That darn plug door!

[RedStallion]

Big square warning on instrument panel. If you can't see that, perhaps you should reconsider driving.

Put a piece of paper on the seat. If that doesn’t work, seriously turn in your license.

Better, attach a pin to that piece of paper. So you won't miss the card while sitting on it. Even dogs can learn simple tricks when you repeat the training.

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[dono]

I was in a touchfree car wash when the pulsating jet hit perfectly on the charge port door and opened it! I was only aware because of the big red alert on the display. I waited till the spray head was at the rear of the car jumped out and closed the door. I got pretty wet. Whoda thunk it? Things happen with new technology that you'd never imagine.

 

[Larry Paul]

I was in a touchfree car wash when the pulsating jet hit perfectly on the charge port door and opened it! I was only aware because of the big red alert on the display. I waited till the spray head was at the rear of the car jumped out and closed the door. I got pretty wet. Whoda thunk it? Things happen with new technology that you'd never imagine.

I might end up putting that painters tape on my rear window wiper AND the back part of my charge port door. I had the same alert during my ride, but there was no chance for me to jump out.

 

[AndyR]

I did it again. Like the third time. In the mornings I struggle to get the mind working and have forgotten to shut the plug door to the charger.

Then I wake up as my garage smashes my charge door. First two times no damage miraculously. The third... The gloss protector flew off. I slid it back on but a piece is broken.

Anybody else done this?

no, sorry. I try to be awake when driving...

 

[skiingj]

My charge port door opened while driving the other day.

 

[npgeorgeuw]

Must be the Volt design and build quality, I've had 2 e-tron's going in 3 total years of ownership and not one issue. And I live in snowy and cold Cleveland.

I'd say no on quality, but maybe on design. The Gen 1 Volt was built uncharacteristically well. It's still unnecessary electronics and moving parts. There's nothing "wrong" with the Mach E door, at least mine. You need to press hella hard to pop it open, no way it's coming open on the freeway or a car wash but it sounds like others haven't been so fortunate. As for forgetting to close it, I don't need extra electronics to accomplish that, it's been muscle memory since 2013...

 

[Larry Paul]

My old 2013 Volt had an inside release, but the 17 Volt has a push to unlatch door like the MME. I know the Mach E charge door was closed before I went into the car wash...but it absolutely popped open during the washing process (when the warning popped up on the screen). It was my first wash with the MME. The 17 volt has never popped open.

 

[entenna]

I will admit that I have had similar experiences of forgetful behavior. Mine is more clumsy behavior first thing in the morning. What you are experiencing is sleep inertia. Some may be more sensitive to it than others. Plenty of tips online to help. It may be the reason you are not processing a routine task and clear warnings about the door being open

Maybe we are over analyzing things? I think most of us are not spring chickens anymore and we can simply forget things?! My wife drove off the gas pump twice without taking the nozzle out. Apparently, this happens very often as far as she was told from the gas station folks...

 

[J5hort]

Maybe we are over analyzing things? I think most of us are not spring chickens anymore and we can simply forget things?! My wife drove off the gas pump twice without taking the nozzle out. Apparently, this happens very often as far as she was told from the gas station folks...

Forgetting things and noted clumsy actions after sleep may be the norm if not a regular occurrence. My comments are predicated on the OPs mention of this occuring in the morning (assuming after sleep) and repeated. I experience the clumsy aspect to the point I cannot function effectively and safely. It is a thing, and as mentioned it "may" be the cause contributing to the problem. I prefer to offer possible causes to the OP vs roasting them as if they were and idiot.

 

[RickMachE]

I took my car through a car wash yesterday and the car wash opened my charge port door during the wash process. I blew it out with compressed air...but has anyone else had the charge port door open in a car wash?

Yes , they have. Coupled with not knowing how to put it in the proper setting to roll safely through.

I have never taken any vehicle into a car wash.

Before driving any vehicle, you should be looking at the dash for the OK to drive.

I cannot imagine driving away with the gas nozzle in the vehicle. This is why as we age, there should be driving tests in person with state examiners. I would willingly do that.

 

[Larry Paul]

My point is based on my one experience in a car wash, it appears that the charge port door opens too easily (as I do not appear to be alone). I know it was closed before I entered the car wash.

(While I agree with you that tests should be required as people age...I also know how to put the car in neutral to go through the car wash and latch the charge port door. However, all of that is all off-topic.)

 

[RickMachE]

My point is based on my one experience in a car wash, it appears that the charge port door opens too easily (as I do not appear to be alone). I know it was closed before I entered the car wash.

(While I agree with you that tests should be required as people age...I also know how to put the car in neutral to go through the car wash and latch the charge port door. However, all of that is all off-topic.)

I don't get the surprise. A roller pushes against the vehicle. That opens a door designed to be pressed to open.

Actually, if you go through a car wash, there is also a temporary neutral mode shown in the manual if you turn the car off. And you need to switch Auto Hold off.

Put your vehicle in stay in neutral mode
when entering an automatic car wash.
See What Is Temporary Neutral
Mode (page 173).

 

[Larry Paul]

I don't get the surprise. A roller pushes against the vehicle. That opens a door designed to be pressed to open.

Actually, if you go through a car wash, there is also a temporary neutral mode shown in the manual if you turn the car off. And you need to switch Auto Hold off.

Put your vehicle in stay in neutral mode
when entering an automatic car wash.
See What Is Temporary Neutral
Mode (page 173).

The surprise is I have driven dozens of cars with gas doors and charge port doors through car washes…This is the first and only one that has ever opened during a wash.

I do understand how it can happen…but just saying the latch mechanism is not optimal for a large door like this one.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the car, but I think the charge door is not ideal.

 

[BudC]

Ford should prevent the car from going into gear when the charge port door is open - simple software fix that only impacts those at risk of damage.

That's the way my Volt works...can't drive if the door is open,

 

[nitinkumar00]

How is this not a muscle memory at this point. Me and my wife have never really failed to close it everytime.

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