What is the point of the ignition key lock?

[master hec0]

so my 87 bronco II and my 97 Ranger both have key locks. meaning i can remove the key from the ignition unless i push the white button under the steering wheel or push the black lever on the steering column on my ranger.
what exactly is the point of incorporating this system into the vehicle? it just seems to be a minor inconvenience to me.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

so u wont take the key while the engine is running because the steering wheel will lock if u turn it.

 

[gwaii]

it prevents you from accidentally locking the steering column while moving.on automatics,the lock position can only be accesed in park or neutral.on manuals,you can shut off the engine while moving,but must make a deliberate move to lock the column.

 

[master hec0]

so how come not all vehicles have this? my dads 01 ranger doesn't have it.

 

[gwaii]

is it standard or auto?

 

[master hec0]

my bronco II is auto and my 97 ranger is standard and the 01 is automatic

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

i think autos dont have this

 

[gwaii]

that's why.as i already stated,an auto can only lock in park or neutral.this takes the place of the lever or button.on your b2 the floor shifter is not linked to the column.so it's treated as a manual would be.

 

[master hec0]

ok i understand. now was this just a safety precaution by ford or a requirement by law?

i ask because my 83 mercedes does not have this lock system and it is also floor shift and I know that the steering wheel can lock while driving.......

 

[gwaii]

not sure...it may just be north america.

but you'll note the on the mercedes you need to go back to the off position before trying to start again...they all have their silly little things.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

i think that mostly american cars have it, cuz my tercel didnt, nor my bro's mitsubishi

 

[Sunk]

On both my Dad's and my friend's old 94 Rangers, you could remove the key while in the on position. If the engine was off you could still start it, and drive it. One was auto, one manual.

 

[master hec0]

yep my dads 01 the key has worn out so much that it can be inserted started and then removed while running. its almost completely V shaped with little to no humps on it. we had to actually go to ford so they could get another key cut from there database because it was too worn.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

My friends Blazer was like that... her was so friggin confused when he came out from school and his truck was in the police lot.

 

[adsm08]

I think for the sake of standardization all the 1st gens had the key lock. I was out at Kip's place yesterday and noticed that the One Eyed Beast has it too even though it's an autotragic.

Newer ones don't seem to have it anymore. More standardization maybe. Maybe they just had to dumb the cars down for people.