Finally happened, stranded because of PaaK

[DevSecOps]

Like everyone has said door code, and passcode solve this one. Add a hidden key wrapped in aluminum foil or a fancy RFID pouch and you have a pretty full proof solution.

I can't believe how many people do this. Just pop the battery out and put the battery along side the key or in a different spot for extra security. Then you don't have to worry about it. A car thief would love nothing more than to find that tin foil wrapped, fully functional, key. Without the battery it's quite useless and I don't think they carry an assortment of button batteries with them.

Sponsored

 

[ShaggySS]

I can't believe how many people do this. Just pop the battery out and put the battery along side the key or in a different spot for extra security. Then you don't have to worry about it. A car thief would love nothing more than to find that tin foil wrapped, fully functional, key. Without the battery it's quite useless and I don't think they carry an assortment of button batteries with them.

? I recall you mentioning that so I had to test it out. You are right, using the blank key it was easy to pop it open. Then again do you think a thief knows mach-e owner don't trust their PAAK system so they leave a key hidden in the car?
I started with tinfoil, upgraded to a pouch, and now I just keep a key at home and one at work and so far never needed it. The door code and backup passcode have never failed me. (YET)

 

[generaltso]

Without the battery it's quite useless

It's not entirely useless since they can put it in the slot in the center console and drive away. But I guess the thief would have to know that.

 

[DevSecOps]

It's not entirely useless since they can put it in the slot in the center console and drive away. But I guess the thief would have to know that.

Really? Even without a battery it will work in there? I'm gonna have to try that if I ever get the car back...

Ok, so I looked that up and it's a passive way to activate the car without a battery. TIL

I guess the point of the RFID pouches and tin foil is really to keep the battery powered version of the key from working. So, in that case if they found the key with a battery they would be golden. Like you said, if they found one without a battery I think you have a better chance especially since they will likely be flustered by it not working.

 

[generaltso]

Ok, so I looked that up and it's a passive way to activate the car without a battery. TIL

Yeah, it uses a type of NFC, so no battery is required as long as the fob is placed in the right spot. Most (if not all) cars with push button start also have an NFC spot to put the fob in case the battery dies. For a lot of cars, you just touch the fob to the start button.

 

[wadofglue]

I presume you don’t known your door entry code or didn’t set up an easier to remember code. Plus you should have a backup start code for just these occasions.

Or they shouldn’t advertise it as a feature if it doesn’t work!

 

[wadofglue]

OP hasn’t replied, assumed they starved to death.. or they figured it out

Too annoyed with the car to go back on the forum! I had to uber home and back to get a key after sitting on hold with the Philippines call center for 30 minutes

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Or they shouldn’t advertise it as a feature if it doesn’t work!

It works fine. I've never had either the programmed door code or the factory door code fail. Not once. As for the start code, I used that just yesterday. it also works.

 

[RagingDork]

if you can get under the hood disconnecting the 12v battery and reconnecting after a few minutes worked for me ?

 

[Jeffvisor]

I took a picture of the original door code stored it in a locked memo in my iPhone set up and new door code and backup code on the screen also added those to the locked memo under Mach-e in my iPhone. I have a FOB hidden in the car in a faraday bag. As a Job 1 owner I over prepared for the day the OP had because in the beginning the PAAK rarely worked and have used them all a few times.

 

[zvez]

Too annoyed with the car to go back on the forum! I had to uber home and back to get a key after sitting on hold with the Philippines call center for 30 minutes

are you saying your door entry and start codes did not work? Back when I first got mine I set up PAAK (never used but at the time car came with only one fob) and first thing set the start code, then I tested it out a couple times to make sure it worked. One thing many people don't realize , if you delete your paak and set up a new one, you have to create a new start code.

 

[LNFitz]

OK...Ive looked and could not find this discussed. Is there a reason why PAAK and Start Passcodes are linked? To me it is almost the point of having door and start codes in case all fails ...including PAAK.

 

[bbulkow]

Pretty sure it forces you to setup a door code and a backup password if I'm not mistaken.. Been a long while since I've setup PAAK from scratch though. I did have mine not work for me a few days ago, had to use the backup password. First time that has happened for a really really long time.

Went through it again myself (app alerted me of misbehavior said reset car's keys).

It is *NOT* required.

Requiring would be a security anti-pattern, because people who don't want to chose a key will choose '1111' or '1234'.

It is surely a good idea tho. I have a door key set and a start password set. I have used it a few times, although because I know the code I don't bother rebooting the phone.

 

[bbulkow]

I can't believe how many people do this. Just pop the battery out and put the battery along side the key or in a different spot for extra security. Then you don't have to worry about it. A car thief would love nothing more than to find that tin foil wrapped, fully functional, key. Without the battery it's quite useless and I don't think they carry an assortment of button batteries with them.

I thought about it, but I'm actually OK with that lower level of security. I end up pulling out the fob about once a month when I'm forced to valet, and don't want to mess with finding a separately stashed battery. I wish I had a slightly better place to hide the fob tho, might go looking.

 

[sparkout]

Thanks for the reminder to all that there is no reason to ever be stranded if PAAK fails. Take the time to setup the backup method and you'll never be stranded.

Oh, and test it periodically.

Once I was stranded where paak failed, batteries were not a problem, and I could not even get the car to show me a keyboard to input the backup code. Had to call for a ride home to get the fob. That was enough of that nonsense so I got a Faraday bag for the spare fob and hid it in the frunk.

Sponsored