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Comment by lisper | Hacker News Reader

I prefer to start my car by turning a key. I like to be able to turn my engine off but leave the radio on.

Keyless cars let you do that. Typically, on an automatic, the car decides between starting the engine or just having the radio based on whether you are pressing on the foot brake pedal at the same time or not.

Sure, but when you arrive at your destination you (typically) can't turn the engine off without turning the radio off too.

On my vehicle (Ford Explorer) the radio doesn't turn off until someone opens the door.

My Mazda will keep the radio on if you turn the car off while it's in gear or neutral. Then you can put the car in park, and the radio will stay on until you hit the ignition button again.

That sounds like a bug.

Edit: after reading some Mazda forums, it looks like you can just hold the shift button (if you have an automatic) while on park to make the radio stay on, no need for neutral or other gear. You might want to try that.

Every single push-button start car I've driven has the ability of "engine off, radio on". On the downside my current car (2012 Mini Cooper S - push-button start) will only play the radio for about 10 minutes (??) after the engine is turned off.

Cars with push buttons have ways to access ACC mode too, but they differ so you will usually need a manual to find out how.

My push to start car does this if you push the button without applying the brake.

Sure, but when you arrive at your destination you (typically) can't turn the engine off without turning the radio off too.

My VW keeps the radio on until the driver opens their door; passengers can get out with the engine off and the radio keeps playing, which is nice.

My wife's requires an odd sequence of button and brake pushes to make it happen, but it's possible.

>My wife's requires an odd sequence of button and brake pushes to make it happen, but it's possible.

Have you tried electronics? 5,000 RPM should do the trick. 7,000 RPM for those extra-tough jobs.

And I've heard it's much easier to make it happen in ehm... older cars.

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