Does the start button prevent accidental starter engagement while the engine is running?
Had always wondered why modern, key start, vehicles didn't have feature which disabled the starter if the engine was running and am interested to know if the start button set up finally addresses this.

 

yes it does

 

^what he said.

 

I think you have to press it three consecutive times for the engine to stop while driving.

 

Yes it does. If the car is running and not in gear and you push the button the car shuts off so yeah impossible to engage the starter while running.

 

No, you just have to hold it down for about 3 seconds. I actually tried this out the other day out of curiosity.

 

As noted pushing the start button will not engage the starter.

BTW, some modern cars with key start DO prevent the starter from engaging. My 2000 Corvette did not allow the starter to engage if the car was running. In fact, if I turned the key while the engine was running the dashboard would go through it's initialization routine (guages would sweep). My guess is any modern car with multiple computer modules including a Body Control Module which controls the interior electronics will operate in this same way.

 

Hmmm...I never knew that.

This video shows Edmunds testing a Mazda with a push button start and finding different ways to turn it off while in motion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFm047FUifQ

 

It's in the owner's manual. Either hold the button for 2 seconds or hit it 3 consecutive times to shut the engine in an emergency while driving.