Do You Prefer A Push Start or Key'd Camaro?

[Norm Peterson]

My mistake. It was a Lexus, and it did have the push to start feature.

I'm aware of the floor mat and rumors of pedal position sensor contributions to Toyota's problems. For the purposes of this thread I am not concerned with these as causes for the runaway acceleration.

It's the unusual and potentially difficult procedure required to shut off a car with push to start (PTS ?) as a means of getting "unintended acceleration" under control that's my concern with respect to this thread.

It is my assumption that the same or a similarly non-intuitive emergency shutoff method is employed in all of these PTS arrangements in order to prevent simple unintended engine shut-offs.


Anyway, my memory was only poor with respect to the nameplate. In part, here's what I was getting at, from http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...5.story?page=2

Boldface mine.

One obvious line of defense is to simply shut off the engine, a step that may not be intuitive on the ES 350. The car has a push-button start system, activated by the combination of a wireless electronic fob carried by the driver and a button on the dashboard.

But once the vehicle is moving, the engine will not shut off unless the button is held down for a full three seconds -- a period of time in which Saylor's car would have traveled 528 feet. A driver may push the button repeatedly, not knowing it requires a three-second hold.

"When you are dealing with an emergency, you can't wait three seconds for the car to respond at 120 miles an hour," said Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety.

The ES 350 Saylor was driving that day was a loaner provided to him by Bob Baker Lexus when he took his family's Lexus in for servicing. It's unclear whether Saylor's own car had the same feature or whether he was aware of the shutdown procedure. Bob Baker Lexus did not return calls.

That procedure is explained deep in the owners manual. In a text box labeled "! Caution," Toyota tells owners, "Do not touch the 'power' switch while driving." But under the warning it adds, "If you have to make an emergency stop, press and hold the 'power' switch for more than three seconds."

I realize that I'm griping about the details of the way PTS works more than the PTS itself. But since we don't get to choose from a number of alternative ways of making it work I'm still a lot uneasy about it even though the worst case probably won't ever happen to me or somebody near me on the road.


Norm

[ardailsmith]

Originally Posted by Norm Peterson

When we cease to be individuals with individual preferences.

With the number of responses identifying "it's cool" as a reason, it sounds like quite a few people would like push-to-start to be the new normal. Which if anything makes it cool in my mind to rebel against that. See individualism.


On a more serious note, wasn't that runaway Toyota that made all the headlines a few years back also equipped with push to start? I know that when I want or need my car's engine stopped for any reason, I damn well want it stopped RIGHT NOW. Not after holding some button down for several seconds asking some computer to please shut the engine off for me.


Norm

I applaud you on your individualism stance. Don't be a follower be a lone wolf. But I do have a question, is that your Mustang over there?

[Norm Peterson]

You mean my avatar? Yup.


Norm

[Stealy Phil]

Push button would be a nice feature. But I use the remote start so often that it really doesn't matter.

[IamJacksCamaro]

I say key, but then, I've never driven a car with push button start.

[Camaro_Corvette]

The thought of never taking your key out of your pocket. Push button start for me.

[BlueDragonVT]

Originally Posted by Amclymon

Push start SWAGGG. Just looks cooler walking up to the car and just press a button it unlocks

Yeah, pretty sure you can do that now. He is talking about push start IGNITION, not automatic locks.

[2013Ashen2SSRS]

My wife and I have the push start and open doors with the handle on the BMW X6, which is very nice. When I got the 2013 Camaro it had a key...didn't even know that was an option on it...is it? Push start that is!!

[45th4ken]

Push Button, it is the 21st Century.

[Renegade]

Originally Posted by Camaro_Corvette

The thought of never taking your key out of your pocket. Push button start for me.

Some people are old school and just love classic cars that were made to use a key. And the mordern type new school all into technology and i see your point never taking your key out your pocket and just push and go burn rubber!

[whemming]

Push button. Saves on scratches from keys!

[ParisTNDude]

I just moved from my 2012 SS to a push start Vette and I think it's great. I still reach in my pocket when I approach the car, but I guess I will get over that in time. The keyless entry and push start are great!

[dshep214]

Push button for sure.

[Crazyhorse6901]

I had the push start in my 2010 Prius IV and liked the idea very much; I would like to see all cars go to this method without the hassle of keys...