Momentous news on the Outlander today.
It's the latest machine on our long list of cars with key fob failures, which has forced us to resort to old-school walk-up-and-unlock-it-with-the-key tactics.
Problem is, the Outlander has only a single key slot on the driver's door. Normally this isn't a big deal, but I've got a wife. And, occasionally, some door-opening chivalry. But the single key slot makes opening her door pointless. By the time I key my door it makes more sense to unlock all the doors with the central lock button than it does to make a show of walking around to the other side of the car to open her now-unlocked door. She doesn't mind letting herself in, but this failure has reminded me how convenient remotes really are.
See that passenger door handle? It should have a key slot.
The light on the fob still illuminates when its buttons are pushed, so I don't think the battery is dead. The Outlander still starts and drives without the fob inside so perhaps it's a proximity sensor problem. We'll take it in soon and post the findings here.
Josh Jacquot, Senior road test editor @ 11,247 miles
mikevegas06 says:
03:51 AM, 09/ 5/07
Is that a button on the front passenger door handle? If so, what happens when you press it?
m6vx says:
05:21 AM, 09/ 5/07
See that passenger door handle? It should have a key slot.
No, it shouldn't.
How often is it really used? My guess would be never or not often.
Every year, new vehicles have more 'conveniences', which make them more expensive, heavier, and more complicated. This is a step in the right direction -- remove something that no one really cares about. Uh.... except you. ;-)
crowb says:
05:27 AM, 09/ 5/07
Josh, I salute you as a fellow gentleman. I've been with my wife for six years (married for two) and I have always opened her doors and will continue to. Its good to see that other people still do that sort of thing. I see it so rarely these days. Its really the least we can do to show our ladies that we're thinking of them. Plus, my dad would beat me to a pulp if he ever saw me do otherwise.
Lets hope more folks follow your example.
cowbell says:
05:36 AM, 09/ 5/07
crowb,
While your example is well meaning, it reminds me of something a wise man once said:
"Chivalry is dead. And women killed it."
1487 says:
06:47 AM, 09/ 5/07
this vehicle has keyless start right? If so, this confirms I dont want it on my car.
mohaji says:
07:39 AM, 09/ 5/07
cowbell,
that wise man you mention wouldn't happen to be Lewis Black, right?:)
on topic, if key fob fails, that would be annoying..
kentavos22 says:
09:09 AM, 09/ 5/07
My keyfob died (i.e. my wife washed it) and I unlock the passenger side door fairly often. If you're parked on the right side of the street and want to get something out or put something into the car without standing in the street it comes in handy. Also, sometimes the passenger side is closer and I don't feel like walking all the way around the car just to grab my glasses or something. So I vote for keeping a key slot in the passenger side door.
carlisimo says:
09:23 AM, 09/ 5/07
A passenger side door lock makes cars more expensive, complicated, and heavier? Oh no! Why even have a door, who needs that kind of convenience? Save the 30 pounds per door and just keep one, for the driver. Or the sunroof, but not both.
benson2175 says:
10:35 AM, 09/ 5/07
Hmmm... I don't think I could live without the passenger side door lock. At least it should be standard on all sports cars. I attribute the fact that my girlfriend hasn't made a big deal about me buying a sports car instead of a vacation or ring for her, is that I always unlock and open her door first. That way every time she gets in the car her mood is lightened by this act of chivalry and she feels special and, most importantly, more important than the car.
craigm3 says:
10:37 AM, 09/ 5/07
mikevegas - the button on the handle is for locking the doors with the keyless remote (assuming it's working!) It's amazing how spoiled you get when you never have to take your keys out of your pocket.
Wasn't their an earlier post where someone found that the keyless entry problem was limited to very select Outlanders, and the VINs had been identified? I've had my Outlander since Feb., and the remote still works perfectly.
estreka says:
01:20 PM, 09/ 5/07
On an off topic note (and I apologize for that) but still related to convienance: I went to Walmart last night and their front door sensors weren't working. I stood there for a few seconds before I manually pushed the door open. I actually felt offended! I had the same feeling when my key fob died on me one day. That's when I realized I truly was spoiled.
tryan says:
04:10 AM, 09/ 6/07
Benson - You've got it all figured out, don't you? =)
On the subject of the passenger side door lock - where have you guys been? There are tons of cars out there without this feature (and they aren't econo-boxes) and when talking about economies of scale, its elimination does make the cost of producing certain cars cheaper.
I enjoy opening the door for my girlfriend as much as any of you chivalrous gentlemen, but I have yet to have a keyfob completely fail on me (in nearly 10 years of owning keyfob operated car locks) to the point where I actually took functional notice of the missing passenger lock. Maybe you just need a more reliable specimen or need to stop dropping them in the drink? =)