2009 Audi S5: Put My Start Button on the Dash

Oddly, I don't remember the shifter being that hot. Perhaps, I grabbed it gingerly around the side. I'll check it out the next time I drive the S5. -- Erin Riches

If it were on the dash wouldn't it reflect glare when you're driving?

i do have this thing about metal keys...i worked on a 90's chevy caprice which had sat out in the sun all day and the ignition was actually hot enough to burn me. either the key should be big enough to turn or the ignition cant be metal. same with these buttons

My car has a keyless start, and it absolutely drives me crazy. I may sound like an idiot, but the keyless, go I sometimes forget about the keys in the car.

For me that would be a "1% of the time" type of issue. Having used vehicles with the button on the dash and Audis with the button on the centre console, I think that the Audi setup is better. My hand is already there to shift the car into neutral prior to starting it as well as to release the parking brake so it's convenient to have the starter button right there as well.

having never had a vehicle or been in a vehicle with push button start, I don't know what the big deal is. Dash vs. console. Sounds like a moot point to me.

However, one of my vehicles has the the ignition KEY slot on the dash, the other two on the steering column where I have always had them. When we got the car with the ignition on the dash it took a bit to get used to it. Now, though it doesn't really affect me. I couldn't care either way. As long as it starts the car and isn't in the back seat I could care less whether the ignition was on the dash, steering column or center console.

My old E-150 van had the ignition on the dash - lower left corner by the driver's door. Pretty weird at first (and now, when I think about it) but I got used to it.
I like what zc1 said - it sounds like logical placement. Maybe the material could be something different that isn't subject to getting so hot?

The bigger issue is why all these premium automakers feel the need to add the complication of push-button or keyless starting. The reliability track record of much of the fancy electronic toys is not good, and they are introducing additional fail points for what purpose? Is novelty alone sufficient here?

These toys are fun when they work, when the car is new, and everything is covered by warranty, and when the dealer is just down the road. But people who keep their cars a long time, or second-hand buyers, or those who do not live or work near a competent dealer have plenty of reason to worry.

I agree with brn that the button would be the smaller issue here. I image the shifter would be more important in choosing the right material. Looks like the Audi only has a ring of metal on the shifter so it's probably OK. The shifter on my TSX, as delightful as it is, has an aluminum top and needs to be covered with a rag in the summer it gets too hot.

In the S5 can't you use the key to start the car as you normally would in any other new Audi (i.e. insert key into slot and push) even if you have the keyless go feature? Seems like a good way to avoid the blazing hot button.

carguy622 - Dude! Don't cover it with a rag. I have the same issue with the shifter on my Civic Si. I bought some leather driving gloves off of Amazon, and I wear them when its hot outside and my shifter is scalding. That way I look totally wicked AND I don't get fried. Its win-win. Sure my wife tells me I'm a tool everytime I put them on, but she doesn't get it. She doesn't know. Guys like us...we know. We know.

The shifter has a relatively small amount of metal. That's why I never want an all metal shift knob though. It wouldn't do well for my flesh in the Texas sun.

@crobb - do you wear both gloves because of the hot shifter?

Erin has man hands!!

crowb... Well I don't cover it with a rag while I'm driving, just while it's parked, that would be ghetto. Although I could totally sport leather driving gloves, the shifter, with the leather and aluminum construction, has such a great feel in the hand I want direct contact. I could make an analogue here that goes right into the gutter but I won't...this time.

I'm just glad I snatched up a previous gen. TSX with a manual.

@compliance: So I'm going to guess you have woman hands. Thanks for the compliment. -- Erin Riches

My hands are a bit dainty :)

.. oh my.. your one hot little button aren't you.. LOL I agree.. on the dash it just looks better IMO

Rick - Good question. I actually only wear one glove most of the time. I only put them both on when my wife is in the car and I want to impress her. Though for some reason this has yet to work.

Carguy622 - I know exactly how you feel. I sometimes use the driving glove to cover the shifter while parked, if I can remember. I too prefer the feel of the shifter without the glove getting in the way.

Still, those gloves with the little holes over the knuckles? That's totally sweet. No one can dispute this.

Off topic, but since it's in the picture, I'm commenting? Who's wearing the retro '90s jean shorts? Those are only acceptable if you're using them to work on the car on a greasy garage floor and don't want to get normal shorts dirty. Step into the now.