It might come as a surprise to witness reports of occupants stuck inside their cars due to drained batteries or social media posts from drivers frustrated about feeling “imprisoned” in their electric vehicles. There is potential for unsettling scenarios to unfold under these circumstances:
- The electric vehicle comes with electronic door releases.
- The vehicle’s battery is dead.
- The operator is unaware of how to operate or locate the manual override for the door latch.
Electric cars, particularly Tesla models, draw most of the negative attention when doors fail to open with a dead battery. Nevertheless, cars equipped with electronic door releases, as opposed to manual levers, are increasingly common across all types of vehicles.
So, how can you exit an electric car once the battery dies? Simply follow the instructions outlined in the owner’s manual. The same holds true for any vehicle featuring an internal button to release the door electronically.
RELATED: Steps to Jump-Start an Electric Vehicle Battery
Steps to Manually Open Electronic Car Doors
Understanding how to manually unlock a vehicle’s door becomes essential if the car employs an electronic button release system and the 12-volt battery that powers auxiliary functions is dead. When functioning normally, the button signals an electric motor to unlatch the door. In the event that pressing the button yields no result, the driver or passenger must resort to the manual emergency release.
Automakers do not purposely conceal the location of the mechanical release, but the physical lever might not be immediately visible, especially amid a high-stress or chaotic emergency. If you are entering a vehicle with a push-button door instead of a conventional mechanical handle, acquaint yourself with the whereabouts of the manual door release.
- Refer to the owner’s manual if the vehicle is newly acquired, a rental, or a temporary replacement.
- In cases of ridesharing or riding in a friend’s car, inquire about the emergency release’s location from the driver.
Overriding Interior Electronic Door Release
Cars with electronically operated door unlatching buttons also feature manual backup release handles for use in system failures. The place of the manual door release can vary among manufacturers and is detailed in the owner’s manual.
Common locations for emergency levers include within the door storage compartment or adjacent to the seat on the floor. Consult the vehicle’s documentation to gain insight into how to utilize the mechanical backup technique for opening the door to exit the vehicle.
Recommended Reads:
