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I just got a c8 a few days ago, and this was one of the first things I noticed. The door open button on the inside of the car simply doesn’t work if the car is locked.
I’ve never had a car where trying to open the door from the inside doesn’t immediately unlock the door. Who would design doors to work like that?
I have read that if you push on the door PRIOR to pushing the button and allowing the electric latch to open, it will cause the door lock to bind. Push the button WITHOUT pushing on the door, after a second, push the door open.
I have read that if you push on the door PRIOR to pushing the button and allowing the electric latch to open, it will cause the door lock to bind. Push the button WITHOUT pushing on the door, after a second, push the door open.
I know it unlocks automatically if you turn off the engine first but I too am frustrated by it because trying to hit that little unlock switch is not the easiest thing to do. My situation is I usually let my lady friend out once I arrive in a parking spot with engine still running and then once she’s out I get the car parked perfectly aligned on right side by a wall where no one can hit it and I have plenty of room to get out myself. So I’m constantly trying to hit that little unlock button so her button will work to get out. I’ve had cars before where it would automatically unlock the passenger and/or driver’s door upon being placed in park (even with engine running) and that would be very helpful on the Vette - it might even be a programmable setting - I’ve been too lazy to delve into them all
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Originally Posted by Gary777
I have read that if you push on the door PRIOR to pushing the button and allowing the electric latch to open, it will cause the door lock to bind. Push the button WITHOUT pushing on the door, after a second, push the door open.
Actually, I've found just the opposite.
It's best to put gentle outward pressure on the door as you're pressing the open button. If you wait too long to open the door after pressing the button, it can get confused and only unlock partially. If that happens, the easiest way to get the door open is to use the emergency release latch on the floor just in front of the seat (next to the doors on both sides).
My doors unlock as soon as the transmission is put into park. I think there may be settings to adjust this in the infotainment screen menus. Or, just hit the unlock button on the door.
I just got a c8 a few days ago, and this was one of the first things I noticed. The door open button on the inside of the car simply doesn’t work if the car is locked.
I’ve never had a car where trying to open the door from the inside doesn’t immediately unlock the door. Who would design doors to work like that?
Can this “feature” be changed?
Think a lot of cars work this way. I know my other GM car does, but my other cars do not. I've also been in some cars where you needed to pull the handle twice to open a locked door (or hit the unlock switch first). Seems to be a mixed bag on what a manufacturer does. I personally prefer a locked door to not open as a safety measure, but I can't say it's ever been an issue one way or the other.
Car in park to open doors with a single push of the open/release button. If you don't want to put the car in park, fine. Then use unlock button on door console, followed by poke at the "open door" button. I think the need for dual-action to unlock the door with engine running and car not in park is standard GM and has been for many years. My 2020 Colorado behaves in the same way.
As for pushing on the door - that has nothing to do with the lock mechanism. It is simply that the door is heavy. Therefore, it is a little easier to develop a technique wherein you are releasing the lock and opening the door in the same motion. In my case, I put my left hand on the armrest with my thumb pointing down, use the thumb to hit the open button and push with my palm. It just works.
When I open the door for my wife, same technique with the right hand. Sometimes I put the car in park to release the lock, sometimes I poke the unlock button on the armrest. But one of the other has to happen first.
Car in park to open doors with a single push of the open/release button. If you don't want to put the car in park, fine. Then use unlock button on door console, followed by poke at the "open door" button. I think the need for dual-action to unlock the door with engine running and car not in park is standard GM and has been for many years. My 2020 Colorado behaves in the same way.
As for pushing on the door - that has nothing to do with the lock mechanism. It is simply that the door is heavy. Therefore, it is a little easier to develop a technique wherein you are releasing the lock and opening the door in the same motion. In my case, I put my left hand on the armrest with my thumb pointing down, use the thumb to hit the open button and push with my palm. It just works.
When I open the door for my wife, same technique with the right hand. Sometimes I put the car in park to release the lock, sometimes I poke the unlock button on the armrest. But one of the other has to happen first.
I get out with the car running to get the mail. BUT sure has to be in Park! Do you want the car to drive away from you in Drive??
The OP may be having the typical new C8 owner, "my door button doesn't work "issue. The button does NOT open the door it just releases the latch and only for a short time. Have to push **** AND push the door open or it just latches!
I never had the issue. In my Street Rod with only electric doors, I'm fortunate as the '34 Ford has suicide doors. They are hinged in a way that they open when the latch is activated with a remote (in my case by a solenoid.) Some street rods have to use what are called Door Poppers that are spring loaded to PUSH the door open. My street rod latch is operated with a remote. If it did not swing open by itself I would use door poppers. My suicide doors swing open by gravity, no door poppers needed
It's best to put gentle outward pressure on the door as you're pressing the open button. If you wait too long to open the door after pressing the button, it can get confused and only unlock partially. If that happens, the easiest way to get the door open is to use the emergency release latch on the floor just in front of the seat (next to the doors on both sides).
If the door unlocks partially, a second push of the button will unlatch it completely.
Door open button doesn’t unlock car???
