Question 1

How do I spot a fake locksmith before I get ripped off?

Accepted Answer

Three things to check before you hand anyone your car keys.

First, look them up before they arrive. A real business has a consistent name, a physical address, and reviews on Google and Yelp that match the phone number they answered. If the number does not connect to any traceable business, hang up.

Second, ask for a firm price on the phone for your specific vehicle. Any legitimate locksmith will ask for the year, make, and model, then give you an out-the-door number. Vague answers like "we will assess when we arrive" are a red flag. The bait-and-switch version of this scam usually starts with a low quote and balloons once they have your car apart.

Third, ask for their California BSIS license number on the spot. Every locksmith company operating in this state is required to carry one and is required to give it to you if you ask. If they hesitate or change the subject, you have your answer.

Question 2

What exactly is a smart key and how does the 2013 Explorer use one?

Accepted Answer

A smart key is a fob that communicates wirelessly with the vehicle's security system to verify it is an authorized key before anything will happen. On the 2013 Explorer, that means the vehicle is reading the fob before it allows the push-button start to function. The fob also handles your remote lock and unlock through the other buttons.

There is also a physical key blade stored inside the fob itself. It is there for situations where the fob battery is dead or the vehicle needs to be accessed manually. It is not just a novelty. It does actual work.

Where owners get misled is when a less scrupulous shop tells them the whole module needs replacement or the system needs a full reset when the real problem is a dead battery, a slightly bent contact inside the fob, or a fob that simply needs to be paired to the vehicle with the right diagnostic tool. That last step requires professional equipment. There is no button sequence or ignition trick that registers a new smart key on this vehicle.

Question 3

What equipment do you use to program a Ford smart key?

Accepted Answer

Professional immobilizer programmers with Ford coverage, plus dedicated Ford diagnostic software for anything that requires a deeper handshake with the vehicle's security system. For the 2013 Explorer specifically, this is not a job that needs secure gateway credentials or NASTF-level access tied to newer platforms. The tools needed are well-established for this generation.

The key blade gets cut to your vehicle, either by pulling the key code or by decoding the lock directly. The fob gets registered through the OBD port.

If a locksmith cannot tell you what tool they use on your specific Ford and whether it covers your year, that is worth pressing on before you agree to anything.

Question 4

My 2013 Explorer push-button start stopped working but the doors still lock and unlock with the fob. What is going on?

Accepted Answer

This one comes up more than you would think. If the remote functions on the fob are still working but the push-button start is not responding, the fob is communicating fine at range. The issue is more likely related to how the vehicle reads the fob up close, either the fob battery is low enough to fail at short range while still having enough power for the stronger lock and unlock signal, or there is an antenna issue inside the vehicle.

Try holding the fob directly against the start button and pressing. If the car starts that way, you have confirmed the fob itself is still functional and the system can read it at contact range. Low battery is usually the first thing to address. If a fresh CR2032 does not resolve it and holding the fob to the button still starts the car but the normal proximity start does not come back, the antenna that reads the fob inside the cabin is worth checking.

Question 5

I bought a replacement fob online for my 2013 Explorer. Can I program it myself or do I need someone to do it?

Accepted Answer

You need someone with the right equipment to finish the job. Smart keys on this vehicle cannot be self-programmed through any button sequence or ignition cycle trick. That method only applies to a different key type entirely. The fob you bought online is the hardware. Pairing it to the vehicle requires going through the OBD port with a professional programmer. Once it is registered, the emergency key blade inside also needs to be cut to your vehicle if it did not come pre-cut. Bring the fob with you when you call. No need to source anything else.

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