Keyless Knob Start

So...push-button start would be a cool thing, but quite involved and it got me thinking. In delving into the internet I found this little tidbit as an option on the Advanced Keys website:

https://advancedkeys.com/Prod_AK105S.html

Seems like everything aside from the knob start is essentially tied to getting in/out of the truck and remote starting. Seeing as how I just had a Viper remote start system installed and pretty much every Tundra I've seen comes with keyless entry...the knob switch/start seems like it could be a simple add-on to not have to use the key (technically) to start the truck every time you get in. From a lot of the push-button start systems I've seen, they use a similar setup where the transponder key is permanently put into the ignition and then all the wiring/bypass stuff is set up to allow the push-button start.

I think I'd need to know what all the specifics are, but I really like the ease of install and simplicity of this idea. I guess you could even just design/build your own fairly easily. The key would always be in the ignition - and this is where I'm not certain how well it would work. I'll maybe test it tonight, but can you lock/unlock the doors with the key in the ignition, even if it's turned off? I'm thinking that the reminder chime when you have the key in the ignition and the door is opened means you can't...and if not, there would need to be a way around it (which then gets back to more complicated wiring and install as with the push-button).

Has anyone tried this? You'd maybe lost some security...but I don't have an alarm or anything as it is, I think just the immobilizer that would be tied to the key transponder.

 

So...$400 to break your key off, super glue it to a "knob" and then essentially use a fob to lock your keys in the truck in the ignition every time you get out. See how that sounds when you type it out?

 

I think you kind of missed what I was driving at there, and really what you get with the entire package.

The whole kit you mentioned...I don't think it's an overall bad deal if you consider the cost of adding a remote start to vehicles not equipped, and add in the extra features it would include:

-proximity hands-free lock/unlock
-remote start
-additional access cards
-keyless push-button remote start

With that said...it's not really what I was after.

Essentially I HAVE keyless access (albeit with the fob/pressing buttons), remote start, etc. The thing I was most interested in was the $50 add-on for having the "keyless" start, not the entire package for $400, though as I mentioned above, it's not out of line with the cost and abilities/features you get with most other alarms and/or remote starts. If all I have to do is carry my key around with me, it's a whole lot simpler. The ability to just grab the handle or push a little button on the handle to lock/unlock the doors is actually quite nice. I've had it on several vehicles and it's a little crazy to think that it took until 2019 for Toyota to put it on the Tundra. I had a 2005 Prius with a smart key and everything mentioned above.

But again - point was you could accomplish a similar setup to a full-blown push button start install with $50 and a broken key; much simpler installation as well. I just don't know if it would work on its own.

$400 to do that? Yeah...that would be kind of stupid (but again...you misread everything prior to your comment it seems).

 

I'm not sure I misread anything. Do you just really really want it to be keyless? It's not. It most certainly uses a key, just a broken and glued one. Good luck with your dream bro.

 

I feel like you're offended in some way? Bro? Obviously, it's not truly keyless. But the end result is still the same functionality as a keyless start system, so I'm not certain why you seem so uptight about it? But yeah, you definitely misread and/or misinterpreted the whole purpose and cost (which you stated incorrectly above), so this seems like one of those conversations where you're trying to win a non-existent argument. So, you win. Good job.

 

I'm interested in this. I have remote start and can lock/unlock from my watch, so just leaving the key in the ignition would be convenient. The knob would at least hide the key so people wouldn't know to just smash the window.

I wonder if the full keyless entry system works with remote start or if the security features would prevent it?

 

I'm not sure, I haven't made it that far quite yet. I do have similar concerns with the overall potential for someone to steal it, but as you mentioned, it's not obvious that there's a key in the vehicle. Smashing the window is an option, but we don't have a lot of issues with auto theft around here, and I'm not sure how "popular" Tundras are to steal (versus, like a Camry or something that sells millions of units every year). I'm wondering if maybe there's not some sort of simple workaround like pairing it with a bypass device that's keys to the fob or something similar...but now we're getting into the territory of buying the whole kit vs. the simplicity of a knob you stick on the ignition!

I've been perusing a bunch of the other push-button start and PKE (passive keyless entry) threads and have a few not quite fully formed ideas floating around in my head. Seems like a popular thing to do is disconnect the ignition so the key basically just keeps the steering column from locking, but then again...see the paragraph above. Not quite what I'm after...