PAAK Should I Even Bother?

[Gullwingdmc]

I just got my car on Thursday. I had a little trouble getting it to activate in Ford Pass, but it eventually went through. I called support while I was waiting and they said there was an SSM on the car which could cause that problem, but it did eventually work. Since then everything has been great! Wireless CarPlay works flawlessly and the fob works just like it should. I have the option to enable PAAK, but I have been afraid to do it. I’ve seen so many bad stories on here about it not working and potentially causing issues with wireless CarPlay.

I’m leaning towards trying it this week, if only to set the backup code. Then maybe disabling it if it causes issues.

What does everyone think?

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[SnBGC]

I enabled it to set the start code. Then tried using it for almost 2 weeks. It was so unreliable that I went back to using the fob. I think it is worth setting up and see how it works for you. I am not aware of any issues with CarPlay so someone else will have to comment on that issue.

PaaK might work fine for you, especially if you only enter and start your car a couple times per day. I enter and exit my car dozens of times per day so waiting for PaaK to connect was bothersome for me. Everyone seems to have a slightly different experience so I think it is worth trying out just to see what happens.

 

[dml105]

PaaK works for me more than 90% of the time. Sometimes I have to open the Fordpass app to get it to whirl.

I typically use my fob, but Paak has been a good backup because I not so infrequently forget my keys and I'm too lazy to go back upstairs to get them when I'm dealing with a screaming kid.

 

[AllenXS]

Works well for many people. Give it a go.

 

[Dafstang]

Since the latest update I have been using PAAK only and I would say it works all the time. THere are times where I need to push the door twice or take out my phone but I am confident in not bringing the keyfob

 

[mpshizzle]

Agreed! For me (post SSM) it works very well. On occasion it's slightly slower than the physical key, but works very well.

I can't speak to car play but wireless AA is just as crappy as before. No change there

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

PaaK might work fine for you, especially if you only enter and start your car a couple times per day. I enter and exit my car dozens of times per day so waiting for PaaK to connect was bothersome for me. Everyone seems to have a slightly different experience so I think it is worth trying out just to see what happens.

That’s a good point. I find PAAK works 99% of the time just as advertised. The 1% is when I’ve been coming and going to the car multiple times in a short period of time.

I also only drive it once a day at most (it’s been sitting for 3 days now. ?)

 

[krafty81]

Your choice. I am totally happy w just the fob.

 

[ChasingCoral]

PaaK reliability has improved. I never carry the fob and my Car Play works fine.

 

[generaltso]

If you think you might like PaaK, you should try it. Not doing so because some people on a forum had issues with it doesn’t make sense since you might miss out on a feature that may have worked perfectly for you. If it’s not reliable for you, you can just stop using it. PaaK doesn’t affect CarPlay.

As a datapoint, PaaK was unreliable for me until I had the SSM performed. Now I don’t carry the fob.

 

[Infinite_Jester]

Mine works great. I don’t carry the fob. I drive once or twice a day. CarPlay works great too.
Mine was built mid April and delivered mid May, for what it’s worth.

 

[Illinibird]

My PaaK works great 95% of the time with no interference with Car Play. When I have trouble it gives me the Key Undetected error so I would use the backup code but I carry my FOB because PaaK isn't 100% yet. I had SSM done also which did improve reliability.

 

[Gullwingdmc]

Thanks everyone. I’ll give it a try this week and see if it works. I’m more concerned I’ll have problems setting it up after the bad experience I had adding the car to Ford Pass.

Is there any way to tell if my car has the SSM without taking it to a dealership? I just took delivery 4 days ago, built at the end of April.

 

[Carsinmyblood]

My wallet and fob are always in one of two places, my pocket or my bureau in the top right drawer. So, when I grab the fob I can't leave the house without at least seeing my wallet. Paak will make it an absolute certainty that I'll go shopping without my wallet at least one time, and hopefully only one time.

 

[hitchhiker]

My wallet and fob are always in one of two places, my pocket or my bureau in the top right drawer. So, when I grab the fob I can't leave the house without at least seeing my wallet. Paak will make it an absolute certainty that I'll go shopping without my wallet at least one time, and hopefully only one time.

I just keep my wallet in the glove box for that reason, and carry a couple cards in a Magsafe wallet stuck to the back of my phone. Also keep backup house keys in there in case the garage door opener and/or August lock fail for some reason. I like only having to remember to grab my phone when I leave.

Mine is a December 2020 build, no issues with PaaK, Carplay or wireless charging (though I do have to remove the Magsafe wallet for that).

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