Automatic door locks are a convenient feature in modern vehicles, enhancing both safety and ease of use. Programming these locks to your preferences can add a personalized touch to your driving experience. If you’re looking to understand How To Program Car Door Lock features on your Dodge vehicle, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through the process of enabling or disabling the automatic door lock and unlock features, ensuring your car doors function exactly as you desire.
Understanding Automatic Door Lock and Unlock Features
Many Dodge vehicles come equipped with automatic door lock and unlock functionalities. The auto door lock feature is designed to engage when certain conditions are met, typically when the vehicle reaches a certain speed. This is a safety feature that ensures doors are securely locked while driving. Conversely, the auto unlock feature is designed to disengage the locks when the vehicle stops and the transmission is shifted into Park or Neutral, often coupled with opening the driver’s door.
These features can usually be customized to suit your needs. Whether you prefer your doors to automatically lock as you drive off or unlock when you park, Dodge provides a way to program these settings. The method for programming can vary slightly depending on whether your vehicle is equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).
Programming Automatic Door Locks and Unlocks on Dodge Vehicles Without EVIC
For Dodge vehicles not equipped with the EVIC system, programming the automatic door lock and unlock features involves a specific sequence using the ignition and power door lock switches. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to program car door lock and unlock in these models:
Enabling or Disabling Automatic Door Lock
To toggle the automatic door lock feature on or off, follow these steps:
- Ensure all doors are fully closed and properly latched.
- Insert your key into the ignition switch.
- Cycle the ignition between LOCK and ON four times. Specifically, turn the key from LOCK to ON, then back to LOCK. Repeat this cycle a total of four times, ending with the ignition in the LOCK position.
- Immediately after the final cycle, depress the power door lock switch to the LOCK position.
- Verify the reprogramming by driving the vehicle above 15 mph (24 km/h) to see if the doors automatically lock.
Enabling or Disabling Automatic Door Unlock
The process for programming the auto unlock feature is very similar. The key difference lies in the final step, where you use the unlock switch instead of the lock switch. Here’s how to enable or disable the auto unlock feature:
- Make sure all doors are closed.
- Place the key in the ignition.
- Cycle the ignition switch between LOCK and ON and back to LOCK four times, ending in the LOCK position.
- Immediately after cycling the ignition, depress the power door unlock switch to the UNLOCK position.
- Listen for a single chime. This chime indicates that the programming is complete.
- Test the auto unlock feature by driving the vehicle, bringing it to a stop, shifting to NEUTRAL or PARK, and opening the driver’s door to see if the doors automatically unlock.
It’s important to note that the only procedural difference between programming the auto door lock and auto unlock is whether you press the lock or unlock button in the final step. This simple variation allows you to control both features independently.
Important Considerations
- Local Laws: Always use the Auto Door Locks and Auto Unlock features in compliance with your local traffic laws and regulations.
- Chime Confirmation: For the auto unlock programming, a chime sound is your confirmation that the system has registered your changes. Listen carefully for this chime to ensure successful programming.
- Door Behavior: The auto unlock feature is designed to unlock doors when the shifter is moved to neutral or park. It’s worth testing to confirm if it unlocks all doors or just the driver’s door based on your vehicle’s specific configuration and programming.
By following these instructions, you can easily manage your Dodge vehicle’s automatic door lock and unlock settings, enhancing your vehicle’s convenience and aligning it with your personal preferences. Remember to consult your owner’s manual for the most accurate and detailed information specific to your model year and trim.
