Quality of Key Fob

[campfamily]

Unrelated to the fact that our cars are Electric, but annoying nonetheless......

Has anybody else noticed that the quality of the key fob for our car is pretty poor? My car is only a bit over a year old, but the key fob looks like it's about 10 years old. The chrome plating is flaking off in a bunch of places, and the area where the buttons are looks worn. Plus, I've already had to replace the battery in the primary key fob, which I've never had to do in any of my other cars. I'm assuming this problem is common to all Foci, not just ours. Anybody else notice this?

BTW, I do not have any other keys on a ring with my key fob, and I carry the fob in my pocket most of the time (usually without anything else in that pocket).

Keith

 

[WattsUp]

Mine has some of the fake chrome rubbed off near where it attaches to the key ring, but the rest of the remote doesn't seem too shabby for three years of use.

I still have the second fob in pristine condition to eventually swap to.

 

[Pearl]

I use something like this on all of my Ford Fobs.

 

[breeves002]

I hate this style of key fob anyways. The newer ones are a lot nicer. The ones for the Fusions and what not. I have a fob for a 2017 fusion. WIsh I could pair it to my car.

 

[WattsUp]

I use something like this on all of my Ford Fobs.

What are those.. rubbery covers? Strange though, they somehow look smaller than the original remote.

Do you have a link to what these are?

 

[Pearl]

I think I bought from here:
http://www.thejacketstore.com/store/pc/Ford-Lincoln-Protective-Key-Fob-Cover-16p70.htm

but there are many sellers on ebay

 

[NightHawk]

Here is the cheapest eBay listing I could find:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Silicone-Fob-Case-Cover-Smart-Key-Case-Shell-Key-fit-for-Lincoln-Ford-5B/201523435678?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D35389%26meid%3De3b0d639d4b94c55af019a71215ec562%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D282062404481

Here is an amazon listing for one that supports the ID on my Ford Focus FOB card:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVHVIUG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1YRSMW0UIL6XN&coliid=I2RA7Z3VU10UED&psc=1

 

[NightHawk]

Here is an amazon listing for a replacement Ford Focus FOB shell to make it new again:
https://www.amazon.com/Button-Replacement-Smart-Shell-Blank/dp/B00LXBENYY/ref=pd_bxgy_107_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SVAE0E6WK1GD7M087YC5

 

[Pearl]

Here is an amazon listing for a replacement Ford Focus FOB shell to make it new again:
https://www.amazon.com/Button-Replacement-Smart-Shell-Blank/dp/B00LXBENYY/ref=pd_bxgy_107_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SVAE0E6WK1GD7M087YC5

That replacement shell is a good find. I'll file that away just in case.

 

[NightHawk]

Here is an amazon listing for a replacement Ford Focus FOB shell to make it new again:
https://www.amazon.com/Button-Replacement-Smart-Shell-Blank/dp/B00LXBENYY/ref=pd_bxgy_107_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SVAE0E6WK1GD7M087YC5

That replacement shell is a good find. I'll file that away just in case.

Yep that would be perfect to make a working FOB look brand new again like just before lease end.
Though if I had known about the rubber boot available I would have bought that right away to keep the FOB new from the start.

 

[hybridbear]

Mine has some of the fake chrome rubbed off near where it attaches to the key ring, but the rest of the remote doesn't seem too shabby for three years of use.

This is really the only wear I see on my fob. However, it doesn't get much use with intelligent access & push button start. The main use my fob gets is remote starting the car to run the HVAC. Thos buttons show some signs of wear, but not much.

 

[WattsUp]

However, it doesn't get much use with intelligent access & push button start.

That's true! I only really use mine to lock the car as I walk away. So, the fob mostly spends its life going in and out of my pocket, and not really getting "used".

I "occasionally" use it to unlock when I finally get frustrated with the "intelligent" handle not recognizing that my hand is there (after sticking it in and out like an idiot about five times).

 

[NightHawk]

However, it doesn't get much use with intelligent access & push button start.

That's true! I only really use mine to lock the car as I walk away. So, the fob mostly spends its life going in and out of my pocket, and not really getting "used".

I "occasionally" use it to unlock when I finally get frustrated with the "intelligent" handle not recognizing that my hand is there (after sticking it in and out like an idiot about five times).

Yep I've hardly ever used any of the buttons on the FOB for the past nearly 2 years I've had my 2014 FFE.
I use the inside button or door button to lock the doors and the automatic open doors works well for me, rarely have to do it a couple extra times, but haven't had to use the FOB button to open the doors.

I have used my android smartphone with the My Ford app to do things like auto-start easier than the FOB anyway.
So my FOB is in good condition except for the same little bit of chrome removed by the key ring attached.
I've recently removed that key ring to keep it from getting any worse, but its very minor chrome wear anyway - hopefully the lease end inspector doesn't mind that small wear.
I've kept the 2nd FOB pristine, stored in a drawer in my house, soley as a backup which I haven't needed to use.

 

[WattsUp]

I use the inside button or door button to lock the doors and the automatic open doors works well for me, rarely have to do it a couple extra times

Doesn't your FFE auto-lock when you hit 7 mph?

I hardly ever have need to manually lock from the inside (thanks to auto-lock). I'm more likely to manually unlock from the inside (in order to let someone in).

but haven't had to use the FOB button to open the doors.

Really? The handles always sense your hand?

 

[hybridbear]

but haven't had to use the FOB button to open the doors.

Really? The handles always sense your hand?

My car is pretty close to always working. It's rare that I need to use the fob to unlock. Usually when there's an issue with the handles sensing my hand it's because a passenger grabbed their handle first. The car seems to then disable the handle unlocking to prevent unauthorized access to the car.

 

[campfamily]

Usually when there's an issue with the handles sensing my hand it's because a passenger grabbed their handle first. The car seems to then disable the handle unlocking to prevent unauthorized access to the car.

I've noticed exactly the same thing......one of those "unintended" features??

Keith

 

[NightHawk]

Doesn't your FFE auto-lock when you hit 7 mph?
I hardly ever have need to manually lock from the inside (thanks to auto-lock). I'm more likely to manually unlock from the inside (in order to let someone in).
Really? The handles always sense your hand?

Yes the auto-lock works but I usually manually lock it anyway when I get in the car before I start moving.
Also I can open the car door but before leaving, press the inside lock button and then the doors will stay locked after I leave and close the door - again never need to use the FOB button!
If I forget and already outside the car, I just press the button on the driver side car door to lock it up.

The handle senses my hand most of the time, if not I just try it one or two more times and then it works for me.

 

[hybridbear]

Usually when there's an issue with the handles sensing my hand it's because a passenger grabbed their handle first. The car seems to then disable the handle unlocking to prevent unauthorized access to the car.

I've noticed exactly the same thing......one of those "unintended" features??

Keith

I viewed it as a designed feature. It could help prevent carjacking where someone is hiding alongside your vehicle, waiting for you to unlock it so that they can jump in. Who knows if that's actually the design...

 

[WattsUp]

Usually when there's an issue with the handles sensing my hand it's because a passenger grabbed their handle first.

Yeah, I know that can happen too. But, it happens to me a lot when I'm by myself.

 

[Pearl]

if my iPhone is in my left pocket, and I grab the door handle with my left hand, 30% of the time the door will not unlock. If I try my right hand, it works. Interference.