If I took the key out of the ignition when driving would the car stop?

Question

I'm curious to know the answer to this! The ignition's only necessary to get the battery to start the car? So if the car's going does the ignition need to be turned?

I am honestly not as clueless as I sound! Just don't know very much about cars :)

Answer 1

If you turned the ignition off when driving the car motor will stop. The same as when you stop the car and turn the ignition off, nothing different. No matter what people think, there is absolutely nothing to stop you doing this. Another thing is the steering lock would also then activate and lock the wheel in one position. You would not be able to steer the car once it engages.
You should not be able to take the key out of the ignition without turning it off unless the car is really old and the ignition switch badly worn.

Answer 2

As other answers have stated, you can't take the key out of the ignition in a modern automatic-transmission vehicle without shifting into park, which would have a much more noticeable and immediate effect than just turning off the key. But it could be done, in theory, if you had a manual transmission, pressed the clutch, shifted out of gear, then turned off the key. The immediate effect would be that your engine would stop running. You would lose power steering and power brakes, making it harder (but not impossible) to steer and stop.

There are four different circuits that can be activated by the key switch, though all four are never activated all at the same time. The four are:
--Starter circuit: powered only when the key is in the "START" position, and no other time. This circuit activates the starter solenoid, which activates the starter.
--Ignition 1: powered when the key is in the "ON" position or the "START" position. This provides power to components that are necessary to keep the engine running, like engine and power-train control modules or the fuel pump. If there's no power on this circuit, the engine won't start or run.
--Ignition 2: powered only when the key is in the "ON" position. Loses power when the key is in the "START" position. This circuit provides power to some electrical devices in your vehicle that aren't required to run the engine. Examples are air conditioning and climate control systems, or airbag control modules. Your engine will still run without this circuit being powered.
--Accessory: powered in the "ACC" and "ON" key positions. This wire typically powers devices that you may want to use with the engine on or off; ie, radio, windshield wipers, and sometimes the cigarette lighter. The engine will run without power on this circuit.

Finally, if your ignition switch was broken so that you could remove the key without turning off the switch, it would probably have no effect on the vehicle unless your car has a key-based anti-theft system. In this case it would probably just pop up a "security" indicator on the instrument panel.

Answer 3

In order to remove the key you have to turn the key to the off position. Most newer cars will not allow the key to the lock position while the car is in gear. So you will not be able to remove the key. You will however effectively turn the motor off. If you have power steering you will loose some control of your car. Not to mention have a more difficult time stopping. The power brakes rely on the vacuum of the engine to run correctly. It can be a fun adventure. This is good to know in the event that your throttle becomes stuck in the wide open position. If you ever find you car will not stop accelerating you can turn the key to shut the engine down and then slowly move over to the shoulder and stop the car. Hope this helps with you answer.

Answer 4

Pulling the key while the car is driving is possible, however, you lock the steering wheel and lose control of the vehicle. The car should NOT be moving if you need to kill the engine with the ignition off. Just turning the key "Off" locks the steering wheel when the steering is rotated within the locking position, so that you need to instantly get the key turned back in the "Running" position to steer with a freed steering wheel.

Answer 5

You cannot take the key out of the ignition without locking the steering wheel, which points the wheels at a slight angle. In many cases, you can only take the key out when the car is in Park. And if you turn the key to be able to take it out you turn the car off.

Back in about 1958 you COULD do this. I remember once my father took the key out while we were riding along. In today's newer cars with ignition locks this is utterly impossible.

Answer 6

If its a petroleum engine and its performed a severe mileage then it will be a situation call pre-ignition that's brought about by technique of a construction up of carbon deposits contained in the cylinder which get warm sufficient to ignite the gasoline blend and reason the engine to run on after the ignition has been switched off. the in elementary words remedy is to eliminate the cylinder head a do a de-coke.

Answer 7

Most cars won't let you turn off the ignition while the car is driving. I'm sure some cars would let you to, but the great majority won't.

I suppose if you were able to do that the car would stop.

Answer 8

In the old days, what you said would be true. But with all the computers and gimmicks on cars today, turning the key off would stop the car in it's tracks.

Answer 9

depends really... common car wont allow that due to safety issues. im my car, i use a remote start therefore i dont really need the key to start the engine.

its better if you experiment it on your own car just to have the thrill. just make sure you dont turn your keys the other way.

Answer 10

Turning the key off kills the electrical system and effectively kills the spark to the engine and the car itself.