Question 1

Do you use OEM or aftermarket keys on Lincoln vehicles?

Accepted Answer

We use OEM-specification blanks that match the factory FCC ID and the correct transponder configuration for the vehicle. On the 2015 MKS specifically, the smart key has to be matched to the immobilizer using diagnostic equipment after cutting, so the blank quality matters from day one. Aftermarket housings are a mixed bag. The electronics in budget fobs are often slightly off in signal output, and the button contacts wear fast. MKS and related Lincoln owners on forums consistently report aftermarket fobs developing dead buttons or intermittent range issues within the first year. The housing cracks at the hinge point. We use quality blanks built to the factory spec so the car accepts the programming cleanly and the fob holds up with daily use.

Question 2

How long will the replacement key last?

Accepted Answer

The programming itself doesn't expire or degrade. Once a key is registered to the vehicle it stays registered unless the system is reset or all keys are cleared. What wears is the physical fob: the rubber buttons flatten, the housing develops cracks near the seams, and eventually the CR2032 contact plate loses tension from repeated battery swaps. With a quality housing and a fresh battery changed every year or two, the fob should serve you easily for several years of daily use. The insert blade inside the fob is the part most owners forget to check. It can corrode at the tip if it never gets used, and then it won't work as a backup when you actually need it.

Question 3

What if the new key stops working after a few weeks?

Accepted Answer

Call us. The work is covered under our warranty and we'll troubleshoot it at no additional charge.

That said, when a freshly programmed key fails on a 2015 MKS, the problem is usually the vehicle side, not the fob. The immobilizer can log a fault if it sees a key registration it doesn't fully accept, which can happen after a module reset or a battery disconnect that occurred close to the time of programming. The key-not-detected warning comes back, but the fob is actually fine. We have the diagnostic tools to read what the system is seeing and clear it properly, rather than just cycling through new hardware until something sticks.

Question 4

My MKS shows a key-not-detected warning but the fob battery is fine. What's actually happening?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the more common complaints on the 2015 MKS and it has a few different causes worth walking through.

First, check where the fob is inside the cabin. The antenna that reads the smart key has a defined detection zone, and if the fob is buried deep in a bag or sitting in a dead spot near certain door panels, the car can lose the signal momentarily. Move the fob close to the start button and try again.

Second, if the warning is happening outside the car when you approach to unlock, the door handle touch sensors can become desensitized over time. Cleaning the handle area and testing with the fob held at close range narrows down whether it's the handle sensor or the fob.

Third, if the car won't start at all and the warning is persistent, the immobilizer may have logged a fault tied to that key's registration. That's not a DIY fix. It needs a diagnostic read to see what the system is actually objecting to before anything gets replaced.

Question 5

I lost both keys to my 2015 MKS. Can a new key be made without going to the dealer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All-keys-lost on the 2015 MKS is a job we handle directly in Goleta. It requires professional diagnostic equipment to reset the immobilizer, register the new fob, and cut the emergency insert blade to the vehicle. There is no shortcut on this system and it can't be done from a blank alone.

The process takes longer than a spare-key job because of the reset sequence involved, but it's done on site. You don't need a tow to a dealership or a multi-day wait for a parts order. We carry the blanks and the equipment to handle it from your driveway or parking lot in Old Town Goleta.

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