PSA: Don't Get Locked Out

[the long way downunder]

I just never trust my R1T. It will open and close on a whim. Sometimes the keyfob will keep it unlocked, sometimes, not. I've tested with the Android Samsung Note 9 (yes, I'm that far behind, but I didn't like the Pixel 7 Pro prices) asleep and not able to see my face or touch my fingerprint, and with the phone awake, active bluetooth, cellular, wifi and the active app session controlling the vehicle … no discernible difference in behavior.

When I approach from the front, I observe three separate steps while it contemplates the prospect of unlocking the doors. Good lord, it's bloody annoying …

1. I can hear it cycling the lock on the charge port
2. I hear power go to the cabin and the radar detector chirps
3. Time slows to temporal stasis … space, time, energy and gravity converge
   … seconds become hours … it's raining, I'm holding stuff …
4. The doors unlock just as I reach to touch my phone in dismay

p.s.
I've had similarly erratic behavior from the keyfob and a 50:50 chance Gary (who still doesn't do dashcam duty) whether Gary recorded me.

If it can detect the keyfob, why isn't the keyfob a passive key for proximity unlock? (I've read this is possible, but the tech at the service center and the service writer both said "nope, maybe that's an employee car.")

Fun example today:
R1T, tailgate open and down, me with keyfob and phone on bluetooth in my pocket, standing as I press the button and the tonneau is rolling open … R1T locks itself … which the tonneau is opening … ?! … I hurriedly check my pockets to be sure I have the phone and notice I also have the fob … what the hell? … I press the tonneau button and it stops (those the doorhandles have retracted?) … could have been a royal disaster … bed contents exposed to the weather, me locked out of the vehicle with no phone or fob (after all, how could it decide to lock itself if I'm standing within a foot of the tailgate with both the keyfob and phone?)

Just another friendly neighborhood reminder to not trust the R1 locking …

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[jerseyff]

Have you reported this to your guide?

It seems like a software bug that should be fixed. I can't think of a scenario where that would be the desired behavior.

Report to service, not a guide.

 

[jerseyff]

Fun example today:
R1T, tailgate open and down, me with keyfob and phone on bluetooth in my pocket, standing as I press the button and the tonneau is rolling open … R1T locks itself … which the tonneau is opening … ?! … I hurriedly check my pockets to be sure I have the phone and notice I also have the fob … what the hell? … I press the tonneau button and it stops (those the doorhandles have retracted?) … could have been a royal disaster … bed contents exposed to the weather, me locked out of the vehicle with no phone or fob (after all, how could it decide to lock itself if I'm standing within a foot of the tailgate with both the keyfob and phone?)

Just another friendly neighborhood reminder to not trust the R1 locking …

From my experience, it seems if you are standing at the tonneau button at the back of the bed, the phone is far enough away to lock the truck. This has repeatedly happened to me.

 

[jerseyff]

it is not possible to just hit the unlock button on the screen? not sure if that disables the alarm or not. I would assume so, but you know...

I will have to check with her, but I think she unlocked from the app on her phone.

 

[R1Tom]

Fun example today:
R1T, tailgate open and down, me with keyfob and phone on bluetooth in my pocket, standing as I press the button and the tonneau is rolling open … R1T locks itself … which the tonneau is opening … ?! … I hurriedly check my pockets to be sure I have the phone and notice I also have the fob … what the hell? … I press the tonneau button and it stops (those the doorhandles have retracted?) … could have been a royal disaster … bed contents exposed to the weather, me locked out of the vehicle with no phone or fob (after all, how could it decide to lock itself if I'm standing within a foot of the tailgate with both the keyfob and phone?)

Just another friendly neighborhood reminder to not trust the R1 locking …

I miss my capacitive door handles of the last 4 vehicles I have owned, with passive key in my pocket.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

The problem with the fob is you must press the buttons. I enjoy carrying a fob as well. But I’m used to throwing it in my pocket or backpack and walking up to a car and it unlocking when I touch the handle. On the Rivian you must have the fob in your hand and actively press the lock / unlock buttons. It is a pain.

The other problem is battery life. I’ve replaced my batteries three times. They don’t last even 3 months.

 

[Dark-Fx]

If it can detect the keyfob, why isn't the keyfob a passive key for proximity unlock? (I've read this is possible, but the tech at the service center and the service writer both said "nope, maybe that's an employee car.")

It's possible for the keyfob to do proximity lock/unlock but I think it still really drains the battery and Rivian doesn't want to deal with the complaints about being locked out due to a dead fob since it doesn't have the necessary passive NFC equipment to use it on the door handle. It's likely they are still working on fixing it, but who knows if we'll ever see it.

The other problem is battery life. I’ve replaced my batteries three times. They don’t last even 3 months.

I haven't had to replace mine yet but generally the fob lives in a drawer in my house if I don't intend on giving possession of the truck to someone else.

 

[timf]

So I’m confused so far. Are my doors supposed to unlock if I walk up with PAAK? So far I have to open app and hit unlock button. Then have to use key card to start. Deleted already and reloaded?

Any chance Bluetooth is turned off on your phone or otherwise not functioning? It's required for PAAK to work. I'll often temporarily disable Bluetooth if I'm going to be near my car and don't want it to unlock.

 

[strykerwsu]

Any chance Bluetooth is turned off on your phone or otherwise not functioning? It's required for PAAK to work. I'll often temporarily disable Bluetooth if I'm going to be near my car and don't want it to unlock.

I'm traveling but will double check this weekend. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

I haven't had to replace mine yet but generally the fob lives in a drawer in my house if I don't intend on giving possession of the truck to someone else.

Same for me. I don't use it except rarely. Every time I try to use it I discover the batteries have died. I may start storing it without a battery, because it's ridiculous how power hungry that thing is. It has considerably less functionality than other fobs, has a larger battery, and lasts a fraction of the time. wtf Rivian?

 

[Dark-Fx]

Same for me. I don't use it except rarely. Every time I try to use it I discover the batteries have died. I may start storing it without a battery, because it's ridiculous how power hungry that thing is. It has considerably less functionality than other fobs, has a larger battery, and lasts a fraction of the time. wtf Rivian?

How close is it to the truck? Mine is about 50 feet. I imagine keeping it in foil would stop it from being woken up due to proximity if that's what is causing it.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

How close is it to the truck? Mine is about 50 feet. I imagine keeping it in foil would stop it from being woken up due to proximity if that's what is causing it.

I'd guess about 50 feet. It's on the other side of my house from the R1T -- through 4 walls, too. I keep the fobs to my other vehicles in the same spot and they use smaller CR2032 batteries, have proximity (un)lock and last "years" between battery replacements.

I can try a faraday box/bag... But honestly it's ridiculous that I even have to resort to that. Every other manufacturer figured this tech out decades ago. And there are companies that license it, too. I know my Kawasaki with proximity FOB licensed it from Mitsubishi.

 

[Dark-Fx]

I'd guess about 50 feet. It's on the other side of my house from the R1T -- through 4 walls, too. I keep the fobs to my other vehicles in the same spot and they use smaller CR2032 batteries, have proximity (un)lock and last "years" between battery replacements.

I can try a faraday box/bag... But honestly it's ridiculous that I even have to resort to that. Every other manufacturer figured this tech out decades ago. And there are companies that license it, too. I know my Kawasaki with proximity FOB licensed it from Mitsubishi.

Last time I was at service, Rivian did a firmware update on the fob. Not sure if that made any difference at all and they didn't tell me why they did it. Not sure how often they update the firmware but I imagine they have a way to track it internally if your fob might be out of date. Still was 6 months without needing a new battery though.

 

[SoCal Rob]

Don't abandon your car in the departures area.

You brought back memories of Airplane!

 

[the long way downunder]

It's possible for the keyfob to do proximity lock/unlock but I think it still really drains the battery and Rivian doesn't want to deal with the complaints about being locked out due to a dead fob since it doesn't have the necessary passive NFC equipment to use it on the door handle. It's likely they are still working on fixing it, but who knows if we'll ever see it.



I haven't had to replace mine yet but generally the fob lives in a drawer in my house if I don't intend on giving possession of the truck to someone else.

The battery died in the keyfob right about 6 months. Who knows how long it was in before I took delivery. I bought a 4-pack of those little suckers and keep them in the truck as spares and a potential life-saver gift to another Rivian owner at a charging station.

I recall seeing Rivian state the key would recharge on the charging pad in the armrest. I initially assumed it had a rechargeable battery inside and I was even leaving it on the charge pad! : )

Given how easily phone-key works in a Tesla, I assume Rivian has some hardware design issue where they're going to need to retrofit an antenna or two. I'd be fine if the truck would just wake up when I push open the door handle, or press a button for the frunk, tunnel or tailgate.

It's really annoying to hear the radar detector receive power then there's a lengthy delay, then the doors unlock … what could possibly be causing the delay between the cabin receiving 12V and the doors unlocking?

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