Why you should never fasten other keys to your car’s ignition key
Your vehicle’s ignition key is a crucial tool for mobility and convenience. However, a common practice that seems harmless—attaching extra keys to your car’s ignition key—can have significant consequences for safety, performance, and the overall lifespan of your vehicle.
The Weight Dilemma
Damaging Delicate Interior Components
The weight and bulk of extra keys can wreak havoc on the delicate interior components of your ignition cylinder. Jake McKenzie, the content manager for autoaccessoriesgarage.com, warns that the ignition cylinder isn’t built to bear significant weight, and regular driving can lead to wear and tear.
Reasons to Avoid Extra Keys
1. Accelerated Wear and Tear
The ignition process involves turning the ignition cylinder, initiating a complex mechanical sequence. Attaching other keys adds unnecessary weight, leading to heightened wear and potential ignition-related issues, necessitating costly repairs.
2. Compromised Ignition System
Modern ignition systems are finely calibrated for optimal engine performance. Extra keys disrupt this balance, causing misalignment and damage to the ignition switch, resulting in malfunctions or starting difficulties.
3. Increased Risk of Ignition Switch Problems
The constant strain of multiple keys hanging from the ignition switch can lead to deterioration. This wear and tear manifest as difficulty in turning the key, start-up challenges, or complete ignition switch failure.
4. Jeopardized Vehicle Security
Consolidating keys might seem convenient but jeopardizes your vehicle’s security. In case of key loss or theft, having all your keys together provides easy access not only to your car but potentially to your home or office.
5. Increased Risk of Key Breakage
The added weight makes your ignition key more prone to breaking inside the ignition cylinder, especially when subjected to sudden impacts. Extracting a broken key can be a time-consuming and costly process.
6. Impaired Driving Experience
The weight and bulk of additional keys hanging from the ignition key can make driving less comfortable and even distracting. Moreover, constant swinging and jostling can damage your vehicle’s interior components over time.
7. Warranty and Insurance Implications
Some vehicle manufacturers and insurance providers might void your warranty or coverage if ignition-related issues arise due to attached extra keys.
In conclusion, the seemingly harmless act of fastening extra keys to your car’s ignition key can lead to a cascade of problems. From accelerated wear and tear to compromised security, the risks far outweigh the convenience.
