• Welcome to F150Lightningforum.com everyone!

    If you're joining us from F150gen14.com, then you may already have an account here!

    If you were registered on F150gen14.com as of April 16, 2022 or earlier, then you can simply login here with the same username and password!

Sponsored

What’s the deal with this physical key?

cvalue13

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 24, 2022
Threads
23
Messages
788
Reaction score
752
Location
Austin, Texas
Vehicles
‘22 Lightning ER Lariat
Occupation
Fun-Employed
Feel like I’m missing something. This physical key, which fits the glove box, the center console, and - presumably - the spare tire release: what are people doing with it?

Specifically, the “head” on this key is an unusual shape that makes me think I’m missing something - especially as it has no hole with which to attach it to a standard key chain ring.

Ford F-150 Lightning What’s the deal with this physical key? 8763CB55-3F62-44FC-AB4E-79A26A637058
Sponsored

 

SmoothJ

Well-known member
First Name
John
Joined
Dec 22, 2021
Threads
57
Messages
962
Reaction score
657
Location
New Jersey
Vehicles
2021 F150 HEV
For myself, I just keep it in the car in case I need it.
 

Amps

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 21, 2022
Threads
5
Messages
1,293
Reaction score
1,418
Location
Mid-Atlantic
Vehicles
Bolt
For myself, I just keep it in the car in case I need it.
When you really, really need it, you don't need it locked in the truck. :rolleyes:

Edit: I thought it was the emergency key to unlock the doors when the keyless entry fails. It happened on my Fusion-bad antenna. It was in the switchblade fob and I was damned glad I knew how to do it.
 

F150ROD

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 14, 2021
Threads
112
Messages
3,276
Reaction score
3,963
Location
SoCal
Vehicles
F150 IB Lariat Lightning/Miata ND2 Club
Occupation
U.S. Navy Retired
It’s suppose to go in the owners manual bag….. you know, the one Ford cheaped out on because you only received supplemental books lol

good question though…. I’d like to find out myself
 
Last edited:

Sponsored

Fast911

Well-known member
First Name
Tim
Joined
Aug 9, 2021
Threads
3
Messages
125
Reaction score
134
Location
San Mateo,Ca
Vehicles
Silverado sold
For myself, I just keep it in the car in case I need it.
The key fob has a key. Push the small button upper part of the fob and the key releases. That key opens the front drivers door when your vehicle is locked, but does not lock it. I’m sure it opens the front passenger door also, but I did not try.

The key also locks the center console.
 
OP
OP
cvalue13

cvalue13

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 24, 2022
Threads
23
Messages
788
Reaction score
752
Location
Austin, Texas
Vehicles
‘22 Lightning ER Lariat
Occupation
Fun-Employed
The key fob has a key.
had no idea

now I can REALLY lose this spare weirdo key


That key also removes the plug in the bumper to lower your spare tire. It's easier to use that key then the one in your FOB.
great, now I can’t lose the weirdo key

still, all these great insights and nobody knows why this weirdo key has such a strangely shaped and useless “head”
 

Pioneer74

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 16, 2021
Threads
29
Messages
3,175
Reaction score
5,446
Location
Dearborn
Vehicles
2022 Lightning Lariat ER - 2022 Mach-E Premium
Occupation
Electrician
OP
OP
cvalue13

cvalue13

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 24, 2022
Threads
23
Messages
788
Reaction score
752
Location
Austin, Texas
Vehicles
‘22 Lightning ER Lariat
Occupation
Fun-Employed
are you suggesting that something about the shape of that key head helps in unlocking the spare?

because I’m pretty sure I remember it merely unlocking the pluglike any other key shape would accomplish - preferably with a hole in the head for attaching to a key ring
 

Sponsored

Pioneer74

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 16, 2021
Threads
29
Messages
3,175
Reaction score
5,446
Location
Dearborn
Vehicles
2022 Lightning Lariat ER - 2022 Mach-E Premium
Occupation
Electrician
are you suggesting that something about the shape of that key head helps in unlocking the spare?
1. It's easier to turn and pull the plug out with that spare key than with the key in the fob.

2. If/when you have to pull that plug out in years to come, after the truck has driven through mud/salt/rain and the plug becomes stuck, you won't break the fob key. It's only held together by thin plastic.

If your want to carry it around on a ring, drill a hole in it.
 
OP
OP
cvalue13

cvalue13

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 24, 2022
Threads
23
Messages
788
Reaction score
752
Location
Austin, Texas
Vehicles
‘22 Lightning ER Lariat
Occupation
Fun-Employed
1. It's easier to turn and pull the plug out with that spare key than with the key in the fob.

2. If/when you have to pull that plug out in years to come, after the truck has driven through mud/salt/rain and the plug becomes stuck, you won't break the fob key. It's only held together by thin plastic.
sorry bud, we’re talking past one-another

I understand why a physical key opens the lock better than the FOB key

but that utility has nothing to do with why they shaped the head of the key like a kitty cat’s head

Ford F-150 Lightning What’s the deal with this physical key? 8B3E4B4E-C156-4E70-9538-94DEFA7F35BB


or why they decided to leave the key head absent a hole for attaching key rings

here’s people taking it into their own hands with a drill press

Ford F-150 Lightning What’s the deal with this physical key? C90F5012-9958-4FC1-A004-A35A8B4A70AE
 

merek

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2022
Threads
22
Messages
249
Reaction score
237
Location
Buffalo, NY
Vehicles
F150 Lightning Lariat ER [6/20]
Does this key also work for the BoxLink hooks, or is that not keyed the same?
 

Pioneer74

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 16, 2021
Threads
29
Messages
3,175
Reaction score
5,446
Location
Dearborn
Vehicles
2022 Lightning Lariat ER - 2022 Mach-E Premium
Occupation
Electrician
sorry bud, we’re talking past one-another

I understand why a physical key opens the lock better than the FOB key

but that utility has nothing to do with why they shaped the head of the key like a kitty cat’s head

8B3E4B4E-C156-4E70-9538-94DEFA7F35BB.jpeg


or why they decided to leave the key head absent a hole for attaching key rings

here’s people taking it into their own hands with a drill press

C90F5012-9958-4FC1-A004-A35A8B4A70AE.jpeg
I haven't carried a ring of keys since I have been driving a car with a fob I don't have to take out of my pocket. I can see no reason to carry that key around.

Why is it shaped like that? I guess we can petition Ford to have different shaped pet heads. I'm a Lab guy myself, but I would take a German Sheppard with it's ears perked over the "cat".
Sponsored

 


 


Top