Center console latch

[VermontR1T]

You know those times you just need to grab something out of the center console? Most cars have a mechanical switch and it opens right up. Why does the Rivian have a computer controlled switch that prevents you from opening the center console until the car wakes up? It’s maddening really… Ok, venting done.

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[madgrey]

Mine has mechanical feedback when I press the outside (not center) of the button, so it seems like it should open, but it doesn't. I really have to make sure to use the center of the button, then it works.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

I often have to click it several times before the solenoid actuates. It's a small issue, but it is an issue.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Mine has mechanical feedback when I press the outside (not center) of the button, so it seems like it should open, but it doesn't. I really have to make sure to use the center of the button, then it works.

I've just gotten in the habit of pushing harder. I think the mechanical feedback happens slightly before it's actually pushing the button all the way.

 

[godfodder0901]

I've found that while the button itself is rather wide, the area that actually actuates the release when pressed is really small and in an unnatural location. There is also a slight time-out after actuation so, if you don't release the hatch in time, some number of presses after may not register.

 

[OverZealous]

Why does the Rivian have a computer controlled switch that prevents you from opening the center console until the car wakes up?

It's definitely over-engineered, but I believe the thought process with this is that they can lock the glovebox when the truck is locked, reducing easy theft.

Much like the over-engineered HVAC vents, I think they are planning for the future. (In that case, it's that you could eventually have per-driver vent locations stored, so they remember how each driver likes them.)

I'm sure there are alternatives for the center console lock, but I can't imagine any other reason they'd have made it electronic instead of a simple, cheap, physical latch.

 

[R1Tom]

I find the mechanical latch set up in my Wrangler far more maddening, where half the time I get all the way to the bottom compartment and the other half to that try thing up top.

Plus the split design is so much better too.

 

[goldburger]

It’s such a weird thing to add a motor too. It’s another thing to break. The LE loaner I got from the service center it sounded like it was dying and def opened substantially slower than mine.

 

[johnnylawson]

I just had mine replaced as the passenger side button stopped working completely. Tech said its designed to be a firm press because they were having issues with phones sliding around, hitting the button and popping it open lol.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

I just had mine replaced as the passenger side button stopped working completely. Tech said its designed to be a firm press because they were having issues with phones sliding around, hitting the button and popping it open lol.

Great job, engineers. Don't fix the phone sliding and instead just make the button worse. Job well done!

 

[Dark-Fx]

I just had mine replaced as the passenger side button stopped working completely. Tech said its designed to be a firm press because they were having issues with phones sliding around, hitting the button and popping it open lol.

That doesn't even make sense because the buttons are way higher than a phone would be.

 

[Prime]

I like the idea that it can be lockable storage. The electronic function makes sense because there is no glove box to put valuables when, for example, valet'ing a car.. That said, no Valet mode yet to make use of that function, so moot point.

My guess is they had some future plans of something like a valet mode when they came up with the idea of an electronically controlled opening mechanism. Otherwise, it makes no sense to over complicate a rather simple/effective analog opener.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

That doesn't even make sense because the buttons are way higher than a phone would be.

If you imagine that the engineers designing the center console were using c.2003 Blackberry phones, it is much easier to understand how it was designed.

 

[W1SE]

You know those times you just need to grab something out of the center console? Most cars have a mechanical switch and it opens right up. Why does the Rivian have a computer controlled switch that prevents you from opening the center console until the car wakes up? It’s maddening really… Ok, venting done.

I rather like the latch. It’s a light lock that helps provide a little security. I have a feeling it will be a future feature to lock in for valet.

but during an update I wanted to get in there. And…. Nope. It denied me because it’s computer controlled. Haha.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

I rather like the latch. It’s a light lock that helps provide a little security. I have a feeling it will be a future feature to lock in for valet.

It’s plastic. It provides zero security.

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