Intelligent Access Became Less Intelligent for 2015?

[Shaaaaron]

Hey all! Just leased my second SEL (2015), as I loved the first one (a 2013) so much! Tons of fun to drive and I love all my toys (302A!)!

I feel, however, like I might be losing my mind. I could have SWORN that the last one allowed access to the rear doors via the proximity keys. New one seems to only respond at the front doors. Anyone have a reason why this might be? Did they change it for 2015? Am I missing sensors in the rear door handles?

Please help! Thanks!!

[fbov]

Have you looked for sensors? My '13 has a little dark strip on the inner side where the index finger lands, on all 4 doors. I have had problems with mine, but usually the drivers' door. Back door's my backup, lest I have to reach into my pocket an press a button! Can't have that inconvenience, now that I'm fully spoiled.

Frank

 

Ain't no stinking dark strip on the inner side.... must have been a shadow.

Edited May 21, 2015 by fbov

[stevedebi]

Hey all! Just leased my second SEL (2015), as I loved the first one (a 2013) so much! Tons of fun to drive and I love all my toys (302A!)!

I feel, however, like I might be losing my mind. I could have SWORN that the last one allowed access to the rear doors via the proximity keys. New one seems to only respond at the front doors. Anyone have a reason why this might be? Did they change it for 2015? Am I missing sensors in the rear door handles?

Please help! Thanks!!

My 2014 Energi requires unlocking the front doors in order to open the back doors, if you mean touching the handle.

 

You can use the FOB to unlock all doors - just push the unlock button twice.

[Shaaaaron]

I know my '13 had the functionality on all 4 doors. It had to, as I have two dogs and tend to open the back doors for them before opening the front door for myself, and I know it worked that way for the 2 years I had it. And as I have been "spoiled" with that, since it's much easier to leave the key in my purse most of the time, I'd really like to know why it's not working on the new car.
Mainly, just want to verify it's something that's been removed for the '15s, rather than just my car not being built properly (I did retail order it to my specifications).

[markd]

You have to touch either front door handles to unlock the back doors of my 2014.

[plus 3 golfer]

Looks like Ford "decontented" the Intelligent Access System (likely to save a few $) on 2014/15 MY C-Maxes ahd Ford now is building cars to the operating description in the Owner's Manual. :)  I also use the rear door handle sensor on my 2013 to unlock doors to let our dog jump in the back seat.

 

From the 2013 Owner's Manual, there is no mention of IAS unlocking from the rear door handles but does unlock from the rear door handles:

 Intelligent Access (If Equipped)

The system uses a radio frequency signal to communicate with your vehicle and your vehicle to unlock when one of the following conditions are met:

• You touch the inside of the front exterior door handle.

• You press the luggage compartment button.

• You press a button on the transmitter.

 

From the 2014 Owner's Manual (with additions and deletions noted from previous year):

Intelligent Access (If Equipped)

The system uses a radio frequency signal to communicate with your vehicle and authorize your vehicle to unlock when one of the following conditions are met:

• You touch the inside of the front exterior door handle.

• You press the luggage compartment button.

• You press a button on the transmitter.

 

Note the removal of clarity in the 2015 Owner's Manual (with additions and deletions noted from previous year).  Where is that damn sensor switch on the door handle?:

Intelligent Access (If Equipped)

The system uses a radio frequency signal to communicate with your vehicle and authorize your vehicle to unlock when one of the following conditions are met:

• You touch the inside of activate the front exterior door handle switch.

• You press the luggage compartment button.

• You press a button on the transmitter

 

[stevedebi]

You have to touch either front door handles to unlock the back doors of my 2014.

What is your build date?

[markd]

7-10-2014

[stevedebi]

7-10-2014

Sorry, I think I misread your post. Mine is an Energi built on 3 July 2014, and yes, it unlocks all four doors when the front is unlocked.

[hybridbear]

My 2014 Energi requires unlocking the front doors in order to open the back doors, if you mean touching the handle.

 

You can use the FOB to unlock all doors - just push the unlock button twice.

This is a setting configurable via the left dash screen. 

[stevedebi]

This is a setting configurable via the left dash screen. 

I can't seem to find that in my 2014 owner manual. I figure it should be on page 96 with the setup screens like traction control. Do you have a page number?

 

Mine has always unlocked the rear doors when I touch the front door handles.

[raadsel]

I can't seem to find that in my 2014 owner manual. I figure it should be on page 96 with the setup screens like traction control. Do you have a page number?

 

Mine has always unlocked the rear doors when I touch the front door handles.

 

 

It appears page 55 of the 2014 owner's manual talks about how to change the unlock button on the remote to either unlock all doors when you press it, or only the driver's door with the first press and the rest of the doors with a second press. This apparently also determines how the door handle button operates.

 

The instructions, "Press and hold both the lock and unlock buttons on the remote control for four seconds to disable or enable two-stage unlocking. Disabling two-stage unlocking allows all vehicle doors to unlock with one press of the button. The turn signals will flash twice to indicate a change to the unlocking mode. The unlocking mode applies to the remote control and intelligent access.

 

"Intelligent access at the driver door will unlock all doors when you disable two-stage unlocking."

[stevedebi]

 

It appears page 55 of the 2014 owner's manual talks about how to change the unlock button on the remote to either unlock all doors when you press it, or only the driver's door with the first press and the rest of the doors with a second press. This apparently also determines how the door handle button operates.

 

The instructions, "Press and hold both the lock and unlock buttons on the remote control for four seconds to disable or enable two-stage unlocking. Disabling two-stage unlocking allows all vehicle doors to unlock with one press of the button. The turn signals will flash twice to indicate a change to the unlocking mode. The unlocking mode applies to the remote control and intelligent access.

 

"Intelligent access at the driver door will unlock all doors when you disable two-stage unlocking."

 

Ah. I found that page. I think mine was set that way by default. I never set it.

[ArizonaEnergi]

My 2013 unlocks when I grab the rear door handles.  I don't understand why they would change that functionality unless it was to save a few dollars on rear doors sensors.

[stevedebi]

My 2013 unlocks when I grab the rear door handles.  I don't understand why they would change that functionality unless it was to save a few dollars on rear doors sensors.

My 2014 Energi definitely doesn't do that. I sometimes pull the rear handles to make sure the door is actually locked.

[timwil56]

My 2014 Energi, built 2/04/14 does not unlock by the rear door handles.

[Redshift]

2015 C-Max SEL. I can unlock the back hatch just by having the key fob in my pocket and grabbing the lock on the back door.

[stevedebi]

2015 C-Max SEL. I can unlock the back hatch just by having the key fob in my pocket and grabbing the lock on the back door.

You grab the lock on the back door and it unlocks the hatch? I'm not sure what that means, did you mean the rear passenger door handle?

 

Did you mean that, or did you mean you can grab the hatch button with the FOB and the hatch opens, or did you mean you can unlock the rear doors by grabbing the handle?

 

The thread is about the rear passenger doors unlocking (or not) when the front door handles are grabbed.

[Adrian_L]

My 2013 unlocks when I grab the rear door handles.  I don't understand why they would change that functionality unless it was to save a few dollars on rear doors sensors.

 

I've got a 2013 and you definitely can't unlock the doors by pulling the rear passenger door handles.  Only pulling on the front door handles (with FOB in pocket) will do this.

 

I find it easier to just double click on the unlock button as I'm walking towards the car.

Edited September 9, 2015 by Adrian_L

[plus 3 golfer]

I've got a 2013 and you definitely can't unlock the doors by pulling the rear passenger door handles.  Only pulling on the front door handles (with FOB in pocket) will do this.

 

I find it easier to just double click on the unlock button as I'm walking towards the car.

Maybe not in Canada.  :)

 

With FOB in pocket I can unlock my 2013 SEL by the front and rear door handles and by pushing the release latch under the hatch handle, the rear hatch unlocks but not the doors.  Build date is Nov. 2012.

Edited September 9, 2015 by Plus 3 Golfer

[raadsel]

I'll agree about the 2013 US C-Max, I can unlock the doors by touching the back door handles. I've not really tested it, but opening the back hatch hasn't seemed to unlock the other doors.

[Adrian_L]

Release latch?  I have no idea.

I was simply responding to a claim that pulling the rear handle unlocked the doors.  Not true on my '13.

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but the Canadian and U.S. models are identical save for the FT daytime running lights on ours.

[Adrian_L]

From the '13 Manual:

 

Intelligent Access (If Equipped)

The system uses a radio frequency signal to communicate with your

vehicle and authorize your vehicle to unlock when one of the following

conditions is met:

•

You touch the inside of the front exterior door handle.

•

You press the luggage compartment button.

•

You press a button on the transmitter.

 

I don't believe the rear door handles have sensors.

[plus 3 golfer]

I'll agree about the 2013 US C-Max, I can unlock the doors by touching the back door handles. I've not really tested it, but opening the back hatch hasn't seemed to unlock the other doors.

Correct, opening the hatch does not unlock the doors only the hatch, I edited my post above for clarity.

[plus 3 golfer]

From the '13 Manual:

 

Intelligent Access (If Equipped)

The system uses a radio frequency signal to communicate with your

vehicle and authorize your vehicle to unlock when one of the following

conditions is met:

•

You touch the inside of the front exterior door handle.

•

You press the luggage compartment button.

•

You press a button on the transmitter.

 

I don't believe the rear door handles have sensors.

That's what the manual says (see my post 6 above) but touching the rear door handles unlocks all doors on my 2013 SEL.