Passive Entry

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The passive entry feature unlocks or locks the doors or opens the liftgate without having to use a mechanical key blade or the RKE transmitter feature.

When the BCM detects a lock or unlock sensor is touched on an exterior door handle, or the exterior liftgate release button is pressed, it activates the low frequency antenna in the corresponding exterior door handle or inside the luggage compartment area. The low frequency antenna sends out a signal to activate the passive key. The passive key then responds by sending a high frequency signal back to the RTM. The RTM interprets the high frequency signal from the passive key and sends the information to the BCM. If the BCM detects a valid programmed passive key, the BCM unlocks the driver door, unlocks or locks all 4 doors, releases the liftgate latch (manual liftgate) or sends a command to the RGTM to power open the liftgate (power liftgate).

Door Passive Entry

With a programmed passive key within 1 m (3.28 ft) outside a door, touch the lock or unlock sensor on the exterior door handle. The doors lock or unlock depending upon which sensor was touched on the handle. The unlock button is located on the inside of the handle and the lock button is located on the outside top face of the handle.

The driver front door passive entry feature either unlocks the driver door (if 2-staged unlock is enabled) or all four doors (if 2-staged unlock is disabled). The passive entry feature always locks all four doors when the lock button is touched.

The remaining doors passive entry feature always locks or unlocks all four doors.

Liftgate Passive Entry

With a programmed passive key within 1 m (3.28 ft) outside the liftgate, press the exterior liftgate release button on the rear of the vehicle to release the liftgate latch (manual liftgate) or power open the liftgate (power liftgate).

For information regarding the power liftgate hands free feature, Refer to: Body Closures - System Operation and Component Description .

Approach Detection

The approach detection feature is used to passively activate the illuminated entry feature while approaching the vehicle.

To set the vehicle for approach detection, turn the ignition off, exit the vehicle, make sure the liftgate and all the doors are closed and locked. All valid programmed passive keys need to be outside of the area of detection (more than 10 feet) longer than 60 seconds for the BCM to activate the approach detection feature.

When the approach detection feature is active, the BCM uses the passive entry antennas (located in the door handles and at the rear of the vehicle) to detect a valid programmed passive key when approaching within 2.7 m (8.5 ft) of the vehicle. If the BCM detects a valid programmed passive key, it activates the illuminated entry feature.

The approach detection feature is not active/does not activate when:

a passive key is detected inside the vehicle.
a passive key is detected in close range of the vehicle for more than 2 minutes.
the panic/perimeter alarm is triggered.
the vehicle has not been started for more than 5 days.
the vehicle battery has a low state of charge.

The approach detection feature can be enabled/disabled through the message center.