Technological irritant

One of my original electronic car keys went bad recently. I thought maybe the battery in the key had expired. And I thought I could replace the battery at Wal-Mart for a few dollars.

So much for what I thought. Since no one at Wal-Mart could open the key to remove the supposedly expired battery, I went to a dealership with my problem. There it took a wait of 2 ½ hours and a bill for $312.43 before I had two working keys again.

Can’t help wondering what the benefit is that I enjoy at such a high cost. Certainly not convenience. So what if an electronic key enables me to lock and unlock my car from across the street? How much is that worth?

Is my car any better protected from auto theft? Maybe. But, at best, it’s only a little better protected. I’ve been driving all my adult life and never have had a car stolen from me.

I’m forced to conclude that someone over-engineered my car at great cost to me and almost no benefit.

So the next time I shop for a car, you can be sure that my very first criterion in selecting one will be whether a replacement car key for it will be made of solid metal and cost me about $3 or will have to be a $300 gadget. I’m thankful that at least some car manufacturers are still producing the former. BILL SHEPHERD Little Rock