Key Fob Sleep Mode - You're going to LOVE this!

[helifino16]

I just ran across this Article from a few years ago that claims that by 2021 all Ford models will include this feature.

Our handy-dandy Key Fobs are constantly transmitting a signal so that your Bronco can sense when you're close enough to unlock the door and start it up.

Apparently there's a concern that hackers can 'read' your Fob from far away (as much as 300 ft - like in your house on your table) and duplicate it to drive your car away. This guy from Canada says that's how his Tacoma was stolen from his driveway.

In the video he advocates the use of a Faraday pouch to store your key in to prevent that from happening. However, in the Driving article (first link), they claim that if you leave your (Ford) key stationary for more than a minute, it will automatically go into 'sleep mode' and will no longer 'transmit' a signal. A quick search in the owners manual shows this (page 69 - Remote Control Limitations)

I'm wondering if people are having issues starting their Bronco because they leave the key in the vehicle somewhere and the act of getting in is not enough motion to have it come out of 'sleep mode'.

I've tried leaving my key stationary for a minute and viola! it won't allow the door to unlock. I will have to try to see if it similarly affects the ability to start the Bronco as well.

Has anyone else seen or heard this? Can I save on not buying Faraday pouches to store my extra keys in? I might still get one to carry my key in to prevent it from being read while I'm out and about (and moving around). I'm surprised that I'd not seen or heard this before.

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[JediMcMuffin]

I just ran across this Article from a few years ago that claims that by 2021 all Ford models will include this feature.

Our handy-dandy Key Fobs are constantly transmitting a signal so that your Bronco can sense when you're close enough to unlock the door and start it up.

Apparently there's a concern that hackers can 'read' your Fob from far away (as much as 300 ft - like in your house on your table) and duplicate it to drive your car away. This guy from Canada says that's how his Tacoma was stolen from his driveway.

In the video he advocates the use of a Faraday pouch to store your key in to prevent that from happening. However, in the Driving article (first link), they claim that if you leave your (Ford) key stationary for more than a minute, it will automatically go into 'sleep mode' and will no longer 'transmit' a signal. A quick search in the owners manual shows this (page 69 - Remote Control Limitations)

I'm wondering if people are having issues starting their Bronco because they leave the key in the vehicle somewhere and the act of getting in is not enough motion to have it come out of 'sleep mode'.

I've tried leaving my key stationary for a minute and viola! it won't allow the door to unlock. I will have to try to see if it similarly affects the ability to start the Bronco as well.

Has anyone else seen or heard this? Can I save on not buying Faraday pouches to store my extra keys in? I might still get one to carry my key in to prevent it from being read while I'm out and about (and moving around). I'm surprised that I'd not seen or heard this before.

Thats actually fairly insightful, and also a clever solution to keyfob cloning. You'd basically have to stalk someone. As for the signal going very far, it's probably a similar throw to Bluetooth LE, where line of site it can go quite far, but once walls are in the way its 15-20 feet at best.

 

[Bikeric]

This just caused me to take my key out of my pocket and put it on my desk. Great info, thanks!!

 

[Bikeric]

Thats actually fairly insightful, and also a clever solution to keyfob cloning. You'd basically have to stalk someone. As for the signal going very far, it's probably a similar throw to Bluetooth LE, where line of site it can go quite far, but once walls are in the way its 15-20 feet at best.

FYI, the LUX High and LUX package remote has a higher output/distance than the STD and Mid remotes.

Edit: Found the remote difference occurs starting at the High package.

 

[Rspayde]

If I am in a hotel I toss my keys in the microwave If I am at home I roll the dice that someone breaks into my garage.

I guess I don't need to be doing either of those things.

 

[cowman]

FYI, the LUX package remote has a higher output/distance than the STD/Mid/High remotes.

Where do you get your info on this....

 

[Gtrekker]

Hmmm, never thought.... good to know.

Anyway, fob stays in the truck and haven't had any issues with starting or battery since 10/2021.

 

[OuterJersey]

Hmmm, never thought.... good to know.

Anyway, fob stays in the truck and haven't had any issues with starting or battery since 10/2021.

Ahhhh the safe parts of the country..fob in car here = one way ticket to a Newark container

 

[Headsong]

Huh, only invested $10 in Faraday pouches, but a slight pain to use them...mostly at home where the thieves would likely know where to look.....have to experiment.

 

[Gtrekker]

Ahhhh the safe parts of the country..fob in car here = one way ticket to a Newark container

Nope, im in the same risk group as you.

just love the Garden State, feel my sarcasm....

 

[Tricky Dick]

If I am in a hotel I toss my keys in the microwave

How long? Are they like pizza rolls where the inside is either lava or ice, no in between?

 

[helifino16]

Where do you get your info on this....

Mitchell Watts demonstrates this in one of the Town & Country Bronco Videos. Then he holds the key against his head and it works the same. (ha ha, see below)

 

[Bikeric]

Where do you get your info on this....

Let me correct myself. High and LUX package key fobs have longer range than Std or Mid. Start at 1:44 minutes into the video here:

 

[timber29]

This does work as my wife left her keys in the car to pick me up and ended up locking herself out. I used the Ford app to unlock the Bronco.

 

[swooshdave]

Any reported cases of cloning the Ford key fobs remotely?

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