# How much weight can ignition hold?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-much-weight-can-ignition-hold/18322>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 18, 2008, 1:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-much-weight-can-ignition-hold/18322 "2008-08-18T01:11:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dhogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dhogue](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dhogue)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 1:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-much-weight-can-ignition-hold/18322/1 "2008-08-18T01:11:48Z")

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How much weight can the ignition safely hold before problems can occur? My wife has a wallet on the end of her key ring which dangles from the ignition. I am concerned that it may be too heavy and could put unnecessary wear on the ignition or the key. I weighed it on a postal scale, and the wallet – without the keys – weighs 8 oz (which is more impressive when you say ‘half a pound’). We have a 1999 Subaru Legacy.  
  
  
  
 Do others share this concern.

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**Author:** ![Roadrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Roadrunner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Roadrunner)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 1:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-much-weight-can-ignition-hold/18322/2 "2008-08-18T01:44:53Z")

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A remote and key along with a house key is all that is needed on a key ring.

You are correct in that too much key ring weight will eventually damage the cylinder components.

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**Author:** ![Dave\_G](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dave_g/32/768_2.png) [@Dave\_G](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Dave_G)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 3:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-much-weight-can-ignition-hold/18322/3 "2008-08-18T03:07:37Z")

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Too much weight will accelerate wear-lighten up that chain.

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 10:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-much-weight-can-ignition-hold/18322/4 "2008-08-18T10:30:33Z")

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More than…let’s say…a remote and about 6 or 7 keys is more of a load than the ignition lock cylinder is designed to accomodate. Your wife is putting WAY too much weight on the cylinder and this will cause damage.

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2008, 11:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-much-weight-can-ignition-hold/18322/5 "2008-08-18T11:21:08Z")

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There is no specific amount. The more weight the more wear. In time even a little weight will do it. It is also true that some locks will last longer than others. It would appear your wife is adding a lot of wear and I would guess it is beyond design weight.