Of memory, codes, and Faraday cages.

[Murse-In-Airy]

I walked up to the car, unlocked it from the keypad. Sat in it playing with the start button and screen. I could not get the start passcode to show. I then pulled the fob out of the cage and the car instantly “woke up”.

Ok. So your worried more about someone starting the car than you are about them getting into the car. I figure anyone with the door code to get in the car (99.9% chance it’s me anyway) probably ought to be able to start it. Now I see why we differ.

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[JSeis]

Yes, a fob silencer!

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Yes, a fob silencer!

What I used. Cons: No duct tape involved.

 

[JSeis]

Ok. So your worried more about someone starting the car than you are about them getting into the car. I figure anyone with the door code to get in the car (99.9% chance it’s me anyway) probably ought to be able to start it. Now I see why we differ.

I never used the fob. Always PAAK. But it occurred to me that the synchronicity of untended consequences could strand me. So hiding the fob works. It’s always in the car. My S.O. wants to use the car, easy. Open it up, get the fob. And no messing with PAAK as well. Some like PAAK, some don’t. And I commute an hour away so losing my phone or ending up in an odd situation is much more likely.

 

[mkhuffman]

When I was hiding a fob in the car I wrapped it with two layers of tin foil. It worked without any issues. I don't do that anymore because I finally set up a passcode and it works when needed.

@Murse-In-Airy , if the fob is active in the car, anyone who finds a way into the car can just drive it away. That would keep me up at night.

 

[JSeis]

When I was hiding a fob in the car I wrapped it with two layers of tin foil. It worked without any issues. I don't do that anymore because I finally set up a passcode and it works when needed.

@Murse-In-Airy , if the fob is active in the car, anyone who finds a way into the car can just drive it away. That would keep me up at night.

I’ve a backup start passcode as well. The fob rules! I’ve noticed that you’ve got to be very deliberate in awaiting and entering the startup code. I find having the fob with me, silent. Works for me. BTW, I did wrap the fob in foil and concluded it was still leaking signal. In its current cage, nothing escapes.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I never used the fob. Always PAAK. But it occurred to me that the synchronicity of untended consequences could strand me. So hiding the fob works. It’s always in the car. My S.O. wants to use the car, easy. Open it up, get the fob. And no messing with PAAK as well. Some like PAAK, some don’t. And I commute an hour away so losing my phone or ending up in an odd situation is much more likely.

Consider buying another fob If you have just the one. They’re available, a 2020 Mustang fob is compatible with the MME. Have it programmed and then your s.o. will almost never need to access the faraday encased fob. And you’ll still have a PAAK/dead phone back up.

 

[JSeis]

Consider buying another fob If you have just the one. They’re available, a 2020 Mustang fob is compatible with the MME. Have it programmed and then your s.o. will almost never need to access the faraday encased fob. And you’ll still have a PAAK/dead phone back up.

That’s way to easy. I do genuinely like PAAK and have used all but one day out of 8 months. PAAK backed up by door code backed by fob backed up by startup code.

 

[Blue highway]

Yeah but hold on a moment… a few important things are missing…

1. The car can be unlocked using the door keypad
2. The car can be started with a backup passcode
3. The car could be started with PaaK once charged by accessing the vehicle using door keypad

Theoretically yes…. I’ve posted just what you did above a few months ago…. Then this last week got locked out.

PAAK opened the door but would not start the car. Backup code was entered and got a note on the phone app that the maximum number of attempts had been reached…. It locks you out for five minutes each time.

lesson learned…. I like the faraday cage idea….

 

[Mopey]

Uhh, why not just remove the battery and hide the battery somewhere separate from the fob? It's much smaller and easier to hide.

 

[UsernameChecksOut]

That’s way to easy. I do genuinely like PAAK and have used all but one day out of 8 months. PAAK backed up by door code backed by fob backed up by startup code.

The whole backup fob in Faraday cage thing seems way over-complicating things.

The real PSA here needs to be that if you go full-PaaK reliance, you should make sure you set up and remember the door keypad code and the backup start code.

I love PaaK and have come to understand its quirks. For PaaK to work (according to my iOS experience), your phone needs to establish a Bluetooth connection to your car first. Make sure that the Bluetooth device beginning with several (5?) digits of your VIN is connected. Then the FordPass app needs to be running either in the foreground or background. Generally, the mobile operating system knows to activate the app once the Bluetooth connection is made.

If you find that Bluetooth is connected, but the car doesn’t light up/unlock for you then there’s a chance the OS was unable to start FordPass. This could be because it’s busy performing other tasks at the moment (me having YouTube running and swapping apps between Instagram, TikTok or otherwise). Just start FordPass up to the foreground.

My experience with PaaK has been as reliable as my experience with the August smart lock installed in my home. Same issues around slightly delayed Bluetooth connection or app startup, but generally a 95-97% success rate. I’m satisfied here.

 

[JSeis]

Full PAAK reliance is fine but I’m just backing it up. My choice. And ultimately I’m not interested in full PAAK reliance miles away from home base. The fob ultimately rules. I really like having 3 options at any time to operate the MME and an easy back up to the iPhone.

 

[JSeis]

Uhh, why not just remove the battery and hide the battery somewhere separate from the fob? It's much smaller and easier to hide.

.. speaking of complex..

 

[connoisseurr]

Theoretically yes…. I’ve posted just what you did above a few months ago…. Then this last week got locked out.

PAAK opened the door but would not start the car. Backup code was entered and got a note on the phone app that the maximum number of attempts had been reached…. It locks you out for five minutes each time.

lesson learned…. I like the faraday cage idea….

I to have had issues where PaaK needs to “wake up”. After force closing FordPass app, toggling Bluetooth on/off and reopening FordPass, the issue is usually resolved.

As I backup, I do have a key in a SLNT bag hidden in the car. Haven’t had to use it yet though.

 

[P. T. Magoo]

Here's another wacky mnemonic device for number sequences (this might only appeal to the musicians out there): each number 1-9 corresponds to a musical note in a scale. 0 is a rest. So pi, 3.1415927, in the key of "C" would be E.CFCGD(octave higher)DB. What I do then is memorize what that jingle sounds like. I can't begin to remember that sequence of letters, but I can carry a tune all day long.

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