Auto-lock fail
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 28
Likes: 10
From: Dilworth MN
Auto-lock fail
I have only owned my 2015 C7 for about 5 weeks, but twice now the car has auto-locked with the key inside. Once my wife used the key to access the trunk area and set the key in the trunk area while she was loading her groceries, and then closed the trunk forgetting the key inside and it locked by the time she got to the driver door to get in. I had to come rescue her with the 2nd fob. I chalked that up to the fact that the key was way in the back and it was just a glitch in the system. It happened again yesterday with the fob sitting on the passenger seat (luckily it was in my garage so had quick access to the 2nd fob which was in my house). Anyone else experience this or have suggestions to resolve? Could it be a low battery in the fob?
Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,793
Likes: 2,701
From: So. Cal.
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I think you can turn the auto lock feature off. It's off on my car.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 28
Likes: 10
From: Dilworth MN
I should have added in my OP that I like/want to keep the auto-lock feature enabled, but if it is not reliable then I will be forced to turn it off (which I know how to do). Basically trying to determine from others that have auto-lock enabled if it is reliable and what might cause it to be unreliable.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,023
Likes: 1,645
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
I should have added in my OP that I like/want to keep the auto-lock feature enabled, but if it is not reliable then I will be forced to turn it off (which I know how to do). Basically trying to determine from others that have auto-lock enabled if it is reliable and what might cause it to be unreliable.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 1,856
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
There is a setting you can turn on to prevent autolock if at least one fob does not exit before closing the door / hatch. The horn will honk 3 times if you don't remove a fob.
This stuff is all in the owner's manual under Personalization. The best thing to do is to work through the menus and then see if features work the way that you want.
Power Door Locks
Select and the following may
display:
. Unlocked Door Anti-Lockout
. Auto Door Unlock
. Delayed Door Lock
Unlocked Door Anti-Lockout
When on, this feature will keep the
driver door from locking when the
door is open. If Off is selected, the
Delayed Door Lock menu will be
available.
Select Off or On.
Passive Door Lock
This feature can be turned on or off,
or feedback can be selected. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 0 27.
Select Off, On with Horn
Chirp, or On.
Remote Left in Vehicle Alert
This feature sounds an alert when
the RKE transmitter is left in the
vehicle. This menu also enables
Remote No Longer in Vehicle Alert.
Select Off or On.
Ron
This stuff is all in the owner's manual under Personalization. The best thing to do is to work through the menus and then see if features work the way that you want.
Power Door Locks
Select and the following may
display:
. Unlocked Door Anti-Lockout
. Auto Door Unlock
. Delayed Door Lock
Unlocked Door Anti-Lockout
When on, this feature will keep the
driver door from locking when the
door is open. If Off is selected, the
Delayed Door Lock menu will be
available.
Select Off or On.
Passive Door Lock
This feature can be turned on or off,
or feedback can be selected. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 0 27.
Select Off, On with Horn
Chirp, or On.
Remote Left in Vehicle Alert
This feature sounds an alert when
the RKE transmitter is left in the
vehicle. This menu also enables
Remote No Longer in Vehicle Alert.
Select Off or On.
Ron
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,884
Likes: 2,884
From: Toronto
Ive turned mine off after experiencing something similar. Put my briefcase in the trunk with the fob in it. Got locked out. Thankfully I was at home so no biggie. Imagine that happening on a roadtrip.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 938
From: Georgetown, Tx
I keep auto lock turned on all the time. Yes, the security system will lock the door with the key inside. And this has happened to me twice. Fortunately, like others have commented, I was home with the other fob nearby.
For me, this is about mental training. I now insure that I always know the location of the key before closing access to the interior. It has become a forced habit.
Good luck with it. You'll build a routine that will work for you.
For me, this is about mental training. I now insure that I always know the location of the key before closing access to the interior. It has become a forced habit.
Good luck with it. You'll build a routine that will work for you.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 28
Likes: 10
From: Dilworth MN
Thanks to all that replied. Seems I am not the only one who has experienced the glitch in the Matrix. I will now just have to decide to accept the risk and keep auto-lock on, or turn off to be safe. Honestly the reason I enabled it is for my wife...she likes to keep her key in her purse and with the auto-lock enabled she never needs to take the fob out.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
Scottmn4, ..here's something else you can do.
I keep my auto lock ON, and whenever I have my car in the garage or getting gas etc etc, ....
And,..when you exit the car with the door open, before you close the door, press and HOLD the unlock button on the door and it will chime 3 times.
Then after you close the door the car will "stay" unlocked until you get back in and start the engine.
I also do that if I exit the car and close the door with someone in it if I need to get out for a short time, getting gas whatever, before getting back in the car.
I keep my auto lock ON, and whenever I have my car in the garage or getting gas etc etc, ....
And,..when you exit the car with the door open, before you close the door, press and HOLD the unlock button on the door and it will chime 3 times.
Then after you close the door the car will "stay" unlocked until you get back in and start the engine.
I also do that if I exit the car and close the door with someone in it if I need to get out for a short time, getting gas whatever, before getting back in the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,216
Likes: 4,345
From: Chirper Island
Every C6 and C7 has a "map" of where it will see or not see the fob. ( every car is slightly different()
When either the fob or car battery gets weak, this map shrinks.
It might behoove you to find out what your car "map" is with strong batteries.
I have done this with all of mine, and I found out right quick: don't ever put your purse or gym bag in the back.
When either the fob or car battery gets weak, this map shrinks.
It might behoove you to find out what your car "map" is with strong batteries.
I have done this with all of mine, and I found out right quick: don't ever put your purse or gym bag in the back.
