Prioritizing Power Liftgates in Meridian, MS

Are Power Liftgates Worth the Hype?

If you have an SUV or crossover, chances are your vehicle’s back door, or liftgate, is large and opens from the bottom to the top. However, if you hang a spare tire on the back, your door probably swings out to the side.

When accessing the cargo area of your vehicle, that rear door is the most crucial component. Depending on the size of your Toyota vehicle, these doors can be challenging to open and close. Dampeners indeed help support the door when opened. However, the same dampeners make it difficult to close the door because they provide resistance and push back against your efforts.

But there is a solution to this problem. Enter a motorized system that takes charge of those pesky dampers. This little gem is also known as a power liftgate or power tailgate. But you’re probably wondering if a power liftgate is worth it.

How Does a Power Liftgate Work?

To tackle the damper resistance issue, engineers revisited the components, tweaked them, and threw in a few extras. In a power liftgate setup, dampeners assist in opening and securing the rear hatch or door, along with an additional motor that manages hydraulic fluid flow within the dampeners. This setup can vary across manufacturers.

Some brands have gone further by including other sensors that allow the car to be opened and started as long as the owner is nearby, even without using a key fob or even turning a door latch. These sensors are of two types: contrast sensing and motion sensing. They are usually at the bottom of the vehicle. However, not all vehicles with a power liftgate have this feature.

Certain brands even offer customization options for adjusting how high or low the power liftgate opens. This feature is handy in tight spaces where a vehicle or obstacle might be behind you.

How Do You Use a Power Liftgate?

This power liftgate is controlled by a button located in the cabin or on the key fob. You need to ensure that the transmission is in the “park” position and that the e-brake is on before operating the power liftgate. This precaution prevents your car from rolling back up while loading items inside the storage area. After these conditions are met, you just need to press the fob or make a foot movement to initiate the system. To close it, you must do the same: perform a long press or another foot gesture.

The system itself is safe. Manufacturers have incorporated safety measures to detect obstacles that might obstruct the power liftgate from properly opening or closing. So, if you’re still loading items and someone decides to shut the door on you, intentionally or accidentally, there’s no need to fret. The system might also feature safeguards for opening it. If there’s any resistance, it halts and secures or shuts the liftgate automatically.

What Are the Benefits of a Power Liftgate?

Closing a back hatch or door may seem straightforward to most folks. You just need to push it to overcome the resistance of the dampeners. However, using a powered rear door makes life easier since all you have to do is hold down a button for a bit or give it a quick foot wave.

Power liftgates are convenient for everyone. They are especially great for those who may have difficulties with their vehicles’ liftgates. These include the elderly, injured, disabled, or shorter people. Reaching for a tailgate can be rather tricky, but this power option eliminates the struggle.