Woman spots oddly specific parking sign banning certain vehicles, and the reason is actually genius

A woman named Grace recently shared a video showing one of the strangest parking rules ever seen. The sign, posted in the window of a business, warns owners of Ford and Lincoln vehicles with push-to-start systems not to park nearby. This unusual ban immediately made people wonder why such a specific restriction would exist.

Push-to-start was meant to be a convenient upgrade to make driving easier. However, this sign shows that convenience can quickly turn your car into an expensive problem if you’re in the wrong spot. According to Motor1.com, the woman who posted the video on TikTok said her own car was too old to have push-to-start and was confused by the warning.

To understand the warning, you need to know how keyless ignition systems work. These systems don’t just check for the key fob when you start the engine. They rely on constant communication using low-frequency and radio-frequency signals to make sure the authorized key stays inside the vehicle. 

The security equipment inside creates signal interference problems

If that communication breaks down, the car can trigger a “no key detected” warning, which might cause the car to refuse to start or completely shut down after you turn the engine off. Grace (@untamedera) noted that the business appeared to be a coin and jewelry store, which is the key to solving this mystery. 

Jewelry and coin stores typically use intense security measures, including RF shielding, alarm systems, and secure storage designed to block wireless intrusion. These installations can emit or block radio frequency interference, or RFI.

Engineers have noted that while push-to-start interference can happen across different car brands, certain Ford and Lincoln systems operate within narrow frequency ranges. This makes them especially sensitive to high levels of radio frequency noise created by heavy security installations. Some Ford buyers have even walked away from dealership purchases over frustrating experiences with modern vehicle features. 

Viewers watching the video initially suggested everything from faulty design to signal jamming, but RFI disrupting the key fob signal is the most likely reason. Today’s vehicles are packed with wireless systems, including remote start, proximity unlocking, and anti-theft features. 

This increased reliance on wireless technology means that parking near buildings with powerful transmitters, high-voltage electrical equipment, or certain commercial security systems creates a conflict. Car makers have to balance security, reliability, and rules, and sometimes that results in systems that don’t work predictably in highly wired environments.

If you drive one of these vehicles and get a “No Key Detected” warning, you shouldn’t keep the car running until you’re sure it will restart. Fortunately, most manufacturers explain backup procedures in the owner manuals to prevent drivers from being stranded. Unfortunately, missing features in new cars have become a growing frustration for buyers, leading some to return their vehicles.

The sign isn’t a joke or an insult to Ford and Lincoln drivers. It’s a genuine warning meant to help people avoid a difficult situation. As our cars become more technologically advanced, they become more dependent on invisible systems that don’t always work well with the complicated real world. This specific parking ban is a perfect example of that unavoidable trade-off.