Door lock sensors -- how many?
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 81,825
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From: Lovely OC
Door lock sensors -- how many?
I have never looked closely into this, but on the RX350 (or RX450h, if that makes any difference), when the doors are locked and you have your fob with you, how many (and which) door handles will allow you to unlock the door(s)?
I have been driving this RX350 loaner the past week, and what I notice is the front 2 doors, when I put my hand over the handle, doors will unlock. But it seems like doing this on the rear two doors have no effect at all. Same with locking the doors, seems like only the front door handles have that dimple where you put your finger over and lock.
Is that the case for all RX? I am a bit surprised. On my GS350 and LS460L, all 4 doors have the sensors to unlock doors and also the button to lock the doors. That's more convenient.
Because the way I setup my car is, if I only open the driver front door, then only that door is unlocked (I do this when I am by myself for security reason). But if I try to open the driver rear door, all 4 doors will be unlocked (when I am with other people).
But now with the RX, if I set to unlock only driver front door (it's in the setting I can see), then if I have other people, I will either have to use the fob, or quickly open the door and then press on unlock.
Thoughts?
I have been driving this RX350 loaner the past week, and what I notice is the front 2 doors, when I put my hand over the handle, doors will unlock. But it seems like doing this on the rear two doors have no effect at all. Same with locking the doors, seems like only the front door handles have that dimple where you put your finger over and lock.
Is that the case for all RX? I am a bit surprised. On my GS350 and LS460L, all 4 doors have the sensors to unlock doors and also the button to lock the doors. That's more convenient.
Because the way I setup my car is, if I only open the driver front door, then only that door is unlocked (I do this when I am by myself for security reason). But if I try to open the driver rear door, all 4 doors will be unlocked (when I am with other people).
But now with the RX, if I set to unlock only driver front door (it's in the setting I can see), then if I have other people, I will either have to use the fob, or quickly open the door and then press on unlock.
Thoughts?
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 26
From: Sakon Nakhon
This is splitting hairs, but if you unlock the rear hatch, the other doors will unlock as well, making it three doors touchwise; the mechanism is just not as elegant as the front doors. I prefer the locking sensor on the RX over the one on the LS. I wasn't a big fan of the LS pushbutton, and obviously someone at Lexus may have thought likewise, or it evolved like other features on the new RX. I expect the RX sensor will make its way over to other new gen platforms in the future.
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 213
From: San Francisco, CA
yes it sucks that it is only available on the front doors. Since I do not own a car with smart access, I have tried other loaner vehicles like the ES which have sensors on all four handles. I also touch the rear doors to unlock all the doors and the drivers one to unlock my own. I dont know what Im going to do when my RX gets here...probably program it so that all the doors unlock when the drivers door is unlocked.
As for the button versus touch sensor for locking, I prefer the button. From my understanding, the locking mechanism goes berserk when washing your car since it keeps "sensing" something touching the lock sensor. Also I have noticed that you need your finger pressed on it for a good second or two before it actually locks. In other words, you need to pause there. With the button, you can just push it and walk away. It still takes a pause before locking, but you can at least begin to walk away.
IMO, 4 sensors with 4 buttons works best. However, I guess the touch sensor for locking is much cleaner to look at, plus you dont have to bother with the plastic cover over the key hole when your fob runs out of juice.
As for the button versus touch sensor for locking, I prefer the button. From my understanding, the locking mechanism goes berserk when washing your car since it keeps "sensing" something touching the lock sensor. Also I have noticed that you need your finger pressed on it for a good second or two before it actually locks. In other words, you need to pause there. With the button, you can just push it and walk away. It still takes a pause before locking, but you can at least begin to walk away.
IMO, 4 sensors with 4 buttons works best. However, I guess the touch sensor for locking is much cleaner to look at, plus you dont have to bother with the plastic cover over the key hole when your fob runs out of juice.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 81,825
Likes: 409
From: Lovely OC
i like the rx implementation more for sure, cleaner no button (especially if your car is not black). the dimple works great and the sensor as well
but my problem is having sensors only on the front 2 doors, that's so weird
but my problem is having sensors only on the front 2 doors, that's so weird
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 81,825
Likes: 409
From: Lovely OC
yes it sucks that it is only available on the front doors. Since I do not own a car with smart access, I have tried other loaner vehicles like the ES which have sensors on all four handles. I also touch the rear doors to unlock all the doors and the drivers one to unlock my own. I dont know what Im going to do when my RX gets here...probably program it so that all the doors unlock when the drivers door is unlocked.
As for the button versus touch sensor for locking, I prefer the button. From my understanding, the locking mechanism goes berserk when washing your car since it keeps "sensing" something touching the lock sensor. Also I have noticed that you need your finger pressed on it for a good second or two before it actually locks. In other words, you need to pause there. With the button, you can just push it and walk away. It still takes a pause before locking, but you can at least begin to walk away.
IMO, 4 sensors with 4 buttons works best. However, I guess the touch sensor for locking is much cleaner to look at, plus you dont have to bother with the plastic cover over the key hole when your fob runs out of juice.
As for the button versus touch sensor for locking, I prefer the button. From my understanding, the locking mechanism goes berserk when washing your car since it keeps "sensing" something touching the lock sensor. Also I have noticed that you need your finger pressed on it for a good second or two before it actually locks. In other words, you need to pause there. With the button, you can just push it and walk away. It still takes a pause before locking, but you can at least begin to walk away.
IMO, 4 sensors with 4 buttons works best. However, I guess the touch sensor for locking is much cleaner to look at, plus you dont have to bother with the plastic cover over the key hole when your fob runs out of juice.
maybe you should try the touch sensor on the rx, at least on my loaner they work very well. i actually never had to keep my finger (pause) on the dimple location at all to lock doors. i always get out of my car, close all doors, simply put my finger over the dimple, touch it momentarily, and then take off my finger and start walking away. and then i will hear a beep and all doors lock. by comparison i definitely need to use more force to really press on the button on my ls460l and gs350. nothing dramatic, but the rx i had worked very well on that i think
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
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From: WA
I find that a good solution to this is not to keep the key fob on you when you're close to the car while washing it.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Iowa
Having the lock sensors in the rear doors would be nice, rather than grabbing the handle forgetting and then reaching to the front and then getting in the back door.
I'm sure Lexus could add the all-doors-sensors as a $2,000 option!!!
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 81,825
Likes: 409
From: Lovely OC
considering that even on the es it's on all 4 doors (though the old format with buttons)
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: California
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 26
From: Sakon Nakhon
As for the button versus touch sensor for locking, I prefer the button. From my understanding, the locking mechanism goes berserk when washing your car since it keeps "sensing" something touching the lock sensor. Also I have noticed that you need your finger pressed on it for a good second or two before it actually locks. In other words, you need to pause there. With the button, you can just push it and walk away. It still takes a pause before locking, but you can at least begin to walk away.
As for the locking, I just run my finger over the dimple, and it works fine - no delay. Keep in mind the proximity sensor depends on a "normal" level of moisture on the finger to work effectively. The moisture acts to close the circuit to lock the car. If the driver has excessively dry hands, then it won't work as well. In that case, licking one's thumb would help. 
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 542
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
Since you can program the doors to unlock its not so inconvenient. As for locking I think its actually a good idea. Suppose one of the kids locked it and you weren't ready to have the doors locked or unlocked it? I wonder if it has something to do with safety??? Just a thought.