Push button start, has to be the dumbest thing by far that car makers have come up with. The idea makes so little sense, I can’t help considering that car thieves are designing our cars now.

Most cars now come with a push-button start, a system that uses a bulky fob to emit a radio frequency that unlocks the doors and starts the engine. For even the basic car thief, this signal can easily be copied with a modified computer. You might as well leave your doors unlocked and the engine running when you go to bed at night.

Bulky fobs are not easy to carry in a pocket meaning most people leave them in a convenient place by the front door making it easy for thieves to copy the signal from outside, right through the wall, The signal can also be copied when you drop your car off for repair or anywhere out in public when someone is within 6 feet of the fob.

So far, despite the obvious, how to stop car thefts of push-button start vehicles has baffled car makers, government task forces, and police, all while auto insurance rates go through the roof. The best advice they can offer car owners is to keep their fob in a faraday pouch, offering all the convenience of needing to take your fob in and out of the pouch every time you use the car. The other solution is to put a locking steel bar on the steering wheel every time you stop the car. It seems car thieves can’t get past the $80.00 key lock on these steel bars. I find storing a snow brush bad enough let alone a steel bar on top of that.

Here’s a thought, How about going back to a F#@KING KEY!!!! Put today’s technology into designing a physical key.

The problems with push-button start far outweigh any benefit, for me, there is no benefit, just problems. At the very least, if carmakers insist on continuing to build push-button start cars, add a key-locking steering column. That way there is a good chance your car will still be where you left it.

Dave Lister

listerlogic.com