First appearing on luxury vehicles in the later 1990s and early 2000s, keyless ignition has become much more commonplace over the last two decades. Statics from a 2018 survey shows that at least 62% of automobiles now have this advanced technology. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about it.
Keyless ignition is a high-tech system that allows activation via the push of a button. This replaces the convention key that is typically inserted and turned to start the engine. Sensors are also included to detect if the key fob is on your person. If no key fob is present, the vehicle will not start. This is a safety measure that helps prevent theft.
The key fob transmits a low-frequency signal that is picked up by the cat’s computer system. Once it is validated, you can get the vehicle going by pushing the corresponding button located on the right side of the steering wheel. To turn off the engine, you can do the same thing. Just press the button while your vehicle is in Park.
Typically, this system also includes keyless entry - which enables you to unlock the vehicle as you approach without pulling out the key fob.
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If you own a Ford vehicle that does not have push-button start technology, then you are using a key inside the ignition. While it is something you may not even think about, maintaining this piece of equipment is important to prevent damage over time.
The ignition housing unit is designed to intake a key. While it is sturdy and well-built, too much weight pulling down on the ignition slot can cause a malfunction later on. This is why it is recommended to lighten your keychain.
While it can be fun to add on personalized decorations and a dozen other keys, the excessive weight combined with the bouncing motion of driving can wear down the tumblers inside the ignition component. This will lead to a switch failure, which will result in the piece needing to be replaced entirely.
To preserve the life of your ignition switch, you can keep your car key separate from your others. One easy way to do this is to get a key ring clip with only your vehicle key on it. This will enable you to detach it from the conglomerate of keys when you get ready to leave. You can easily reattach it when you arrive at your destination to keep every metal piece together.