Mustang Push Start Button: Love it or Hate It?
Like any advanced car feature, the push start button in the S550 Mustang has its fair share of controversy. But is it warranted?
Every time some newfangled technology threatens to change the way we do something, some folks will inevitably gripe about it. Whether you’re talking about electronic nannies or fuel-sipping, turbocharged V6s, car guys have plenty to dislike these days. Most of us remain pretty set in our ways, furiously typing negative things about this kind of stuff like an old man yelling at a cloud. But then again, others actually enjoy modern conveniences. Like the ever-controversial push button start, a feature present in the modern day Mustang.
Like any good new feature, opinions on push button starts are inherently mixed. So to get a read on how real Mustang owners feel about them, we headed to the source. As in, them Mustang Source forums.
“Do you like the push button start?” asked woody24.“I bring this up because on an unrelated forum I’m a part of, there’s been a heated discussion about push button starts. A lot of people were surprisingly against them. Much like those who’ve always driven a manual.
I really like having it. Don’t have to mess with pulling out my keys. But it does have some issues. As far as I could tell, there’s no way to put the car in neutral without having to start the car. I’m curious if after having one, do you still hate it? Love it? Or have gotten used to it?”
For most, push button starts are super convenient. But there is one downside to them – they make you forget what removing a key from an ignition feels like!
“I like it, mainly because the key never leaves my pocket,” said orange3.9stang. “I also have a manual that I can put into neutral anytime I want. But when I get into any other family car (all w/o PB start), I tend to now forget to pull the key out of the ignition and take it with me. Not a problem on the two other cars I drive regularly, because they both have the outside key pad to get back in.
I also always install a kill switch on the key-in-ignition chime. That way I’m not getting that silly reminder when I open the door to get out of these other cars. Only time I turn it ON is when I bring a car in for service. So that would be the other thing I like about the PBS. This 2016 Mustang is the 1st car in 40 years I’ve NOT messed with the key-in-ignition buzzer or chime!”
Indeed, Crashnburn is having a hard time kicking that habit.
“I have a love/hate relationship with it. Every time I go to turn the car off, I find myself reaching for the steering column to grab the non-existing keys. Old habits die hard I guess.”
And as ZGrand points out, push button start cars have been the focus of some recent negative news items because of this.
“I have read that it can be a problem for older folks who are used to having to turn off a car with a key and extract the key. Apparently since they don’t have to physically extract the key, they just forget to turn the car off and leave it running in the garage. Next thing the garage and possibly house is full of carbon monoxide.”
But as roger blose notes, the new Mustang GT has a built-in feature to help mitigate that problem.
“I just got a new 2018 Mustang GT with this feature and I’m getting used to it. For example, when moving the car, engine running, and exiting the car with my key in my pocket, the horn sounds twice to alert me that the motor is on. Also these key fobs use a much larger watch battery due to the constant transmissions signals I guess. Do love the standard remote start feature with the 10-speed auto.”
So far, the vast majority of responses are pro-push button start. But we want to know what you think. Head over here and tell us if you love or hate the push button start feature in your Mustang.
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