Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Did the Ignition Key Just Die?

Posted by samzenpus on from the push-of-a-button dept.

cartechboy (2660665) writes "Do you still use a metal key to start your vehicle? We already knew this was old tech at this point, but now it might fully be killed off. In the wake of General Motors' 'Switchgate' fiasco, we've heard the CEO tell a Congressional committee that the recall may force GM to ditch ignition keys altogether in favor of push-button systems. If this became a reality, it would end decades of complaints from customers. Bloomberg approximates at least 18,000 complaints have been filed since NHTSA was formed in 1970, peaking at more than 2,000 in the year 2000. Those complaints resulted in roughly 21 million vehicles being recalled. The push-button ignition isn't perfect, but we know electrical trumps mechanical more often than not. Are you ready for an era where the ignition key doesn't exist?"

7 of 865 comments (clear)

  1. Help! Help! by GameboyRMH · · Score: 5, Funny

    My throttle is stuck open and I don't know how to shut the engine down!

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
    1. Re:Help! Help! by Cro+Magnon · · Score: 4, Funny

      Push the button and hold it for a few seconds.

      Am I the only one bothered by the fact that my car uses the same emergency shutdown as my cheap Windows machine?

      --
      Slow down, cowboy! It has been 4 hours since you last posted. You must wait another few hours.
    2. Re:Help! Help! by bobbied · · Score: 2, Funny

      You mean PUSH IN THE CLUTCH?

      OH, this is one of them new fangled automatic everything fancy automobile thingies.. Just yell "Whoa Nelly" and pull.

      --
      "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
    3. Re:Help! Help! by operagost · · Score: 5, Funny

      I didn't hold it long enough and now my Chevrolet went into hibernation instead. It got really dicey when the windshield went blank.

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
  2. Re:If not... by GrumpySteen · · Score: 5, Funny

    Nonsense. Every time there's a change in the tech sphere, Slashdot is one of the last sites to notice, much less voice skepticism and discomfort.

  3. I'm sure you're trolling... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    But it's :q without saving, :w! with saving, and/or shift-ZZ. Just to be sure, press esc twice first. If your terminal uses a difference escape sequence, please RTFM.

    Have a very dandy day!

  4. Re:If not... by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    If you aren't ready for advancements in technology then what are you doing reading this website?

    I'm using a steam-powered mechanical browser. (A redirection bug once killed our cat and blinded me for a week, and goatse stained the carpet.)

    --
    Table-ized A.I.