"Satish Kondapavulur" (becauseCAR)
10/22/2013 at 02:11 • Filed to: OPINIONS | 4 | 100 |
Because I'm the kind of person that can talk about Magnetic Ride Control for hours, I’ve decided to focus on a subject which fourteen people in the world care about. No, it’s not about the font on Lexus navigation systems. Or tuning the radio using voice commands. And it’s not about touch points, because !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
In fact, I'm talking about ignition key placement, because like Regina Spektor, it's a subject that's near and dear to my heart. This is because three of my favorite cars, the Hindustan Ambassador, the Saab 9-3 Viggen, and the Porsche 911, have had their ignition placed in locations which can only be called questionable.
Let's begin with the Ambassador, both the slowest car I ever rode in and a car with the most comfortable back seat ever made. I will admit current Ambassadors have the ignition on the right side of the steering now. But we had an older one, maybe from the 1980s, with the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . That would be fine for a car with bucket seats.
However, the car had a bench seat intended to accommodate three, but more often had twice that number crammed into the front. The placement posed problems when the car was full, which in India, was all the time. This involved people's legs constantly hitting the keys while in the ignition and the driver attempting to find the key whenever the car stalled in heavy traffic due to a wayward cow.
Eventually, Hindustan Motors came around and put the ignition in a place where only the driver could get to it. Somehow, they still haven't gotten around to giving the Ambassador an engine with 100 horsepower and a stereo system that can connect to a smartphone, but I digress.
In the case of the Saab, I'd been reading car magazines long enough to know where to put the key. (But a buddy of mine couldn't find it for a good five minutes.) It was surprisingly easy to get accustomed to. Enter the car with the key in right hand. Sit in the driver's seat. Feet on clutch and brake. Put key in center console ignition and switch on.
The only major complaint with the Saab involved taking the key out of the ignition. I could never leave it in neutral or any other gear except reverse, otherwise the key wouldn't be allowed out of the ignition. And yes , I know I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to Saab quirks.
However, instead of changing ignition placement in its products like Hindustan Motors, Saab went out of business, permanently leaving the world without a key determinant of high IQs on the world's highways.
Now, let’s discuss the obvious nameplate: Porsche, a company whose newest product is an overpriced crossover called the Macan, which will undoubtedly be the best in its class, selling like cronuts to Generation Xers whose 3-Series/A4/C-Class/Q5/GLK/X3 leases are ending.
Yes, I know Porsches have their ignition on the left due to their Le Mans heritage, when drivers used to run to their cars, turn the car on with their left hand and engage gear with their right, in search of that extra advantage on their competitors. I guess that one characteristic has served them well, considering they've won Le Mans sixteen times.
But here's the problem I have with Porsche. I can never make a quick exit in one, despite the fact that the ignition is on the left side for that very purpose. Being a right-handed person, the key is always in my right hand. And all other car companies have their ignition on right. As a result, I spend a good five to ten seconds looking for the ignition every time I start, stall, or need to switch off the car. This is something I haven't become accustomed to for three years. Which rattles me.
I guess due to my right-handed muscle memory, I've become way too used to mindlessly using my right hand to unlock and enter a car, insert the key into the ignition, switch on the car, check if a Regina Spektor song is playing, disengage the parking brake, shift into Drive, and set off.
Meanwhile, the other hand is checking text messages or is grasping the steering wheel. I fathom ninety percent of drivers probably do this right up until the first fender-bender/driving-while-texting ticket.
However, Porsche fundamentally believes that even a soccer mom driving a Cayenne or an orthodontist rocking a Panamera should be subject to the Le Mans experience. I'm sure they've become used to it since Porsche is at the top of the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study. (On a side note, Toyota was in the bottom five in the same study while Land Rover wasn't.)
But these customers don't want to be Derek Bell. They probably don't even know who he is.
Now you may say, "Doesn't Porsche have a keyless entry option?" Well, even if you take the Porsche Entry and Drive option, there's no start button for that quick getaway. Porsche actually puts a fake key in the ignition and has the driver turn that, like a normal key, to start the car, while the actual key presumably is in your pocket. Apparently, a start/stop button isn't the Porsche way, but leaving the center console of a Panamera Turbo S full of blank switches without a start/stop button is.
Unfortunately, since Porsche not having its ignition on the left would be like Justin Bieber changing hair styles (losing a crucial part of your identity, but being tremendously successful anyway), it looks like I'll have to budget an extra five to ten seconds every time I get into a Porsche.
It's a pity. I'll never be able to pull a quick bank job with a Panamera. Prevent clogging school pick-up lines in a Cayenne. Pick up girls smoothly in a 918. Live out my Bob Wollek fantasies in a Cayman.
Or most importantly, accomplish a quick getaway from Corvette owners in a 911 after an argument about how Porsche Active Suspension Management is better than Magnetic Ride Control.
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! runs !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , named because "Clunker.com" was $82 at auction and would've taken 30% out of the balance of his Eagle Vision for LeMons fund. In between contemplating cross-country runs, he spends much of his time attempting to convince others that his MkV Jetta 2.0T Wolfsburg is indeed a sports sedan.
Photo courtesy Porsche.
McSchmalex
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 03:12 | 8 |
I once explained to my Aunt (who is an Eye doctor) why her Cayenne has the ignition on the left side of the steering wheel. The whole "Le Mans heritage" thing. She kept insisting that it was a German law, that other German cars have their ignition on the left side as well.
Oh family...
KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> McSchmalex
10/22/2013 at 07:31 | 1 |
This would have been even better if your punch line was something like "But I drive a BMW/Audi/VW/Mercedes/Opel"
My grandfather used to argue that the Bavarians weren't actually German, as I was explaining that BMWs come mostly from Germany.
"But I drive a BMW built in South Carolina."
McSchmalex
> KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
10/22/2013 at 08:01 | 0 |
I do actually own an Audi, but it has keyless entry and a start/stop button. Even though it has a start/stop button, it still has the slot for the key FOB to go into. Oh yes, and the fob slot thingy is on the right side of the steering wheel.
gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 08:09 | 8 |
They don't change the engine location, you think thy're going to change the key location?
guitarguru23
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:23 | 0 |
You did all of this without pictures.....I can't be bothered to read.
bimmerismyname
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:24 | 0 |
On the topic of ignition placement, can we all agree to have cars start with a key and not this push button start? I feel as if more and more technology in cars is disconnecting the driver from the road more and more
Moxy
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:25 | 1 |
I'm with you. Don't get me started on Magnetic Ride Control...
505Turbeaux
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:26 | 5 |
The SAAB is the best one, even with the interlock to make sure you are in reverse. At least you know the car isnt going anywhere in your absence. Until you spill too many light and sweet coffee's into the damn thing
The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:26 | 0 |
Better yet, let's talk about keys?
Actually, better yet, chokes! What happened to them?
Whatever happened to keys and chokes and all the other sorts of hefty, useless pulley things that made us feel like men?
I'd like to know. No. Really! I would!
Besides the fact that they took awhile to calibrate the car of course. But who needs time! We're men! It's fashionable to be late!
And women shouldn't be driving anyways!
/end1960'seraalphamalesarcasmrant
Jartosz
> KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
10/22/2013 at 09:26 | 2 |
People still drive Opel?
Jartosz
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:28 | 0 |
I'm guessing the Hindustan Ambassador was the Lada Riva of India?
MylesD
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:28 | 0 |
Easily able to be confirmed..though I'm not feeling too Google-ey right now. I believe Saab placed the ignition in the center to protect the drivers knees during an accident. Once I read that, it just makes perfect sense - even through to the early 2000's, in my opinion. Now with keyless ignition and sensors and magic and all that, it...well, it doesn't matter. Agree?
Soused
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:30 | 1 |
Years ago, my friend Matt was taking care of a house and he decided he needed to take the owners' Saab 900 out for a quick errand.
He was not overly familiar with Saab quirks.
I get frantic call late at night from Matt. He had taken their keychain apart just to get back in the house because he could not extract the ignition key.
"Put it in reverse."
"Thanks Billy!" (Actually a second phone call, this being the pre-mobile phone days. Now get offa my lawn!)
darthd
> KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
10/22/2013 at 09:32 | 0 |
Some would argue that BMW suvs aren't really BMWs. But bavarians are definitely german.
Speedmonkey
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:32 | 10 |
"...selling like cronuts to Generation Xers whose 3-Series/A4/C-Class/Q5/GLK/X3 leases are ending."
Best line ever. Although I've no idea what a cronut is
Chairman Kaga
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:34 | 6 |
SAAB key placement was a safety feature. In the event of a crash, knees often went into keys, doing quite a bit of damage. Such as split knee caps.
Funny story. I had a college roommate who was one cocky SOB. Tall, long haired California surfer dude who claimed he was genetically superior and relied on his Scandinavian heritage to prove his point. He also claimed to be a Swedish car expert.
The girl I had a crush on had an older SAAB 900 that was experiencing some brake issues. I volunteered to fix it for her, with my expert roommate's help. We were going to replace the pads and bleed the system. Easy. Except the Expert couldn't figure out where the key went. This wasn't pre-Internet, but it was pre-Internet ubiquity, so he borrowed my bike (he always borrowed my bike, usually without asking, and usually when I had class) and pedaled to the library.
ANYWAY, my other roommate, who grew up in a household of gearheads who all worked on American classics, woke up from his midday nap, came out, looked at the car for 2 minutes, then proceeded to help me complete the job before my other roommate returned.
He still told my crush he personally fixed it just for her.
MotorcycleRider
> Speedmonkey
10/22/2013 at 09:35 | 0 |
Cross between a croissant and a donut.
The Parts Guy
> Speedmonkey
10/22/2013 at 09:41 | 0 |
Schnell!
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:42 | 2 |
For the first time last night, I got in my wife's Lexus after a day of driving my 911 and tried to put her key in the left side of the dash...it's only taken me 3 years to do that.
ErikVonZipper
> Speedmonkey
10/22/2013 at 09:44 | 2 |
jamisparker
> Speedmonkey
10/22/2013 at 09:45 | 2 |
It is croissant dough shaped and fried like a donut.
Speedmonkey
> ErikVonZipper
10/22/2013 at 09:46 | 0 |
That looks revolting!
vailima750
> McSchmalex
10/22/2013 at 09:47 | 0 |
Yeah, I drove my friend's Audi home when he got drunk, and it took me a good 3-4 minutes to figure out where it went and how to turn the damn thing on! Silly key fob.
MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:47 | 8 |
I don't care where they put the key, just as long as you still turn it. I hate push button starts. I like to turn the key and feel like it matters. I'm old school in that way I guess.
My modern cars have always had the key in the steering column on the right side. My classic has it in the dashboard to the right of the steering wheel, gigantic front bench seat so it's not in the way of anyones knees in the 68 Mercury haha! And my wife's Jeep Commander has it in the dash as well, to the right of the steering wheel.
Like I said, as long as it has a key that turns the engine on - I'm happy.
marvthegrate
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:48 | 4 |
I used to own a pair of NG 900s. I loved having the ignition where it was for two reasons.
1. It helped me trim down the number of keys I carry on my keychain.
2. I didn't have to listen to the jingle of the keys when driving on twisty back roads in NC with the dash blacked out at night, radio off, just driving to drive.
I am filled with nostalgia now. Makes me want another Swede to play with. Someone find me a 68 Monte Carlo stroker please...
Jonathon Klein
> Speedmonkey
10/22/2013 at 09:51 | 0 |
Where have you been?
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/bo…
Dugg-117
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:54 | 1 |
My favorite. The S2000. Clutch in, turn key to on [right side], push start button[left side]. There is no other way except to reverse steps one and two.
HeWhoKnew
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:54 | 3 |
The ignition on the left is to tell you the first time you sit in a 911 that you are about to do something different.
BiPolarWithCars
> Chairman Kaga
10/22/2013 at 09:55 | 1 |
Safety is absolutely why SAAB moved the key. By moving that mechanism, they not only got rid of the key that would hurt you, but it also made it MUCH easier for them to design a collapsible steering wheel.
Reborn Pyrrhic
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 09:55 | 5 |
I like my ignition key right between the seats, it's so natural for me, owning two Saabs right now. I also own a Peugeot and find it so odd to have the keys dangling from the steering column, slapping my right knee, not the right place at all.
Hey11111111111111111
> 505Turbeaux
10/22/2013 at 09:55 | 0 |
I think the original reason as to why you needed to put the gear in reverse was due to SAAB's nordic origin. The subarctic climate. The handbrake on old cars used to freeze and get stuck when it was to cold in the winter. So it was better to park the car in reverse gear. But I don't know if that's true.
505Turbeaux
> Hey11111111111111111
10/22/2013 at 09:57 | 0 |
makes sense to me!
Wacko
> The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
10/22/2013 at 10:00 | 0 |
No need for chokes with EFI,
Carb = choke
EFI = no choke
I want to know is why the high beam switch is no longer done by foot?
Isignedinwiththegoogle
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:02 | 1 |
I still feel clumsy trying to insert the key in my 911 and will probably alwasy feel so. My left hand is pretty shitty at detailed stuff. Not only that but because my other car is push button start I find I leave the key in the 911's ignition 50% of the time. But that's likely just because I'm dumb.
The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
> Wacko
10/22/2013 at 10:05 | 0 |
Why no more actual e-brakes?
No roll up windows?
No manual locks?
No third pedals?!
All these things I miss.
benchslap
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:05 | 1 |
I don't see how you couldn't get used to the key being in a different place. I just got used to carrying my keys in my left hand when I bought my Porsche. Three years later, and now it's weird when I get in my pickup truck and have to switch my keys over to the right.
CJFresh
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:08 | 2 |
Can I also say, having owned a Saab 9-5, and now a Honda s2000, that I prefer the keys in the center? I don't have many keys, but it doesn't stop them from slapping my leg in the Honda.
Mean-Jim-Green
> MylesD
10/22/2013 at 10:08 | 1 |
Yep, that's why they did it - however, when other manufacturers were challenged with the same task of reducing key related injuries, they just made a breakaway or folding key. It also spawned the weird reverse interlock thing because now they couldn't lock the steering wheel. I love them for their quirks, but it doesn't stop me from chuckling a little at their over-complication.
Forester guy
> Reborn Pyrrhic
10/22/2013 at 10:10 | 1 |
This "slapping my right knee" thing bothers me a lot. Specially because i have a beer bottle-shaped Heineken bottle opener for a keychain
mootus
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:14 | 1 |
if it takes you 5-10 seconds to find the keys every time you get out of a Porsche you have other problems you should be concerned about other than key position
Asatori
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:15 | 0 |
My Alfa Romeo 33 has the ignition on the left and you have to turn it towards you instead of away. Always fun when I let someone else drive who's never been in a 33 before. :)
But I think the placement in a 33 hasn't as much to do with Le Mans style starts but more due to the fact that there isnt really much room on the right side of the steering column. A 33 (or a Sud for that matter) isn't very wide and the center console is in the way.
Wacko
> The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL
10/22/2013 at 10:16 | 1 |
well there are still a lot with a real e-brake
less and less with a 3rd pedal
and very few with roll up windows/manual locks
damn you Tokyo, now I'm sad
iexiak
> Chairman Kaga
10/22/2013 at 10:18 | 0 |
Nifty. My dealer told me it was an anti-theft protection. Apparently it's much harder to get into the electronics when it's mounted in the middle like that. Safety for your knees makes so much more sense though..
Reborn Pyrrhic
> Forester guy
10/22/2013 at 10:21 | 1 |
Just rivet one of these to your bumper.
I used to have one like this (but Guinness not Heineken), riveted to the rear bumper of my Jeep Wrangler. I'd get nasty looks and thumbs up from Police officers who saw it.
Vagonator
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:24 | 0 |
Can you talk about magnetic ride control for hours? I would love to listen as I still don't fully understand what they do from the 2 minute youtube videos and caddy promos.
BigEgyptian
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:28 | 1 |
Come on Patrick, how come you missed on the 2 best cars with the same ignition switch placement?
Allow me to present the Fiat 124 Sedan:
This is the original dash:
The Lada 2105 still has the same ignition switch to this day:
Also a LeMans trait, of course :)
TxFlOr
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:32 | 0 |
I prefer the ignition to be in the dashboard to the right of the steering wheel. I hate it when it's on the steering column.
Masterofgoingfaster
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:32 | 1 |
I remember when I worked at a car Wash and was going to move a saab, for a moment I looked for the hole but then I remembered where they have it. I must admit it feels pretty good to start it there, shame it doesn't sound very inspiring when it starts. On the other hand, even with all the Le-mans heritage I really don't like starting the car with my left hand, probably a bit of OCD I have towards hand usage.
tonered
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:39 | 1 |
I'm a lefty and had trouble with Porsche ignitions the couple times that I drove them. It's just the awkward side of the wheel.
We had a Saab. When I installed an adjustable short shifter, I found that I could go ever shorter if I removed the reverse interlock garbage. I was such a pleasure to no have to go through the reverse routine to get the key out or loan the car to someone. It was even a bene when it came time to sell it. The folks already knew the routine, but were thankful for the delete.
rustybuckets
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:44 | 0 |
When I had my SAAB 900 I was constantly putting the keys of my mom's Jeep into the ebrake boot. Also couldn't help looking to push in the clutch.
I found that a well worn SAAB key would still work and could remove the key while the car was still running. Also, 900's before at least '88 could sometimes share keys. My '85 900 Turbo could open every '85-'86 900 Turbo I cam across.
UtahSaint
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:44 | 0 |
"I spend a good five to ten seconds looking for the ignition every time I start, stall, or need to switch off the car."
You, my friend shouldnt be driving anything more powerful than a porsche 914 with that kind brain reaction...
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/22/2013 at 10:47 | 2 |
The black button in a straight line across from the overdrive knob (second block knob) and under the dash is a starter button. Actual starter buttons are even more reassuringly old-school than key start. Also, the keys on these (LR Series II) are in the center, per "fuck wiring these two different ways".
LWMartin
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:47 | 2 |
I previously owned a 2001 Saab 9-5 and it actually came with the audio CD, in which they explained the purpose of having the key in the middle was due to their "3 inch rule", in which within 3 inches of turning the car on, you are to put the car in gear, adjust the windows, and probably some other stuff I can't remember.
It's been about 5 months since I got rid of my Saab, and I still can't get used to having the ignition on the steering column! I also had to shorten all of my keychains to keep them from hitting me in the leg everywhere I went!
I also really miss that cup-holder...
Someone Else's Projects
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:49 | 3 |
The reverse-gear ignition lock was a part of Saab's original lineup starting with the 92 back in the day. Those had column shifters, so their ignitions were located in the "normal" place. Incidentally, the 9000 of the 80s and 90s put their ignition in the column despite having a floor shifter, apparently due to the limitations of the Alfa platform it shared. I guess the Saab engineers didn't care enough about their drivers' knees to move the ignition.
Someone Else's Projects
> Reborn Pyrrhic
10/22/2013 at 10:50 | 1 |
Somehow I managed to end up with two Saabs (96 and 9000) that both have their ignitions on the steering column. Where did I go wrong?
DankyBrobrowsky
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:52 | 0 |
I believe NAS Defender 90's have the ignition on the left side as well. But that's probably because of some absurd Land Rover quirk or mistake that just got incorporated into the design/forgot about/never fixed/etc.
BritishCars
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:53 | 1 |
Without words...
KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> Jartosz
10/22/2013 at 10:53 | 0 |
They're called Buicks now. The exhibit below is a Buick Regal, which is correctly called an Opel Insignia.
KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> darthd
10/22/2013 at 10:54 | 0 |
You forgot the Z3 and Z4 built in Spartanburg, SC.
And the odd 3 series with a VIN starting with 4US.
I have a Z4.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:57 | 1 |
Why, back in my day, we didn't have any corny placement of the key to best suit the driver! Harrumph. Right in the middle of the dash, because who really has the luxury of being built differently for right or left-hand steering? Single position on key with non-solenoid starter button the way Mr. Wilks intended, bah.
MistaWesSoFresh
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 10:59 | 1 |
Somebody just posted some Mansory Aventador video that I think EVO did where they moved the ignition to the ceiling like some badass stealth fighter. One of the simplest yet coolest mods I have never thought about doing. Here it is
MaWeiTao
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 11:00 | 1 |
The best place for the ignition is on the steering column. It keeps they key out of the way both visually and functionally. Sticking the ignition in the center console doesn't make sense because it's not something you need to access while driving.
The fact that a driver's need might bang into the key is more because of poor placement on the column than being there at all. I do agree that Porsche's placement sounds ideal.
I don't like start buttons because they create an extra step to get the car started. And worse, automakers like to make them the center of attention. Even if it weren't for aesthetics, you still need to make the button accessible which again means wasting useful real estate for something that's a one-time event.
RonnieBobbyRickyandMike
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 11:10 | 0 |
I have a 2013 Passat with the push-button ignition, and I've had it for about 2 months now. The button is in the center console, down by the shifter (see pic below, the e-brake is kinda 'pointing' at it). My first reaction was "Dafuq?!". And that pretty much hasn't changed since I've had it. What's funny is there's still a spot on the right hand side of the steering column to place the keyfob (but not to insert the physical key) to start the car when the battery in the keyfob gets low and it doesn't get picked up by the proximity sensor in the cabin.
jaxwagen0
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 11:11 | 0 |
The smart cars ignition is in the middle near the parking brake
Ntovorni
> Forester guy
10/22/2013 at 11:12 | 0 |
That is one of my biggest pet peeves with either ignition location, or other people's keychains. I have my VW key (which isn't bad, I like the switchblade design) and my apartment key together. Nothing else so nothing will touch my knee. In the summer nothing drives me crazy more than keys dangling against my knee.
Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter
> Hey11111111111111111
10/22/2013 at 11:12 | 1 |
Never heard that reason before. The two reasons were safety and anti-theft. Having it in the console meant in an accident you were less likely to be hurt by a key sticking out. It also made it quite difficult to hotwire, and even if you did, you could only drive in reverse because of the ignition interlock.
Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter
> MaWeiTao
10/22/2013 at 11:13 | 0 |
Sticking the key in the centre console is a more natural and fluid motion than putting your hand behind the steering wheel. It also doesn't jangle and make noise when driving on rough roads.
Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter
> iexiak
10/22/2013 at 11:14 | 0 |
Both make a lot of sense.
Remember dialing "popcorn" for the time?
> Mean-Jim-Green
10/22/2013 at 11:15 | 0 |
I have a mechanically-inclined friend who grumbles any time my Saab needs work. He just doesn't understand the Swedes. Thinks they over-complicate everything.
solracer
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 11:16 | 1 |
The '55 - '57 Ford Thunderbird has the ignition key to the left of the steering wheel Porsche-style, I have no idea why. So even American cars sometimes have alternate key locations.
Bruno Martini
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 11:18 | 2 |
"Or most importantly, accomplish a quick getaway from Corvette owners in a 911 after an argument about how Porsche Active Suspension Management is better than Magnetic Ride Control."
Yes because "Magnets How do they Work?"
April_N_
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 11:20 | 0 |
If you REALLY must have the ignition on your right you could always buy a right hand drive model:
Bruno Martini
> Reborn Pyrrhic
10/22/2013 at 11:20 | 0 |
I quite agree. That's why my key (resides in column) does not have any other keys attached, it only has a blank ring. I hate keys.
Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter
> 505Turbeaux
10/22/2013 at 11:21 | 0 |
If you go through the tedium of taking everything apart to get the ignition out, it's really simple to disable the interlock.
I ended up doing that after having transmission trouble and being forced to leave the key in the ignition overnight because I couldn't put it in reverse. There's enough other factors in play that I'm not worried about losing one of the quirkier anti-theft features.
npaladin2000
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 11:24 | 0 |
All of the above is of course assuming there will still be car keys . The rate things are going they're all going to be push-button start pretty soon.
McLarry
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 11:25 | 2 |
I've been driving a GM-era Saab for a few years now, and they did, at some point, get rid of the 'key only comes out in reverse' feature (well...either that or mine is broken). I think I remember reading that they put the key down in the console in the first place to prevent people from impaling their kneecaps on their keys in the event of a crash. It's pretty easy to get used to, though, like you said. The only thing that annoys me is the size of their so called 'key':
McLarry
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
10/22/2013 at 11:29 | 6 |
I prefer a couple toggle switches to turn on the fuel pumps and whatnot, and a button for ignition
twochevrons
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
10/22/2013 at 11:31 | 1 |
Yes! I love the non-solenoid starter switch on my MG. It adds a whole sense of ceremony to the act of starting the car. Plus, it lets you start the engine from under the bonnet: the actual starter switch is a massive pair of contacts inside the engine bay, and the starter knob on the dash just pulls on a cable that closes them!
jedimario
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 11:33 | 0 |
Counterpoint: I got used to my Boxster's ignition location within a week, but after a month of owning a '92 Integra, I still reach behind my shoulder to fasten the automatic seatbelt.
Brent
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 11:34 | 0 |
What is this "key" of which you speak? Something utilized in more primitive devices manufactured prior to the humankind-transforming realization that scrambling to get one's keys out of one's pockets was a good way to be eaten by zombies, no doubt.
Keyless GO for the win, please. And the one clear reason why the Subaru BRZ will always be superior to the Scion FR-S.
Svend
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
10/22/2013 at 11:34 | 0 |
I love a nice old Landie. I'd really love to see someone try and jack one as three pedals and four shift levers would completely through their minds.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> twochevrons
10/22/2013 at 11:36 | 0 |
The above, mounted through a hole in the firewall is what you see on a Landy.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Svend
10/22/2013 at 11:38 | 0 |
That's if they could get past it being stick in the first place (with two un-synchronized gears), and having a manual choke and the aforementioned button.
MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
10/22/2013 at 11:40 | 0 |
I just like turnin' a key!
Cool set up though.
MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> McLarry
10/22/2013 at 11:40 | 0 |
Definitely fun for a racecar set up.
fintail
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 11:49 | 1 |
Every MB I've ever driven has it on the dash, so that's where it belongs.
Grim99CV
> Wacko
10/22/2013 at 11:49 | 0 |
Why no more vent windows, rear mounted fuel filler necks, or swiveling seats?
Wave Motion Gun
> Schnell!
10/22/2013 at 11:50 | 0 |
Every time I get in my wife's highlander, I smack the dash on the left with the keys. Every time I get out I grab a handful of air with my left hand. Never fails. The left side ignition is great - you carry stuff in your right hand, left is free to retrieve key from pocket and unlock the car without having to do the shuffle.
OtizzleStarBai
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 11:51 | 2 |
One of my favorite parts of my S2000 was the key goes in the right side of the steering column (like a normal honda) and then the start button was on the left.... awesome.
Boter
> McLarry
10/22/2013 at 11:53 | 0 |
I would want those switches even if they did absolutely nothing. I LOVE flipping switches. "Ready for takeoff!" Cue fender bender in the parking lot.
Forester guy
> Reborn Pyrrhic
10/22/2013 at 11:55 | 0 |
i cant see the attached pic!
Forester guy
> Ntovorni
10/22/2013 at 11:57 | 0 |
yeah i think of removing the heikenen keychain all the time, but you know..its very useful at times haha (dont drink and drive kids!)
M54B30
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 12:01 | 0 |
I used to drive International trucks for a few years, and their ignition is near your right knee. It's probably the best ignition placement I ever used. Out of the way, easy to reach.
Maxaxle
> McLarry
10/22/2013 at 12:04 | 0 |
Because racecar?
McLarry
> Maxaxle
10/22/2013 at 12:09 | 2 |
Because racecar!
If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 12:11 | 2 |
How about the Citroen GS with it's under-the-dash ignition?
Binfordtools
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 12:13 | 0 |
Keys need to be up high in a vehicle. I am tall, like "excuse me sir, would you grab the Cocoa-Pebbles way the fuck up on the roof of the grocery store" tall. I need keys away from my knees which are usually out of the sunroof when I drive. Nothing like 100 'reward cards" tickling my knee-cap when I am sporting my sexy shorts.
Svend
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
10/22/2013 at 12:21 | 0 |
Their brains (minute as it would be to jack a car) would explode with confusion and rage. :)
stavers
> Satish Kondapavulur
10/22/2013 at 12:22 | 0 |
RHD Porsches have the ignition on the right....
disadvantage
> Forester guy
10/22/2013 at 12:25 | 0 |
Removable keychains are the best for that! Just select the key that you are using and leave the rest in your pocket.