Here, we discuss a feature found in cars from a number of manufacturers that catches people with their pants down. Or rather with their windows down. So, this is not about a fault or a system failure or a warning light, but about something working exactly as it is supposed to, but doing so seemingly at random on its own.
From what we’ve discovered only Mercedes and some vehicles made by the Volkswagen Group offer the option to close everything again using the lock button. The Honda we had for demonstration (below) did not.
So, what is causing the surprise window openings can be explained by accidental button presses. Whether carried in a bag or in a pocket, something pressing on the unlock button for an extended period can and will activate the feature, if the key fob is within 50 feet or so. Remember that while the fob’s keyless access can only operate within 18 to 24 inches of the vehicle’s door handle, the buttons on the key fob will work from a much greater distance.
For a fob carried in a pocket, preventing this may be a simple as turning the fob over on the key ring. The buttons will face the other way if your keys tend to rest in the pocket the same way each time.
If it is carried in a bag, the nature of keyless open and start can easily lead to the fob migrating to the bottom of the bag. Anything and everything sitting on top of the fob can and will activate the feature.
To finish the discussion of the functions of the actual convenience feature, the windows will stop short if the button is released, and will continue down if it is pressed and held again. Some vehicles require the unlock button to be pressed and released once before the convenience feature will work.
In Honda and Acura vehicles, the feature can also be activated by holding the mechanical key turned to the right in the key cylinder, but this will not happen accidently. Also, turning and holding the key back to the left will close the windows and sunroof.
The feature can be disabled in Ford, Lincoln, Toyota and Lexus vehicles, but you’ll need your dealer. In fact, the feature in a Toyota and Lexus must have first been activated in this way.
So, if ever you find your windows wide open one day, don’t panic — find a new way to carry your key fob.
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
Drive mode indicators While finishing our Lincoln dashboard symbols page update, we find ourselves yet…
Gray scale indicators Some time ago, we made a table to account for the growing…
Lincoln owner’s manual fail So we reported a few days ago that we had run…
Auto headlamps We added a new symbol to our auto headlamps page, courtesy of Lincoln.…
Tire pressure So its that time again. Time when the weather cools and your tire…
BlueCruise system These are BlueCruise System Indicator symbols. When active, BlueCruise, a subscription service from…