This Top Gear Deleted Scene Perfectly Demonstrates Why Keyless Ignition Is Stupid

If you've spent any time with a car that features keyless ignition, you'll understand this struggle perfectly...

Updated: 10 Oct 2024

I like to think I’m relatively forward-thinking when it comes to car technology. Massaging seats? Why not. Streaming music to the sound system via the Interweb? Sure. Those weird classic Grand Theft Auto style aerial parking camera view things? Hey, I love ‘em. But there’s one car tech innovation I can’t stand: keyless ignition. And this un-aired Top Gear scene (starts from 2min 42sec onwards, but it’s worth watching the whole thing due to the hilarious whale penis bone chat at the beginning) perfectly demonstrates why it’s stupid.

It’s a dilemma you’re faced with every time you get in the car: where do you put the fob, since you can’t stick it in the ignition? Inevitably, you end up losing it within the car (in a Peugeot 308 GTI for instance, I had the key disappear under the cupholder assembly), meaning you can’t lock the car. You tear the car apart looking for the damn thing, to the point where you start to wonder if it’s even in there, even though it must be since the car isn’t shouting key-related warning at you.

Some cars - such as certain Volvos - have a solution in the form of a slot to put the keyless fob in. But you know what also works well as a slot for your key? The god damn ignition.

So, if I’m ever in a position to buy a new car, I sure as hell won’t be ticking the keyless option, saving the £200 or whatever it is to spend on something more worthwhile. Like cheese.

Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.

Comments

Tonight: James puts his hand down crevices, Jeremy doesn’t want to help him with that, and Richard wanted to drive a Noble… so he missed most of the episode.

I once forgot to take the key off the windshield and started driving, once i stopped the car to get gas the car let me know indidnt have my keys. Just to let you know that was 20 km away from where i started. The car was a brand new range rover sport. We had to get it towed.

even the deleted scenes are funnier than new Top Gear

Thanks BMW ! Insert Key Fob here. Press button :)
Dont know if other cars have this nifty feature?

I have one of those volvos with the slot, and I’ll tell you, it works incredibly well! I mean, I might as well have a normal key, but it is really fun! :)

my dad got in a new Automatic Audi Q3 once and he just couldn’t figure out how to start the damn thing. He had me help him after about 5 minutes. I think I don’t have to say more.