I have on several occasions since joining this forum heard people mention a push button start on their 250. Is this an option that I just don't have? My 250 Lariat diesel has this cumbersome fob thing where with the push of a button the key swings out like the blade on a switchblade knife. I can't say I really like the way it works and find it tough to stab the key in the hole unless you lean forward and visibly have to watch the key go in the switch. My wife's 2017 Expedition Limited has the push button on the dash and I actually kind of like it now that I have gotten used to it. Only thing I don't like is when you get out of the thing with it running and get 3 feet away it honks the horn but I prefer it over the switchblade.

My question... can I have a regular old key cut to use on the 250 starting switch, allowing me to leave the fob in my pocket, or is there some kind of secret signal between the fob and the switch that would prevent me from doing this? Thanks

One other thing... the hinge point where the key blade and fob connect seems to be getting looser everyday making me wonder if it will eventually fail at some point and I only have about 1300 miles on my truck which I bought in September.

 

Push button start on the Super Dutys is standard on Lariat trucks with the "Ultimate" package and all King Ranch and Platinum trucks.

There is a solid key available from Ford if you want to go that route.

 

You can also use FORScan to have the annoying horn honk eliminated from your wife's Expedition; or the dealer could do it through IDS. All the Super Duty trucks with pushbutton start do the same thing (honk when you get out but engine is running) and many of us have used FORScan to eliminate this problem.

The switchblade-style fob has been used by other manufacturers for many, many years and is reliable. They do get a bit more loose over time, but I don't think it will ever come apart.

The key is laser-cut so a standard hardware-store key cutting operation won't be able to help you.

 

I too had this concern about the switchblade key. One can buy a standard form factor chip key from a dealer and have it programmed to start the vehicle, thus leaving the flipkey as just a fob.

That being said, the process of cutting these sidewinder keys, as they are known, is done with a small specialized milling machine. We do them all the time at my local hardware store. I even bought a flipkey blank online, cut it myself, and programmed it myself. $39!!!

 

Good to know, I stand corrected.

 

Thanks guys, appreciate the input. Glad mine has the switchblade as I sure didn't want the ultimate package and the sunroof that goes with it.

The honking horn is a bit annoying but it has saved me a couple of times getting out and forgetting to shut the thing off first...

The worst part is going in my little country post office to my po box and leaving the Expo running, as I like to do, but I guess I'll just leave it alone and let it honk..

 

In your defense, I've heard my dealer call it a "laser cut key" many times. The vernacular is just misleading.