How do you open the tailgate with engine running?

[jackovalltrades]

I was in my month old Prius (package #5) today and my daughter decided she wanted a drink out of the grocery bags in the back. I had the keys in my pocket, not in dash. I pulled over in a safe area and she walked out to open the hatch. It wouldn't open up even in Park, until I hit the Power button and turned the car off first. Is this the way it's supposed to behave?

[Tideland Prius]

First, it's a hatch :P

second, you'll have to unlock it first. When you press the LOCK side of the power door locks, it locks the hatch as well.

[Bear68]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jackovalltrades @ Mar 10 2007, 02:28 PM) [snapback]403440[/snapback]</div>

I was in my month old Prius (package #5) today and my daughter decided she wanted a drink out of the grocery bags in the back. I had the keys in my pocket, not in dash. I pulled over in a safe area and she walked out to open the tailgate. It wouldn't open up even in Park, until I hit the Power button and turned the car off first. Is this the way it's supposed to behave?
[/b]

Did you try hitting the "unlock" swith on the driver's master switch? The rear hatch is electrically activated and will not respond if the hatch is locked.

[daveleeprius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Mar 10 2007, 02:30 PM) [snapback]403442[/snapback]</div>

First, it's a hatch :P

second, you'll have to unlock it first. When you press the LOCK side of the power door locks, it locks the hatch as well.
[/b]

Yep, just hit the unlock all doors button on your armrest and all doors will unlock, including the hatch. On my base 07, then all I have to do is press the button under the latch and lift up. Open!

Dave

[jackovalltrades]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveLeePrius @ Mar 10 2007, 02:32 PM) [snapback]403445[/snapback]</div>

Yep, just hit the unlock all doors button on your armrest and all doors will unlock, including the hatch. On my base 07, then all I have to do is press the button under the latch and lift up. Open!

Dave
[/b]

I thought it was unlocked since the only thing that I could see different then loading earlier is the fact that the car was running in Park. But even if it was locked with my keys in my pocket out there trying to open it, shouldn't it unlock and open?

Thanks for all the quick responses!

[Tom_06]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jackovalltrades @ Mar 10 2007, 02:28 PM) [snapback]403440[/snapback]</div>

I was in my month old Prius (package #5) today and my daughter decided she wanted a drink out of the grocery bags in the back. I had the keys in my pocket, not in dash. I pulled over in a safe area and she walked out to open the hatch. It wouldn't open up even in Park, until I hit the Power button and turned the car off first. Is this the way it's supposed to behave?
[/b]

I had never noticed this before. You are absolutely correct. If I am in "Ready" mode and have the doors locked, when I exit the driver's door with the smart key in my pocket the rear hatch won't unlock. I can unlock it in Ready mode by use of the driver's door unlock button. Or I have to turn the car off for the rear hatch to unlock via smart key. This is on a 2006.

- Tom

[jackovalltrades]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom_06 @ Mar 10 2007, 03:15 PM) [snapback]403463[/snapback]</div>

I had never noticed this before. You are absolutely correct. If I am in "Ready" mode and have the doors locked, when I exit the driver's door with the smart key in my pocket the rear hatch won't unlock. I can unlock it in Ready mode by use of the driver's door unlock button. Or I have to turn the car off for the rear hatch to unlock via smart key. This is on a 2006.

- Tom
[/b]

Did you just go out and try it? :P

I guess I just assumed since the smartkey was in my pocket that it would open up no matter, on or off.

[Tom_06]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jackovalltrades @ Mar 10 2007, 03:24 PM) [snapback]403465[/snapback]</div>

Did you just go out and try it? :P

I guess I just assumed since the smartkey was in my pocket that it would open up no matter, on or off.
[/b]

Yup, the easiest way to find out is go out and try it. The car was in the garage where I couldn't try the passenger door to see if it acts the same way. I'll try that the next time I get the car out of the garage. I'm sure some engineer at Toyota had a reason for doing this, but it escapes me.

- Tom

[Tideland Prius]

Well it's working on the same principle as a regular car with a key. Your key would still be in the ignition if the car was running and your remote features (lock/unlock/trunk release) on the regular car won't work.

[jackovalltrades]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Mar 11 2007, 03:40 PM) [snapback]403864[/snapback]</div>

Well it's working on the same principle as a regular car with a key. Your key would still be in the ignition if the car was running and your remote features (lock/unlock/trunk release) on the regular car won't work.
[/b]

To an extent yes however most cars have some sort of trunk release button or lever. Weather the vehicle is running or not those button release the hatch. Since I'm still new to the Prius when my hatch wouldn't open, out of habit I reached down beside my seath to pull the release and noticed it wasn't there. Nevertheless it's not a big deal. I'm just amazed that I'm averaging 47-48 miles/gallon compared to my old Mazda which was in the upper 20's.