Spare key fob hiding place

[Surly Old Bill]

On the turn to car theft:
Yeah, stealing the entire car is a rare thing. I'll bet 95% of the theft is just smashed windows and rummaging, 4% is someone leaving it unlocked and having it rummaged through, and 1% is theft of the whole car. BUT, if they have a key they can take it somewhere and strip it.

I just want to keep opportunistic drug addicts from opening my doors and rummaging around for "treasure".
I have two symbiotic goals:
-Keep opportunists out by locking the doors
-Not have that heavy thing bouncing around in a pocket while running or cycling, and an unlikely but extremely annoying event of losing it on the trail

In my past experience, a keypad is IDEAL. In my recent experience, being required to go to a disservice center to have it installed is a major PITA, and I am hesitant to try that ever again. I might check into the "mobile installation", since it seems like they couldn't set a window to arrive and do the "work" (5-10 minutes of programming) of more than a couple hours (not DAYS or WEEKS like a disservice center).

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[dbbii]

One thing that sold me on my Mav (used) was the keyless entry. Had this in an older vehicle and liked it. So, for traveling, I keep a spare fob in a Faraday bag in my glove box. I usually take the fob with me when I leave, so the spare fob is there in case I lose one. I'm doing an ATV trip in the mountains of West Virginia next month, so really don't want to have "things" in my pockets that I can lose.

 

[dochawk]

Yeah, stealing the entire car is a rare thing

At the other end, my van was stolen during covid just to steal the cat . . . it was found several months later a couple of miles away.

They also tried to steal the gas, but didn't do a very good job (cut the fuel line, but left over half a tank!)

 

[brlr2000]

If I'm out of cellphone range and the FordPass app remote doesn't work...I found a perfect place for the spare key...but it's a secret

 

[Master Blaster]

I'm more worried about being locked out while traveling...not at home.

Its not about being locked out, but having it stolen from your house or work by a guy with a cheap Temu code reader. You don't want a functional keyfob anywhere within range of your vehicle that is not in a Faraday cage. If you absolutely have to for some weird reason, remove the keyfob battery first. I use the keypad if I need to get in without my keyfob.

 

[Kenv24]

No the door does not lock itself. Drivers accidentally lock themselves out. I have keyless start and my fob is always in my pocket.

Yeah, I know that obviously, I was quoting what everyone “says” it’s doing.

 

[Master Blaster]

My 23 Lariat refuses to lock the doors if the key is inside the vehicle. I've tried a couple of times to do that, but it just beeps twice and unlocks the doors again.

 

[Meeka]

If I'm out of cellphone range and the FordPass app remote doesn't work...I found a perfect place for the spare key...but it's a secret

Psst, you can tell me, I’ll keep it a secret!

 

[HeyBales]

Its not about being locked out, but having it stolen from your house or work by a guy with a cheap Temu code reader. You don't want a functional keyfob anywhere within range of your vehicle that is not in a Faraday cage. If you absolutely have to for some weird reason, remove the keyfob battery first. I use the keypad if I need to get in without my keyfob.

Another reason why I like the non-keyless entry - fob isn't sending any signal out until you hit a button.

Sitting in a vehicle with push-button start/keyless entry - the structure isn't a faraday cage, so the fob radio signal is still going outside of the vehicle by whatever distance that function works.
Well, unless the fob finally goes to sleep like Ford's recent ones.

 

[brlr2000]

Its not about being locked out, but having it stolen from your house or work by a guy with a cheap Temu code reader. You don't want a functional keyfob anywhere within range of your vehicle that is not in a Faraday cage. If you absolutely have to for some weird reason, remove the keyfob battery first. I use the keypad if I need to get in without my keyfob.

Tha's a good point. I'll remove the battery. Hopefully the fob programming will be retained without a battery...longterm.

 

[HeyBales]

Tha's a good point. I'll remove the battery. Hopefully the fob programming will be retained without a battery...longterm.

Unless you have Lux package with keyless entry - your XLT fob only sends out a signal when a button is pressed.
So don't leave it out where an animal could chew on it pressing buttons, or a child.

 

[brlr2000]

Unless you have Lux package with keyless entry - your XLT fob only sends out a signal when a button is pressed.
So don't leave it out where an animal could chew on it pressing buttons, or a child.

Okay. That makes sense.

 

[rk06382]

Has anyone tried Car Keys Express? They are at a Costco near me this week.

Keys with transponder chips are equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID).​

 

[Master Blaster]

Having an active keyfob used to be decent security until the thieves got smarter. Just remember to put your keyfob in a Faraday Cage (Faraday pouch or tinfoil in your pocket, and a Faraday pouch or fully-closeable tin can at home. Most of the thieves today have a keyfob transponder amplifier that they bought online for $30, and can use the keyfob from up to 300' away. A vehicle sitting in your driveway with your keyfob left at the door is no longer secure.

 

[HeyBales]

Having an active keyfob used to be decent security until the thieves got smarter. Just remember to put your keyfob in a Faraday Cage (Faraday pouch or tinfoil in your pocket, and a Faraday pouch or fully-closeable tin can at home. Most of the thieves today have a keyfob transponder amplifier that they bought online for $30, and can use the keyfob from up to 300' away. A vehicle sitting in your driveway with your keyfob left at the door is no longer secure.

Easy test to confirm your keyless entry fob motion sensor is working correctly, and the thing is going to sleep and disabling signal.

Leave in garage with truck locked, sitting on bench next to it - just in case it eeks out a low signal for some period, it's closer to test.
Wait 5 or 10 min - try to open truck.

Most drivers are already aware how much movement is needed to be awake, say walking to vehicle with fob in pocket. And how far away a button press may work, or testing with 2nd person attempting door as you approach. In case there are differences between the 2 distances.

Which also means walking around the grocery store it's broadcasting signal.
There's the place to have your fob protection, as someone follows you around to read your fob signal broadcast data.
Follows you home discreetly.
Creates fob duplicating your data. (might be more than $30)
Comes back at convenient time.

I also thought the Mavericks if started by fob on outside of truck - don't travel far without the fob and stopping automatically. Or can you keep going until you stop it? That's how an amplifier would work once it pulls away.

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