I think the locking mechanism that the Prius has on the driver-door handle is very cool, but I can't really get it to work. My salesman told me to run a finger over the 2 grooves and it would lock. The manual says to simply place a finger on the grooves and it will lock, but neither is working for me. Any advice?
I usually use my thumb to push down on the grooves, like a touch pad. I find when I am washing my car that pressure sets it off (like when I spray the car).
Does it do nothing? or beep at you? You may already know this but you have to have the fob on your person and can't have one inside the car when you do it. Try pinching the handle right where the grooves are. Put your thumb on it and your pointer finger underneath. G
I find that I normally just have to hold the single finger touching the grooves for a second, maybe, and it locks. The manual also suggests pinching the upper and lower portion of the handle (thumb on upper groove-index finger pinching from below) where the grooves are, and that responds immediately for me. I notice that when my wife is with me there may be a slight delay, and the manual mentions that another Smart Key in the vicinity of the sensor area may delay activation. She carries a Lexus Smart Key in her purse.
I just barely touch the raised stripes on the top of the door handle and it locks right away. Make sure you have the key fob on you...that's probably what the problem is.
I believe the lock works by capacitance doesn't it? Do you have really dry hands? I think that might affect it. Normally I just have to brush the grooves with my fingertip. I don't hold my finger down on the grooves. About a second later the car will beep and the lights will flash to signify the car is locked.
