Security Feature we need! (PUSH TO START)

[FR-S Guy]

Originally Posted by Dake

This has really not been a major factor in wear on an engine or battery for a very long time. Think about all the hybrids (and even some non-hybrids) rolling around now that stop and restart the engine every time the vehicle comes to a stop (and multiple times in between). They aren't magically more resistant to wear - it's just not a big deal. Same with the battery - I can't imagine a situation where you could crank it over enough to drain the battery before it recharged unless you were delivering news papers and turned the car off and on for every house.

Slightly different scenarios.

With hybrids the engine is not started the typical way with a starter motor, so the wear is certainly less. And for the non-hybrids, the components are (or should be?) designed to be stronger. The gear teeth on the flex plate are stronger than normal and I'd hope that the starter motor is sized appropriately as well. The battery voltage is monitored so if it's low enough the start-stop is disabled.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by FR-S Guy

The point of smart key/comfort access/whatever else each manufacturer calls it is to allow you to keep your key in your pocket while unlocking and driving the car. Certainly not to solve the problem of whether or not you can arm your security system with the car running.

As for your google search, from what I recall it doesn't do what you describe. If I remember to I'll try it out sometime. I'd be a bit surprised if that were the case though due to the litigious culture we live in now.

I'm not saying that this is the way it should be, but just that as far as I know that's the way it is.

I guess BMW figured it out? There has been also a thread somewhere on here where they complain that the car DOESN'T do it because their Audi/BMW/whatever does it. That was the first time i've ever heard of self locking cars...

[FiRStsc10n]

Another option is to lock the door from the inside with the physical lock at top (not button). This doesn't completely alleviate the issue, you will still need to use the blade-key to unlock the door when you come back. But at least it is only using the key once, and I find it a lot easier to unlock with that tiny key than to lock.

Note: I have never tried this while walking away from vehicle. Maybe if you walk farther, on your return you can unlock it with touching the back of the handle like normal.

[Muskokan]

anyone ever test what the car does if someone drives away without the key?

surely it has to kill its self at some point no?