Mobile key question

[Science]

It’s because Bluetooth was never good as a protocol to unlock a car. Bluetooth is used by both the fob and mobile key. Rivian owners are experiencing the same problem with their Bluetooth system. This is why auto manufacturers, including Lucid with the Gravity, are going to UWB and/or NFC.

I believe my [brand which never shall be mentioned) Model 3 uses Bluetooth. No problems. A friend just bought the Mercedes EV. No unlocking problems. And if it's a Bluetooth problem, maybe we can encourage other posters to avoid saying it's a contract problem with the manufacturer.

 

[Bobby]

I believe my [brand which never shall be mentioned) Model 3 uses Bluetooth. No problems. A friend just bought the Mercedes EV. No unlocking problems. And if it's a Bluetooth problem, maybe we can encourage other posters to avoid saying it's a contract problem with the manufacturer.

Although we have beat this dead horse into submission several times, I will still respond. Lucid would love to go away from Bluetooth on the Air but they are having a contract issue/vendor issue doing so. Why is it so hard for you to understand?

Also, let's keep our facts straight. Since the 2024 model year Mercedes has used Ultra Wideband, what they call "Digital Key 3.0." In the past they did use BLE.

Just because your singular Model 3 successfully uses Bluetooth, does not mean they all do. There have been many frustrations with Tesla Bluetooth:

https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaModel3/comments/195xpp5/after_this_newest_update_ive_noticed_keyless

https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaModelY/comments/18y4zek/phone_key_issues

https://www.reddit.com/r/ModelY/comments/zlemh8/bluetooth_key_works_about_50_of_the_time

https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaModel3/comments/17s7c5l/i_hate_the_phone_key

https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/bizarre-phone-key-issues.329524/

Phone Key Not Working Well Anymore

Hi everyone, I’ve had my phone set key up for months now without an issue. Recently it won’t connect to my phone anymore. So I have to use the key card to get into the vehicle as well as put the key card on the center console to drive the vehicle. If I close the app completely and re open it...

teslamotorsclub.com

Bluetooth phone key unreliable.

Hey guys, am I the only one having issues with the phone key? It's been happening already a few times since August, probably 2024.26 or .20, can't remember. I open the car, everything seems fine, until I step on the brake... and nothing happens. The first time it happened, I immediately...

www.notateslaapp.com

Tesla Owners Australia | Went to my car this morning and the phone key failed to work | Facebook

Went to my car this morning and the phone key failed to work. I used the Tesla App to open the door and while inside the car didn’t recognise the phone and asked me to use the key card to drive. Is...

www.facebook.com

...and on and on

 

[Science]

Although we have beat this dead horse into submission several times, I will still respond. Lucid would love to go away from Bluetooth on the Air but they are having a contract issue/vendor issue doing so. Why is it so hard for you to understand?

Also, let's keep our facts straight. Since the 2024 model year Mercedes has used Ultra Wideband, what they call "Digital Key 3.0." In the past they did use BLE.

Just because your singular Model 3 successfully uses Bluetooth, does not mean they all do. There have been many frustrations with Tesla Bluetooth:

https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaModel3/comments/195xpp5/after_this_newest_update_ive_noticed_keyless

https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaModelY/comments/18y4zek/phone_key_issues

https://www.reddit.com/r/ModelY/comments/zlemh8/bluetooth_key_works_about_50_of_the_time

https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaModel3/comments/17s7c5l/i_hate_the_phone_key

https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/bizarre-phone-key-issues.329524/

Phone Key Not Working Well Anymore

Hi everyone, I’ve had my phone set key up for months now without an issue. Recently it won’t connect to my phone anymore. So I have to use the key card to get into the vehicle as well as put the key card on the center console to drive the vehicle. If I close the app completely and re open it...

teslamotorsclub.com

Bluetooth phone key unreliable.

Hey guys, am I the only one having issues with the phone key? It's been happening already a few times since August, probably 2024.26 or .20, can't remember. I open the car, everything seems fine, until I step on the brake... and nothing happens. The first time it happened, I immediately...

www.notateslaapp.com

Tesla Owners Australia | Went to my car this morning and the phone key failed to work | Facebook

Went to my car this morning and the phone key failed to work. I used the Tesla App to open the door and while inside the car didn’t recognise the phone and asked me to use the key card to drive. Is...

www.facebook.com

...and on and on

Thanks for participating and clarifying even though it's frustrating for you. And, I didn't know that [unnamed brand] was having issues. We have two of those cars and no issue. But, you're right; that's anecdotal and doesn't prove anything. Links to [unnamed brand's] problems are helpful and good information.

The only reason this particular participant (me) continues with this issue is because some of the information posted on these threads can be misleading (inadvertent, for sure). When people helped with information about the contract issue, we saw several posts about the fob manufacturer, even including their name and photos of the fob. That was, in my opinion, unfortunate and a blind alley. If it's a Bluetooth only issue regardless of the source (phone, fob) then that's really good information.

With that knowledge, we can stop turning off Wi-Fi, we can get rid of the faraday cages and stop going to rear doors first and all the other non-working work-arounds.

 

[Bdr100]

The response that Lucid is locked into a contract with 3rd party supplier for the Air locking system has been mentioned numerous times. I know this forum is heavy on engineers and programmers, but maybe if we have a good lawyer on the forum can explain how a contract for a blatantly under performing product could not be canceled.

 

[DeaneG]

...I know this forum is heavy on engineers and programmers, but maybe if we have a good lawyer on the forum can explain how a contract for a blatantly under performing product could not be canceled.

With all respect, does it matter? Lucid has suffered because of this and I trust that they would've fixed it long ago, through one means or another, if it was remotely feasible.

 

[Joelaron]

I stood right next to Peter Rawlinson when he himself discussed this situation publicly. As I've said here before, he divulged that they were locked into a vendor deal for this key and unlocking system and they were also disappointed with the performance. Unfortunately, they do not currently have a way out of it. Now, I'm no lawyer, and I didn't vet the information or even past judgment on it. I'm just passing along what I personally heard him say.

I have also personally spoken with several Lucid executives who are also very aware of this situation and want to change it. But, it is currently not changeable.

for those of us that don't attend every press junket to ask the creators questions, I still feel that Lucid absolutely should release a statement as a formal admission of the issue instead of forcing the service center technicians to deliver 'there's nothing I can tell you' word salads to the owners that raise the topic. I get it. we're early adopters of an incredible car... however, every day I'm standing next my locked car door waiting to get in, feels like Lucid couldn't give two shits about the people that are (trying to get) in their cars. when someone asks me "how to you like your Lucid?" my standard response.. "the drive is incredible, however it's very close to a lemon as their basic tech is so severely flawed and they can't and won't fix it."

 

[borski]

Thanks for participating and clarifying even though it's frustrating for you. And, I didn't know that [unnamed brand] was having issues. We have two of those cars and no issue. But, you're right; that's anecdotal and doesn't prove anything. Links to [unnamed brand's] problems are helpful and good information.

The only reason this particular participant (me) continues with this issue is because some of the information posted on these threads can be misleading (inadvertent, for sure). When people helped with information about the contract issue, we saw several posts about the fob manufacturer, even including their name and photos of the fob. That was, in my opinion, unfortunate and a blind alley. If it's a Bluetooth only issue regardless of the source (phone, fob) then that's really good information.

With that knowledge, we can stop turning off Wi-Fi, we can get rid of the faraday cages and stop going to rear doors first and all the other non-working work-arounds.

The fob has separate issues than the mobile key, if either has issues at all. The mobile key actually *doesn’t* have issues, assuming your phone’s Bluetooth stack is awake (which usually means simply unlocking it).

Tesla uses UWB (which is still Bluetooth), just like Gravity. Air uses regular Bluetooth.

The fob and mobile key are separate issues.

 

[Adnillien]

Tesla uses UWB (which is still Bluetooth), just like Gravity. Air uses regular Bluetooth.

I am going to have to disagree on UWB being Bluetooth. UWB uses the broad spectrum of frequency (3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz) which is why it is resistant to interference. Bluetooth is narrow band 2.4 GHz to 2.48 GHz. The narrow band nature of Bluetooth makes it more susceptible to interference.

 

[borski]

I am going to have to disagree on UWB being Bluetooth. UWB uses the broad spectrum of frequency (3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz) which is why it is resistant to interference. Bluetooth is narrow band 2.4 GHz to 2.48 GHz. The narrow band nature of Bluetooth makes it more susceptible to interference.

Good point; I misspoke.

 

[Science]

I'm going to get flamed by those who think this issue is over and by those who think we should stop posting about it.

But in an email today, Lucid said they are doing an "important" "cloud update" tonight/tomorrow.

In the message is this intriguing piece: "Use your key fob: If you use your phone as your primary method for unlocking and locking your vehicle, bring your key fob in case your phone does not work during this time."

Is there any other inference than locking/unlocking is not just a local action? Is the "cloud" involved? What does this have to do with Bluettooth being unreliable?

If the cloud is indeed involved in locking/unlocking, of course we would have intermittent problems.

All the more reason for Lucid to issue a statement.

 

[RAF42]

I'm going to get flamed by those who think this issue is over and by those who think we should stop posting about it.

But in an email today, Lucid said they are doing an "important" "cloud update" tonight/tomorrow.

In the message is this intriguing piece: "Use your key fob: If you use your phone as your primary method for unlocking and locking your vehicle, bring your key fob in case your phone does not work during this time."

Is there any other inference than locking/unlocking is not just a local action? Is the "cloud" involved? What does this have to do with Bluettooth being unreliable?

If the cloud is indeed involved in locking/unlocking, of course we would have intermittent problems.

All the more reason for Lucid to issue a statement.

I'm guessing that statement was for people that use their phone's Lucid app to lock/unlock (which if the cloud was out certainly would not work). I doubt it would affect those that use mobile key/bluetooth. That's how I read it anyway.

 

[Bobby]

I'm guessing that statement was for people that use their phone's Lucid app to lock/unlock (which if the cloud was out certainly would not work). I doubt it would affect those that use mobile key/bluetooth. That's how I read it anyway.

Correct, you can test your assumption by turning off Internet and Wi-Fi on your phone… You will find that mobile key (at least iOS) still unlocks just fine.

 

[Steve181]

The response that Lucid is locked into a contract with 3rd party supplier for the Air locking system has been mentioned numerous times. I know this forum is heavy on engineers and programmers, but maybe if we have a good lawyer on the forum can explain how a contract for a blatantly under performing product could not be canceled.

BRAVO!!!

 

[ZoomerDog]

Like everyone else, this is a huge pain. I feel like an idiot standing outside my car and can't get in. I previously owned a Tesla, and I never had any issues. Frankly I expected the Lucid to be the same. What a disappointment!

 

[Bayern]

For me, it's Mobile Key all the time and I bring the fob if I'm going to use a valet. I wish that they had some sort of geofencing to turn off passive unlocking in the garage (like other cars).

I appreciate the YT videos on trying to address this issue but sadly Im not having much better success for either the FOB or the mobile key. I have noticed they perform slightly better walking to the car from the front given your advice based on where the censors are located.

Question: exactly what value is the letter discussed here since it seems there doesn't appear to be any future fix?

I sold my M3 2019 in order to try your product under a lease with the goal of buying a Gravity after the lease is up. While I enjoy the car and feel it is in general a big upgrade from my M3, this is one of a few maddening issues that gives me pause about any future outright Gravity purchase.

 

[Bayern]

It’s because Bluetooth was never good as a protocol to unlock a car. Bluetooth is used by both the fob and mobile key. Rivian owners are experiencing the same problem with their Bluetooth system. This is why auto manufacturers, including Lucid with the Gravity, are going to UWB and/or NFC.

In my experience owning a 2019 M3, it always worked.

 

[Bobby]

I appreciate the YT videos on trying to address this issue but sadly Im not having much better success for either the FOB or the mobile key. I have noticed they perform slightly better walking to the car from the front given your advice based on where the censors are located.

Question: exactly what value is the letter discussed here since it seems there doesn't appear to be any future fix?

I sold my M3 2019 in order to try your product under a lease with the goal of buying a Gravity after the lease is up. While I enjoy the car and feel it is in general a big upgrade from my M3, this is one of a few maddening issues that gives me pause about any future outright Gravity purchase.

First of all, I do not work for Lucid. So it certainly isn’t “my” car.
Secondly, Gravity has a completely different technology for locking and unlocking. I hope they incorporate that Ultra Wideband technology into the Air as soon as possible.

 

[Bayern]

First of all, I do not work for Lucid. So it certainly isn’t “my” car.
Secondly, Gravity has a completely different technology for locking and unlocking. I hope they incorporate that Ultra Wideband technology into the Air as soon as possible.

Your badge says "staff" so that was my assumption.

 

[Bobby]

Your badge says "staff" so that was my assumption.

For this site which is unrelated to Lucid corporate.