Keyless cars were first introduced in 1980 with models like the Ford Thunder-Bird, with a key-pad that went right above the door handle that they dubbed the Keyless Entry System. This would later be known as a SecuriCode and has been on many models of automobiles since then. Many would just prefer to keep it traditional and use the key over any new method because they trust it more. But with electric cars slowly starting to take over, we can’t help but wonder if a newer version of SecuriCode will make its way on the ever-changing automobile scene.
10 Pro: It Can Be Easily Accessible
The bits and pieces of convenience from the keyless car is what sells it. Maybe your hand is full of groceries? Or your nails have just been done and even casually rummaging through whatever you need to in order to find your keys, will ruin them. There are many reasons having a set of car keys can be a pain. But when you have your key fob, you’ll really only need to open the door. As long as you’re within a set range of your car, it could unlock for you, diminishing any unwanted inconvenience before it even pops up.
9 Pro: Yes, You Locked It
Ever walk a good fifteen to twenty feet from your car and think “Did I really lock it?” It happens to everyone. Chances are if you pull up to your local supermarket you too could see someone pivot in one step back towards their car to make sure. That’s another perk of the keyless car's convenience. The absolute second you walk out of that car's range, the doors are locked. Worrying about whether you left it running or unattended becomes obsolete and leaves you free to do whatever you want or need to, without that small sense of urgency rushing you.
8 Pro: It Remembers What You Like
Certain models offer the ability to customize presets for your car. This allows the owner, or owners, the ability to give the car their preference of things ranging from how far back they like their seat to what channel on the radio they prefer. This may not seem like much, but it’s nice to know you won’t have to listen to that music channel you dislike as soon as you get in, and it really speaks on the keyless car's capabilities as a whole. These models will only advance further, making every quality of life improvement even more standard.
7 Pro: Keep The Speed Low
Certain key fobs have the ability to set speed limits that the car can’t go over. If you’re a parent and you’re wanting to make absolutely sure your kids aren’t getting into any unnecessary trouble, this can be a huge benefit. You won’t have to worry about them receiving a ticket for going ten to fifteen miles above the speed limit, and you may even want to set some restrictions on yourself. This gives a nod to its overall safety, and a keyless car can actually be a good family vehicle because of these types of features that are readily available.
6 Pro: Harder To Break Into
Keyless cars offer a greater challenge to potential thieves. Sure, they can always bust out a window or find a way to lower it, but how will they start up the car? They will have to use a specialized program into tricking your car to think that they have the correct key-fob. While it is potentially easy access, it’s only for those that are willing to go out of their way to make such a device or spend a good penny buying one off the deep-web. You won’t have to worry about someone lockpicking your unattended car while you’re away.
5 Con: Can Be Pricey
A keyless car can cost a good bit, so when you’re dropping a good amount of money on one, make sure that you’re picking the one that is best for you. Other models may come with cooler features than the one you originally intended to buy, but keep in mind the upkeep for these cars and fobs can go up over time, and you will eventually have to make repairs or replacements with both. Reprogramming and replacing a key fob costs a lot more than getting your traditional key replaced, and the process is a lot more in-depth.
4 Con: It Has Safety Issues
If you have a key fob that helps remotely start your car, you may really want to keep an eye on your vehicle. Just walking in a certain range could potentially start your car without you meaning to. It may not sound bad, but say you walked within fifteen feet of your car while it was in the garage, and it turned on without you knowing. Do you see the problem here? That’s a serious leak of carbon monoxide poisoning right there in your garage. So it’s very important to make sure that your key fob cannot accidentally be operated.
3 Con: Hope You Didn’t Lose The Fob
Forgetting your fob is still on the table at home could be a big problem. Instead of losing something that jingles pleasantly when moved, you lose something a good bit harder to find. This is one of the main drawbacks to keyless cars, as if this were to ever happen, and you couldn’t find the fob, you’re going to have a much lighter wallet because of it. You won’t even be able to get back in your car if you leave your key fob in it, where a traditional car could be somewhat more easily accessible in these irritating situations.
2 Con: It Can Still Be Stolen
It can still be broken into, but the people who are willing and able to do this won’t be small-time thieves. This means that the people trying to get into your car WANT your car, not the cash in the glove box or your radio. The process for keeping thieves out of your car is trial and error, and it's something that gets routinely hammered out by the manufacturing companies with every model. It’ll take some time to really get things where they need to be, but it won’t be perfect. Despite this, many manufacturing companies still strive for it.
1 Con: It May Not Even Be Worth It
The small benefits may not add up. Yes, a keyless car will come with perks that traditional cars are still lacking, but do you really want to spend over a thousand dollars when your fob messes up, or just to make it a tad harder to break into? The truth is, there are many ways you can stop a car from being broken into. Immobilizer chips have long been placed into keys to stop potential thefts, and many new cars today are offering ways to open up your cars without your hands, or other benefits that all keyless cars come with.