PAAK vs just using the fob

[DragonmasterLou]

So it looks like the 2025 fob includes a frunk button, which is nice. That is one less reason to have to use PAAK.

So as someone who's used another electric car's PAAK, which is pretty much a requirement as its "key" is just a card, I'm wondering if Ford's PAAK is even worth it for using as a key. With my existing car, there's been a bunch of times where PAAK didn't work and I had to fish out the card from my wallet (which is something they tell you to do anyway, just in case your phone's battery dies). Plus if I wanted to use it to open the frunk or something, I'd need to unlock my phone, go into the app, etc.

I'm assuming the Mach E fob has the same sort of proximity sensing as just about every other car I've driven with a similar fob, and that has always been much more reliable than my current PAAK.

Now, Ford's app will still be very useful to me for things like remote starting the climate control, setting departure times, etc. It's just its car key functionality I'm skeptical about given my own experiences.

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[ChrisO]

Personally, I just use the fob (and yes it has proximity sensing). I have to carry my keys anyways, and so isn't a big deal to have it in my pocket. I tried PAAK for a short time, but it just didn't make that much difference to me.

I have seen have posts on here where people have had problems with PAAK. It doesn't seem to be a widespread problem though. Having it on for only a few weeks I can't really give it a fair evaluation, but I do seem to remember that one reason I didn't like it was that the range it was detected at was different from the fob and liked the range of the fob better.

 

[phil]

Experiences vary, but the phone key works great for me. I don't carry any physical keys anymore.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

4 years with PAAK and no troubles with it at all in a very long time. YMMV.

 

[OH2AZ2OH]

I used PaaK for the first 3 years. For the last 9 months or so, I’ve been mostly using the fob. PaaK is ok, but the fob is a better experience. My biggest issue is that my phone likes to background close the FordPass app, which needs to be running for PaaK to work. But the puddle lights and the lock icon on the pillar also seem to work every time only when carrying the fob.

 

[AliRafiee]

What’s the card that you keep in your wallet?

 

[DragonmasterLou]

What’s the card that you keep in your wallet?

It's a key card. The car has no key or fob or anything like that. Just an RFID card, probably not too different from what you might use to access an office building.

 

[AliRafiee]

It's a key card. The car has no key or fob or anything like that. Just an RFID card, probably not too different from what you might use to access an office building.

Are you talking about a Tesla? I thought you were talking about a MME.

I’ve been using PAAK since day 1. I don’t like to carry keys and I love the fact that I don’t need the bulky FOB for the MME. The door code and password makes it so much more comfortable to not carry a FOB with the few glitches (which happened a few times in the past) or when a phone dies (which I haven’t experienced yet).

 

[kdonnel]

I have also had a great experience with PAAK over the past 3+ years.

A few times I have had to pull my phone out of my pocket and bring up Ford Pass to get the car to open but those times are extremely rare. Maybe twice a year.

Like others I no longer carry any keys and also don’t carry a separate wallet. Just my phone with a phone case that holds my license and a couple credit cards.

It would be nice if everywhere accepted Apple Pay and a digital drivers license so I could carry the phone with no case.

 

[AllenXS]

Paak has been great once we got over the initial hump. I get in to the car, press the screen to open the garage door and drive. Most times I close the garage door too.

Don’t use keys for anything but one for work. Much easier.

 

[ChuckA]

My MME is a ‘21 Premium. For the 1st year I owned the car the PaaK gave me problems so I carried the fob. I kept getting “Key Not Detected” message.

Ford got their stuff together and PaaK has been flawless for the past 2 1/2 years.

if you decide not to use PaaK be sure to setup backup start and entry codes.

 

[AliRafiee]

Paak has been great once we got over the initial hump. I get in to the car, press the screen to open the garage door and drive. Most times I close the garage door too.

Don’t use keys for anything but one for work. Much easier.

I’m so glad I don’t have to drive all the way back home to check if I closed the garage door, which 90% was closed anyway. I love technology, well, some more than others.

 

[DragonmasterLou]

Are you talking about a Tesla? I thought you were talking about a MME.

I’ve been using PAAK since day 1. I don’t like to carry keys and I love the fact that I don’t need the bulky FOB for the MME. The door code and password makes it so much more comfortable to not carry a FOB with the few glitches (which happened a few times in the past) or when a phone dies (which I haven’t experienced yet).

Yeah, a Tesla. Didn't want to mention the other brand by name, lol.

 

[PharaohHound138]

Everyone seems to like PAAK but I am the odd man out. It has twice gave me the "key not found". I don't trust it so I just carry the fob.

 

[DragonmasterLou]

Everyone seems to like PAAK but I am the odd man out. It has twice gave me the "key not found". I don't trust it so I just carry the fob.

I'd carry the fob anyway as a backup should my phone die. I'm paranoid, lol.

But yeah, my existing car's PAAK has that habit of not showing up as well.

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