Key fob distance is notably short

[beastmode]

I know this thread is getting old now, but just wanted to chime in to say this has driven me crazy for the 2 years I've had my '23 Mach E Premium. I'll be pushing the lock button in my pocket within 5 feet of the car and have to fish it out of the pocket and point it at the car to get it to actually lock. My '17 Hyundai works instantly from 30 feet away without issue.

It's not battery related because I change the batteries regularly. In fact, I have to change them every 4-6 months it seems. Comparing to my Hyundai again which is every 12-16 months.

I'd be very interested if anyone finds a solution to this.

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[Flint302]

I would think its better to have limited distance for your FOB. There are quit a few Flipper Zeros out there. I would opt to keep the radius of the FOB broadcast to a minimum.

 

[Maui]

I know this thread is getting old now, but just wanted to chime in to say this has driven me crazy for the 2 years I've had my '23 Mach E Premium. I'll be pushing the lock button in my pocket within 5 feet of the car and have to fish it out of the pocket and point it at the car to get it to actually lock. My '17 Hyundai works instantly from 30 feet away without issue.

It's not battery related because I change the batteries regularly. In fact, I have to change them every 4-6 months it seems. Comparing to my Hyundai again which is every 12-16 months.

I'd be very interested if anyone finds a solution to this.

I think there must be something wrong with your car. I have NEVER changed the batteries in my fob and it came with the original ones from the dealer so I don't know how long they had them but we are at least 14 months.

The car locks as I walk away and it wakes up 99% of them time when I walk up. Once or twice I have had to push the door "open" button on the side of the car more than once to get the door open up. To me the FOB or PAAK both work equally the same.

 

[Mach-Lee]

I know this thread is getting old now, but just wanted to chime in to say this has driven me crazy for the 2 years I've had my '23 Mach E Premium. I'll be pushing the lock button in my pocket within 5 feet of the car and have to fish it out of the pocket and point it at the car to get it to actually lock. My '17 Hyundai works instantly from 30 feet away without issue.

It's not battery related because I change the batteries regularly. In fact, I have to change them every 4-6 months it seems. Comparing to my Hyundai again which is every 12-16 months.

I'd be very interested if anyone finds a solution to this.

Are you talking about pressing the buttons on the fob and then not working, or trying to press the buttons on the door? Do you happen to have metallic window tint?

Remote fob buttons should work 30+ feet away, for intelligent access (key stays in pocket) you have to be 3 feet or less away from the door.

If the remote range is poor across both fobs and you are not in an area with signal interference, and you don’t have window tint, the there may be an issue with the BCM.

 

[beastmode]

Are you talking about pressing the buttons on the fob and then not working, or trying to press the buttons on the door? Do you happen to have metallic window tint?

Remote fob buttons should work 30+ feet away, for intelligent access (key stays in pocket) you have to be 3 feet or less away from the door.

If the remote range is poor across both fobs and you are not in an area with signal interference, and you don’t have window tint, the there may be an issue with the BCM.

I normally do press the button on the door to lock because the fob range is so poor. Even that I have to press 3-4 times before the doors actually lock. I don't have any aftermarket window tint.

What is BCM?

 

[CoyoteMach]

Body Control Module

 

[jav_eee]

I don't touch my fob when I enter or exit the vehicle. Do the models previous to 2025 not do the approach/walk away unlock/lock thing?

 

[beastmode]

I don't touch my fob when I enter or exit the vehicle. Do the models previous to 2025 not do the approach/walk away unlock/lock thing?

Mine usually does, but I like to know it's locked when I'm walking away.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I don't touch my fob when I enter or exit the vehicle. Do the models previous to 2025 not do the approach/walk away unlock/lock thing?

They do. @beastmode may have a BCM issue in their car.

FWIW, in the 4+ years I've had the mme, I've replaced the fob batteries exactly once.

 

[Maui]

Mine usually does, but I like to know it's locked when I'm walking away.

I have it fold the ears in when it locks. I like the idea of the horn honking on lock as well but at home it is very disturbing. I really wish it could be disabled at home only.

 

[beastmode]

I have it fold the ears in when it locks. I like the idea of the horn honking on lock as well but at home it is very disturbing. I really wish it could be disabled at home only.

Same, that's how I know it's locked.

Thanks for the input, all! I need to take it in for a recall or two soon and will ask about the BCM.

 

[ChrisO]

I have it fold the ears in when it locks. I like the idea of the horn honking on lock as well but at home it is very disturbing. I really wish it could be disabled at home only.

I wish I could disable the honk at home too.

 

[mg_gti]

The button range on mine sucks as well. No tint on windows, new fob battery didn't help.

Isn't usually an issue as I have walk-away lock enabled. But walk-away lock doesn't work if you open the trunk after closing the doors, so you have to use the fob button in this case.

 

[ChrisO]

The button range on mine sucks as well. No tint on windows, new fob battery didn't help.

Isn't usually an issue as I have walk-away lock enabled. But walk-away lock doesn't work if you open the trunk after closing the doors, so you have to use the fob button in this case.

That is a bit strange. I just tried it on my 2025 Premium and walk-away lock worked for me with this use case.

 

[Maui]

That is a bit strange. I just tried it on my 2025 Premium and walk-away lock worked for me with this use case.

Yeah. I do this all the time. In fact it’s the only way I open the trunk As the button on the console is too many steps.

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