Love the keypad. Use it all the time on my 2005 F-150. Usually, I use it to retrieve things from an otherwise locked car. For example, if I'm outside in the yard and want to grab my sunglasses from my truck -- I don't have to run inside to find my keys. I also use it (less frequently) to provide for when I need to intentionally lock my keys in the car (others gave examples of this).

When my wife was deciding between Ford Fusion AWD and Subaru Legacy, the Ford's keypad was a big Pro for the Ford side of the ledger.

It's obviously really silly how there are only 5 buttons but Ford uses the clever 0/1, 2/3, and so on, to give the illusion of 10-digit code complexity. Obviously, 22791 = 32680 = 23781.

 

It doesn't get a lot of use, but like others on here, I find it a handy feature when I do use it.

Mostly, it's used to grab stuff, or put stuff back, in the truck if the keys are left in the house, or when we're out camping, and they're in the trailer. I don't use it so much to leave the keys in the truck. I might for say, a day at the beach, or out in a canoe, but in general day to day usage, if I need to leave the truck running, with the intelligent access key, I just get out and leave it running while I walk away with the key. It'll double honk at me, but doesn't shut down. At least not in my experience.

I've also used it once when they were calling for a really bad snow storm, and I swapped vehicles with my wife so she'd have something better than her minivan to drive after work. Dropped it off in her parking lot and locked the key in, then drove hers home. She came out after work, used the code, got in and was able to make it home safe and sound when several others were going off the roads by that time.

For those that think they'll forget the code, I stored mine in a note app I have on my watch. Lets me easily pull up useful little used, but when I need it, I need it conveniently, items like that.

 

 

 

I recently saw a guy at a gas station waiting for a tow truck to unlock his car due to a dog.

 

If you surf you'll be glad you had the keypad.

 

It makes locking your keys in the car a thing of the past as well as not having to have a key at all. I have the push button start. I leave a fob in the truck and just use the keypad and push button to start. I keep a fob inside the house or office to remote start the truck. As Forrest Gump would say, one less thing in your pocket. Very handy-dandy.....

 

Yep and yep.

 

I almost ran out of gas in my sXs when we decided to take another trail. When I leave I always let a key in the truck. If I'm stuck for whatever reason , I can just call somebody , give them the code and they can come and pick me up with the truck/trailer. Keyless is great but I prefer the code by far

 

That's interesting. I've never used the keypad. I forget there is one on the door until I read threads like this. My first vehicle with a keypad. Old habits I suppose.

 

After seeing how easily the door locks are defeated on these trucks does it concern you in doing so that a pair of channelocks would allow someone to drive your vehicle away?

 

Sounds like me. I just snapped a pic of it with my phone. Only works if I don't leave my phone in the truck though.

 

Absolutely! Last summer while at a campground we overheard an argument brewing between a young couple with an infant and a dog. They had just arrived and were trying to set up camp. The dog was left in the running GMC suv and had locked the doors with their infant inside. Thankfully, the ac was on and they had onstar. Took them a bit to find cell coverage though.

The same thing happened to us later on that same trip but thankfully I remembered to roll the windows down because of this.

 

Nope, I live in a different part of the world than you. I don't lock my house, leave my keys in my vehicles and unlocked in my yard. Now, If I lived or visit somewhere that is different I do lock up and keep my fob out of the truck. I just choose to live and work in a place where I don't have to. 'tis convenient

 

I have had keypads since '96 and they are a really awesome thing to have.
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in the past with the excursion I would put the keys in the console and lock the truck without worry. On the new truck with smart key is there any worry of someone smashing the glass and then just pushing the start button with the fob in the console?

I assume the proximity alarm would trigger and prevent engine operation but I don't really know.