PAAK vs just using the fob

[AliRafiee]

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.

It has happened from time to time, that’s why they gave us a door code and password to not get stuck.
It has been extremely rare for me in the last 3 years

Sponsored

 

[Zekester]

I have always carried the fob and never set up PAAK. Did not see the need, and I have not missed it. If I was interested in reducing the load of what I'd carry around, the phone would be my number one target.

 

[AllenXS]

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.

Yes, if I forget I can do remote or I have the old fashioned attentive neighbours to remind me.

 

[EB87]

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.

I don’t use PAAK anymore. I didnt want the extra energy usage on the 12v battery especially if you park in a garage. The cars Bluetooth has pretty long range so I didn’t want the car “waking up” every time my phone in the house got close enough to the car.

 

[ChuckA]

I have always carried the fob and never set up PAAK. Did not see the need, and I have not missed it. If I was interested in reducing the load of what I'd carry around, the phone would be my number one target.

Did you setup a backup start code?

 

[Zekester]

Did you setup a backup start code?

No. I don't know what that is.

 

[RoyHobbs]

I’ve had my MME for about 10 months, I’ve never used the fob.

 

[phil]

If I was interested in reducing the load of what I'd carry around, the phone would be my number one target.

How would you target the phone?

1. Get a smaller, lighter phone?
2. Just rely on land lines only, wherever they happen to be? And a networked PC?
3. Borrow somebody's cell phone if you need one?
4. Do they still make car phones?

I suppose #2 could work, just like it did in the 20th century.

 

[Zekester]

How would you target the phone?

1. Get a smaller, lighter phone?
2. Just rely on land lines only, wherever they happen to be? And a networked PC?
3. Borrow somebody's cell phone if you need one?
4. Do they still make car phones?

I suppose #2 could work, just like it did in the 20th century.

#1, that could be step towards. Progressively move to dumber and dumber phones, but it misses the point of not having to carry it entirely.
#2, re-install a land line at home with an answering service was more what I had in mind.
Not clear where the networked PC plays here; was talking about carrying less, not more.
#3 don't see that happening
#4 don't need a phone in the car; can't see why I'd need that

 

[phil]

#1, that could be step towards. Progressively move to dumber and dumber phones, but it misses the point of not having to carry it entirely.
#2, re-install a land line at home with an answering service was more what I had in mind.
Not clear where the networked PC plays here; was talking about carrying less, not more.
#3 don't see that happening
#4 don't need a phone in the car; can't see why I'd need that

1 - Well, you did say "reducing the load" of what you carry. A lighter phone does reduce the load.
2 - Yes, I think this one is best. But a land line does not fully replace a smart phone. That would also require apps, internet access, etc. You would not carry the computer, but you'd probably still want to have one somewhere. Maybe next to the land line, with a modem in between.
4 - Car phones were very cool in the '80s. You don't need one now, because you have a cell phone.

 

[EasyPass]

I prefer to have all the choices available to me all the time.....Fob, PaaK, FordPass controls, Door Sill Keypad, Console Passcode. Its called Access-in-Depth so that when one or more ways fail there are others to step in on demand.

Remember when vehicles just had a key, and you could go to the hardware store to get a duplicate made? They could also be Hotwired to by pass the key-based ignition switch. I often wonder how difficult it would be to break into the MME and drive away without any proximity devices in range.

 

[garyd9]

I experimented with PAAK about a year ago to try and determine the range that the car would detect the phone is "in range", and therefore unlock the doors. What I found was that the range was much longer than I expected.

Imagine yourself sitting in a restaurant having a nice dinner. It just so happens that you're seated at a table near the outside wall that you happened to park near. There's no window, but the phone is close enough that the car senses your phone nearby, and thereby allows anyone to open your locked car...

While this can also happen with the fob, it seems that the fob detection range is much shorter.

Here is the thread I posted on the topic: https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...possessions-inside-vulnerable-to-theft.36945/

 

[ChuckA]

No. I don't know what that is.

At the end of the setup PaaK process it prompts you to setup a door code and backup start code.

Although you do have an entry code on the card you got with the car, the backup code allows you to start the MME by entering the backup code at the console.

My suggestion is to setup the PaaK and carry the key fob if that’s your preference.

 

[ponEpwr]

PAAK is a feature I will seek out on future vehicles. I hope all manufacturers adopt this ASAP.
It’s kind of silly that the auto industry hasn’t been putting backup door codes and ignition codes on vehicles since the 00’s. We had some vehicles with door codes in the 80’s so we almost did it.

having to issue a physical key in today’s world just seems very archaic.

 

[67 Stang Convertible]

PAAK is Rock Solid for me going on almost 4 years. Hate carrying a Fob, especially the Chunky Monkey Ford gives us for the MME!!!

Sponsored