Auto Car Wash = Auto Lock = Know Your Code

I never expected what happened yesterday, though I should have. A while ago, while watching The Shadow get pushed along through the Turtle Wax car wash, I noticed the disappearing keypad on the front door light up. Didn't think much about it. Yesterday, as I was about to walk over to the towel guys to ask them to hurry with the drying cuz I was in a rush, the manager starts walking toward me, asking if this was my car. I think, cool, he wants to know more about the Flex. Nope, not even close. It seems my Flex was now locked with the key inside. The slapping rags that perform the washing action in the car wash managed somehow to hold down the 7-8 and 9-0 buttons for two seconds which locked the car. Hard to believe, I know. Perhaps one of the yahoos just locked the key in the car and didn't want to admit it. I'll never know but TG that I actually remembered the factory code (after reading it once a few months ago, thank you very much ). I was able to unlock the doors and all was right with the world again. Now, my wife would never remember the factory code so I just went out and programmed one just for her in case this happens to her. The car wash manager said they've had the same issue with 2010 Tauruses (Taurii??). Again, hard to believe those two buttons could be held for 2 seconds but who knows. Anyway, just kind of a warning to fellow members to get to know your code or create one of your own.

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Was the key in the key slot or just sitting inside the car? If it were in the ignition, the drivers door lock shoulve unlocked itself.

Good question - don't know. Typically they just leave it in the ignition but I don't know if that was the case yesterday or not. Can't imagine why they'd take it out of the ignition switch, though. Be that as it may, I just went to the garage to try what you're saying and the driver door never unlocked with the key in the ignition - either in the off or Acc position - after I pressed 7-8 and 9-0 to lock the doors.

Hmm, I thought it would've - I know if you push the lock button up front with the key in the ignition and then close the door, it'll unlock the door to prevent you from locking the key in the car.

I guess it's different with the keypad.

Yes, the keypad overrides the auto unlock w/ the key in the ignition... its says so in the manual.

Well there ya go - didn't realize that.

Same thing happened to me. Last weekend we were in Edmonton and stopped at a Bubbles. So, I am there watching the car get done looking through the glass and I see the Red key pad flashing and I kinda did a double take and thought....oh $!%^ I am in trouble now, and I don't even remember my code.

LUCKILY the door was not locked, or I might have been calling FORD roadside assistance....but a good heads up anyway.

You can program something in that may be easier to remember

That's what I did for my wife, in case it happens to her.