Rear passenger doors and locks

[Momaru]

I am not sure if this applies to power locks only, and I hope I don't confuse anyone.

Anyone know why when the rear passenger doors are locked you can't open the rear passenger door from the inside by just using the door handle? You would either need to unlock using the unlock button or else flip the lock to unlock (red) position, before opening the door.

This has nothing to do with the child safety lock, as it is definitely not enabled.

If you are the front passenger or driver, all you would need to do is just pull the door handle, even if it's locked, and the door will open.

[IceXRS]

Maybe its just to prevent idle hands from opening doors of a moving car...or perhaps one just stopped at a traffic light. Corolla isn't the only car I've been in where thats the case.

No idea.

[Jeff Lange]

Toyotas used to always be like that (door is locked, you can't open it with the inside handle unless you unlock it), only recently have they started unlocking the door when you pull the handle in the front.

I'm not even 100% sure why they started doing that on the front door.

In any case, yes, it is by design. I do not know exactly why Toyota does it this way, but it is how it's done.

Jeff

[KrakaJap]

It's alternative safety... child locks (obviously) prevent the doors from being opened from the inside at all. The manual unlock before opening is for people who not only carry children as passengers but adults as well... so instead of using the child lock and forcing grandpa to feel young again, you give an added step to opening the door as a child will generally just reach for the door handle first.

This is my logical deduction anyway. lol

[Momaru]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lange

Toyotas used to always be like that (door is locked, you can't open it with the inside handle unless you unlock it), only recently have they started unlocking the door when you pull the handle in the front.

I'm not even 100% sure why they started doing that on the front door.

In any case, yes, it is by design. I do not know exactly why Toyota does it this way, but it is how it's done.

Jeff

Actually, now that you've mentioned it, I own a 2000 Corolla as well and the front and rear will not open until it's unlocked. Silly me.... totally forgot about that... I didn't have power locks on the 2000, so I thought power locks were different.

I'm slowly opening my mind to technology... forgive me...

[Corollanation]

I found that on Ford F-150 too! I think it's a double safety thing..

[Tideland Prius]

Yeah...safety thing. Even if the kids are old enough to not need child locks, they may be stupid enough to try and open the door. The old pull up ones were better for kids cause it's harder for them to operate. However, the rotary ones look better and are easier for older folks to operate.


However, people almost always nearly break my interior door handle cause apparently if it doesn't open the first time, it will on the 5th with more force... . I always have to unlock it electrically for them.

[KrakaJap]

sounds like you need to install some exposed wires behind the door handles that are connected to about 120 volts... or 500 volts if you're feeling particularly nasty. LOL

[Momaru]

Originally Posted by KrakaJap

sounds like you need to install some exposed wires behind the door handles that are connected to about 120 volts... or 500 volts if you're feeling particularly nasty. LOL

I actually would rather hear the electric zap sound than the handle breaking sound.