Automotive Fact or Fiction? Can Too Many Keys Cause Intermittent Starting Problems?

FACT—There is some truth to this age-old myth.

America's fascination with owning more than one automobile, house, investment property, job or career has created the need to carry more and more keys. If you carry a large key chain and have it hang from your car’s ignition switch you could be causing damage which will need to be repaired at an auto repair shop at some point.

If you carry more than fourto eight keys on your key ring, you may damaging sensitive internal ignition switch parts. The weight of a heavy key chain can pull downward on the ignition key/steering lock, causing the barrels inside the lock to wear down. Once these internal parts start wearing down, this is when you may start experiencing intermittent starting problems.

What can you do to avoid this problem?

Lighten up the load on your key chain. Only allow the car key in the ignition while driving. Why? While you are driving the automobile, the constant downward pressure and swinging back and forth can cause damage. If you cannot part with your key chain, purchase a key chain that allows you to disengage the unnecessary keys from the key chain while you are driving.

In addition to serving Geneva IL, Auto Therapy-Full Service Auto Repair serves the following surrounding areas, St. Charles, Aurora, West Chicago, Batavia, Kaneville, Elburn and North Aurora.

Tony Rudny
ASE Certified Master Mechanic

Auto Therapy
560 Lark St, Geneva IL. 60134
630-208-1111
Website: www.automotivetherapy.com
Facebook: Tony Rudny or Auto Therapy
Twitter: @TonyRudnyASE