Break-In/Theft + Alarm System Q

[Freedom]

does the ecu keep track of registered fobs? Not sure how it remotes work nowadays. When creating my second key because the dealer lost it, they had to plug a control pad into the OBD to make the second remote.

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[Agent_S550]

The car keeps track of key requests and entry. It tracks everything really. Its just a matter of finding the right person to retrieve the information. Sounds to me like you didn't lock the car considering you were so preventative of it. I'm fortunate to live upstairs out of the way and my keys stay far enough away from the front door and the car that it would require an acrobat to get near them.

 

[BigEasyGT]

OP, skip the car alarm, hit lock on your key twice just to be sure, and install cameras. It was the first thing I did at my new house and I have one of them staring directly at my car no matter where I park it.

 

[valentinoamoro]

The car keeps track of key requests and entry. It tracks everything really. Its just a matter of finding the right person to retrieve the information. Sounds to me like you didn't lock the car considering you were so preventative of it. I'm fortunate to live upstairs out of the way and my keys stay far enough away from the front door and the car that it would require an acrobat to get near them.

I asked this question to the dealer service agent - he said he doesn't have a way to retrieve this.

 

[valentinoamoro]

OP, skip the car alarm, hit lock on your key twice just to be sure, and install cameras. It was the first thing I did at my new house and I have one of them staring directly at my car no matter where I park it.

I've been double locking since then, thanks.

For the outdoors, an Arlo camera is on its way. I might also consider a wired camera which works with my home security system - I currently dont have anything that looks out in front and I should have a long time ago.
Which one did you go with?

 

[Cobra Jet]

So the questions asked - no one has confirmed:

Isn't the vehicle supposed to automatically lock itself once the owner (and fob) are far enough away after a timed interval?


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Regarding locking the keys in the trunk - this may be true, however:

I have on occasion tossed my keys w/Mustang fob into my laptop bag on my way out in the morning and I always put the bag into the trunk for transport. On those mornings where I have totally forgotten to remove the fob from the bag, I closed the trunk lid (yes it latched) and the car did not auto-pop it open.

There are other instances where I have left the fob by itself in the trunk, closed the trunk lid and the car did auto-pop the trunk lid open. To be clear, the trunk lid was totally closed and it latched. The car had auto-popped the trunk lid open with a very distinct and audible "click".

So I don't know if the fob signal is blocked partially by being inside of a bag with a laptop, or if the car sensed the presence of the fob BEFORE I closed the trunk lid and there was some sort of signal override or what - but I can confirm that even with placing the fob in the trunk, the car will NOT always auto-pop the trunk lid open.

I think this is an interesting thread and we should put some theories to test to confirm how the car is reacting to the fob vs. what the Owner Manual states. Like I said, the trunk function does not always work 100% of the time as "advertised" in the Owners Manual.

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2 other items to research:

1) "My Key" vs. the original or primary key. I know some folks have set up one fob as the MyKey OR their selling Dealer may have established a MyKey. Isn't there differences with how a MyKey is set up as opposed to the "original" or primary? Neither of my keys were ever set as a MyKey, so both of mine have the same programming.

2) In the main menu of the dash settings, I'm pretty certain under "Vehicle Settings", there are options to change certain vehicle settings including MyKey, locks, etc. some of you many want to check those settings. Mine are still checked at the default choices from the factory, so essentially all my features are "on".

 

[kz]

So the questions asked - no one has confirmed:

Isn't the vehicle supposed to automatically lock itself once the owner (and fob) are far enough away after a timed interval?

Definitely not and I have not see a car that would do this.

 

[KevinG]

It will not lock if you leave the fob in the car and the engine off. I don't think you can lock the fob in the trunk either.

Correct, and thats an example of why Ford would not make the car auto-locking.

 

[Evolvd]

Thats correct, car will not lock if the fob is in the car, nor will the trunk close if you drop the key in

The trunk will close just fine with the key in it. But you can still use the remote open button above the license plate.

 

[BigEasyGT]

I've been double locking since then, thanks.

For the outdoors, an Arlo camera is on its way. I might also consider a wired camera which works with my home security system - I currently dont have anything that looks out in front and I should have a long time ago.
Which one did you go with?

A samsung 4 channel kit. My house is a starter house so it's small, no need for anymore than that. As a bonus, I have them wired into my home network so I can pull them up on my phone from anywhere.

 

[Mustang_Lou]

Definitely not and I have not see a car that would do this.

I've had 2 recent cars auto-lock when you walk away from it with the fob ... i miss that on the Mustang and consider it a step backwards (at least give me the option).

 

[MSMStannyl]

Firstly OP, this sucks. I feel your pain. I haven't had to deal with this recently but many years ago my car was broken into (while at a house party) and my aftermarket nav/radio/headunit was stolen as well as my radar detector. It is definitely one of the worst feelings.

That being said, I don't think blaming Ford for your car not auto-locking is fair. As someone else pointed out, the nuances of this keyless entry system are pretty much exactly like EVERY OTHER CAR (more or less). All you have to do is touch your door handle as you close the door and it would be locked! You forgot to do this. It sucks and I feel for you but blaming Ford is not the way to go IMO.

Good ideas on the surveillance. It sounds like you have a driveway but no garage. I would def put a camera up looking over the driveway. Maybe some motion sensor floodlights as well? I too have the Enhanced Security package and am not entirely clear on what it does differently. I do get the perimeter alarm option on the center screen whenever shutting the car off but never really messed with it. I do keep my car in a garage over night though.

2 other items to research:

1) "My Key" vs. the original or primary key. I know some folks have set up one fob as the MyKey OR their selling Dealer may have established a MyKey. Isn't there differences with how a MyKey is set up as opposed to the "original" or primary? Neither of my keys were ever set as a MyKey, so both of mine have the same programming.

2) In the main menu of the dash settings, I'm pretty certain under "Vehicle Settings", there are options to change certain vehicle settings including MyKey, locks, etc. some of you many want to check those settings. Mine are still checked at the default choices from the factory, so essentially all my features are "on".

When you bought your car, you should have gotten 2 keys from the dealership. At that point, both keys are exactly the same. You have to "create" a MyKey using one of those. Once you do, the other key will become the "Primary" key. It's actually a pretty nice system as the Primary key will always override the MyKey when both are present. When my car was in the body shop, I created a MyKey limiting whatever I could (if you ask me, this is where Ford could provide some better options!). This is the key I left them with.

It's very easy to set up, reset, or restore. Regardless, I don't believe this would have been any help to the OP in regards to what happened.

 

[MSMStannyl]

I've had 2 recent cars auto-lock when you walk away from it with the fob ... i miss that on the Mustang and consider it a step backwards (at least give me the option).

I've never seen this on any car. What cars were they? I see you're in Canada. Wonder if this has anything to do with different laws or regulations.

I for one, have absolutely no issues with how Ford has the current system set up. I never use the fob buttons. I simply close the door, touch the handle, hear the light "click", and walk away. Never had an issue. Hell, if anything, once in a while I have problem UNLOCKING the car! I'll walk up, pull the handle but it doesn't unlock. As I release the handle, it unlocks but then locks again. It's as if someone is messing with me locking the car as I pull the handle and unlocking it as I let go. This usually happens once or twice before I can get it to actually unlock and open! Lol. (This does not happen often, maybe once a week at random).

 

[TheDoctor66]

I had the same thing happen with my Veloster, someone got in (a smoker) and didn't really take anything, maybe some change and an Avenged Sevenfold CD. The best advice to deter thieves that I have gotten is to keep nothing important in your car, or at least of value.

That was the case for my Veloster, most expensive thing in the car was a air tire gauge. The thing with the Veloster was I can make sure I lock it by hearing the beep. The mustang uses the horn to look and double pressing lock at 2 or 3 am seems a little rude to do. I just make sure I lock the car and don't keep anything valuable in there that is visible. The cleaner your car is inside, the less appealing it looks.

 

[Mustang_Lou]

I've never seen this on any car. What cars were they? I see you're in Canada. Wonder if this has anything to do with different laws or regulations.

2014 Chevy Volt and 2007 Mazdaspeed 6. It's one of those things that when you have you miss when you don't, like the keyless start.

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