Anyone have problems with the range of your Key FOB?

[sci_goat]

The key fob for the Mach-E is friggin' huge! I think it’s the largest one I’ve seen, it’s definitely twice the thickness of our 2018 Camry FOB.

Despite this, it can't unlock its way out of a paper bag. I can be standing 20 feet away and it won’t work sometimes (50/50); at 30-40 feet (clear LOS) it works 10% of the time.

Contrast this to our Camry key fob, which works 100% of the time at 50+feet. I can be hanging outside my front door, which is a floor above our carport and still lock the Camry, but not the Mach-E.

I recently took the car in for its first visit to Ford ( Towne Ford Redwood City) and describe the issue to them... they said they troubleshooted but couldn't replicate.

Does the MME have terrible reception or is it just me?

Sponsored

 

[moog]

Use Fordpass....and/or PAAK.

BTW, my FOB works as good as any other vehicle FOB.

 

[Fa_]

I actually noticed that mache fob works way farther than I expected but this is for proximity aspect of it. My car is parked on the driveway and if I am at home walk anywhere nearby the entrance door (shut closed) the car already reacts as if I am next to it.
P.s. I just tried the button to lock/unlock from the basement and it didn’t pick up, I recall my Infiniti picked up from the basement into the driveway easily. So maybe yes it does not pick up far away for the button lock/unlock

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

The key fob for the Mach-E is friggin' huge! I think it’s the largest one I’ve seen, it’s definitely twice the thickness of our 2018 Camry FOB.

Despite this, it can't unlock its way out of a paper bag. I can be standing 20 feet away and it won’t work sometimes (50/50); at 30-40 feet (clear LOS) it works 10% of the time.

Contrast this to our Camry key fob, which works 100% of the time at 50+feet. I can be hanging outside my front door, which is a floor above our carport and still lock the Camry, but not the Mach-E.

I recently took the car in for its first visit to Ford ( Towne Ford Redwood City) and describe the issue to them... they said they troubleshooted but couldn't replicate.

Does the MME have terrible reception or is it just me?

I have similar experience with my fob, Chris. To extend the range of the fob, I learned decades ago from a former boss to actually point the fob towards your open mouth while pressing the button. You body acts an an antenna and extends the range considerably. Looks dumb, but it works great.

But yeah, the Ford fobs are absurdly large.

 

[Wallie]

The key fob for the Mach-E is friggin' huge! I think it’s the largest one I’ve seen, it’s definitely twice the thickness of our 2018 Camry FOB.

Despite this, it can't unlock its way out of a paper bag. I can be standing 20 feet away and it won’t work sometimes (50/50); at 30-40 feet (clear LOS) it works 10% of the time.

Contrast this to our Camry key fob, which works 100% of the time at 50+feet. I can be hanging outside my front door, which is a floor above our carport and still lock the Camry, but not the Mach-E.

I recently took the car in for its first visit to Ford ( Towne Ford Redwood City) and describe the issue to them... they said they troubleshooted but couldn't replicate.

Does the MME have terrible reception or is it just me?

You might try replacing the key fob battery.

 

[kdonnel]

I only very rarely use the key fob but have never had any issues when I do. As others suggested, try changing the battery.

 

[Teslaeata]

The key fob for the Mach-E is friggin' huge! I think it’s the largest one I’ve seen, it’s definitely twice the thickness of our 2018 Camry FOB.

Despite this, it can't unlock its way out of a paper bag. I can be standing 20 feet away and it won’t work sometimes (50/50); at 30-40 feet (clear LOS) it works 10% of the time.

Contrast this to our Camry key fob, which works 100% of the time at 50+feet. I can be hanging outside my front door, which is a floor above our carport and still lock the Camry, but not the Mach-E.

I recently took the car in for its first visit to Ford ( Towne Ford Redwood City) and describe the issue to them... they said they troubleshooted but couldn't replicate.

Does the MME have terrible reception or is it just me?

Mine’s perfectly fine

 

[4wheeldog]

You might try replacing the key fob battery.

Yup. My old 4Runner loses range every 4-5 years until I bite the bullet and change the battery.

 

[Flint302]

I agree with the battery suggestion and I applaud the open mouth thing--that would be really funny if you actually had someone do that.

 

[EasyPass]

Check your fob battery with a Multi Tester; this one (see below) on eBay. If weak replace it for minimal cost. Do you have a spare fob. Try that one as well and test if needed.

Mine has worked from a second+ floor window across to the other side of a commercial space parking lot. (Line of Sight, maybe 60 ft.)

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

I agree with the battery suggestion and I applaud the open mouth thing--that would be really funny if you actually had someone do that.

I do do it when I need the range. And it does work. I guess that makes me funny?

 

[AllenXS]

Good idea on checking the battery. I rarely use mine so should replace for the time I need it in a hurry.

 

[njb]

You put the fob under your chin, then open your mouth and hit the unlock button. We used to see who's could unlock their car from the furthest point.

 

[4wheeldog]

I agree with the battery suggestion and I applaud the open mouth thing--that would be really funny if you actually had someone do that.

It works. The science seems questionable but empirically bouncing the signal off the roof of your mouth extends the range of fobs. I am sure there are YouTubes demonstrating the effect.

 

[kltye]

Yeah, it pretty much sucks compared to my 2013 Fusion. I do wonder if part of the reason my Fusion had great range was because of the remote start functionality that was part of the fob; now that everything is a friggin' app, I guess they don't care as much about fobs

Sponsored