_@_v - is the key reversible?

Posted by: she-snailie_@_v at December 13, 2006 09:36 AM

Even if it is, then you'd send a panic when you turn the car off, instead of when you start it. Definately Broken.

Posted by: Slyman at December 13, 2006 10:12 AM

Yeah, my first thought was to flip the key over. You don't use nearly as much force turning a car off as you do starting it, so this might still be a perfectly viable solution.

I used to have a similar problem with my key and opening my trunk. I just started holding it differently and I don't have that problem anymore.

Posted by: Fastolfe at December 13, 2006 11:44 AM

I have this same car, and any time anyone else in my family uses it, they set off the panic alarm. I saw this post and actually went off at lenght in *my blog* (yetanothersite.blogspot.com)about it. It's in a really bad position, and you add it to the trunk entry features, and, well.. it's not good.

Posted by: cheryl at December 13, 2006 01:15 PM

Its an intentential design, the number one time when ppl are carjacked are when unlocking their car. makes it easy to push, and with all the practice activations you should have no trouble activating it when really carjacked. not. broken.

Posted by: n1nj4 at December 13, 2006 04:31 PM

My new Scion (made by Toyota) has a panic button in almost exactly the same place. I've had the car 3 months and haven't set it off yet...

Posted by: Sashazur at December 13, 2006 06:49 PM

If it is intentional, as n1nj4 says, then it's not bad in concept, but perhaps in execution they made the button too easy to push. If you were really in a panic situation, I believe you'd press it pretty hard.

Posted by: mmcwatters at December 14, 2006 07:36 AM

One thing that's different about the panic button on my car key is that it says "HOLD" under "PANIC".

I'm not going to test it, but I'm guessing either the delay is set to longer than the average amount of time the driver squeezes the key when starting the car, or maybe the panic button simply doesn't work when the key is in the ignition (after all, once you're in the driver's seat, you have other ways of beeping the horn and flashing the lights).

Posted by: Sashazur at December 14, 2006 02:33 PM

NINTH!

Posted by: Spency at January 11, 2007 08:54 PM

Fastolfe, are you kidding me when you say "I just started holding it differently and I don't have that problem anymore."? The point of this website is that technology should be adapted (designed) to humans, not humans should adapt to technology (and broken designs). Geez.

Posted by: I-am-Usable at January 31, 2007 02:43 PM