Jump to content
Ford Fusion Energi Forum

Leave my Key in the Fusion Energi At All Times . . . Cool?


gtca
 Share

Recommended Posts

So, my 2015 Fusion Energi key lives in my center console.  Whenever I get out I hit the 7/8 and 9/10 buttons on the outside pillar simultaneously to lock it, and enter my combination to get back in.

 

Is this safe?  Any reason I shouldn't have this convenience?

 

Thanks!

I do this on occasion, but not all the time. If someone knew where your key was, they could smash a window & steal your car. This may also cause a higher level of drain on the 12V battery when your car is off since the car will be detecting the key & making sure it's ready to turn on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 If someone knew where your key was, they could smash a window & steal your car.

 

I thought I read previously (through owner manual or a forum post, don't remember) that if there's a fob in the car when locked with the outside touchpad then that fob is disabled until the touchpad is used to gain access to the vehicle, specifically for the reason to prevent someone from doing the above.

 

I don't know that it's true, have never tried it by leaving the window down and trying to get back in that way - would it work?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought I read previously (through owner manual or a forum post, don't remember) that if there's a fob in the car when locked with the outside touchpad then that fob is disabled until the touchpad is used to gain access to the vehicle, specifically for the reason to prevent someone from doing the above.

 

I don't know that it's true, have never tried it by leaving the window down and trying to get back in that way - would it work?

I think if you leave the window open & then unlock car from inside the alarm will go off... We should try it & see...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought I read previously (through owner manual or a forum post, don't remember) that if there's a fob in the car when locked with the outside touchpad then that fob is disabled until the touchpad is used to gain access to the vehicle, specifically for the reason to prevent someone from doing the above.

 

I don't know that it's true, have never tried it by leaving the window down and trying to get back in that way - would it work?

That is how it worked on my 2013 Ford Edge.  I left the FOB hidden inside the car all the time, only taking it out if I ever used valet to park the car.  When the doors were locked using the outside keypad, the only way to get back in was to again use the keypad.  If someone were to break in by opening the door without the code being input into the keypad, the inside FOB would not connect and start the engine.

 

I miss not having a keypad on my C-Max and having to carry the IA FOB with me now.  No way to lock it inside the car since there is no keypad as found on the Fusion.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So, my 2015 Fusion Energi key lives in my center console.  Whenever I get out I hit the 7/8 and 9/10 buttons on the outside pillar simultaneously to lock it, and enter my combination to get back in.

 

Is this safe?  Any reason I shouldn't have this convenience?

 

Thanks!

 

Is it far enough away that the doors wont unlock when you put your hand on the handle? I never use the keypad I just walk up and put my hand on the handle and it unlocks. If that is the case anyone could walk up open the door and drive away. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm a police officer who just retired from a VERY expensive high end area in NJ. Our area had so many high end vehicles (MB AMGs, BMW Ms, Porsches, Ferraris, etc. ) stolen right from driveways or garages because the key fob was left in the vehicle. I do not recommend EVER leaving the key fob in the vehicle. The conclusion that my county came up with, and I agree with it... Is that there is a tool / scanner that criminals now have that can pick up the signal between your car and it's key fob when the key fob is within range of the car. You have to understand that when a proximity key fob (no key required to enter or start a car) is in a car, it's sends a signal to the car telling it that its ok to start and operate the car. This signal is transmitted and then intercepted by criminals who will be informed that a car in the immediate area has the key with it. They then pinpoint the signal and are able to get into the car and steal it.

 

Just in my area in the past 3 years,at least 30 cars were stolen when the key fob was left in the car. While maybe 4 cars were stolen in the same area without a key fob- type car or a key fob left in the car.

 

IMHO, do not leave the key fob in the car. Of course, if you are just going to the gym or a quick errand, then maybe okay but do not make a habit of it. We had one family who lost 3 cars in one night worth over $250,000. And all had the key fobs left in the car.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm a police officer who just retired from a VERY expensive high end area in NJ. Our area had so many high end vehicles (MB AMGs, BMW Ms, Porsches, Ferraris, etc. ) stolen right from driveways or garages because the key fob was left in the vehicle. I do not recommend EVER leaving the key fob in the vehicle. The conclusion that my county came up with, and I agree with it... Is that there is a tool / scanner that criminals now have that can pick up the signal between your car and it's key fob when the key fob is within range of the car. You have to understand that when a proximity key fob (no key required to enter or start a car) is in a car, it's sends a signal to the car telling it that its ok to start and operate the car. This signal is transmitted and then intercepted by criminals who will be informed that a car in the immediate area has the key with it. They then pinpoint the signal and are able to get into the car and steal it.

 

Just in my area in the past 3 years,at least 30 cars were stolen when the key fob was left in the car. While maybe 4 cars were stolen in the same area without a key fob- type car or a key fob left in the car.

 

IMHO, do not leave the key fob in the car. Of course, if you are just going to the gym or a quick errand, then maybe okay but do not make a habit of it. We had one family who lost 3 cars in one night worth over $250,000. And all had the key fobs left in the car.

one can only hope that the insurance companies did/do not pay out because people leave the fob in the car....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder how insurance would treat the situation described above. It's illegal in MN to leave your car running & unattended because of theft potential. I wonder if this would also count.

 

Every winter they run stories on the news about not starting your car & leaving it unattended, highlighting how it is illegal. That's why remote start is great. They also indicate that the police won't spend time investigating if the owner left the key in the car, placing blame on the owner for the theft.

Edited by Hybridbear
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder how insurance would treat the situation described above. It's illegal in MN to leave your car running & unattended because of theft potential. I wonder if this would also count.

 

A similar discussion about leaving the key in the car and then having it stolen was posted on an F150 forum I belong to.  Several insurance reps posted that insurance does pay when a car or truck has been stolen even if the keys were in the ignition or the vehicle.

 

Not much difference really when the insurance pays for damages done by an insured drunk driver who crashes.  The drunk was doing an illegal act, yet the insurance had to pay damages.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder how insurance would treat the situation described above. It's illegal in MN to leave your car running & unattended because of theft potential. I wonder if this would also count.

 

A similar discussion about leaving the key in the car and then having it stolen was posted on an F150 forum I belong to.  Several insurance reps posted that insurance does pay when a car or truck has been stolen even if the keys were in the ignition or the vehicle.

 

Not much difference really when the insurance pays for damages done by an insured drunk driver who crashes.  The drunk was doing an illegal act, yet the insurance had to pay damages.

 

Well, Maybe some insurance will pay, but I'm not going to ask...besides, with the keyless start, i dont need to leave the keys in the car...i just need to figure a better way to not set the alarm off because they are in my pocket

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...