Electronic locks

Getting out

We published our first item in July of 2015 pointing out the dangers inherent with electronic locks and latches. We called then for the use of intuitive means of exit in the event of a power failure and after a man and his dog succumbed to the heat in Texas in a Corvette he did not know how to escape.

The mechanical back up is on the floor (right) in the Corvette and other coupes from General Motors. This was and remains an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.

All we’ve seen since is an explosion of electronic latches spurred by the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and but a single intuitive back up exit option from Audi (below). And we’ve been on a rant surrounding these issues for several days.

Getting inside

Now we need to address mechanical means of getting inside in the event of a power failure. In this occurs and there is no mechanical means of entry, an app won’t help, a working key fob won’t help, a working key card won’t help. Manufacturers can supply all of the electronic back up open and start options they want, but there is simply no getting back inside until power can be supplied to the 12-volt start system.

Unacceptable. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this is unacceptable!!

This problem is currently owned by four companies: Tesla, Ford, Fisker and Rivian. The issue came into focus when an Inside EVs item noted a driver exited her Mustang Mach-e only to have the power fail in that instant locking an infant inside.

A few months earlier, a friend called me in a panic minutes from a complete shut down of her Tesla. That issue was resolved and an infant was not involved, but had the car shut down, only power supplied to the 12-volt start battery would have opened the car. All Tesla models lack a mechanical back up entry option.

Fisker notes the following about the Ocean: “If the vehicle loses power and the doors are locked, they cannot be unlocked or opened from the exterior until the vehicle receives power.” Rivian notes that “A successful 12 V battery jump start “lets you” open the doors and front trunk.”

So, will the automotive world wait for someone to die before action is taken? These cars are not safe!

New rules?

It will take a rule making body to set some standards here, or perhaps a massive manufacturer financial loss via law suit. Simply put, there needs to be a mechanical means of entry into any vehicle that has lost power. And if the manufacturers can’t see this, then they need to told.

And while we’re here, rules for intuitive mechanical back up exit need to be in place as well. And, if we can’t rid the automotive world of pointless electronic locks and latches will continue to sing Audi’s praises here on the most intuitive back up exit option we’ve seen.

The handle didn’t work the first time? Pull harder!

Electronic locks and latches are nothing more than showmanship on the part of auto manufacturers. Showmanship that puts the lives of their customers at risk at worst or creates serious inconvenience at best.

Great job!

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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 could be more true.