Only 25% of in-stock Rubicons have the Remote Proximity Keyless Entry

[dudemind]

Had it on one of my cars and I hated it. I do a lot of running and free-diving, and taking the key fob with me on a 20+ mile trail run or 100+ feet underwater (in wetsuit with no water-tight pockets) presented logistical challenges besides just being annoying. And because it was a proximity key, I couldn't put it in a little lock box attached to the wheel either, as anybody could still open the door. I ended up ripping one of the keys apart, tearing out the physical key blade, using a Dremel to shave off the rough edges, and taking just that part instead (the rest of the fob would have the battery pulled and left in the vehicle when I was out doing any of these activities). I also hated the half-second delay after yanking on the handle before the lock would actually release. Then there's the fact that I can never wash my car with it locking and unlocking repeatedly a million times. And the fact that it sometimes wouldn't detect the key and I'd be standing there trying to lock the car while it honked at me to alert me that it couldn't lock without the key present. Just a major pain all-around. I would much rather have a remote that I know will work consistently.

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[ThirtyOne]

I'm sure he knows how it works. Fact is, there are a few of us that have figured out that if you use the remote start feature, drive, park and lock it, you'll come back to use the proximity feature only to find out that there is s lag on pulling the handle. It happened to a few of us. Why it does this we don't know, but it does. Then it'll take a while to reset back to the proximity working instantly. Just remember, using remote start (by fob or Uconnect) will cause a lag in proximity entry. Other than that, is flawless. I personally like it. I've never had it before, that's the main reason I ordered it.
YOLO!

I saw some of this on another thread but frankly never followed up because I am getting a Sport without this feature. Did anyone every take it to a dealer about the lag? My mom's car has this and there shouldn't be a lag. It seems like a warranty issue.

 

[sfadchi]

My guess would also it would be because the feature was not available on early orders. I be that number goes up as more and more new wranglers hit the lots.

 

[RisingEagle]

I ordered it because my two current vehicles have it and it's a nice convenience feature.

I like not having to dig my key out of my pocket to unlock the door; i put the fob in my pocket when I get up in the morning, and throw it in it's little basket when I'm done in the evening. It's one less thing I screw with when walking out to the car

If the technology didn't exist - it wouldn't bother me not to have it. spent years having to shove a little shiny metal stick into the door and turning it to open the car door. spent years cranking on a handle to put a window up and down too - doesn't mean I miss having to do that either.

technology can always cause problems or go bad; if you want to get rid of technology that will give you fits, start ripping that 7" / 8.4" screen out. While I've never had trouble with proximity entry on 2-3 vehicles over the past 5-6 years, that stupid "infotainment system" is a never-ending pain in the tukkis. endless patches / updates seem to break more than they fix, reboots or screen blanking that make everything inaccessible - definitely more trouble with that than with keyless entry.

I'm glad the feature is "available" but it's definitely not "required"; just like any other feature. I think it's there so those that like it can have it; there isn't a wide acceptance of it now I imagine.

to the original question though - dealer-ordered Jeeps are just that - some guy at a dealer trying to guess what's going to sell package-wise and putting it together to put on the lot (I think anyway). many probably don't add the feature because when you read through the list it just doesn't jump out as a gotta-have jeep-feature

 

[wranglerguyman]

From what I know, they keyless proximity option wasn't available for early orders. Regardless, I think it's a great option, works seamlessly. I personally like having the physical button vs a couple of ribs that you have to touch. Anyway, I'm glad its an option. For those that whine about having additional convenience on a 50k vehicle, don't get it. We don't need to hear your life story.

 

[The_Phew]

Options on early cars are like the initial line at a Vegas sportsbook: they are just an educated guess by dealers that haven't yet learned what customers want. If folks walk away from a dealer lot because they really wanted this feature, then that dealer will order more next time.

Jeep is toeing a fine line on their option pricing; several of the options are comparable to what BMW charges, and some are even approaching Porsche's outrageous option pricing. Proximity, leather, and cold weather are priced in luxury car territory, but other packages like the anti-slip diff are incredible deals ($595 for bigger rear axle, an LSD, AND upgraded tires?). Infotainment is a decent deal on Sahara and Rubicon (since it gets you the best screen plus Alpine system for less than the price of Alpine alone on the Sport S).

 

[Man-of-methods]

I saw some of this on another thread but frankly never followed up because I am getting a Sport without this feature. Did anyone every take it to a dealer about the lag? My mom's car has this and there shouldn't be a lag. It seems like a warranty issue.

No to my knowledge. There has to be some sort of software update for it to coincide with the remote start. There's a lag if you go from one to the other.

 

[CM⛰]

My wife’s Cadillac has this and it takes 2 pulls on the handle every time. Annoying as hell, so I passed on the option.

 

[The_Phew]

My wife’s Cadillac has this and it takes 2 pulls on the handle every time. Annoying as hell, so I passed on the option.

If it's like my VW, you are supposed to insert your hand in the door handle gap first to unlock it, then grasp and pull. If you just quickly grab and pull, it will indeed take two pulls. But the manual describes the proper procedure.

 

[MockBarbecue82]

Had it on one of my cars and I hated it. I do a lot of running and free-diving, and taking the key fob with me on a 20+ mile trail run or 100+ feet underwater (in wetsuit with no water-tight pockets) presented logistical challenges besides just being annoying. And because it was a proximity key, I couldn't put it in a little lock box attached to the wheel either, as anybody could still open the door. I ended up ripping one of the keys apart, tearing out the physical key blade, using a Dremel to shave off the rough edges, and taking just that part instead (the rest of the fob would have the battery pulled and left in the vehicle when I was out doing any of these activities). I also hated the half-second delay after yanking on the handle before the lock would actually release. Then there's the fact that I can never wash my car with it locking and unlocking repeatedly a million times. And the fact that it sometimes wouldn't detect the key and I'd be standing there trying to lock the car while it honked at me to alert me that it couldn't lock without the key present. Just a major pain all-around. I would much rather have a remote that I know will work consistently.

Out of the some hundred zany excuses I have heard on this forum against proximity entry, yours may be the only one I empathize with. AND I guess the ones who regularly run door-less.

I have never heard of this car wash problem before today and you are the second to reference it now. As I have said on the other proximity entry thread, we have a newer Toyota with the proximity feature/push start combo which works flawlessly, and does none of the terrible things you are experiencing.

I am sad for the adopters who have never used the feature before getting a Jeep, only to hate it because of FCA's shoddy implementation of the technology

 

[dudemind]

Out of the some hundred zany excuses I have heard on this forum against proximity entry, yours may be the only one I empathize with. AND I guess the ones who regularly run door-less.

I have never heard of this car wash problem before today and you are the second to reference it now. As I have said on the other proximity entry thread, we have a newer Toyota with the proximity feature/push start combo which works flawlessly, and does none one the terrible things you are experiencing.

I am sad for the adopters who have never used the feature before getting a Jeep, only to hate it because of FCA's shoddy implementation of the technology

I was actually describing my [now sold] Range Rover. It was just as bad as others have mentioned here. I didn't order it on my Jeep.

 

[MockBarbecue82]

I was actually describing my [now sold] Range Rover. It was just as bad as others have mentioned here. I didn't order it on my Jeep.

Ah my bad. Somehow I missed the crucial first sentence. Looks like the car wash problem is just a Mercedes/Land Rover problem. My other points still stand.

 

[The_Phew]

I was actually describing my [now sold] Range Rover. It was just as bad as others have mentioned here. I didn't order it on my Jeep.

Did the RR have the power liftgate that opens when you wave your foot under it? That's the only implementation of proximity entry that seems to be really worth it. My GTI has proximity entry with a regular manual liftgate, which I could take or leave. I probably wouldn't pay $500 if it was a standalone option, but it was bundled in the trim level, so whatever. It's nice when your hands are full, but otherwise it just means you are replacing your fob battery 5x as often. My wife couldn't live without it on her vehicle though, since her keys are always buried in a random coat pocket or deep in a purse.

If I was a runner/biker/surfer/etc, I'd just get a Faraday cage-equipped combination lockbox that's attached to the vehicle hitch:

https://padlocks4less.com/hitch-safe-key-vault/

 

[dudemind]

Ah my bad. Somehow I missed the crucial first sentence. Looks like the car wash problem is just a Mercedes/Land Rover problem. My other points still stand.

I'm not sure how the other implementations work, but the LR would not only detect the presence of the keyfob, it would also detect the presence of a hand within a centimeter or so of door handle (or inserted into the handle, even if not pulled). No need to push the button. So when washing, it would unlock, then after some timeout would lock again, repeat. Same thing when working on the car, if I happened to walk too closely to it or reach up to grab the handle for leverage. It was just a pain.

 

[dudemind]

Did the RR have the power liftgate that opens when you wave your foot under it? That's the only implementation of proximity entry that seems to be really worth it. My GTI has proximity entry with a regular manual liftgate, which I could take or leave. I probably wouldn't pay $500 if it was a standalone option, but it was bundled in the trim level, so whatever. It's nice when your hands are full, but otherwise it just means you are replacing your fob battery 5x as often.

No, this was a major gripe of the car too. Not only did it not have a sensor for that, it didn't have a power lift gate at all! Just two stupid struts and a really heavy door. It also didn't have a locking fuel door, which was absolutely mind-boggling for the cost. Mine was a 2010 though, not sure if either was added later. Loved it while it was still under warranty, then it became seething hate for the thing. :P

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