miles. The Altima will soon be 7 years old and under 50,000 miles. The Titan will be 4 years old and about 44,000 miles. Looks like I'll be using them for a few more years!

 

[Capt Steve]

I love my push button ignition/Fob...

My 2019 Honda Ridgeline is the first vehicle i have owned with the push button ignition which I love. In addition the Fob gives me the option to remote start the truck.

This feature was particularly useful when we lived in Tucson during the summer. At about 100 yards start the truck and give it a couple of minutes to cool down. Now living up in the mountains I use the Fob to start and warm it up. I open the free standing garage from inside the house and then start the truck, about five minutes gets it to reasonably toasty.

Have I ever forgotten to shut it down... I forget.

 

[ladder13]

LOL. The "major curmudgeon" in me is thinking, let's get rid of all this fancy electronic horsepuckey and go back to the reliable mechanical systems that have served us perfectly well. The more electronics you put in, the harder/more inconvenient/expensive it is to diagnose and repair. …..

What, and give up 400+ HP cars and SUV's that get 30 MPG and need an oil change once a year with very little maintenance?

 

[oldbrownhat]

What, and give up 400+ HP cars and SUV's that get 30 MPG and need an oil change once a year with very little maintenance?

The engine control stuff is OK, but I was thinking of electronic "frippery" like keyless locks, infotainment centers etc. Some of that stuff is probably OK (and even useful), but I doubt I need 'em.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Read recently that Toyota is going to start charging an $8 monthly subscription fee for "Remote Start" functionality on their 2018 and newer vehicles.

Toyota Made Its Key Fob Remote Start Into a Subscription Service

My 2019 Honda Ridgeline is the first vehicle i have owned with the push button ignition which I love. In addition the Fob gives me the option to remote start the truck.

This feature was particularly useful when we lived in Tucson during the summer. At about 100 yards start the truck and give it a couple of minutes to cool down. Now living up in the mountains I use the Fob to start and warm it up. I open the free standing garage from inside the house and then start the truck, about five minutes gets it to reasonably toasty.

Have I ever forgotten to shut it down... I forget.

 

[LarryMNH]

Since my 2017 Fusion. I have loved the push button.
I have a 2020 Lincoln MKZ which is built on the Fusion chassis with lots more goodies and sound. They both bark at me if I close the door with the motor running. And it will auto shut-off after 26 minutes.

I just wish my house welcomed me with the respect my car does. It lights up the door handles and a lighted pad on the ground as soon as it recognizes me. About 4 feet away. And as soon as I touch the door handle it pops off the door locks.
If only my house would greet me the same.

 

[Golddollar]

With this new electronic stuff that's come out I think I will keep my 2008 Mercury.

 

[6518John]

This thread raises a few points.

1) With the reported level of absentmindedness, I think some of you might need to consider giving up driving. No, I'm not kidding.

Steve—unfortunately, we can't all be super sensitive to noise and light intellectuals like you! I do think you should consider keeping your opinions to yourself rather than offering them as insults to the gentleman and ladies on this forum.

 

[Rustyt1953]

This thread raises a few points.

1) With the reported level of absentmindedness, I think some of you might need to consider giving up driving. No, I'm not kidding.

You have your wish. I am no longer able to drive so you need to thank whoever it is that you give thanks to that you can still drive.