How to Reset MyKey without Admin Key in Your Ford? We Answer

Ford MyKey is an innovative feature from Ford that allows vehicle owners to customize the driving experience of their car. It enables them to set limits on speed, audio volume, and safety settings like traction control and stability control. The feature also has a valet mode which disables certain features such as navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and personal settings.

Car software settings problems highlights

• Howcommon:very common
• Main reasons:hard-to-operate software, glitch, hardware issues
• DIY diagnosis:possible
• DIYrepair:possible
• Solutions:resetting, learning how to set, asking for professional help
• Can you drive?yes
• Price in dealership:$150 - $250

How Ford MyKey Works

Before diving further, here's a quick discussion on the basic functionality of the Ford MyKey. This will provide you with a way to understand its key features and how you can benefit from it.

By setting up a key profile with Ford MyKey, owners can ensure safe driving habits while allowing others to use their cars. This makes it an ideal feature for families with teenage drivers in particular. This is also beneficial for fleet owners who want to secure their investment through safe driving practices on the part of their drivers.

One of the benefits of the Ford MyKey is its ability to limit speed so that inexperienced drivers stay within legal limits and drive safely. With this feature enabled, vehicles will not exceed a predetermined speed set by the owner. This can be helpful when teens are driving, or to prevent users from inadvertently crossing the speed limit.

Another benefit of Ford MyKey is that it allows owners to limit audio volume. This ensures a safe level of sound within the car in order to maintain focus on the road and reduce distractions. Similarly, the valet mode disables certain features for added security when a vehicle needs to be left with an unfamiliar driver.

Ford MyKey also helps encourage seatbelt use. The feature will not allow drivers to go beyond certain speeds without everyone wearing their seatbelts first. Additionally, it will sound out periodic chimes if any passenger has not fastened their belt over this duration, further reminding them to buckle up.

Finally, Ford MyKey also helps ensure vehicle maintenance by displaying important warnings on the dashboard when service is overdue or fluids need to be filled up. This makes it easier for car owners to keep track of necessary maintenance tasks and ensure their vehicles are running optimally.

These features make Ford MyKey an excellent feature for families with teenagers or young drivers, as it provides a safe and secure way of monitoring driving habits while allowing others to use the owner's car. With its ability to limit speed, audio volume, and enable valet mode for added security, Ford Mykey can be invaluable in keeping everyone safe on the road.

Resetting the Ford MyKey with the Admin Key

There are two ways to reset the Ford MyKey if you have your admin key. One is using the information display of your vehicle and the other is via the Sync Screen.

Through the information display, simply follow these steps:

• From off status, turn on the vehicle of your engine using your admin key.
• Using the OK or the ">" sign on your multi-function steering wheel, go over to Settings.
• Choose MyKey in the selection.
• Press the OK button until you see a prompt confirming that the settings of your MyKeys have been reset.

Now, using the Sync screen, just proceed with the following steps:

• From off, start your vehicle using the admin key.
• Go to Settings in the Sync screen.
• Select Vehicle from the choices.
• Once you see MyKey in the options, tap it.
• Follow the directions shown on your screen.
• You'll know that you just successfully completed the task once you see a confirmation message.

Ford reminds that you cannot erase the restrictions in your MyKey individually as the process of resetting totally clears it of your former presets.

Resetting the Ford MyKey without the Admin Key

If you have lost your admin key, Ford advises replacing it for you to gain control of your MyKey settings. In reality though, there is a way to bypass the system without it. However, there's no way to do this on the native applications of your car, most probably due to security reasons on the part of the automaker.

To reset the Ford MyKey without the admin key, you should acquire a third-party app that will allow you to do this. There are some mobile apps that will let you do this. Two of the popular ones are FordSys Scan Pro and FORScan. The process to do this varies on the interface of the app you are using, but it should provide you with the same results in the end.

To start, you will have to plug in the USB OBD II device of the tool into the computer of your vehicle via the USB port. You may have to pair the device with the app on your computer or mobile device via Bluetooth if prompted.

Upon initialization, depending on the app you are using, you will have to gain access to the PATS (Passive Anti-Theft System) module of your Ford. From there, get into the option that will let you enter the Ignition Key Programming of your car.

Follow the instructions provided by the app as you go along. Normally, in such apps like FORScan, you will be required to turn off your vehicle and remove the key afterward. Next, you will have to wait a bit until you are instructed to put it back and put the ignition to on. Typically, this won't require you to start the engine, so do only what it says.

Once the preliminary steps are done, your car may enter into some security checks to ensure that you own the vehicle or you have the authority to modify with its MyKey settings. Just follow the directions and/or supply the data required by the system to proceed.

After finishing the steps, you will be guided back to the main menu of the app where you can clear the restrictions programmed in your MyKey. Lastly, you will have to turn off the vehicle again.

This method works for most Ford models and tools that allow resetting of MyKey. However, some Ford models and apps may require extra steps to successfully accomplish this task.

Why You Should Avoid Resetting MyKey without the Admin Key

Resetting MyKey even without the admin key of your Ford vehicle is definitely possible. As the saying goes though, "Not because you can, does not mean you should."

While this method is certainly useful in some situations like when you have lost your admin key, we still strongly advise against it due to the following reasons:

1. A Glitch May Ruin Your Car's System

If the third-party app turns out to be unreliable or is prone to glitches in its operation, chances are you won't be able to accomplish anything. The worst part is that running on a glitch while on your way to resetting MyKey may corrupt its system and cause recurring errors in it later on.

2. Security Breaches

The same goes for the security of your mobile app too. If it is not secure, someone with malicious intent may gain control over your personal data and settings. This is why Ford has advised against using third-party apps to reset MyKey without the admin key as they cannot guarantee its safety.

3. Void Warranty

Using third-party apps to bypass MyKey voids your vehicle's warranty in most cases, too. So, if any error occurs during this process or you are unable to completely reset it, the cost of repairs will be on you instead of being covered by Ford's policy agreement for your car model.

Conclusion

While there is a way to reset your Ford MyKey without the admin key, it is still highly not recommended due to the risks associated with it. If you insist though, take extra caution and make sure that all safety protocols are observed throughout the process.

Additionally, make sure to use the app that you will be using has a good track record regarding security and reliability when dealing with such delicate operations like resetting MyKey. Getting help from professionals who have expertise in this matter may be beneficial as well, and will save you from all the trouble in the long run.

Furthermore, if something goes wrong while resetting MyKey through third-party apps, your vehicle may stop functioning altogether and require expensive repairs or complete replacement of its computer system to fix the issue.

Given these things, it's best to keep your car's warranty intact for any future problems and contact a Ford dealership or the manufacturer directly when it comes to resetting MyKey.

This way, you can be assured that the job will be done correctly without compromising your car's software integrity. Lastly, if you are still not comfortable with doing the resetting yourself, then hiring a professional mechanic or automotive technician would be the safest option here.