Model Year 23/24 Proximity Auto Walk Away Lock / Arrival Unlock

[Tell]

I may be onto something here?...

I just did a few tests of the auto-lock system in conjunction with the trunk lid.
A couple of times it worked as it should, but on the final test when the trunk lid was the last thing to be closed, the car failed to lock itself. I'm not sure of the entire sequence, but it definitely failed to lock. I know I walked away while the lid was closing.

Would anyone else like to test the theory too?

Probably thought you were there still. The powered tailgate will be an adjunct to walk away locking. That can be a little temperamental least in the Ateca. May be dropping the tailgate then does a handover to check whether the keys are still present and that can get lost. It would not want to put a lock instruction in to all doors if the trunk was moving say. Might be deemed you haven't left yet. Might be some algorithm of how it passes control between systems and that one has a hole in it. Needs some budding youngster to do a flow diagram . Keep the kids busy. Scientific experiment.

 

[trew]

Probably thought you were there still. The powered tailgate will be an adjunct to walk away locking. That can be a little temperamental least in the Ateca. May be dropping the tailgate then does a handover to check whether the keys are still present and that can get lost. It would not want to put a lock instruction in to all doors if the trunk was moving say. Might be deemed you haven't left yet. Might be some algorithm of how it passes control between systems and that one has a hole in it. Needs some budding youngster to do a flow diagram . Keep the kids busy. Scientific experiment.

I did a small 'repeat test' yesterday afternoon and - just like a main dealer - I couldn't replicate the fault! Tried all sorts of combos of open/shut door sequences and the flippin' walk-away autolock worked every flippin' time!

...and that's why I don't trust it. It pretends to work all the time then, unexpectedly, one day you find your car's unlocked.

 

[Tell]

Well the tailgate plays up with the odd foot wiggle but I expect you were pressing the button. I get excited if I find the second set of keys in the car with the door shut not locked. More excited if locked. It does allow that.

It does actually leave you locked out if the battery goes flat with you outside with the keys. You probably knew that. Had the condition when the battery gives up and you can't lock the car. Had the one where the battery goes flat and you can't get inside the locked car. Moral always keep a spare battery on you. Rotate one between the spare battery on you and the next unsealed one. A small zip bag is sufficient.

But either way I would not use walk away locking or unlocking. Encourages a lack of rigour locking the car and if it doesn't always work defeats the object.