Ford survey - replacing key fobs with a smart phone app only

[Tigger]

I am in downtown Chicago a lot and I always use valets at restaurants, hotels, etc. I’m not sure how this would work without a key fob. But in general, I like this idea.

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[Mark S.]

If the vehicle is parked at say your favorite mountain climbing location and has the Securicode keypad, the thief will assume that keyfob is in the vehicle and (after gaining entry) if it won’t immediately start, a quick search will locate that faraday pouch unless you lock the pouch in your vehicles safe then the thief will make quick access to the locked safe and have everything in the safe as well.

Or do you feel your hiding place for the faraday pouch is so secure it will outsmart the thief and if so please share where you hide it so we can all adopt your solution.

I'm not sure I agree a thief would automatically assume the fob is in the vehicle inside a pouch. Even if they do, the horn will sound the entire time they spend searching (for cars equipped with the perimeter alarm like mine).

I get your point: no security system is perfect. Even if you take the fob with you a competent, motivated thief can steal your vehicle. It's about making yourself as hard a target as possible. If you choose to leave the fob in your car having it in a faraday pouch makes it that much harder for a thief.

P.S. You think I'm going to share my hiding place publicly?

 

[Dude]

P.S. You think I'm going to share my hiding place publicly?

Nope I didn’t and I was going to ask which faraday pouch you purchased/recommended bc I saw some with reviews stating that the flap wore over time which allows the RF signal to leak out of a closed pouch thus rendering the pouch useless.

but I didn’t think you would reveal which one you had because every bit of info (including that you have a pouch) leaks a bit of personal data lol

btw… based on this second time you posted about faraday pouches I ordered one earlier today.

Thanks for RE-enforcing the info in your 2nd posting!

 

[Mark S.]

...some with reviews stating that the flap wore over time which allows the RF signal to leak out of a closed pouch thus rendering the pouch useless.

IF I use a pouch, I would always lock using the interior lock button instead of the Securicode keypad. If the car can see the fob and you close the door after locking it, the car will unlock and sound the horn. If it doesn't you know the pouch is secure.

 

[Scott_Anderson_]

That sucks. I hope you get it figured out ?

Thank you. Found the fob.

 

[Dude]

IF I use a pouch, I would always lock using the interior lock button instead of the Securicode keypad. If the car can see the fob and you close the door after locking it, the car will unlock and sound the horn. If it doesn't you know the pouch is secure.

Ahhh yes! All bases covered!!

 

[magicbus]

Whew… so much easier living on an island. If your BS is stolen you just call the ferry operator and there is no place for it to go!

 

[Bucko]

I'm selfish. When something like this comes around, I wait for 6 months to a year before I jump on it, to see if there are any bugs or other issues prior to me accepting it.

This Idea of having it on an app has me wanting to wait to see if this will be the case for waiting.

 

[BodieBronco]

I have heard of people with teslas not being able to open their cars in some situations (like out of cell phone range) when they choose to use their app instead of key.
I want a physical key as an option. I don't want it to go completely away.

 

[Rubber Ducky]

I suppose I am the only boomer on this site that actually still prefers a physical key. There is always one of us!

 

[thor52879]

Yeah… I like the Ford Pass app, but I get a little worried that I am going to inadvertently turn on my car when I am thumbing through it.

Depending where I’m at, it could range from being inconvenient to a real problem.

You have to hold the button down for seven seconds

 

[davidg4781]

I suppose I am the only boomer on this site that actually still prefers a physical key. There is always one of us!

Just curious… why do you prefer a physical key? I’ve used one until a couple of weeks ago.

It feels easy walking up to the car, opening the door, getting in, hitting power, and off I go.

 

[Rubber Ducky]

Just curious… why do you prefer a physical key? I’ve used one until a couple of weeks ago.

It feels easy walking up to the car, opening the door, getting in, hitting power, and off I go.

My key fobs batteries died as luck would have it, when I was out in the middle of nowhere. There is a spare key, but only to open the doors, There should be an emergency to start up the vehicle in cases like what happened with me. I guess I am just old school. I am the the guy that would take a 65 F 150 over a new one.

 

[Dude]

My key fobs batteries died as luck would have it, when I was out in the middle of nowhere. There is a spare key, but only to open the doors, There should be an emergency to start up the vehicle in cases like what happened with me. I guess I am just old school. I am the the guy that would take a 65 F 150 over a new one.

There is an emergency startup procedure documented in the owners manual or see Ford’s USING A DEAD KEY FOB video:

https://www.ford.com/support/vehicle/bronco-sport/2021/how-to-videos/video-library/keys-and-locks/6237399824001?name=using-a-dead-key-fob

 

[dbsb3233]

So I've received a "Do you still like your Bronco Sport?" survey via email from Ford. Part of the survey requested feedback on the concept of a smart phone app completely replacing key fobs or keys. Am I the only person thinking this is an incredibly horrible idea? Phone dies, breaks, gets lost, gets stolen? Even if you're not locked out, you're definitely not driving anywhere.

You're not the only one. My Mach-E came with only one fob plus PAAK (Phone-As-A-Key). PAAK mostly works, but I don't want "mostly works" when it comes to getting into and starting my car. Fobs are far more dependable, proven tech. Nothing wrong with offering PAAK too, but not to end fobs.

And it's not just the car that can be the problem. Cell phone bluetooth often has issues. And sometimes people simply have issues with their phone locking up, or the battery being dead. Bad idea to make that the ONLY key that starts the car.

Ford realized their mistake with the Mach-E and included a 2nd fob in later builds. And gave a 2nd fob to any early buyers that only got one.

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