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You’d think getting a tire patched would be one of the simplest things that could happen to your day. A hiccup, not a headache. But when you’re driving something like the Ford Mustang Mach-E – a sleek, all-electric crossover that’s part muscle car, part modern tech hub – even the most routine tasks can take an unexpected turn.
And it all started with a low tire. Nothing dramatic, no shredded rubber or roadside panic. But the resolution? That came with a surprising twist that a lot of EV owners might not be ready for.
Duane Keys, a member of the Mustang Mach-E Owners Facebook group, recently shared this story that instantly got my attention — not because it was dramatic, but because it was just real. Here’s what he wrote:
“The first world EV problem: I got a low tire on my Ford Mustang Mach-E on the way to work. Stopped at a tire shop within walking distance of my office, but they needed me to leave the car.
Sounds simple, except I’ve a got phone as key on the Mach-E. Without the physical fob (or my password), they wouldn’t have been able to move it.
Thankfully, I found another place that could take care of it right away (was on the way home to get my key fob when I decided to try another spot). They quickly patched the tire on my Mustang Mach-E, and I was back on the road.
I love the car, but sometimes simpler is better.”
And with that, we tumble down the rabbit hole of what happens when digital convenience collides with real-world unpredictability. It’s easy to assume phone-as-a-key (PAAK) is the future – and don’t get me wrong, it’s mostly brilliant. Until it isn’t.
The “Key” Problem – And It’s Not Just Ford
What Duane ran into wasn’t some weird edge case. It’s becoming more common as automakers lean into phone-as-a-key systems and push-button everything. But this raises a very basic question: What do you do when someone else needs to move your EV and they don’t have your phone or password?
In Duane’s case, the shop couldn’t even move the Mach-E inside to fix the tire unless he gave them access. And since his key was his phone — and the fob was at home — the shop was effectively locked out of his car.
He even explained later:
“I totally recognize there are solutions to this. I was just sharing it for others to know and be prepared for situations like this.”
And that’s why this post matters. Because it’s not just about one guy’s tire. It’s a small, real-world reminder that for all the tech-forward moves we’re seeing in EVs, sometimes they forget that cars aren’t just machines we drive — they’re things we leave with valets, loan to mechanics, and rely on in less-than-perfect situations.
Smart Workarounds from Smart Owners
Luckily, Duane’s post sparked some great ideas from other Mach-E owners. If you’re reading this and you drive a tech-heavy EV, take notes.
Jacob Trail had one of the most practical solutions:
“I keep my fob in a Faraday pouch in the car just in case I need to get service done or PAAK doesn’t work for some reason.”
That’s actually smarter than it sounds. A Faraday pouch can block the key’s signal until you need it, preventing potential theft and keeping the fob handy without draining the battery or compromising security. If you’ve ever worried about electronic key fob identity theft, this article explains how Faraday protection works – and why it’s more necessary than ever.
Dave Keck chimed in too, saying:
“Just use the valet code. It’s not hard!”
He’s not wrong. Ford includes a valet mode and passcode that lets you temporarily hand off your vehicle without giving full access. But like many hidden features, it’s easy to forget about until you’re stuck.
Chuck Ackerman offered a different take:
“It takes about 5 minutes to set up a door code and password for them. Write it on a piece of paper and leave it for them.”
Again, totally reasonable. But that only works if you plan ahead. As Duane replied:
“Yeah, I definitely could have. In my case it was easier to drive to a shop that could fit me in immediately and changed it while I stood there.
I’ll probably just start carrying the FOB around again. I’ve been this close to upgrading my phone a few times but realize I’d be starting it with the passcode and just avoided it.”
Let’s be honest: we’re all one step away from getting stuck in a situation like this. And that’s what makes this worth talking about.
Why Convenience Sometimes Overreaches
This story hits a deeper note for EV drivers. We’re living in a time when automakers are banking on minimalism — fewer buttons, fewer keys, fewer physical connections. But while we chase the clean design, we lose some messy functionality.
It’s the same reason many owners are rethinking phone-key systems altogether. One Rivian owner had his own awkward moment with PAAK, as he explained in this personal report. These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re signs that maybe we’ve over-optimized.
The problem isn’t tech itself – it’s unchecked reliance on a single access method. And it raises real questions about who has access to your car, and under what conditions. Should a $50,000 vehicle really be inaccessible because your phone battery died? Or you didn’t bring a fob?
Maybe “Dumb” Features Aren’t So Dumb After All
If you’ve been around the block, you know that redundancy is king in automotive design. Having a backup key fob, keeping the valet code stored, or even printing a paper cheat sheet — these aren’t paranoid moves. They’re realistic.
And speaking of fobs, there’s an entire aftermarket ecosystem around this now. One owner recently successfully programmed a Lexus-style smart key for his Toyota Highlander, bypassing dealer costs and gaining more control. That trend – owning the tech, not being owned by it – is what a lot of drivers are starting to embrace.
It’s the same reason some Mach-E owners are getting skeptical about pricey service calls. Just ask the driver who was quoted $695 by Ford for a 12V battery replacement. Tech convenience shouldn’t mean tech dependence – and definitely not a tech tax.
So What’s the Takeaway Here?
Duane’s low-tire story isn’t just a one-off anecdote. It’s a reminder that even the most exciting EVs – and I’d count the Mustang Mach-E among them – come with their own blind spots.
In fact, some owners are coming back around to rethink their experience with the Mach-E entirely. One even wrote about how the Mach-E turned out to be better than he initially gave it credit for, while another felt it was fun while it lasted, but not perfect.
Maybe the lesson here is to embrace the blend — keep the tech, sure. But don’t ditch the backup. That small key fob you left in a drawer three months ago? Might be time to make peace with it again.
Your Turn on Car Keys
What do you think – are we too quick to ditch physical car keys for phone-based convenience? Have you ever been stuck because of something like this?
Let me know your experience in the comments below. Do you trust your EV’s phone-as-a-key system enough to never carry a fob again? Or do you keep a “just-in-case” option on hand like some of these owners do?
Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.
Image source: Grok.
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Source: torquenews.com
