Hi Folks…

Given the current drought in
most parts of the country and inevitable heat, it is worth reminding motorists
with keyless vehicle remotes or car deadlocks to understand exactly how they
operate to prevent accidental lock-ins this summer, even where there is an
adult left in the car.

Cars with a deadlock system
prevent the doors being opened from inside the vehicle, without the remote. A
motorist in Australia recently reported an incident where his wife remained in
their car at a shopping centre while he went inside. As the member walked away
he accidentally deadlocked the car leaving his wife trapped inside, unable to
open either the doors or windows.

The deadlock function in many
vehicles is activated by pressing the lock button twice on the remote.
Deadlocks are intended as a theft deterrent to prevent a car being entered even
if the windows are smashed.

 Auto-locks and
deadlocks are features intended to offer extra protection for the driver and
vehicle, but it’s important to understand how they function and whether there’s
a manual override.

On a 32°C day, the
temperature inside a parked car with the windows and doors shut can reach more
than 70°C, so there is a need to act quickly in the event anyone is trapped
inside due to confusion with the locking system.

More information about
locking features is available from the vehicle’s owner’s manual or from the
dealer, so it’s important that motorists familiarise themselves with their
car’s locking system so as to prevent possible tragedies.

Till next time - Take care to
know what technology you have bought into for your vehicle.

Eugene Herbert