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Is automatic unlock on "Park" a bad thing?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by edjnsd63, Sep 27, 2011.

  1. edjnsd63

    edjnsd63 New Member

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    There is a story in the news this morning about a woman getting Carjacked in her Prius while stopped at a red light last night in San Diego. She was robbed, bound, and left on the side of a freeway. Cant help but wonder if she put her car in PARK while waiting for that red light. When I bought my 2011 it automatically UNLOCKED the doors as soon as you pressed park. I didnt like that, and turned that function off. I use park a lot if I am stopped for any length of time, especially in drive through and similar situations. Any thoughts on that subject??
     
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    It wouldn't be a bad thing around here, but I wouldn't like it in the city. I don't like any automatic locking or unlocking features, but that's just a personal preference.

    Tom
     
  3. SpikeVFR

    SpikeVFR New Member

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    why the heck would you put it is park at a red light?

    something tells me there is more to this story...
     
  4. edjnsd63

    edjnsd63 New Member

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    I don't know for a fact that she did, I just said "I cant help but wonder..." I personally have used park at certain intersections, on hills or at exceptionally long lights, and we do have some here. Easier than holding the brake that whole time, then I am back in D with the flick of a wrist. I would be more concerned with AUTO UNLOCKING initially after pulling into a parking lot in a questionable area. Or late at night. We have had a rash of crimes in shopping center and mall parking lots here over the past couple of years....
     
  5. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    or someone simply put a gun to her window?
     
  6. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    In most cases I do not think automatic unlock in Park is a bad thing. The only time would be when parking in a questionable area. I have done this but have immediately relocked the doors after unlocking until I was ready to open doors and get out.

    The auto unlock in Park is a nice convenience the majority of the time.
     
  7. edjnsd63

    edjnsd63 New Member

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    That could happen too.... but personally, I think my foot would find the gas before I would intentionally unlock the door and let someone with a gun in my car.....

    Of course this issue bugged me BEFORE the events of last night, and I had all ready changed the settings on my car.
     
  8. JGC61

    JGC61 Active Member

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    I concur auto lock / unlock is very convenient.

    Is there a way to disable it?


    I can program my Corvette to disable the auto Lock / unlock feature.
    It came this way from the factory. (disabled) I found it
    a nuisance to push the door lock button to exit the vehicle.
    I changed that the first day of ownership.:D
     
  9. sipnfuel

    sipnfuel New Member

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    I don't think you can speed away fast enough from a dead stop to outrun a bullet. She may have opted to stay put and give in to the demands.
     
  10. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Given the number of people here who have their cars customized to unlock all doors upon grasping the handle, I'd say they're at a bigger risk than this woman.

    Hitting a moving target is actually pretty difficult (especially if you find an opening by stepping on the gas without moving your upper body), but if you get taken to a secondary crime scene you're highly likely to end up dead. Better to try to miss.
     
  11. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    It's easier than using the hand (foot) brake.
     
  12. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Good point. That is why I decided to leave mine with just the driver's door unlocking with the handle. Especially for my wife driving alone.
     
  13. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    *Tap, tap, tap*
    "Open the car"

    Of course, she could simply have been driving with the window down.
     
  14. edjnsd63

    edjnsd63 New Member

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    The news story was a little sparse on details, but it said "The carjacker opened the front passenger door and entered the car" My first thought was, how did he do that if the doors automatically LOCK when the car is in gear?!?! doesnt say if the windows were open or closed, but I know that the factory settings for mine were unlocking doors any time mine went to Park. They still havent said anything about catching the guy. Woman Left On Highway After Carjacking, Kidnapping, Robbery - San Diego News Story - KGTV San Diego
     
  15. MikeR5

    MikeR5 New Member

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    I asked my dealer to get rid of all doors open on park- as my girlfriend uses the car too- they said they couldn't do that. I always felt it was dangerous to have.
     
  16. edjnsd63

    edjnsd63 New Member

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    Yes they can!!! In fact the instructions to do it are in the owners manual, but they can be a little tricky.... I had to get some advice from this forum before I got it to work. I guess timing is kind of "critical" instructions are on pgs 69 and 70 of the 2011 owners manual... it is in Chapter 1 where they talk about how to lock and unlock the doors... The tricky part is where the book says to hold lock or unlock button down for "at least 5 seconds" during the process, and I guess the secret is to make sure it is EXACTLY 5 seconds by watching the semicolon ":" on the dash clock display as a reference....
     
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  17. edjnsd63

    edjnsd63 New Member

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  18. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I sometimes do it if it's going to be a very long red light.
     
  19. Speedracer

    Speedracer New Member

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    Wait What?
    US Version has auto lock after 15mph and press P unlocks??? Men JDM Prius not available that future. That most of Japanese owners would like to have that future.
    Back to topic.
    When I delivery the RX I ask same thing. Because I want my wife to safe when ever park the car. So China delivery RX not unlock when shift to park.
     
  20. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    The woman was a victim of a crime. And we are short on crucial details as to how it happened. In my opinion it's quite a leap of speculation to assume it happened primarily because she "might" of put the Prius in park while stopped at red light.

    I don't think automatic unlock in Park is a bad thing, I think Car Jackers are Bad People. I think the simple and obvious answer is to use the vehicle as designed. At a red light? Just keep your foot on the brake and your doors locked.
     
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