Tailgate Opener

[Chris19]

Hi. I did a search for "tailgate opener", but re euved no results. I've had my '19 Tourx Essence for about a mo the, and I'm confused as to how the "foot under the bumper tailgate opener" function is supposed to work, and I find the owner's manual to be useless. On my car, sometimes the projected shield emblem is displayed, and sometimes not; sometimes the "foot move" works, and more often than not, it doesn't. I've checked under the car, and the sensor is not blocked in any way. I always have the fob with me when I'm right at the rear of the car, and I've tried first using the unlock button, and then the foot move, as well as just using the foot move w/o using the unlock function on the fob. I'm sorry if this is a redundant post, but I'm confused as to how the foot move function is supposed to work.

 

[Chris19]

Hi. I did a search for "tailgate opener", but re euved no results. I've had my '19 Tourx Essence for about a mo the, and I'm confused as to how the "foot under the bumper tailgate opener" function is supposed to work, and I find the owner's manual to be useless. On my car, sometimes the projected shield emblem is displayed, and sometimes not; sometimes the "foot move" works, and more often than not, it doesn't. I've checked under the car, and the sensor is not blocked in any way. I always have the fob with me when I'm right at the rear of the car, and I've tried first using the unlock button, and then the foot move, as well as just using the foot move w/o using the unlock function on the fob. I'm sorry if this is a redundant post, but I'm confused as to how the foot move function is supposed to work.

Also, please excuse my fat-fingered mistyping!

 

[joshuab]

I have a 19 Essence. It rarely worked so I dont use it any more. Like you, the sensor seems unblocked on mine as well.

 

[JoeBlog]

I can hardly move my foot around the tailgate without it opening. I‘ve got a 19 Essence, DC 1&2, S&S. I’ve never lost the lighted logo, and if I’ve got my fob in my pocket, just walking by the tailgate is enough sometimes. All I have to do is trip the logo and it goes up. Maybe mine is misaligned in a good way?

 

[Tdwpgtp]

I didn't even think ours had this feature because I couldn't get it to work. Turns out to get it to work you kind of have to sweep your foot in a sideways motion. I do it with my right foot sweeping right to left. It seems to work pretty reliably now, not that I actually use it for anything other than the novelty. I'm sure the one time I have my hands full and really need it, it won't work

 

[Chris19]

Well, I've looked under the car several times (with the fob with me), and I've observed the sensor light both on and off, with no apparent rhyme or reason. When the sensor light is on, the foot move works; when the sensor light is off, nada/zilch. Very puzzling, as there seems to be no logic to the operation of the sensor?

 

[Maypo]

For mine to work I have to first unlock the car and then I literally have to kick straight in at a height where my shoe will contact the bottom of the bumper. Any other technique it does nothing. What a poorly designed feature!

 

[GermyShoe]

For mine, I just act like I am going to kick the bumper straight on, but stop just short. Works every time... but it took a few times to get the hang of it. My 5 year old daughter can even do it. I never have to unlock the car or anything. It is handy when you have full hands coming out of the grocery store. Or after you unload your car, you can close it without having to empty your hands.

My garage door is just a body's width from my rear gate, so many times if I pass behind my car with the door closed, I inadvertently open my lift gate.

I believe that if you have the Buick Logo light below the bumper, then you have this feature.

 

[FavaBean]

It should be a swift forward/backward kick.

See post #12 for video in below link:

https://my.buick.com/learn/2018/Regal TourX about halfway down : Hands-Free Power Programmable Liftgate

Focal point of sensor may vary a bit (according to some owners) so try moving your kick a little left or right if it doesn't work at first.

Also, you shouldn't have to unlock your car prior activating liftgate.

 

[sined240]

I didn't even think ours had this feature because I couldn't get it to work. Turns out to get it to work you kind of have to sweep your foot in a sideways motion. I do it with my right foot sweeping right to left. It seems to work pretty reliably now, not that I actually use it for anything other than the novelty. I'm sure the one time I have my hands full and really need it, it won't work

This is exactly why people are not reliably getting it to work, it needs to be a swift forward to back kick, NOT a sideways sweep, below the projection. Works 100% of the time...

 

[Tdwpgtp]

This is exactly why people are not reliably getting it to work, it needs to be a swift forward to back kick, NOT a sideways sweep, below the projection. Works 100% of the time...

Except that is what I tried at first, and it did not work

 

[joshuab]

Except that is what I tried at first, and it did not work

Correct. Haphazardly works. I have tried multiple motions including the above.

 

[SpencerK]

This is exactly why people are not reliably getting it to work, it needs to be a swift forward to back kick, NOT a sideways sweep, below the projection. Works 100% of the time...

Agreed, it works 100% of the time for me, and I use it ALL THE TIME! Hands full of groceries, tools, etc., the foot opener is a god send at those moments.

 

[garbageguy]

Took me a short bit to get the hang of it - now I use it often - very handy. But I do have to make sure fob is not in my pocket when I wash the vehicle - so it doesn't open at a wet/soapy time

 

[Uniqez]

Could you guys please take a picture of the sensor? I have this in settings of my infotament, but never seen a projection nor had it working.
Thanks in advance.

 

[FavaBean]

Could you guys please take a picture of the sensor? I have this in settings of my infotament, but never seen a projection nor had it working.
Thanks in advance.

Light/sensor:

Projection image:


Liftgate button on driver's door (close to speaker):


I don't know if there is a release button for the standard liftgate, but if there is, it probably won't have the 3/4 setting option as shown above.

 

[Uniqez]

Thanks mate. I have everything, but the holes in the bumper...

 

[Loodle]

Weirdly got a survey from GM today that was entirely about liftgate features. They must be listening.

 

[wagonlover56]

It took me a while to develop the correct technique but I am now able to have the tailgate open with a forward kick every time. My problem was I wasn't stepping away after the kick. Be sure and heed the warning in the manual about washing the car and tailgate activation! I now put the fob in the house while washing the car so as not to have the tailgate suddenly spring open on me unexpectedly (and that DID happen more than once...).

 

[Ctrcbob]

When I first got my Tour-X, I also had problems getting it to work. Now works every time done even have to "kick". Just swiftly move foot forward STRAIGHT under car. Works every time.

One thoughtful feature. If you use foot feature to close lift gate, it gives you a couple seconds to back away, and an audible warning to give you time to back away so as not to be hit on the head.