Hi everyone i've always been puzzled with the Keyless Start systems in new motor vehicles where drivers can start their engines simply by touching a button on the dashboard. Where the fob device automatically communicates with the car.
What i'm wondering is does the ACC 'automobile ignition setting' still exist on these cars or is it once you enter the vehicle you will be able to straight away turn on the stereo and if the vehicle is equipped with a electronic button boot and fuel lid release open them as well or you have to have the engine started to operate these tasks?

What gets me is that not only cars can start without the key, but unlock doors and what have by just approaching the car itself.

What I don't understand is that if somebody wanted to strand you, he'd just stand by your car with a gun and if you came close, he would not only be able to kill you, he'd also be able to open your car without the keys! This seems like a safety threat. Doesn't it occur to manufacturers that someone might want to walk by his car without it automatically unlocking? What if some crazy dude's following you? He could just hop in next to you!

Do you really live in the USA, cause its 9:25 Aug 10, 2006.

GAAAA! what's wrong with the time on this site??!!? it ain't August 11 yet, is it?

quote:

Originally posted by Heikz_h:
Hi everyone i've always been puzzled with the Keyless Start systems in new motor vehicles where drivers can start their engines simply by touching a button on the dashboard. Where the fob device automatically communicates with the car.
What i'm wondering is does the ACC 'automobile ignition setting' still exist on these cars or is it once you enter the vehicle you will be able to straight away turn on the stereo and if the vehicle is equipped with a electronic button boot and fuel lid release open them as well or you have to have the engine started to operate these tasks?

My Renault Mégane has keyless ignition.
How it works is this:

On approaching the car (within a meter of the doors or tailgate) the car gets ready to unlock, but doesn't unlock until my hand passes between the handle and the door skin.

When I get into the car, some of the electrics are already available (windows, sunroof, mirrors). If I press the start button on its own, the rest of the electrics are available.
If I press the start button while depressing either brake or clutch pedal the engine starts, and all electrics become available.

When I press the button again to stop the engine, the electrics remain on until I open the driver's door. Opening the driver's door turns most of the electrics off. Locking the doors (done with a button on the exterior door handle) turns off any remaining electrics.

There is also a 20 min timer - 20 mins after the engine was stopped, the electrics turn off as if the driver's door had been opened.

The stereo is more complicated to explain (but simple to use). If you leave it on, it will stop when the driver's door is opened (or after 20 mins), and restart when the engine is started. But it can also be turned on by its power button at any time provided the doors have not been locked from the outside (but will turn off after 20 mins if the engine isn't running).

So although there isn't an actual ACC position, the functionality of it is there.

In terms of the theft threat:
If the key is outside the car the engine won't start. The attacker mentioned by Sven C. would have to find they key on your body (or put your body in the highly visible front seat) to take the car away - no greater risk than with a normal key.
If someone was waiting for you to get close, then they opened the car and got in, you could double-lock them in the car, then call the police - they'd still be locked in when the police arrived. Probably safer than many remote systems, because a lot of drivers unlock their cars from several metres away.