It’s
highly probable that, at least once in your life, you've been stuck
outside of your locked car staring through the window at the keys
hanging out of your ignition. With keyless ignitions and pushbutton
starts, some drivers are free from the fear of being stuck outside of
the car, looking in. Unfortunately, they may have other things to worry
about.How Keyless Ignitions Work
When you have a keyless ignition, you’re given a key fob to carry that sends a message to your car that it is permissible to respond to the push of the start button. Because you never need to remove this fob from your purse or pocket, you practically erase the possibility that you could ever get locked out of your car. And since the fob is required to start the car, you also reduce the possibility of your vehicle being stolen.
So what’s the negative here? Well, since there is currently no requirement that a keyless car be placed in park before it’s turned off, there is a risk that your vehicle could roll after you've shut it off. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data, this risk has been more of a reality for some individuals. Another dangerous reality reported to the Institute has been carbon monoxide poisoning after forgetting to shut off a keyless car.
Creating a New Habit
The old habit of putting your car in park, turning the key and pulling your keychain away from the ignition may now be a comfortable relic from your past, but it could also hold the answer to the avoidance of the dangerous risks mentioned above. By creating a new system of habits, you can more easily ensure that your car is safely parked and turned off when not in use. Design a habit that includes putting the car in park, activating the emergency brake, and powering down every time you stop driving. You may even consider not allowing yourself to turn off the radio until you've taken those three steps so that the sound of your radio becomes synonymous with your car running.
While keyless ignition vehicles may decrease the risk of theft, they do nothing to protect you from vandalism, innocent operational errors and acts of nature. For these reasons, it's important to make sure that you maintain the proper comprehensive insurance coverage on them. If you have questions about how keyless ignitions can affect your Columbus auto insurance, give us a call at 614-221-1500.
