Got the autolock feature turned on and I love it!

[xavier]

We I got my CX7 back from service finally. They cleared the codes, replaced a sensor, flashed the PCM/TCM, oil change and turned on the autolock. Let me say, this is a great feature. My service department charged me to turn it on because they said its not a warranty item but it was like 29 bucks so no biggie.

Anyhow, heres how it works for those that dont know(gt models only): You simply shut your door and walk away with your smartcard. You will hear a beep when you close your door and then another beep when you get around 5 feet away. The second beep will be followed by a flash of your signal lights indicating the door are now locked.

What a great feature!!! Why am I so excited about it??? I have a wife that doesnt believe in locking the car so this will lock it for her.

 

[CX7_Scott]

Nice... I may enable it too. Although, I did read somewhere (here? User's manual?) that enabling that feature made something else difficult... was it the remote start...? I know it affected 'something' when enabled. I cannot recall what it was.

Anyone...? Bueller...? Bueller...?

 

[protegeV]

that's pretty cool. Im surprised they don't come that way.

 

[xavier]

that's pretty cool. Im surprised they don't come that way.

Yeah you would think that if its an option, the option would be active from the factory. Oh well

 

[CX7_Scott]

To reiterate the question:

Does anyone know (remember) what the downside to enabling the auto-lock feature was/is...?

I remember reading somewhere that if/when you enable auto-lock... something changes... you cannot "do" something, or something works differently... I wish I could remember.

-sf

 

[xavier]

I havent noticed anything bad yet. In fact, another benefit is that you can go to a convenience store, leave the car running and go inside the store with it still running. The doors will lock automatically and when you return to the vehicle, hit the button on the door handle and viola...doors unlocked.

 

[mixmasterlove]

I'll tell you the downside.........a few years ago I had that feature on another car, and long story sort I got out to put my jacket in the trunk and I ended up paying $150.00 to a locksmith AND froze my A$$ off waiting outside for 2 hours...with that said I WILL NEVER HAVE AUTOLOCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[xavier]

I'll tell you the downside.........a few years ago I had that feature on another car, and long story sort I got out to put my jacket in the trunk and I ended up paying $150.00 to a locksmith AND froze my A$$ off waiting outside for 2 hours...with that said I WILL NEVER HAVE AUTOLOCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hmmm. the mazda autolock feature won't actually lock until the keys are 5 feet away from the car which means you probably have them.

 

[CX7_Scott]

well - for me... I always (*ALWAYS*) keep my keys in my right-front pocket of my pants. NEVER anywhere else. Not a jacket, shirt nor any other pocket. I am a creature of habit and unless I tossed my PANTS in the trunk, that wouldn't happen to me - but I see your point. Once I leave my house in the a.m. now... my keys remain in my pocket until I return home to unlock the door of the house. I think I'd love the auto-lock.

 

[va_cache]

To reiterate the question:

Does anyone know (remember) what the downside to enabling the auto-lock feature was/is...?

I remember reading somewhere that if/when you enable auto-lock... something changes... you cannot "do" something, or something works differently... I wish I could remember.

-sf

If I recall, if you have the autolock enabled, you have to use the physical key to use the car after remote-starting. You have to remove the 'key wedge" thing and insert a real key, or else it will not go/

 

[xavier]

If I recall, if you have the autolock enabled, you have to use the physical key to use the car after remote-starting. You have to remove the 'key wedge" thing and insert a real key, or else it will not go/

Wouldnt that be true for having the remote starter period regardless of the autolock being turned on? I mean most aftermarket autostart systems shut the car off in the event that the brake pedal is depressed without the key in the ignition. If thats the case, it wouldnt matter if you got the autolock feature turned on. If not then I have to re-sort priorities as the only reason I dont have the autostart is because I believe it negates the benefits of the smart key.

 

[CX7_Scott]

No - currently, if I start the vehicle remotely, I can still enter the vehicle and turn the knob forward and not interrupt the engine. If you hit the brake BEFORE turning the knob, the engine is killed.

So - Va Cache, are you saying that with the auto-lock enabled, turning the ignition knob forward after remote starting will *not* work...?

 

[GraniteGreyCX7]

I had the auto lock feature turned on a month ago and also use the remote engine starts in the morning regularly.

I do not need to use the physical key to turn at all. Just need to turn the knob two notches before shifting or step on brake.

 

[xavier]

I had the auto lock feature turned on a month ago and also use the remote engine starts in the morning regularly.

I do not need to use the physical key to turn at all. Just need to turn the knob two notches before shifting or step on brake.

Really??? This makes me think about getting the autostart installed

 

[GraniteGreyCX7]

Really??? This makes me think about getting the autostart installed

Absolutely. We like these features alot. We can keep the smart key in our pockets at all time without taking it out now (except for when we need to unlock doors using the key fob when remote engine start is used).

FYI I had the auto lock feature turned on at my dealer free of charge when I had the 1st CEL on (with new gas cap replaced).

 

[xavier]

Absolutely. We like these features alot. We can keep the smart key in our pockets at all time without taking it out now (except for when we need to unlock doors using the key fob when remote engine start is used).

FYI I had the auto lock feature turned on at my dealer free of charge when I had the 1st CEL on (with new gas cap replaced).

So if you start the car with the autostart (doors being currently locked) and then approach the car, can you press the handle button to unlock the doors or do you have to use the smartkey? Reason why Im asking is I have been starting the car in the morning for my wife and when I go back inside, the doors lock (auto-lock). When she goes out to the car, she can press the button on the handle (smartkey in her pocket) and unlock the doors to get in. Can we do the same with the autostart?

 

[GraniteGreyCX7]

So if you start the car with the autostart (doors being currently locked) and then approach the car, can you press the handle button to unlock the doors or do you have to use the smartkey? Reason why Im asking is I have been starting the car in the morning for my wife and when I go back inside, the doors lock (auto-lock). When she goes out to the car, she can press the button on the handle (smartkey in her pocket) and unlock the doors to get in. Can we do the same with the autostart?

I'll have to find out tomorrow morning (our CX-7 was in the dealer body shop for accident repair and we are picking it up tonight). The reason we use the remote start key fob (remote start has another key fob by the way if you are not aware of) to open doors is that our salesman told us thats the only way to open the doors when engine is running (to prevent carjacking?).

We've never tried the way you did. We will give it a try and let you know.

 

[CX7_Scott]

Not true. I remote-start my car with the FOB, but keep the keys in my pocket... when I approach the running car, I just press the black button on the door and it unlocks and the car remains running. I just turn the ignition knob forward without using any keys whatsoever.

 

[GraniteGreyCX7]

Not true. I remote-start my car with the FOB, but keep the keys in my pocket... when I approach the running car, I just press the black button on the door and it unlocks and the car remains running. I just turn the ignition knob forward without using any keys whatsoever.

Great, I shall try it tmrw morning. This will be good so we don't have to take the key out of the pockets at all. Now this is really worthy of "Tech package".

Thanks for your input.

 

[protegeV]

Not true. I remote-start my car with the FOB, but keep the keys in my pocket... when I approach the running car, I just press the black button on the door and it unlocks and the car remains running. I just turn the ignition knob forward without using any keys whatsoever.

I don;t know what state you live in but now in MD it's illegal to have your car running with no one inside it. Even if its locked or if there are no keys(remote start)