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How do I get my 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid to automatically lock?

The dealership said that after I got out of the car it would automatically lock, but this has not been the case. I'm wondering if I was misinformed, or if I need to configure something?

Public Comments

1. there is probably a code that has to be entered, look in your owners manual, my grand am was that way
2. if they said that, then you should take it to them to fix because it should be covered under warraty if it never worked. If it has one of those new key phobs it should lock and unlock as you walk up to or away from the car.
3. Hi, this will take a bit of an explanation, so stay with me. You have a smart key type locking system for the Altima Hybrid, similar to the Smart Key system for the Toyota line (the Altima Hybrid's hybrid system came from the Camry Hybrid, Nissan purchased the rights to it from Toyota). What that means is you have a small black button on the front doors (driver's and pasenger's) that you press to lock the vehicle. You do not have to press the keyless/smart key fob to lock the doors. A smart key allows you to keep the key fob in your purse or pocket and not have to remove it and possibly lose it or have it stolen. Those black buttons are only there to lock the vehicle, they are not there to unlock it. A smart key system works as a proximity detector and will know when the correct key fob is within about 2 feet of the vehicle. The system should also know when the smart key is outside the vehicle and should not allow the engine to be started, even when someone is sitting in the driver's seat and pressing the start button (the Camry Hybrid, for example, will not allow the car to be started even if the smart key is just outside the open driver's door and a person is in the driver's seat and pressing the start button, it knows the difference and that you are not actually inside the vehicle and in the seat- I'm uncertain that the Nissan system will work the same, but I'm assuming it does). So what I believe the dealership meant to tell you is that you don't need to have the smart key fob in hand, you just need it in your pocket and to press the black button when you shut the door(s). The vehicle will not lock itself automatically when you walk away, it is too much of a liability for the manufacturer to have that type of setting in place from the factory. One other thing, most smart key systems have a 2-3 second delay to allow you to check the doors after you've pressed the black button. You can press the button to lock the door and then have a slight delay to lift the door handle and check to make sure the door is locked. It's not really necessary to make sure as long as you hear the locking beep, but it is there as a reassurance. If you wait longer than the 2-3 seconds and then touch the unlock contact patch inside the door handles with the smart key on you, the vehicle will unlock itself, even if you don't actually pull the door handle and only touch it. The vehicle should relock itself after 30 seconds if you haven't opened a door or the trunk. That may have been another point of confusion. My advice is to take your owner's manual and print off what I've typed here out to your Altima and try out the various ways to lock and unlock the doors. My experience has been the smart key systems take a little getting used to and there is nothing wrong with the system, the owner of the vehicle is just adjusting to a different type of technology. They don't have classes for these types of things at every dealership, so take your time. Only after you have done it "by the book" would I take your Altima into the dealership for a diagnostic check. If there is nothing wrong, you may get charged for the check. Good luck.
4. You were misinformed. The Altima will not lock itself when you exit the vehicle you have to hit the button on the passanger or driver door for it to lock. Some people just act like they know what they are talking about. But on the other hand the system will relock itself if unlock you vehicle and do not enter it within 30 seconds... that might be what he/she was talking about.