Last edit by: IBJoel
It is a safety feature of new Ford models to be programmed with a max speed of 80 MPH and max volume of 40%. This is is possibly implemented by the factory or previous renters.
Speed Limit 80 MPH (130 km/h)
On
Off
Speed Warning Chime (Approaching Top Speed)
Chime at 55 MPH (90 km/h)
Chime at 65 MPH (105 km/h)
Chime at 75 MPH (120 km/h)
Off
Volume Limit
40%
Off
ESP System Cannot be Disabled
On
Off
- Without the admin key, you can not deactivate this (the spare key in the spare ire in the trunk may be the admin key, however).
- Only the station manager has the ability to remove the MyKey restriction.
- To see if MyKey is enabled, turn on the ignition and it will display "MyKey Active" within approximately 5 seconds
- When you enable the system, the key you are using becomes the MyKey and the other key becomes the AdminKey.
- Every feature of MyKey can be customized to your specific needs. The speed limit, however, is set by the factory at 80 MPH (130 km/h) and cannot be customized. Here are the MyKey features and your options:
Speed Limit 80 MPH (130 km/h)
On
Off
Speed Warning Chime (Approaching Top Speed)
Chime at 55 MPH (90 km/h)
Chime at 65 MPH (105 km/h)
Chime at 75 MPH (120 km/h)
Off
Volume Limit
40%
Off
ESP System Cannot be Disabled
On
Off
Ford MyKey Deactivation
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: IND
Programs: SPG Plat, DL DM, HHonors Diamond, Avis First, National EE, Marriott Gold
Posts: 434
Ford MyKey Deactivation
I've searched the forum, and couldn't find exactly what I was looking for.
I just picked up a Ford Escape from RDU and went along my way, beginning a 2 hour drive on a 2-lane road. Speed limit is 65 and I come up on a truck doing 50 or so. I decide to pass, and step on the gas to make it around the guy. In doing so, I hear some weird noises coming from the car, and then look down to the speedometer, and notice in the info bar (where mileage is usually displayed) that it says "Maximum speed reached." I'm nearing 80 MPH at this point (not uncommon, especially if the speed limit is 70 - I'm usually doing 80+). Luckily I had plenty of room, else I might have been in trouble if I needed more acceleration.
I do some research and apparently it's a safety feature of Fords to be able to be programmed with a max speed of 80 MPH and volume on the stereo to 40% of max. I only have one key to the car, and it's not the master. Anyone have any clue on how to deactivate this? It's a little bit of a safety hazard as I didn't know until I hit the max speed that it was even turned on. No signage on the car, etc. to denote this.
I just picked up a Ford Escape from RDU and went along my way, beginning a 2 hour drive on a 2-lane road. Speed limit is 65 and I come up on a truck doing 50 or so. I decide to pass, and step on the gas to make it around the guy. In doing so, I hear some weird noises coming from the car, and then look down to the speedometer, and notice in the info bar (where mileage is usually displayed) that it says "Maximum speed reached." I'm nearing 80 MPH at this point (not uncommon, especially if the speed limit is 70 - I'm usually doing 80+). Luckily I had plenty of room, else I might have been in trouble if I needed more acceleration.
I do some research and apparently it's a safety feature of Fords to be able to be programmed with a max speed of 80 MPH and volume on the stereo to 40% of max. I only have one key to the car, and it's not the master. Anyone have any clue on how to deactivate this? It's a little bit of a safety hazard as I didn't know until I hit the max speed that it was even turned on. No signage on the car, etc. to denote this.
#2
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 4,396
Had the same problem when I rented a Taurus Limited out of DCA. It was annoying because it also prevented the music volume from being turned past a certain level; I can't remember if it actually prevented me from exceeding a set speed limit, or if it just gave an audio chime when a speed was exceeded.
Anyway, as far as I know, only the station manager has the ability to remove the MyKey restriction.
Anyway, as far as I know, only the station manager has the ability to remove the MyKey restriction.
#3
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
Without the admin key, you can not make the change (unless it has remote start I believe).
Bring it back and ask they remove it and explain why and see how that works out
It is a fairly common question on many of the question sites for months, it's apparently not at all uncommon for the rental companies to treat their renters like teenagers just learning to drive.
Also see this thread where it hints it comes that way from the factory, was not programmed by the rental agency
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/dolla...rus-mykey.html
It's also possible the spare key is with the spare tire in the trunk, is so it may be the admin key
Bring it back and ask they remove it and explain why and see how that works out
It is a fairly common question on many of the question sites for months, it's apparently not at all uncommon for the rental companies to treat their renters like teenagers just learning to drive.
Also see this thread where it hints it comes that way from the factory, was not programmed by the rental agency
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/dolla...rus-mykey.html
It's also possible the spare key is with the spare tire in the trunk, is so it may be the admin key
Last edited by cordelli; Nov 2, 2010 at 12:46 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: IND
Programs: SPG Plat, DL DM, HHonors Diamond, Avis First, National EE, Marriott Gold
Posts: 434
It was interesting because I've rented either an Edge or Escape twice a month for the past 6 months, and this is the first time I've encountered the issue.
And yes, I'm well aware that all I ask for is to go 20 over the speed limit I won't even talk about the Sirius subscription being expired.
And yes, I'm well aware that all I ask for is to go 20 over the speed limit I won't even talk about the Sirius subscription being expired.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,964
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: IND
Programs: SPG Plat, DL DM, HHonors Diamond, Avis First, National EE, Marriott Gold
Posts: 434
I returned the car today, and went inside to inform the staff of the MyKey activation. The exchange went like this:
Me: I think it's a safety hazard that it's not posted anywhere on the car that the max speed is 80.
Staff: But the speed limit in most of North Carolina is 65.
Me: I know, but it's my choice to speed if I want to. And I was trying to pass on a 2 lane road.
Staff: But that's speeding!
Me: ::shakes head and leaves::
#8
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Calgary,AB
Programs: Aeroplan 25K , UA ,WJ, HA, AMEX AP Reserve
Posts: 1,289
I had a mid-size reserved on the last wknd of Aug in YYZ to travel north
of Toronto to our lakeside cottage with a buddy for 4 days of boating, golf, & general R&R. When I got to the booth, the attendant informed me they were out of midsize & would I be interested in a convertible? I of course jumped at the chance , but expecting a Chrysler Sebring or some such middling convertible.
I was directed to the end of the row, and there sat a brand new bright red Ford Mustang 5.0 L 400 HP convertible. A thing of beauty to say the least. I almost couldn't contain myself as I checked out. As we began our drive north, remarking about our good luck, my buddy of course begins playing with the stereo ,and the Sirius Sat radio (which actually worked nicely). Before long, he discovers it won't go higher than 40% volume and the screen says MyKey. ... is this? Next, as I begin to test the mettle of this beast on the freeway, I get this chime and message on the speedometer display at 125km/hr= Max speed reached MyKey.
What a way to ruin my Karma and tame a horse that wants to run! Bastiges you are Ford & National !
of Toronto to our lakeside cottage with a buddy for 4 days of boating, golf, & general R&R. When I got to the booth, the attendant informed me they were out of midsize & would I be interested in a convertible? I of course jumped at the chance , but expecting a Chrysler Sebring or some such middling convertible.
I was directed to the end of the row, and there sat a brand new bright red Ford Mustang 5.0 L 400 HP convertible. A thing of beauty to say the least. I almost couldn't contain myself as I checked out. As we began our drive north, remarking about our good luck, my buddy of course begins playing with the stereo ,and the Sirius Sat radio (which actually worked nicely). Before long, he discovers it won't go higher than 40% volume and the screen says MyKey. ... is this? Next, as I begin to test the mettle of this beast on the freeway, I get this chime and message on the speedometer display at 125km/hr= Max speed reached MyKey.
What a way to ruin my Karma and tame a horse that wants to run! Bastiges you are Ford & National !
#10
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,964
Well, to their credit, you know you'll never hear a National rep ever condone driving anything except the limit; you wouldn't, but to be sure some d-bag would kill or injure themselves and National would end up sued because "they said it was OK to speed!"
#11
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: A place where I have just enough status to want more, but can't afford it!
Programs: National EE, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Plat, Avis PC, Hertz PC
Posts: 112
I had this happen before on a nearly new Lincoln Navigator from National. I was driving down the freeway when I noticed the lane about a mile ahead was blocked with a stalled car. I accelerated to merge to the left, began changing lanes and then the Navigator cut off the power, chimed and displayed "MyKey" until I was below 65 I think. Of course, I had to slow down and the driver behind me honked and started tailgating me as if I was trying to slow him down and cut him off on purpose. When I called National to explain the problem they didn't want to send a tow truck to exchange the vehicle and they weren't aware of what was happening. Instead they wanted me to drive 30miles back to National to exchange the car. I didn't have time for that so I google'd the problem, tried to find the master key (which I couldn't), and then kept the car until it was due. Fortuantly, when I returned the car, the freeway speeds in LA rarely exceeded 30mph, so I didn't really have to worry about the mykey limit.
Never the less, this mykey sounds like a horrible idea; if your child can't be trusted to drive a car safely, then he/she shouldn't be trusted with a car; let alone a brand new one.
My advice, when you start your car to drive off the National lot, check the display and look for an indication stating something along the lines of "mykey is active, drive safely." If you see it, run far away and chose something else.
Never the less, this mykey sounds like a horrible idea; if your child can't be trusted to drive a car safely, then he/she shouldn't be trusted with a car; let alone a brand new one.
My advice, when you start your car to drive off the National lot, check the display and look for an indication stating something along the lines of "mykey is active, drive safely." If you see it, run far away and chose something else.
Last edited by AviatorAce; Nov 4, 2010 at 8:39 pm Reason: Grammer
#12
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: JAL, Asia Miles
Posts: 6
I do some research and apparently it's a safety feature of Fords to be able to be programmed with a max speed of 80 MPH and volume on the stereo to 40% of max. I only have one key to the car, and it's not the master. Anyone have any clue on how to deactivate this? It's a little bit of a safety hazard as I didn't know until I hit the max speed that it was even turned on. No signage on the car, etc. to denote this.
#13
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Not where I want to be!
Programs: BD, BA, 1MHC.
Posts: 121
As far as I know, this insanity has not yet reached the U.K., but I have experienced a similar phenomenon in my SAAB 9000 on the odd occasion when I ask it for excessive turbo boost : a safety override cuts in, and the engine goes dead for about one second. A horrible sensation if you are trying to join a fast-moving motorway and need to get up to full cruising speed in a hurry ...
NB
#14
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 4,396
It was the first thing I did! So I took my bag and walked the lot - but the choices were limited, and I didn't feel like a Grand Marquis or minivan last week. It's what I get for picking up on a Tuesday.
I returned the car today, and went inside to inform the staff of the MyKey activation. The exchange went like this:
Me: I think it's a safety hazard that it's not posted anywhere on the car that the max speed is 80.
Staff: But the speed limit in most of North Carolina is 65.
Me: I know, but it's my choice to speed if I want to. And I was trying to pass on a 2 lane road.
Staff: But that's speeding!
Me: ::shakes head and leaves::
I returned the car today, and went inside to inform the staff of the MyKey activation. The exchange went like this:
Me: I think it's a safety hazard that it's not posted anywhere on the car that the max speed is 80.
Staff: But the speed limit in most of North Carolina is 65.
Me: I know, but it's my choice to speed if I want to. And I was trying to pass on a 2 lane road.
Staff: But that's speeding!
Me: ::shakes head and leaves::
#15
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: DL - Plat, Marriott - Plat, Hilton - Diamond, SPG- Plat, National- ES
Posts: 1,857
I knew there was a reason I don't ever want to take a Ford Product! Speed limit is areas where I drive is often 75 or so... I don't want to be rear ended because the care is "protecting" me!