Why you should never fasten other keys to your car’s ignition key

Your car’s ignition key is more than just a means to start your vehicle—it’s a crucial tool for mobility and convenience. However, the common practice of adding extra keys to your car’s ignition key can lead to significant consequences that affect safety, performance, and the overall lifespan of your vehicle.

The additional weight and bulk of extra keys can harm the delicate internal components of your ignition cylinder. Experts like Jake McKenzie, the content manager for autoaccessoriesgarage.com, highlight that the ignition cylinder isn’t designed to handle heavy loads. When laden with bulky keychains, the constant jostling during regular driving—such as bumps, turns, and vibrations—gradually wears down the intricate inner mechanisms.

Here are several reasons why attaching other keys to your ignition key is not advisable:

1. Accelerated Wear and Tear:
   • The ignition process involves turning the ignition cylinder with your key, initiating a complex mechanical sequence. Adding extra keys increases weight and stress on the ignition mechanism, leading to heightened wear and potential issues, necessitating costly repairs or replacements.
2. Compromised Ignition System:
   • Modern ignition systems are finely tuned for optimal engine performance and fuel efficiency. Extra keys disrupt this balance, potentially causing misalignment and damage to the ignition switch, resulting in malfunctions, starting difficulties, or electrical problems.
3. Increased Risk of Ignition Switch Problems:
   • The ignition switch isn’t designed to withstand the strain of multiple keys hanging from it. Constant movement can lead to internal component deterioration, resulting in key-turning difficulties, start-up challenges, or complete switch failure, leaving you stranded.
4. Jeopardized Vehicle Security:
   • Consolidating keys may seem convenient but compromises security. If your keys are lost or stolen, having all keys together provides easy access not only to your car but also potentially to your home or office.
5. Increased Risk of Key Breakage:
   • Additional keys make the ignition key longer and heavier, increasing the likelihood of breakage inside the cylinder, especially during sudden impacts. Extracting a broken key can be time-consuming and expensive.
6. Impaired Driving Experience:
   • The added weight and bulk can make driving uncomfortable and distracting. Moreover, constant swinging and jostling can damage interior components over time.
7. Warranty and Insurance Implications:
   • Some warranties or insurance policies may have clauses regarding vehicle modifications. Attaching extra keys could potentially void coverage if ignition-related issues occur.