Warning if you have the liftgate

[GreenChicago]

This is just FYI for anyone with the automatic lift gate feature in hopes that you will learn from my big "duh" moment. I parked my cmax on the street in my quiet suburb when I visited a friend recently, hitting the key fob twice to lock the car doors. I apparently hit the bottom button that controls the lift gate instead! So two hours later on a thankfully dry evening I returned to find my gate wide open and interior lights blazing. I was worried the battery would have run dry powering the lights, but thankfully all was okay.

 

It seems to me that an improvement would be to have an auto close feature automatically kick in after x minutes open. I can't think of an application where you would ever need the gate to stay open more than say, 15 minutes if you we're loading cargo. Unless you are tailgating! What do others think about this as a way to prevent battery drain? Maybe Ford engineers can learn from my idiotic mistake and program an autoclose feature?

[fotomoto]

 

It seems to me that an improvement would be to have an auto close feature automatically kick in after x minutes open. I can't think of an application where you would ever need the gate to stay open more than say, 15 minutes if you we're loading cargo. Unless you are tailgating! 

 

Kids soccer games, hanging at the beach, etc.  Open liftgates with a cover thrown over the top are instant shade at outdoor events here in the south.

 

Yeah, I can't believe the interior lights didn't time out.  Wait until you walk off and leave the car on (running).  BTDT!

[ScubaDadMiami]

With the liftgate open, I know that the exterior lights time out after a while.  I can't recall if that also happens with the interior lights.

Edited July 3, 2013 by ScubaDadMiami

[RaPieR]

The two small interior lights in the cargo area do not time out.  I found this out when I used my C-Max for a drive in movie theater and they stayed on the entire time through 2 movies.  I don't know if you can ever turn them off with the liftgate open which sucks for using the rear for drive ins.

[salsaguy]

drive in??? what's that??? never heard of such a thing.....;)

j/k

 those sure are a rare thing these days. been to only a few in my life a long time ago.

[METROMAN]

Can't believe all the lights dont time out. Even my 92 & 96 Caravans would. That's just crazy.

Edited July 3, 2013 by METROMAN

[hybridbear]

If you press the button so that the lights don't come on with open doors do they turn off?

[Noah Harbinger]

This is just FYI for anyone with the automatic lift gate feature in hopes that you will learn from my big "duh" moment. I parked my cmax on the street in my quiet suburb when I visited a friend recently, hitting the key fob twice to lock the car doors. I apparently hit the bottom button that controls the lift gate instead! So two hours later on a thankfully dry evening I returned to find my gate wide open and interior lights blazing. I was worried the battery would have run dry powering the lights, but thankfully all was okay.

 

It seems to me that an improvement would be to have an auto close feature automatically kick in after x minutes open. I can't think of an application where you would ever need the gate to stay open more than say, 15 minutes if you we're loading cargo. Unless you are tailgating! What do others think about this as a way to prevent battery drain? Maybe Ford engineers can learn from my idiotic mistake and program an autoclose feature?

 

Just a little brain trigger: If you press lock twice, you should hear the horn chirp. If you don't, something's wrong!