truck push-button start? careful where you set your 'key'

[hedge]

I recently bought a new truck, a 2017 Ford F350. It has push-button start and detects the key.

When parked I was in the habit of setting the key on the kitchen cabinet near the sink, as it turns out this is close enough for the truck to detect it. Someone could have got in and just driven it away.

I've had to find a place in the back cupboard where the truck won't detect it.

Glad I thought of trying it, thought it may be something others hadn't considered.

[work2much]

On our Dodge the fob can lock/unlock the doors and remote start from a pretty far distance. To start the truck by pushing the dash button the fob needs to be very close (less than 3 feet) from the dash button.

[SideHillSoup]

I have auto start in my 2017 GMC 3500. Like others have said. I have to lock the door with the fob, before I can start the truck with the fob.
The truck will stop automatically if the key isnt put in the ignition in a certain amount of time ( I think it's 10 minutes, I will find that out this coming winter) or if someone does get in the door with out the key and the engine is running and they put it in drive, the engine will stop.
I can also start and stop my truck from the GMC app on my cell phone which also gives vehicle status, lock unlock the doors, fuel on board, filter life....etc....
Basically you can't move the truck after it is started with the fob unless the key is in the ignition.
Soup

[lj2654]

My Cadillac SRX is very sensitive. If you put the key fob in the door try with the driver door open, you can't start the car with the push button. You have to close the door first before it will work.

[SCVJeff]

I can't speak for all these other vehicles but my Exploder complains if the key is outside of the drivers seat radius more than about 3', just beyond the door handle

This is completely different from simply unlocking it where I can get easily 150' range to unlock and remote start.

And Yes, you can wrap it in foil and totally isolate it from the car receiver. I used to hide a Keyfob in the car and it never knew it was there

[rockhillmanor]

There are a rash of thefts of these button starts right at the gas pumps. Women leave their purse with keyfob in it in the car while gassing up. Car jackers walking up all the do is get in car and steal it. Cause the fob is right there to allow to start it. :R

[RickW]

I seem to remember a truck push-button start where the "button" was on the floor, next to the throttle.

[Kayteg1]

downtheroad wrote:
We certainly have come a long way from this key and start.....

The "keyless go" is about decade old technology, so we already gained some experience. Even when the key is no longer in proximity, the computer will not kill the engine, unless the vehicle comes to a stop.
Typical for early users was that it was the wife who had new car with keyless go and husband was drooling to use it.
So one Saturday he wants to pick up some screws at Home Depot, while wife goes to gym. He come with idea that he will drive her to gym, drop her off and go shopping, picking her up on the way back.
So they both get into the car, husband drives, drops DW at front of the gym and takes off to HD. He drives for 2 miles till he gets red light and stops. The key is in wife's purse....

[kohldad]

Take a small piece of foil and just cover the fob!
Then see if it still works or not?

Or put it in a metal box with the lid on it.

We have a group going around here with a setup that receives the weak signal when walking up to the house. They then walk back to the vehicle and transmits a strong enough signal to unlock the door. This is relatively easy and cheap device to make, works with most vehicles that unlock when you walk up to the vehicle with the key fob in your pocket.

Sometimes convenience is nice, but when it comes to security, convenience makes it easier for thieves.

[Quick_trip]

Take a small piece of foil and just cover the fob!
Then see if it still works or not?

[naturist]

Our BMW has that feature. The fob needs to be within about 5 feet of the car for it to detect the key and allow unlocking the door locks by touch and for the ignition to function, although I can lock and unlock the car from 50 or 60 feet away.

Our house is about 50 feet from where we park the cars, but not the place I used to put the car key when camping. I've had to remember to put the key at the far end of the trailer numerous times. This isn't really a hardship. But the OP's point is well taken. If you have a vehicle that does not require you to put a key physically into a lock/slot inside the car to start it, you need to make sure that the key is far enough away when you want it secured.

[midnightsadie]

just think what it,ll cost to fix when it breaks.

[jimh406]

Not a fan of push button start but that's ok because mine doesn't have it! I have used them in rental cars.

Maybe if I didn't have to carry the keyfob. 😉 Otherwise, it saves me getting the key out of the pocket and then creates a different set of issues. Oh well ... How about adding a finger print or voice start instead?

[downtheroad]

We certainly have come a long way from this key and start.....

[camp-n-family]

The vehicle won't drive unless the key is in close proximity, for my truck that is within approx. 5 feet. I can start either of my keyless vehicles and walk away with the key. It still runs but beeps to let you know the key is out of range. It will not drive before the key is back in range. You cant drive away without the key.