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Risks Leaving Key Permanently in Truck

crunchie_frog

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roll the dice, take your chances. Some could leave their key/fob locked in the car the life of the vehicle with no issues, others could have it stolen with the key/fob in their hand in the first week of ownership. Seems a pretty low risk to me though, wouldn’t the thief need a plan to steal the car without a key/fob? How would they know the key is in the car? I also can’t help but think is this conversation giving thieves ideas? 😉
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Mike

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Yes. I do it all the time. Why is it dumb as f


The key being in truck doesn’t help the crook if it’s in an inconspicuous spot and in a Faraday pouch.

Not like the crook is going to go searching for a hidden key in the truck. He would already have alternative methods of stealing the truck once inside unless he’s stealing valuables which would not be with the key anyway.
 

Crance

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In my old crown Vic I did it all the time except when I went in for the night. I’ll probably do the same with this. It will be difficult for me though to remember to lock my car in most places as I drive a stick and just leave the keys in it unlocked (again, not at home) lol
 

psuarmy

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With push to start I don't think I would. However my XLT doesn't have push to start. So I hid the key (well) in my truck. I keep it there all the time and use the other key for normal use. It is a backup incase I lose my first key or someone needs to borrow the truck while I am not around.

What are the chances that a robber will break in and rummage around in hopes of finding a key to steal the truck (not about the visor, sorry). They will take what they can and run. If they are dead set on stealing the truck they are going to steal it without the key, and have the equipment to do so.
 

Gullzway

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I have left keys in my Escape when kayaking. I have tested it and unless you enter the code correctly to open the door or have the other key come into range to unlock the door, the car will simply ignore the key already in it.

This is of course dealing with vehicles with push-button start.
Have you tested this on a Maverick? I have several times on my lariat luxury hybrid. If I leave the key in the truck with the window down get out and lock it, I can come back and climb through the window, start the truck and drive off without ever touching the key.

I don't know if this is an oversight on the Maverick or what, but I've done it multiple times so I wouldn't trust leaving my key in the truck on a push to start on a Maverick.
 

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Mike

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Of course you can. You need to put it in a Faraday pouch to prevent this.
 

Gullzway

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Of course you can. You need to put it in a Faraday pouch to prevent this.
It's supposed to be a function of the passive key system( from what I've read.) If the truck's not properly unlocked, then it's not supposed to be able to push to start even with the key inside .No Faraday package is supposed to be needed, but it's not working right on the Maverick.
 

Rivers90

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I have left keys in my Escape when kayaking. I have tested it and unless you enter the code correctly to open the door or have the other key come into range to unlock the door, the car will simply ignore the key already in it.

This is of course dealing with vehicles with push-button start.
This would be a good reason why to skip the Farady pouch and just have the key in the truck. With the Farady pouch the truck would not know to make the key inactive until the code is entered.
 

Saul T Knutz

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Alright, which one of yous is gonna lock your Mav with the windows up and have AAA slim jim your Mav to see if the fob you left inside works? For science, of course...
 
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Gullzway

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Alright, which one of yous is gonna lock your Mav with the windows up and have AAA slim jim your Mav to see if the fob you left inside works? For science, of course...
I tested it by leaving the window down and climbing through the window. I was able to start the truck and put it in drive without touching the key .

That said, if the door is opened it will set off the perimeter alarm(XLT and Lariat.) I doubt the thief will hang around long.
 

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Alright, which one of yous is gonna lock your Mav with the windows up and have AAA slim jim your Mav to see if the fob you left inside works? For science, of course...
I have done that too many times. I grew up with a stick and am new to automatics. Live in the country and park in a super secure area at work so I rarely take the key out. Used to leave it in gear but when I do that with my Buick it won't let me put it in park or shut off the ignition. First day I had it they towed it to the dealer, couldn't find anything wrong- surprise. Now I carry a little jumper. Changing my evil ways. I may be the first except I never lock the doors either. Unless the damn thing does if for me.
 

Timothyd

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This would be a good reason why to skip the Farady pouch and just have the key in the truck. With the Farady pouch the truck would not know to make the key inactive until the code is entered.
I'm gonna have to hack my Maverick first thing. How much is an extra key? Keep it in a nice pouch when I go canoeing.
 
 







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