The PAAK POLL - does it “work” for you?

[Jim_In_Mass]

The poll should include an option for 'I don't use PAAK'

Or, an option like "I haven't tried PAAK because of all the reported issues with it...."

Sponsored

 

[COMachENoDecals]

I never had an issue with PAAK until after the HVJB replacement with dealer software updates. It hasn't worked since, so I didn't know exactly how to answer that. So can I get two answers? Also the FOB no longer works on only the driver side, it does on the passenger side.

2021 - GT - Job 2 - Apple iPhone

 

[Mirak]

The poll should include an option for 'I don't use PAAK'

That is Option 0 - aka don’t participate in the poll.

 

[Mirak]

Over 300 votes cast, and “PAAK works as good” or “nearly as good” as the fob still leads by a vanishingly slim margin of 50.8% to 49.2%. But still a LOT of mail in votes to be counted.

 

[Blue highway]

Over 300 votes cast, and “PAAK works as good” or “nearly as good” as the fob still leads by a vanishingly slim margin of 50.8% to 49.2%. But still a LOT of mail in votes to be counted.

The perspective is interesting.

As a sampling of one, the problems I've had since the PAAK update seem to stem from my phone. PAAK gets "fixed" when it needs it by fiddling with the phone app. (iOS)

 

[SnBGC]

Over 300 votes cast, and “PAAK works as good” or “nearly as good” as the fob still leads by a vanishingly slim margin of 50.8% to 49.2%. But still a LOT of mail in votes to be counted.

I will give it another try. Decided to install PaaK on my phone and see what happens. First try it worked fine but that was in my driveway and I was just messing with my phone. I will try it tomorrow and see if it works as good as the fob.

Stay tuned....

 

[Mach-Lee]

Couple suggestions here for PAAK issues:

Force quit ALL your apps and reboot your phone. Some people leave a ton of apps open in the background that can cause issues. PAAK relies on a very quick Bluetooth response. If there's anything else on your phone actively using Bluetooth or WiFi, it may slow the response time. Offenders could be streaming audio to headphones/AirPods, using an always-connected Bluetooth OBDII adapter, or even heavy WiFi usage at the time (e.g. don't send a photo or video right before trying to open your car).

Don't block the signal from your phone. Objects between your phone antenna and the car's antennas can block the signal too much for PAAK to work. It only accepts strong signals. A bag, purse, or even your body/hand in the wrong spot can do it. If you have issues, move the objects aside or take out your phone and hold it in your hand.

Disable all forms of power saving for FordPass on your device. The FordPass app must be running in the background. Allow background activity and disable optimize battery usage (Android). It should say battery use "not optimized". Settings vary depending on your phone OS.

Update your RFA module. If you don't have the latest RFA software from the 21B36 OTA update and have not had the dealer update it in the past 4 months, make an appointment or see a local self-updater.

PAAK may not work well in busy 2.4 GHz environments. Bluetooth shares the 2.4 GHz band with WiFi and other users. If you are in an area with a ton of WiFi cameras, APs, etc. it may not work well due to congestion.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I never had an issue with PAAK until after the HVJB replacement with dealer software updates. It hasn't worked since, so I didn't know exactly how to answer that. So can I get two answers? Also the FOB no longer works on only the driver side, it does on the passenger side.

2021 - GT - Job 2 - Apple iPhone

Hi there! Could you please send us a private message with your VIN and dealership information? I can take a look into things on my end.

 

[wmaney]

PAAK isn’t as good as a Fob p, but it works most of the time. - I guess.

Mach e GT - 2021
Apple iPhone 14 Pro

i actually can’t really say how well my iPhone consistently works as a key because I almost always carry both the iPhone and a Fob with a house key connected to the Fob by a ring. Almost never does the Fob fail to work unless the battery is dead which rarely occurs. I prefer Apple CarPlay to the in car Nav. Like to use Apple messages and music as well. Sometimes Google maps too. I like the security of knowing there is a Fob in my pocket. And given that I have just a small amount of extra weight to carry with the Fob and the house key, I don’t mind carrying the Fob, I will add an AirTag soon. Given it is cold weather time, I almost always have a vest or coat with pockets along with pants pockets so carrying both the phone and the Fob is not a problem. In warmer weather I frequently wear light weight shorts with zipper pockets.

 

[benk016]

1. At least 20% of the time, I have to wait 3 or more seconds for the car door to open.
2. 2021 Job2 GT
3. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
4. Phone in pocket like a fob. 75% of the time, it works first try. 25% of the time, I have to wait up to 15 seconds for the car to detect and let me open the door. Starting the car has been near flawless lately. I haven't used my fob, except for when I took it to the dealer, in the last 9 months.

 

[SnBGC]

I will give it another try. Decided to install PaaK on my phone and see what happens. First try it worked fine but that was in my driveway and I was just messing with my phone. I will try it tomorrow and see if it works as good as the fob.

Stay tuned....

Only using PaaK today (left the fob at home).
So far, NOT as good as the fob. I walked out to my car with my hands full and the kick to open lift gate did not work. I left my roller bag in the driveway and walked over to the driver's door to press the button and it popped open on first press. Went back to the liftgate and kick to open finally worked. Got back in the car and it started on first press. Arrived at work, walked to the back to get my computer bag and kick to open worked first try. I will continue using PaaK for my entire day and see how well it does.

So far for vehicle access we are 2 for 3 and Start button is 1 for 1. ?

For reference. The liftgate kick to open, door poppers and start button work first time every time with the fob in my pocket.

Couple of questions. When I set up PaaK on my phone last night, I got this message. Is this anything to be concerned about. I pressed the proceed button and it seemed to work fine. Later in the process I got stuck because it was asking for a PIN and I was expecting to see something on the Sync screen but I eventually figured out it was asking for the pin that my phone showed me a few screens earlier.

I am also getting this message. I already have 3 working backup start codes. 2 from my previous phones and 1 for my wife. Both of mine still work (haven't tested hers though...).
Do I need to set up ANOTHER start code for this phone? How many start codes can this car accept?

 

[Mirak]

1. PAAK isn’t as good as the fob, but I’m not having the issues below.
2. 2021 Job2 GT
3. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
4. Phone in pocket like a fob. 75% of the time, it works first try. 25% of the time, I have to wait up to 15 seconds for the car to detect and let me open the door. Starting the car has been near flawless lately. I haven't used my fob, except for when I took it to the dealer, in the last 9 months.

Your response above (bolded) doesn't seem consistent with your poll choice. You are having the issue of needing to wait at least a few seconds, at least 20% of the time, for the car to open doors. It sounds like your experience is very similar to mine.

 

[Mirak]

So far, NOT as good as the fob. I walked out to my car with my hands full and the kick to open lift gate did not work. I left my roller bag in the driveway and walked over to the driver's door to press the button and it popped open on first press. Went back to the liftgate and kick to open finally worked. Got back in the car and it started on first press. Arrived at work, walked to the back to get my computer bag and kick to open worked first try. I will continue using PaaK for my entire day and see how well it does.

Yes, it appears that the car may be using one or more cameras to detect when you have your arms full of stuff, or when you have companions, and target those times especially for PAAK not to work.

 

[RWG]

It works, sorta. We don't depend on PAAK exclusively, we have 2 key FOBs and always take one when we drive but so far, so no PAAK complaints. (Which is probably driven by the fact that we do not depend on it. )

My biggest complaint on the Ford Pass PAAK app is that the system does not update quickly. i.e. sometimes when I look at Ford Pass it suggests it has not updated with the vehicle for hours and hours. The only way I can get it to update, real time, is to remotely start the vehicle, than all the vehicle data visible on Ford Pass will update, within a few moments. My suggestion is the system should self update, every minute and/or that feature should be user configurable and/or there should be an "update button".

My other complaint is, Ford Pass seems to get updated about every 2 weeks. I get notified of the update in general marketing "spin" terms, instead of precisely what was changed and why. Then it becomes a game of "Find Waldo" as I page through the app to see what was changed. That is annoying . . . . .

I apologize that the bulk of my comments are Ford Pass related but in my view PAAK and Ford Pass are inseparable. PAAK is symbiotic with Ford Pass and when there are updates to PAAK you get notified through Ford Pass. We are all aware of the many complaints about PAAK but admittedly I have no idea how many software updates there have been, but I know there have been some.

Safety and Security concern:

When the "hacker" community decides to focus on the MME, which is the more desirable hack? i.e. to hack the Key FOB network or gain access via Bluetooth through your PAAK Smartphone system? I would offer there is a lot more valuable data to be gained by getting into a Smartphone than getting simple access to you car via a Key FOB hack.

If I successfully hack your phone and Ford Pass App, I can track your vehicle and you remotely. I can find you or your vehicle, gain access, steal your car, etc. If I get into your phone, I can get access to you IDs and PWs for anything on your phone. i.e. your Venmo, Bank Accounts, Credit Card data, etc. By default, your Key FOB has limited range and limited data transmission capability. Your Smartphone commonly contains or provides access to your entire life and connectivity is infinite compared to a Key FOB.


I am curious as to how much effort/development has been put into Ford Pass/PAAK to harden the system against hackers? There are sophisticated hacker groups that focus on low level systems purely to engage in "credential stuffing" activities, where they find poorly designed systems and they harvest/steal ID and PW data from one system to use it to compromise another one. Are EV systems/networks easy targets? Remember EVs all have Bluetooth and WIFI connectivity systems active all the time, i.e. 2 ways of potential unwanted data breach entry. Everywhere you park or drive it , these systems are on and potentially accessible, 24/7

Of course, if you are really "hacker paranoid", and you put your Smartphone in a Faraday cage, you can prevent hacking but the phone PAAK feature will not work, then a key FOB is the best remote entry solution, but you can probably not put your EV in a Faraday cage when you are parked in the liquor store parking lot, and as such, the vehicle is susceptible to a hacking risk.

Think about it. . . . . ?

 

[benk016]

Your response above (bolded) doesn't seem consistent with your poll choice. You are having the issue of needing to wait at least a few seconds, at least 20% of the time, for the car to open doors. It sounds like your experience is very similar to mine.

LMAO, I copy/pasted the wrong option I chose. Thanks for pointing that out!

Sponsored