We have had an entry keypad ever since we bought our 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis in 1995 because we stayed true blue to the Grand Marquis. Alas, no more Mercuries. Our latest model is a 2005 and showing its age a bit. Decisions, decisions. We don’t know where to turn, especially since Ford has abandoned its entire line of sedans in favor of SUVs?!?
After living with keypad entry for over 20 years, we don’t want to be without it!
The modern equivalent is keyless entry (not remote). The door handle contains a sensor that detects when you touch the handle and unlocks the door, and a button on the handle to lock the door. It works when you are next to the car with the key fob.
All keyless start cars come with a backup mechanical key. It’s hidden inside the key fob and can be removed by sliding a small latch. The corresponding door keyway is sometimes hidden under a removable flap next to the door handle, and the ignition keyway is behind the start/stop button.
My mother had some kind of a Ford that had a keypad entry. It was great. However, in cold weather it could be a little tricky and unreliable. It had to be really cold weather though. This was a car she got in the late '80s.
However, the keypad didn’t start the car, just got you in, so it wouldn’t have worked if you just didn’t want to carry a key. And I don’t think the car allowed you to lock your keys in it, either.
You could, of course, buy something like this.
they’re still going to be made for a few more years, just doesn’t sound like they’ll be replaced when they’re done.
and yes, the keypad is still available on Ford and Lincoln vehicles.
I’ve left my key atop the driver’s side front tire many times. Works in a pinch, ideally place it discreetly (tie your shoe and place the key).
My 2017 Ford Escape and my mom’s 2018 Escape have the keypad on the door. No keyless ignition, tho. At least not in our models.
You can also buy a hidden magnetic keyholder box that you stick anywhere you want underneath the car.
If you lock the door electronically using the key fob, it’s already impossible to lock the keys inside the car.
I’m not a fan of having the doors automatically unlock when a key is in the vicinity. If I’m on a long trip, I like to take a spare key with me, but I can never leave it in the car.
I wish more cars had the keypad, I had a Ford Explorer with one and I loved having that option. Seems it never caught on with other manufacturers.
You could use keypad entry and place the key fob in a RF blocking bag?
The doors don’t unlock/lock until you touch the handle or push its button. The cars I’ve used with this feature allow a key to be locked in the car as long as the key used to lock/unlock is different. In that case, the key inside the car was too far from the handle sensors to allow the car to be unlocked with it.
I want to have the chip inside my keyless remote fob built into my watch or watchband. That way I ALWAYS have it.
A lot of Fords have it, but it’s kinda hidden as this video shows: How to Use the Ford Keypad Entry - YouTube
Some auto manufacturers have Apple Watch apps that will unlock their cars.
Showing your age, man.
75-80% of young people do NOT wear a wristwatch. In their 30’s, it goes up to about 50% wearing a watch – Mostly men, in white-collar jobs.
If you need a physical object in your possession to unlock the car, then it is in no way an “equivalent” to a keypad. It doesn’t solve the OP’s problem of having to carry a key (or fob, or whatever) when running. It also wouldn’t solve certain other problems that a keypad would, such as remotely giving other people easy access to the interior of the car.
Keyless entry with a fob is the modern equivalent of the key, not the keypad.
What does Mops drive these days, I wonder? Have they found a solution in the nine years since posting this?
I have an app that I can use to unlock my car doors. (You’d still have to carry your phone around)
It also has a button to start the car, which I have never tried. I wonder if it would work without the keyfob present.
I was just thinking about this the other day, wondering if there is such a thing as a good aftermarket keypad. I have a little Mazda2 that I adore. Where I live I can leave my keys in the car (out of sight, but the car’s unlocked and the keys live in it). Lately the random crime in my area seems to be on the rise so I’m thinking this habit has to stop and I should lock my car, but I hate having to keep track of keys! I’m also really bad at it. Yes, I know about the hook near the door, the bowl, attach them to something that always goes with you. I know all the tricks, I just hab=ven’t found one that I can or will actually DO.
A friend has an F-350 with a keypad and it’s so great. I’d love to have one put in my little cr, but I don’t think that’s possible 