# Are there any cars with keypad access as a manufacturer option? Keypad cars been tried and flopped? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 28, 2009, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020 "2009-08-28T12:32:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/1 "2009-08-28T12:32:45Z")
On occasions where I drive somewhere where I part company with my street clothes (e.g. running training in a forest; swimming in a gravel pit) a problem is having to take along a car key (running: sports clothing manufacturers apparently don’t put any thought into pockets where keys can be stored really, really safely and not be drenched in sweat; swimming: unlike public pools, no lockers available, plus you cannot take a car key with electronics into the water). One obvious solution would be a keypad for access and starter control - you cannot lose or damage a password. But I never heard of keypads being used in cars. So, does any manufacturer offer keypad user authorization? Or did any offer keypads but customers demurred? ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/2 "2009-08-28T12:34:19Z")
Yes, it was offered , maybe it still is. For some reason I want to say Ford had it. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/3 "2009-08-28T12:44:52Z")
You can [fit your own](http://www.keyless.com/vehiclekeyless.htm) if you’re so inclined. ---
**Author:** ![Jettboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@Jettboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jettboy)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/4 "2009-08-28T12:45:52Z")
My wife has keypad entry in her 2006 Ford 500. My lovely missus is the kind of gal who routinely forgets her purse or locks her keys in the car, so the keypad entry has saved her ass more than once. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/5 "2009-08-28T13:14:21Z")
A friend of mine had one and it kept dying on him. It ws a pretty awful experience and he’ll talk for an hour if you ask him about it. He would most definitely NOT recommend it! His experience was over ten years ago, and although he’s still traumatized by it (to the point that I am driven to pass it on to you . . . huh.) I would venture to say that the technology may have imporved int hat time. ---
**Author:** ![Duhkecco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8491ac/32.png) [@Duhkecco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duhkecco)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/6 "2009-08-28T13:37:06Z")
From [1986-2007 Taurus and Sable Keypad Code Location and Programming](http://www.taurusclub.com/wiki/index.php/1986-2007_Taurus_and_Sable_Keypad_Code_Location_and_Programming) > [@](#): > > The keypad is a feature that Ford has been using for the past twenty plus years. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/7 "2009-08-28T15:27:06Z")
When I was a kid, we had a Nissan Maxima that had one. It wore out pretty quickly, so it wasn’t all that useful. ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/8 "2009-08-28T15:29:16Z")
My dad’s Ford F-250 has it. For some reason, the code wasn’t included when he bought it, and we’ve never bothered to figure out how to reset it. I don’t know why. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/9 "2009-08-28T15:30:53Z")
They are common on Fords, but, as far as I know, they only open the doors. I think the OP wants a keypad to enter and start the car with no keys. ---
**Author:** ![hellpaso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@hellpaso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hellpaso)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/10 "2009-08-28T16:07:11Z")
Lincoln MKS has an entry pad as well as keyless ignition. You do have to have the proper fob nearby for either to work, such as in your purse or pocket. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/11 "2009-08-28T16:39:14Z")
I’ve noticed them mostly on Ford/Lincoln vehicles too. I have a Nissan with the InteliKey and I just wrap it in plastic wrap before storing it in a zippered pocket or wrist pouch when working out. That doesn’t help if you’re swimming, though. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/12 "2009-08-28T17:43:49Z")
My parents both have Lincoln Town Cars with keypad entry. It is indeed awesome when my mom and I go running somewhere other than my house. ---
**Author:** ![qazwart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/5fc32e/32.png) [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/13 "2009-08-28T18:25:50Z")
Keypads were on Fords for a while, but I think technology had advanced. Besides, imagine trying to enter your number on a very hot door or when the car is encrusted with ice and snow. Even with the keypad, you could only open the door. You still needed to take your keys out of your pocket to start the car. That made using keypads seem sort of silly. Why use a keypad when you have to take your keys out anyway? With more advanced key fobs (like on the Prius), you don’t even have to unlock the door. Just having the key fob in your possession while you open the door is enough to unlock it. Plus, many cars now start without even inserting the key into the ignition. The key (or the key fob since there is no real key) never leaves your pocket. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/14 "2009-08-28T18:32:28Z")
> [@Silophant](#): > > My dad’s Ford F-250 has it. For some reason, the code wasn’t included when he bought it, and we’ve never bothered to figure out how to reset it. I don’t know why. It’s on a sticker on one of the door frames. If you don’t see it, ask a parts guy at a dealership, they’ll point it out to you. ---
**Author:** ![razorblade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@razorblade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/razorblade)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/15 "2009-08-28T18:48:33Z")
The GM EV1 had no key, just a keypad. I remember this because I was working as a valet at a swanky Scottsdale location during college when the EV1 came out. A local car dealer pulled up in one but had to park it himself because he didn’t want to give out the code. Here’s a link: [http://www.ev1.pair.com/charge\_across\_america/charge\_html/faqs.html](http://www.ev1.pair.com/charge_across_america/charge_html/faqs.html) ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/16 "2009-08-28T19:00:55Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > It’s on a sticker on one of the door frames. If you don’t see it, ask a parts guy at a dealership, they’ll point it out to you. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![sharding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90db22/32.png) [@sharding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sharding)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/17 "2009-08-28T19:04:58Z")
> [@qazwart](#): > > With more advanced key fobs (like on the Prius), you don’t even have to unlock the door. Just having the key fob in your possession while you open the door is enough to unlock it. Plus, many cars now start without even inserting the key into the ignition. The key (or the key fob since there is no real key) never leaves your pocket. This also makes it virtually impossible to lock the keys in the car (at least, it does in our Audi). The door won’t lock if the key is inside the car. It’s pretty great. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/18 "2009-08-28T19:22:50Z")
> [@Silophant](#): > > Thanks! Well, maybe they don’t put the sticker on the door frame anymore, but it’s in there [somewhere](http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_is_the_factory_set_keyless_entry_keypad_code_located_on_a_Ford_F-250_Lariat_supercab). ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/19 "2009-08-29T02:34:19Z")
> [@tschild](#): > > On occasions where I drive somewhere where I part company with my street clothes (e.g. running training in a forest; swimming in a gravel pit) a problem is having to take along a car key (running: sports clothing manufacturers apparently don’t put any thought into pockets where keys can be stored really, really safely and not be drenched in sweat; swimming: unlike public pools, no lockers available, plus you cannot take a car key with electronics into the water). Generally, you can get a key that is a plain metal key for the vehicle. That will open the doors & start the car, but none of the other fancy features. Such a key can easily be kept with you when running, swimming, etc., on a lanyard around your neck is a common location. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020/20 "2009-08-29T06:40:20Z")
Had one on my 1990 Ford Taurus. Loved it. Impossible to lock the keys in the car. Could quickly lock all the doors after exiting or open the trunk. Great when you didn’t want to dig your keys out of your pocket. Never failed on us. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-cars-with-keypad-access-as-a-manufacturer-option-keypad-cars-been-tried-and-flopped/508020.md?page=2)