If you’ve invested in a new vehicle recently, you’ve probably benefited from one standout feature – automated locking. While this might have felt like some newfangled invention just a few decades ago, this is now one of those everyday vehicle essentials that we’ve all come to expect as standard.
In theory, this is great news. Who doesn’t want a car with its very own in-built safety brain? Finally, you needn’t worry about forgetting to press lock anymore. Many drivers also love how this feature helps them to stay calm in those ‘can’t find my keys’ moments. After all, if your car’s unlocked, your keys have to be in the vicinity somewhere!
But many drivers also find this feature a struggle for some pretty valid reasons. In this article, we’ll consider the pros, cons, and personal choices that automated locking brings to the table.
Pros: Easy Living at Last
Okay, so locking your car wasn’t exactly a hardship before. But it was something you were liable to forget, and it wasn’t the easiest if your hands were full with kids or shopping! The most obvious pro of an automated locking feature, therefore, has to be the ease that it brings. This way, your car really is safe no matter what.
These automated systems also typically include drive-away locking, where your car locks as soon as you drive away. The benefit? Untold safety from carjackings, in a way that you just don’t get with manual systems. So, safety and ease are undeniable plus points. But what gives?
Con: Where do Things go Wrong?
So far, so breezy, but no modern car update is perfect. Like complex infotainment systems and so-called hands-free voice activation, locking that takes care of itself is liable to misbehave, or simply fall foul of mishaps that might include –
- Fob malfunction: Automated locking leaves you at risk if you lose your keys or if your fob malfunctions. Luckily, manufacturers including Tesla, BMW, and Ford have introduced apps that mean you can unlock via your smartphone if needed. But for the rest of us, a malfunction like this would mean an automatic call to a reliable emergency locksmith to address the problem.
- Potential safety risks: In some rare cases, thieves have been known to intercept and amplify the signal from automatic key fobs, thus gaining access and being able to easily drive away without your knowledge.
- More expensive repairs: Automated systems can also ramp up repair or replacement costs, as they tend to rely on specific manufacturer parts, and most likely need specialist labor to address problems.
Choosing the Right System for You
So there you have it – the good, the bad, and the outright ugly of automated locking systems. But after all of that, how do you choose the right solution for you? Ultimately, this will come down to personal preference and whether or not you’re willing to take those potential risks on board. Whatever you choose, we hope your locks behave, and your driving journeys are as happy as can be!