| 100% | WIRE | 4 | Hot-___ (start without the car key) |
| 73% | WIRE | 4 | Hot-___ (start a car without a key or fob) |
| 70% | HOTWIRES | 8 | Starts a car without a key |
| 62% | HOTWIRED | 8 | Illegally started a car without a key: Hyph. |
| 61% | HOTWIRE | 7 | Start an engine without the key: Hyph. |
| 57% | LETSDRIVE | 9 | Gives the car keys |
| 55% | HOTWIRE | 7 | Start without a key |
| 55% | HOTWIRES | 8 | Starts without a key |
| 54% | HOTWIRES | 8 | Starts without a key, say |
| 48% | IDLED | 5 | Started the car, but kept it in park |
| 46% | PERK | 4 | Company car or key to the executive bathroom |
| 45% | IGNITION | 8 | Process or key turn responsible for starting a car |
| 44% | TAR | 3 | Title movie character who claims, "You cannot start without me. I start the clock." |
| 44% | BRB | 3 | “Don’t start the next round of Fortnite without me” |
| 44% | IDLERS | 6 | Funny cars, right before the Christmas tree starts changing color |
| 43% | KEY | 3 | What you turn in the ignition switch to start a car |
| 43% | DOWN | 4 | (2/6) ... With 21a, the car won't start anymore. We need a bit of help! |
| 42% | SEAT | 4 | Behind the car ___, location in your vehicle where you may find loose change and lost keys |
| 42% | IGNITION | 8 | Part of a vehicle the key is pushed in to start it |
| 42% | FOB | 3 | Gizmo that might be the key to getting you in your car? |
| 41% | CHRISTMAS | 9 | Word that can precede the starts of eight key words in this puzzle |
| 41% | IGNITION | 8 | The moment a fire starts; __ key starts an engine |
| 41% | CHAN | 4 | "The House Without a Key" hero |
| 40% | PACE | 4 | It's what the lead car at the start of a NASCAR race sets |
| 40% | LOCK | 4 | Car key button |
| 40% | HOTWIRE | 7 | Start without permission? |
| 40% | PLUNGEINTO | 10 | Start without hesitation |
| 40% | UNABLE | 6 | Without the wherewithal |
| 40% | RICOCASEK | 9 | The Cars frontman |
| 40% | FOURALARM | 9 | Hot chili designation, and a literal description of the starts of 17-, 25-, 35- and 51-Across |