5 things you need to know about keyless ignition systems

A keyless ignition system — also called a smart key — is amethod of electronic access and authorization of an entry andignition system that’s available as an option or standard inseveral cars.

The first smart key was developed by Siemens in 1995, andintroduced by Mercedes-Benz under the name “Key-less Go” in 1998 onthe W220 S-Class following its design patent filed by Daimler-Benzon May 17, 1997.

Although keyless ignition systems have been around for 20 yearsand are available on autos of all makes and models, and at allprice points, there are some concerns about safety andsecurity.

There have been several reports noting that keyless ignitionsystems are more vulnerable to hacking than vehicles that usetraditional metal keys. If this is a concern for you, talk to yourcar dealer about vulnerabilities with the specific model thatyou’re looking at or that you own.

Here are five key facts from Safercar.govthat you need to know about keyless ignition systems:

With a keyless ignition system, the driver no longer carriesa key. Instead, he or she carries a fob that sends out a radiosignal that authorizes the car to start, either with a push of abutton or the turning of a switch. (Photo: iStock)

1. What is a keyless ignition system?

In some cases, the same key fob provides keyless entry, keylessignition and an immobilizer system that keeps car thieves fromstealing your vehicle as well as allowing you to start it without atraditional key.

The keyless entry and immobilizer system operate generally thesame way. As explained by the web site How Stuff Works, a keyless-entry fob is astandard radio-transponder.

Inside the fob is a circuit board, a radio transmitter, abattery and an antenna. As you approach your vehicle — within 5 to10 feet generally — you can press the button to unlock your doors —pretty common on most vehicles in 2016. The radio frequencyidentification chip (RFID) in the fob sends out a code of 40impulses broadcast on different frequencies. The corresponding RFIDchip in the car receives this code and accesses the vehicle’ssoftware to find out whether the code is the right one. If it is,the doors unlock.

Keyless entry is considered an active RFID system,because pushing the button sends out the code, instead of receivingit. The immobilizer chips in the ignition keys that lock out carthieves are also active.

Keyless ignition is defined as a passive RFID system.Your vehicle sends out the code and the ignition chip receives it,instead of the chip sending the signal first. For additionalsecurity, keyless ignition systems have no battery (or a differentkind), and they have a lower-power antenna, so they won't broadcastas far, according to How Stuff Works.

Verification of the correct device is done electronically whenyou attempt to start the vehicle, usually by pushing a button orturning a rotary switch.

Related: 48 safest vehicles for 2016

Ignition buttons are the most common keyless way to start avehicle. (Photo: iStock)

2. Are all keyless ignition systems thesame?

Keyless ignition systems differ across models and manufacturers.Push buttons are most common, but there are also rocker-typeswitches that must be flipped, and rotary switches that must berotated similar to the traditional ignition switch that is turnedwith a key.

Systems also differ in the alerts given to the driver if anunsafe condition occurs (for example, if you forget to put thetransmission in “park” before shutting down the engine, or youleave the vehicle with the engine running).

Refer to your Owner’s Manual for further details on how yourvehicle is operated in normal and emergency situations, and for thealerts that your vehicle sounds.

Keyless ignition systems are known by different names amongthe various vehicle manufacturers. (Photo: iStock)

3. When were keyless ignition systems made available inthe United States?

Keyless ignition systems first became available in the early2000s in luxury models, but are now available on more mid-pricedmodels.

Wikipedia includes a list of manufacturersthat offer keyless ignition systems and the name each manufactureris using for the system. Here are a few examples:

Acura: Keyless Access System.
Chrysler Group: Keyless Enter-N-Go.
Ford: Intelligent Access with push-button start.
General Motors: Passive Entry Passive Start.
Subaru: Keyless Smart Entry With Push-Button Start.
Toyota: Smart Key System.
Volkswagen: Keyless Entry & Keyless Start or KESSY.
Volvo: Personal Car Communicator "PCC" and Keyless Drive.

A vehicle with a keyless ignition could roll down hill ifnot put into "park." (Photo: iStock)

4. What are the dangers with vehicles that feature thesesystems?

Some safety concerns include the following:

Drivers who shut off the engine without putting their vehiclein “park” and walk away from the vehicle, leaving it prone to rollaway — into another car or a person.
Drivers who do put their vehicle in park, but inadvertentlyleave the engine running, increasing the risk of carbon monoxidepoisoning in a closed environment, such as a garage.
Drivers who don’t know how to shut down the engine of theirvehicles in the event of any on-road emergency.

Another concern is that a technical glitch could result in thecar not recognizing the presence of the key fob. In that case, thecar won’t start or the engine could lose power.

If you have a vehicle with a keyless ignition, make sure youuse the parking brake when you park your car. (Photo:iStock)

5. What can I do to make sure my car is turnedoff?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)recommends that you follow these basic safety tips:

Make sure your car is in “park” before shutting down theengine.
Make sure the engine is really shut off before leaving thevehicle unattended.
Use the vehicle’s parking brake when parking the car,especially on an incline
Check your driver’s manual for detailed instructions on how tooperate your vehicle properly.
Watch NHTSA’s safety video on keyless ignition systems for basicsafety tips.

A friend of mine has a 2014 car with a keyless ignition and thecar has been known to start just by walking by it. And a colleagueshared this experience:

"My friend has a Honda CRV and didn’trealize it had stayed running for about 8 hours while we helpedwith a funeral reception this past Saturday. She took the key fobwith her into the building but for some reason the car didn’t shutoff during that time. Scary!"

Do you have thoughts or experiences about keyless ignitionsystems, their safety or security? Please share them with us in thecomment section below.

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Rosalie Donlon is the editor in chief of ALM's insurance and tax publications, including NU Property & Casualty magazine and NU PropertyCasualty360.com. You can contact her at [email protected].