Question 1

What is the cheapest way to replace my 2017 Lincoln MKX smart key?

Accepted Answer

Call a mobile locksmith before you call the dealer. Lincoln dealers typically write up smart key replacements as a parts-plus-labor job that adds up fast -- the fob itself, the key blade cut, programming time, and a service write-up fee all get itemized separately. With EZ Car Keyz, you get the fob, the blade, and the programming done on site in Encinitas for a fraction of what the dealer quotes. No tow, no appointment, no waiting for parts to be ordered. Call first and get the actual number before you assume the dealer is your only option.

Question 2

How much more does all-keys-lost cost compared to adding a spare?

Accepted Answer

More -- and the gap is real. When you have one working key, adding a spare is a faster job. The system recognizes the existing key, the new one gets enrolled alongside it, and you're done relatively quickly.

When every key is gone, the immobilizer has to be fully reset before anything new can be registered. On this platform, that process includes mandatory timed security cycles built into the system -- you cannot rush them or skip them. That wait time is baked into the job whether I'm standing there or not. On top of that, all-keys-lost jobs require a minimum of two new keys to complete the procedure correctly, so the parts cost goes up too.

The math is simple: get a spare made while you still have a working key. One call now saves a significantly bigger bill later.

Question 3

Are aftermarket Lincoln MKX smart key fobs worth buying?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the source. The fob market for this vehicle is crowded, and quality varies a lot. MKX owners on forums report aftermarket shells cracking within a few months, buttons losing tactile response, and proximity detection becoming unreliable at normal operating distance. The internal electronics are what matter most -- a fob with a weak or poorly manufactured board may program fine initially and then develop issues under regular use.

The short answer: a quality aftermarket fob from a known supplier can work fine. A cut-rate one from an unknown online seller is a gamble. Either way, the fob still needs professional programming to pair with your vehicle -- buying it yourself doesn't change that step. We carry fobs verified to work with this system, so you're not rolling the dice on compatibility.

Question 4

My 2017 MKX shows a key warning on the dash but the fob battery is fine. What else causes that?

Accepted Answer

A few things. The most common one owners overlook is interference. Certain aftermarket accessories -- dash cams wired to the fuse box, radar detectors, even some phone chargers -- can generate low-level RF noise that degrades the signal between the fob and the antenna inside the vehicle. The car reads the fob intermittently, throws a key-not-detected warning, and the owner assumes the fob is failing.

Beyond that, the receiving antenna inside the vehicle can develop a wiring issue or a loose connector over time. If the warning is consistent and the fob checks out fine, the antenna circuit is worth looking at before assuming the fob itself needs replacement.

Also worth checking: if you're holding the fob in a bag or pocket alongside items that can shield RF -- some card holders with metal shielding, for example -- try using the fob without anything near it and see if the behavior changes.

Question 5

Can I use the insert blade to start the car if the fob stops working?

Accepted Answer

No. The insert blade gets you inside the vehicle -- that's it. The 2017 MKX does not have a traditional ignition cylinder that the blade turns to start the engine. Once you're inside, the vehicle still needs to recognize the fob to allow the engine to start. If the fob is completely dead or unpaired, the blade alone won't get the car running. That's when you call a locksmith or get to a dealer with the right programming equipment.

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