Silly Little Key Fob

NHTSA has announced that Subaru is recalling 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback, 2012-2013 Impreza and 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles. The Legacy and Outback vehicles were equipped with either an automatic or CVT transmission and an audiovox remote engine starter accessory; the other vehicles were equipped with a CVT transmission and audiovox remote engine starter accessory. The problem wth all of these vehicles is that each has a key fob and if that key fob is dropped, it can start the car without the owner’s knowledge. Imagine getting back to your car and finding the engine running! On the other hand, it is possible for the car to run out of gas. Imagine getting back to your car and wondering where your gas went. If you’re lucky, the engine will shut down after 15 minutes (as it is supposed to do) and save you some gas. Subaru is supposed to replace the fobs free of charge, starting at the end of April. For additional information, owners can contact Subaru by calling 1-800-782-2783. Subaru’s campaign number is WQF-42.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Linked to Keyless Ignition Fobs

It seems that the driving public now has another problem to worry about. You know those cars that don’t have a key anymore and all you have to do is push a button to start the  engines?  Well, those same cars that have keyless ignitions are now being blamed for at least 3 deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning.  If you’ve come across the story, you know that one of the deaths occurred in New York and the other two in Florida.  In each case the  drivers did not shut off their engines after arriving home and parking their cars in their garages. Now, how in the world does this  happen?  Apparently, the keyless ignition (called a fob) is  supposed  to shut  off the engines after a specified time period of inactivity.  But, the engines did not shut down and the homes filled with carbon monoxide killing three people and seriously injuring a fourth person. Should the drivers have been responsible for shutting down their engines? Are these deaths the direct result of negligence on the part of the drivers?  Certainly, drivers are responsible for the operation of their vehicles.  But what happens when that responsibility is taken away from them?  What happens when you’re supposed to rely on some gadget to do what it’s supposed to do in order to keep you safe?  Think about it for a minute.  The auto makers want us to believe that their cars are safe.  Their ads tell us that for the sake of convenience, safety, or whatever reason, we should trust what we are told and place our lives in their hands.  So, how does someone forget to shut down their engine?  Answer: they depend on their keyless fob to do its job.