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)

[xavier]

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.
YAY! that is a worthy tech package. Ill have to go back to the dealer for them to install the remote starter now. Not really looking forward to the dealer visit though.

[CX7_Scott]

MD doesn't allow an empty, idling car...? So auto-start is an illegal feature for you then... (?)

That's bizarre... I mean, I'm sure there's a REASON they passed the legislation... but... wow.

[GraniteGreyCX7]

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.

I tried this morning, and as described I do not need to take out the smart key or key fob to open the door, just have to press the black button on the door handle....sweet!(first)

[NorthernGit]

My dealer has tried twice to set this feature but it's still not working. Has anyone else had the same problem?

They say that the feature is enabled, but I'm not convinced!

[protegeV]

MD doesn't allow an empty, idling car...? So auto-start is an illegal feature for you then... (?)

That's bizarre... I mean, I'm sure there's a REASON they passed the legislation... but... wow.yeah, ato-start is pretty much illegal. which is funny when you consider all the car companies building their cars with auto-start standard.
Im sure the law had something to do with pressure from insurance companies dealing with a massive amount of claims. Not that you could actually steal a car with OE autostart or with a properly installed aftermarket auto-start, but how tempting would it be for a thief to try to break into your car if they saw it running, not knowing that the keys arent in it, and it'll shut off once they hit the brake.

[xavier]

My dealer has tried twice to set this feature but it's still not working. Has anyone else had the same problem?

They say that the feature is enabled, but I'm not convinced!
When you are testing it out, you have the key in your pocket and you shut the door and walk away right? When the door shuts you should hear a beep, and then when you get about 5 feet away, you should here another beep with a signal flash. If not, take it back to the dealer.

[NorthernGit]

When you are testing it out, you have the key in your pocket and you shut the door and walk away right? When the door shuts you should hear a beep, and then when you get about 5 feet away, you should here another beep with a signal flash. If not, take it back to the dealer.

You're spot on Xavier. I've even had the key in my pocket with absolutly nothing else in there, and tried holding it in my hand when I get out also.
Each time there's no beep when I close the drivers door. (pissed)

Oh well i guess I'll have to leave it with the dealer again! Time for an oil change soon anyway so I'll do it then.

Thx for your help :)

[cocoagyrl77]

If your auto lock is not working, you gotta get them to enable it. It is great.

[CXRabbit]

I got mine enabled when I was at the dealer for my first oil change. It's awesome... LOVE it.

[WWNJCX7]

My thoughts on auto lock - this should be a feature that the owner could turn on or off. Another irony regarding the "tech package", Mazda must be kidding me. My wifes chyrsler T&C lets you program everything with the overhead display.

Geez, between this and the lack of IPOD interface, it really makes me think that someone was asleep at the wheel.

Just my 2cnts

[SnowYeti]

I wish you could get this in Australia!

[Nome]

I have that auto lock and remote start, it was that way when I picked it up and found it by accident as I walked away one day and it locked.

I did try to get the dealer to set the door locks to auto lock when the car is put in gear or at 10 MPH or there abouts and they told me they couldn't with the remote start etc.

Anyone know if this is true?

[AWmustang]

I have that auto lock and remote start, it was that way when I picked it up and found it by accident as I walked away one day and it locked.

I did try to get the dealer to set the door locks to auto lock when the car is put in gear or at 10 MPH or there abouts and they told me they couldn't with the remote start etc.

Anyone know if this is true?

As far as I know you can't do it at all, regardless of whether you have remote start or not.

[Nome]

Since I read this post I've been using the remote start more (playing) and when ever i use it once started the panic horn goes off and I have to push the button again.

Not good with the neighbors in the morning.

Is this normal?

[shrexster]

Since I read this post I've been using the remote start more (playing) and when ever i use it once started the panic horn goes off and I have to push the button again.

Not good with the neighbors in the morning.

Is this normal?


Not good, I had the same thing happen, I had to take it into the dealer. The geniouses took about 4 days to figure it out. It was something with the wiring, first they assumed the module, then the remote start fobs, then they finally figured out it was some bad wiring.

[AWmustang]

Mine just does a horn chirp just after the second button press and another chirp once the car successfully starts.

It only does the panic if I hold the button and the car isn't running.

[Nome]

Well my dealer is in washington and I'm in Arizona right now so i guess I'll wait till I get the car back there- it's not fair to sic a dealer on it that didn't sell the car.