[pilot1226]

So, looking at the cars101 and official Ascent page, I'm noticing the premium and base have "analog" instrument cluster, whereas the Limited and Touring have the "Electroluminescent" ones. Anyone have pics or know differences between these? I'm leaning towards Premium right now as I favor a keyed ignition and manual rear gate - but curious about the instrumentation.

 

[pilot1226]

Could these be the differences? Limited and touring have a blue needle, that’s it?

 

[jacket4256]

that could be the difference in the two hopefully someone will chime in and let us know.


I am just curious why you like a keyed ignition over push button ?? I know for me I have had a pushbutton for so long now when I do drive my cars that do not have that then I am bad about leaving the keys in the ignition.

 

[Sparkland]

What? Subaru got rid of their bright red instrument panel lighting? No way. I do prefer the subtle blue. I actually returned a car once (the dealer did have 5 day return period on new cars) because of the red dash panel lights, among other things. It was the redesigned 2014 Mazda 5.

 

[pilot1226]

Habit, I guess. With the keys in the ignition I won’t misplace them. My wife’s daily driver is a keyless start and she often misplaces the keys. We’ve had the car for a few years now so it’s not just a learning curve type of thing.

And the batteries have to get replaced yearly.

 

[EMDSS]

I am just curious why you like a keyed ignition over push button ?

For me (even having owned a push button start car for two years) it is easier with a keyed ignition to know it is off. Also it is easier to get to ACC mode no matter which mode you were in prior. It is also certain when the car is off. I'd actually love a version where you could keep the key in your pocket but had a switch for Off, ACC, On. With a rental I did forget to turn the car off until I had exited and still heard the engine. People have done this in enclosed garages with disastrous results. That is my take on it. Push button start definitely has some advantages, but there are these drawbacks.

 

[Tony Yarusso]

I prefer a key because:
1) Less can go wrong if they get wet.
2) They're less bulky in your pocket.
3) Even if the electronics are totally shot I can still get into the car.
4) I can get a plain metal (zero electronics) key for just the doors and glovebox cut at the local hardware store and take that out on the water with me while leaving the real key locked away in the glovebox, whereas the little emergency keys in fobs are tiny and hard to use (and easy to lose) and usually laser-cut so you can't go get a regular one made easily.
5) I can easily leave the car running but locked to keep the AC going for my dog while I pop into a store if necessary, again taking my hardware-store-cut key along. Some of the fob systems seem to freak out whenever you try to leave the fob behind, not letting you lock the doors with them inside and such. I'm not really sure what Subaru's behavior is for that.

It's super annoying that Subaru makes the keyless access / push-button start required on higher trim levels. Make it the default all you want, but give me the option to "downgrade" to normal keys please!

 

[Nemesis099]

I prefer a key because:
1) Less can go wrong if they get wet.
2) They're less bulky in your pocket.
3) Even if the electronics are totally shot I can still get into the car.
4) I can get a plain metal (zero electronics) key for just the doors and glovebox cut at the local hardware store and take that out on the water with me while leaving the real key locked away in the glovebox, whereas the little emergency keys in fobs are tiny and hard to use (and easy to lose) and usually laser-cut so you can't go get a regular one made easily.
5) I can easily leave the car running but locked to keep the AC going for my dog while I pop into a store if necessary, again taking my hardware-store-cut key along. Some of the fob systems seem to freak out whenever you try to leave the fob behind, not letting you lock the doors with them inside and such. I'm not really sure what Subaru's behavior is for that.

It's super annoying that Subaru makes the keyless access / push-button start required on higher trim levels. Make it the default all you want, but give me the option to "downgrade" to normal keys please!

1)actually a lot of new keys have electronics in them and can't get wet. I'm pretty sure my bare bones 2005 Xterra key even says not to submerge in water.

2)debatable it is easier to have a key fob in my pocket then a key with a sharp edge that can jab my leg.

3) True but I think all have manual overrides or else you can't get in if the battery dies.

4) True as well and while your situation might need that the majority of people seem to not care about that. Counterpoint you can always have a watertight compartment that you put the fob or key with your stuff that floats so you don't loose it. Or buy a Land Rover Discovery where you can get a waterproof band that can unlock the SUV.

5) Partially true but that is also car dependent. I think my wife's car I was able to lock without a key fob in the car with it running.

Last point is that most other manufacturers are moving towards this system and Subaru is following this trend. The truth being is that most people want it. I can understand that you don't but most including myself do.

I will say that I thought these were ridiculously stupid when my parents got it in a car in 2005. It was part of the tech package so forced upon them with other options they wanted. After about 6 months they only drove that car because of how convenient it was to not have to take out a key anymore.

 

[Tishers]

3) Even if the electronics are totally shot I can still get into the car.
4) I can get a plain metal (zero electronics) key for just the doors and glovebox cut at the local hardware store and take that out on the water with me while leaving the real key locked away in the glovebox, whereas the little emergency keys in fobs are tiny and hard to use (and easy to lose) and usually laser-cut so you can't go get a regular one made easily.
5) I can easily leave the car running but locked to keep the AC going for my dog while I pop into a store if necessary, again taking my hardware-store-cut key along. Some of the fob systems seem to freak out whenever you try to leave the fob behind, not letting you lock the doors with them inside and such. I'm not really sure what Subaru's behavior is for that.

Inside of each key-fob there is a mechanical key that you can use to unlock the door. If you are doing something were you are going to get wet then leave the electronic key in the car and take just the insert mechanical key.

On the back of each fob is a little latch that disconnects the mechanical key. To use it, pull the door handle and look on the gap that opens up; There is a key slot.

A suggestion would be to use an aluminum mints tin (the round top ones work best where the entire thing is shielded). Put the key fob in the mints tin and lock it in the glove box. That way the car does not detect the electronic key so it does not drain the battery as the car constantly talks to it. Also the vehicle will be more compliant in mechanically locking the door because it does not sense that the electronic key is in the car.

 

[Trey T]

"electro - luminescent" sounds like the lights are characterized by colors of electricity (i.e. purple, blue, green, etc...). I thinking they're basically the same

As for the key, I like metal keys simply because I want to add aftermarket remote start. The push button start key fob is too bulky to go w/ the remote start key fob

 

[Robert.Mauro]

The Limited gauges are analog, but the gauge markings and needles glow. I presume the Touring does too, but haven't seen it in little enough light to tell.