Have you ever noticed when you purchase a new car that it only has push button starts?
What about new cars without the push button start?
As technology becomes more advanced, so does the technology that can be found in our cars.
From once being a rare commodity, the keyless ignition has started to become a “key” feature of every car.
In fact, at the time of writing this, perhaps 90% of brand-new cars out on the market are listed with a keyless fob.
Although not everyone is a big fan of this change, especially those who value the classic aesthetic or feel of being able to fit a key into the ignition, unfortunately, this is a trend that doesn’t seem to be stopping.
In this article, we will be discussing some of the newer muscle cars that do not have a keyless fob.
We will also be discussing the history of the keyless fob, as well as whether or not it is possible to switch a keyless ignition to a manual one.
Muscle cars in the last 5 years without a push to start
After searching far and wide on the latest models of the most common muscle cars purchased in the last 5 years, unfortunately, I have trouble finding any that do not use a keyless fob.
Because of the price of brand new modern muscle cars, a keyless fob is an expected feature from most consumers.
Unfortunately, the proportion of the population who prefer a manual ignition system is the minority.
On the other hand, some models with keyless fob also have a built in key that is used for incase the battery ever runs out or if the electronic chip is damaged or malfunctions such as if it were dropped in water so that you don’t remain stranded.
However, not all models have this feature, so it is something you want to ask the dealer when looking at your ideal car.
History of the keyless fob
The keyless fob started in the 1980s as it was added to the Ford Thunderbird, Mercury Cougar, Lincoln Continental Mark VI, and Lincoln Town Car.
It featured a keypad on the driver-side exterior door handle.
Overtime, keyless fobs have been added to all cars and allow the locking/unlocking of all doors, opening of the trunk, and even other special features such as calling the car to pick you up as seen in the new Tesla models.
It seems like once technology has advanced to the point of making most people’s life convenient, there’s no turning back.
The same can be said with the keyless ignition system.
Although it was once a rare feature that car enthusiasts would once purchase kits in order to install on their car, they are now commonplace in almost all brand-new vehicles out today.
Keyless fobs have made the news as being less secure for the car and though cases of stolen vehicles due to hacking the wireless system have been made, they are rare and few and far between.
As keyless fobs have become more and more popular for use in automotive design, the security systems in place have also become stricter.
If the main concern you have about keyless ignitions is safety, I believe it isn’t something you should put too much time worrying about.
Convert keyless ignition to key?
I have not seen a swap of a keyless ignition to a manual one. If they exist, they are not common and may be limited for certain vehicles.
Unlike the switch from automatic to manual transmissions, the keyless ignition system does not get much love and you don’t see many auto enthusiasts swapping it back to a manual ignition system.
Why this may be could simply be because starting and stopping an engine is a 1-second process that doesn’t play much of a role in the overall experience of driving a car.
As for the transmission, it is something that you are constantly using that actually gives you a better “feel” of the car.
If keyless ignition to manual ignition swaps do exist, I can assure you that they are probably expensive and are costly to do in terms of both time and money.
Not to mention all the potential errors and codes that can come up by messing with the electronic system.
If you are really looking for a muscle car that gives you the classic look and experience of a manual ignition, then I suggest you simply go back a bit further in time rather than trying to purchase one brand new.
Nowadays, anything brand new will come with all sorts of features such as a built-in gps, touch screen controller, etc.
If you want the look and feel of a genuine power car that Americans know and love without all the fancy gadgets and gizmos, then go for something classic like a 1970s dodge charger, or a Chevy Nova SS, or even a 1970s Plymouth Duster.
Though these cars may be older and less reliable than newer cars, they will provide you with the look and feel that you desire of a classic muscle car.
Plus, it will most certainly have a manual ignition.
Frequently asked questions about key fobs
How do I program a new key fob without original?
Unfortunately, there is no one answer that fits all makes and models. You will need to refer to your owner’s manual.
Can you drive without a key fob?
Yes most cars have a backup option incase the battery dies.
How far can a keyless car drive without the key?
This depends on the make and model of your car. Usually if the car is on, it will remain on even if you do not have the key. However, if you shut it off, you will not be able to turn it back on again. There are backup systems in place so that if your battery were to run out, you will still be able to drive the car. However, if you completely lost the key, just like losing a regular key, you will not be able to start the car.
Can a magnet damage a car key?
A magnet cannot damage a car key. This is because the battery is made with a special case that prevents electromagnetic interference.
This is a common misconception and occurs because of the fact that magnets used to damage electrical products in the past.
They still do to a certain extent, but with today’s technology, there are barriers to prevent this from happening.
One example you can see this in is in the latest iPhone where it comes with a built-in magnets right next to all the hardware.
