techmonkey

In hindsight this was actually rather humorous but it sure didn't feel that way at the time.For the record this is a 2012 C6 GS with an all black interior (important later).

It plays out like this. I walked into the garage looking for my keys, thinking that I had left them in corvette the day prior. I attempted to open the door to confirm my suspicions. The door opens and I proceed to get into the car and close the door. Now, I didn't turn on the lights as I entered the garage and so it is only lit by the small row windows in the two garage doors (also important later). With a dark interior and poor lighting I begin to look around, after all, there are only so many places you can put your keys in a corvette. After looking in the usual spots for the keys and not finding them, I try to get out.

The sound was hard to describe but I doubt I'll forget it. I pressed the button again ... nothing. I try the start button, nothing. At this point, I realize I'm actually stuck in car and as I look around to assess my situation, I see my keys on a shelf in front of the car. *** The keys were close enough for me to open the door but not close enough for me to get out. ***

Having heard the stories, I begin to look for the door release latch, but its dark ... very dark ... inside my car... with a dark interior... in a poorly lit garage... and I can't find it. I'll admit, for just a minute, I began to panic. You realize how small the interior is and in just the few minutes you've been in the car it's already noticeably stuffier and getting warmer, and in your mind, getting smaller. All the movie scenes depicting someone being buried alive I'd ever seen ran through head . I was alone, I didn't have my cell phone, I didn't have the keys, and I couldn't see in the dark.

That was a long minute. After regaining my composure, I pulled and pressed just about anything on lower left side of my door and finally found the latch. Thank God it wasn't tucked under the carpeting somewhere. If you haven't ever looked for or tried the emergency door release before, you should. I have and I doubt I'll ever forget it.

Vette_DD

Congratulations, glad you found your way out.

Long posts are easier to read if they're broken up into paragraphs.

Lesson #2, bad business to leave your Corvette fob laying within a few feet of the Vette.

techmonkey

Yeah I was a little long winded. I updated the post. I find myself leaving the keys behind all the time with modern cars. I missed keyed ignitions. The button ignitions and keyless entries are cool but, that always gave me a place to put my keys.

Josh M

I've often worried about the opposite situation. When I was doing some basic mods we disconnected the battery to make sure not to zap ourselves. The windows were down so we just reached in to hit the release for the door, but I've wondered what I would do if the battery or some other electrical failure where I couldn't open the doors and the windows were up hah. Glad you were able to get out!

Iceaxe

Open the hatch with the key, open the door with the manual release in the cargo area.

enventr

This was a sad story:

https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/71053474

techmonkey

That was one of the stories I had heard. I didn't think much of it at the time but it's all fun and games until it isn't. My original expectation was that if the fob was close enough to allow me to get in, it would also be close enough to let me out. Honestly the emergency latch should be on the door near the button.

FiveVettes

I keep a small flashlight in the glove box of all my cars.

Josh M

I agree, I also think the whole electronic door handles & stuff aren't really necessary. Just give me a regular door latch haha

Vette_DD

Old story. He shouldn't have been in the car if he wasn't more familiar with it than that.

Vette_DD

Yeah, lets's go back to a crank on the front of the car to start it.

techmonkey

Progress if fine if you improve things but I'd be willing to bet that if most of us were in an emergency situation (like crashed into water) and the electronics were out, we'd be screwed. In my mind, this is a design flaw. I'm sure the the lawyers at GM would probably agree

LowRyter

c'mon

techmonkey

You say that...

owc6

An informed owner would be no worse off than in any other late-model car on the road.

If you aren't informed, then you shouldn't be driving. Any car. A car is probably one of the most dangerous things you can handle, and if you can't wrap your brain around that, then quit drinking the cool-aid that tells us all we should be/will be safe. Driving is not a safe activity.

Vette_DD

A few here need to admit you're right.

buckmeister2

Funny that I have never once heard anyone say that they thought about releasing the levers on the targa top. Fresh air, and exit if needed.

csf

Exactly. I am often stunned people don't think of that. First thing I would do if the manual lever didn't work.

owc6

Even the C6 Vert can be opened to some extent. A few inches or so.

Mike's LS3

Sorry, but that's just plain stupidity to blame.

1. Turn on courtesy lights. Now you can see! If not, #2.
2. Feel for door level at side of seat. There is nothing else there! Seat controls are on the side of the seat.
3. Open Targa top. Three latches enough said.
4. Press rear hatch button. Too easy!
5. If you failed 1-4 crawl in the back and release door lever.

Edit: 6. Did we mention the most obvious, use the unlock button on either door?

If it is dark it does not matter what color the interior is cus its dark.

And if all else fails, break glass.

C'mon really? Yes, it is humorous, but layered with stupidity.

Thanks for the laugh!