Is it needed to lock the Bronco when you walk away?

[Karl_in_Chicago]

I will say this is one of the features that I really miss from my Mazda. I wish Ford had implemented it more like they did.

You walk away from the vehicle it locks the doors... You walk up to the vehicle and press the button on the handle and it unlocks.

With the Bronco, I don't like that you can't verify if the doors are locked when you press the button because if you grab the handle it unlocks. I find myself having to listen to hear if the locks engage.

On my Chevy it's even easier. So long as you have the fob on your person you just walk up and the doors unlock, walk away and they lock. Of course you can change that behavior if you wish. Next year that car celebrates a quarter century since I bought it.

Sponsored

 

[JonDW29]

Definitely lock the doors. I even lock them as a habit when I have the top in various states of taken off. We get teens/twentys that come into my neighborhood from other areas, probably some locals too, that pick streets to check handles. Never slash anything or forcibly enter cars. Just take what's available because someone was too lazy of forgot to lock their door(s).

I'm all for convenience, but I'm also conditioned at this point so even if I had a feature that locked it as I walked away I'd still either be pressing the button on the handle and hearing the doors lock, or I'd be hitting the fob and doing the same. I grew up in the DC suburbs and went to school in Columbus OH (lost a $700 Alpine there), so this is just a habit for me at this point. Only takes one break in to change your attitude. At the end of the day, if someone really wants in they're gonna get in. Locks just keep the lesser threats at bay.

As far as confirming the doors are locked, if you have a four door the back handles don't auto-unlock if that helps. I just listen for the sound, or if I get too far away I'll do the honk. I just find that annoying so I try not to do it if I can remember.

 

[Dirtrider]

Maybe this??

Doesn't this 'auto lock' lock the vehicle doors at ~ 9 mph?

My BD isn't as fancy so I have to manually lock the doors using the key fob, interior door lock switch or hitting the right two buttons on the external keypad simultaneously (I did get that option).

 

[AZ_Liberty]

If you tap on the "i" next to the toggles for more info, none of those appear to address what the original poster is describing - as in automatically locking the vehicle.

While driving. I can think of no reason I need locks on when I am in motion.

That's the stupid I'm going to lock myself once I get up to 5-8 miles per hour "feature".

 

[Heckler]

While driving. I can think of no reason I need locks on when I am in motion.

That's the stupid I'm going to lock myself once I get up to 5-8 miles per hour "feature".

If you have kids I can see the need, there is child safety lock switch but unless there locked already it wouldn’t keep the doors from opening. I never noticed if mine lock when I start driving I might need to turn that on.

 

[BroncoT]

Hitting the door handle button is a mess. Sometimes I hear the door lock, but often the lights blink to show it recognizes contact but the doors don’t lock )or at least it doesn’t sound like locking).

I end up having to hit the door handle button multiple times before hearing the lock sound. PitA. My Acura worked first time every time.

 

[JonDW29]

Hitting the door handle button is a mess. Sometimes I hear the door lock, but often the lights blink to show it recognizes contact but the doors don’t lock )or at least it doesn’t sound like locking).

I end up having to hit the door handle button multiple times before hearing the lock sound. PitA. My Acura worked first time every time.

That would drive me nuts. I've had no such issues with mine. Gonna go find some wood to knock on.

 

[Neverowneda4x4]

Interesting. On Reddit someone asked for the passenger window part number because it was shattered and in the past their rear window was cut out twice. They asked if broncos are generally more susceptible to theft and vandalism. I was surprised in reading further in the thread, that this took place in Texas.

 

[PSUTE]

While driving. I can think of no reason I need locks on when I am in motion.

That's the stupid I'm going to lock myself once I get up to 5-8 miles per hour "feature".

Carjacking. Know it's a long shot, but it is out there...

 

[cbrenthus]

With the Bronco, I don't like that you can't verify if the doors are locked when you press the button because if you grab the handle it unlocks. I find myself having to listen to hear if the locks engage.

If you have a 4-door you can, just try the rear door. I get out, shut my door, hit the button on the handle and hear it lock, then I try the rear door to make sure

If you have a 2 door then you just have to settle with being far superior to us 4-doors (or so I understand from this forum)

 

[DefNotBuddyLee]

As others stated, doors do not auto lock. However, my understanding is that locking the doors via the fob also puts the Bronco into "sleep mode" faster so you are not getting as much draw on your battery.
@vrtical , obviously your doors would lock in your spare bedroom. You can also use the window roll down feature from your fob in case the room is getting hot.

 

[n0xlf]

While driving. I can think of no reason I need locks on when I am in motion.

That's the stupid I'm going to lock myself once I get up to 5-8 miles per hour "feature".

It's partially meant to keep the doors from opening in the event of a crash (and thus keep you from exiting if not restrained) and also keep foreign objects from entering the passenger compartment. In vehicles with a door full frame it also strengthens the roof.

Then there is the car jacking issue which was already mentioned and keeping kids inside if the doors don't automatically unlock when you pull the handle (can't remember if they do).

 

[orion]

While driving. I can think of no reason I need locks on when I am in motion.

That's the stupid I'm going to lock myself once I get up to 5-8 miles per hour "feature".

Car jacking...

 

[VailDan]

So basically, it sounds like the only time I need to reach in mu pocket and use my fob is when I park and get out. I have my MIC/doors off for most of the summer. Is there anything else that might come into play besides sleep mode timing when you do not hit the lock button with the top/doors off? Kind of nice to just throw it in park and walk away without having to hit anything when the doors are off. If there is a passive alarm that might arm or anything else that comes with lux package, etc. that anyone knows about, let me know.

 

[wrangal]

They don't automatically lock.
It remotely locks the doors and tailgate.
If you have a soft top don't bother locking it they will just cut the roof to steal stuff.

I had someone try to steal the soft top off my Jeep at the grocery store. I only needed a couple of items and when I came out too quick I interrupted them and they ran off. Unbelieveable what people will do.

Sponsored