We have a 2024 Advance. We are struggling to get the HFA to consistently work when we waive our foot under the bumper. Would yall have suggestions on making it work better?

 

You might want to review the content at How to Operate the RDX Power Tailgate Hands Free. Note the content that reads "Use a forward and backward kicking motion with your foot, once, under the center of the rear bumper. On vehicles equipped with the optional trailer hitch, the “kick zone” is approximately 12 inches to the left of the hitch. The tailgate will open automatically. To close, repeat the sequence.

 

Thank you. That’s directly out of the manual. Unfortunately, it does not work consistently. We started there before reaching out in the forum for people’s real life experiences.

 

The content says a “quick” motion is needed. There are numerous forums that state this motion has to be very quick. One person stated “I actually own the 2022 and this feature works just as designed and described in the manual. The kicking motion needs to be quick (as mentioned, in 1 second) and precise under the center of the bumper — like kicking a soccer ball (no taking your sweet time, no slowly and leisurely waving left and right, and no stirring like a pot with your foot).”. So try it with a swift kick and see if that helps.

 

I will do that. Thanks for the thoughts.

 

I have found out that if your phone is anywhere near your fob it will not function.

 

Hmmm, seems surprising. Can you clarify? Grammatically your statement “I have found out that if your phone is anywhere near your fob it will not function” really means that if your phone is anywhere near your fob it (meaning the phone) will not function.

 

I agree that "soccer ball kick" best describes the motion that works. Without the hitch, the kick should be directly under the A emblem. To install a hitch you need to disconnect the sensor and move it a foot to the side, so if you have a hitch you have to kick a foot to the side.

The keyfob uses radio waves to communicate with the car, probably on bluetooth frequency, so if your phone interferes the car probably cannot sense your key, and the kick is disabled if the car cannot sense the key right behind the trunk. But it would also disable the auto-unlock when you press the trunk-open button too, so if that works then the fob is not the issue.

 

The phone in your pocket may be blocking the signal from the key fob. If they are close together the hands free may not work.

 

I've never had any issues but on checking with my son-in-law he frequently has issues with a 2020 Porsche Macan. Apparently the owners manual even recommends not having the key fob in close proximity to any switched-on electronic devices, like cell phones, pads, or laptops....as that may interfere with the key signal.