Hidden Dangers of Push-Button Start

Spurshot · September 23, 2015

The Prius has been around over 15 years now. The engines weren't as clean a little while back. But some of the modern ones are damn clean. Still, I wouldn't want to breathe much of my truck's exhaust on a cold start. There's so much information on PL out there in the media, I don't think anyone panics about any of it.

This VW diesel thing is gonna be interesting. My dog's vet has a brand new Cayenne turbo diesel. They're looking into those too.

MikeNH · September 23, 2015

I could care less about the diesel "scandal". These urea injection systems that they've been forced to use to meet the US regulations are half baked. And the fact that they can't make them meet standards and run reasonably well is proof of that. I'd still buy a VW diesel without hesitation if I wanted a sensible sedan.

Spurshot · September 24, 2015

I think it's cool that EPA finally did something to really put the brakes on diesel emissions. That black crap isn't something I like breathing. I like the things the EPA has accomplished. 10 million people in southern California are breathing easy, in part, because of them.

MikeNH · September 24, 2015

The black crap from scandalous VWs is nothing compared to the brodozer idiots rolling coal.

kstruckcountry · September 24, 2015

My understanding is that running a diesel "sooty" actually reduces the amount of "NOx" released. IIRC, the NOx output increases as the engines runs leaner. Most of the newer diesels run very lean to reduce the "coal" and have the urea for NOx reduction and the DPF for soot reduction. Soot is to too rich as excess NOx is to too lean. At least that's my understanding.

Atlas · September 24, 2015

The black crap from scandalous VWs is nothing compared to the brodozer idiots rolling coal.

I think VW deserves to be slapped-- dishonesty isn't acceptable. But their diesel engines are good, powerful, and they return fantastic gas mileage. Our other car is an Audi A6 diesel and we don't give a crap that it might be running a little dirty. It's been an excellent car.

We also don't accidentally leave it running in the garage (and it has push-button start, with auto stop/start). The thing isn't turned off, until it's been turned off. But I guess that's obvious to us.

At any rate, I agree about the diesel scandal...the EPA has much bigger fish to fry in cleaning up emissions. Airplanes, cargo ships, heavy duty trucks (transport). Not that VW doesn't deserve reprimanding. But let's put it in perspective.

RoadieWingZ · September 26, 2015

This "problem" is just one more example of the lack of responsibility that people want to accept in our overly-litigious societies. The car owner/operators don't use common sense but want the automaker to be responsible for their irresponsible actions. Let's just get rid of all modern conveniences and step back to the Stone Age ... although I'm sure some imbecile would try to make someone else responsible for burning themselves when fire is first discovered... God save us from all the morons....?

jimlem · October 5, 2015

Interesting keyless ignition story. When I was a kid, my dad had a '64 Impala. As most (all?) GM cars back then, it had a trunk / door unlocking key and an ignition key. Don't know why it worked this way, but you could remove the ignition key from any ignition position even while the car was driving down the road. I remember dad telling me there was a reason for this but I cannot remember all he said. Anyone else have a car like that?

BRay'sGirl · October 5, 2015

When I was a kid, my dad had a '64 Impala.

Jim, your dad got great taste! Love the old Impala's, especially the '58.

kstruckcountry · October 5, 2015

Interesting keyless ignition story. When I was a kid, my dad had a '64 Impala. As most (all?) GM cars back then, it had a trunk / door unlocking key and an ignition key. Don't know why it worked this way, but you could remove the ignition key from any ignition position even while the car was driving down the road. I remember dad telling me there was a reason for this but I cannot remember all he said. Anyone else have a car like that?

Worn out ignition tumbler