Manual Vehicle Locks or Automatic Vehicle Locks? Which is the Best Option

Do you like manual door locks? 

In case you do, then finding a new car that has such locks can be somewhat tricky. Nowadays, most vehicles come with new automatic locks, and when it comes to traditional manual locks, the choices are limited. Besides, if you ask a dealership to change them, they will always recommend the new one. 

Even though manual locks may seem outdated, they still have a few advantages over power locks. But that certainly doesn’t mean that power locks are anywhere near not a good option. 

Here’s an article that will compare the two and help you decide which lock type is the best for you. Should you stick with your choice of a manual lock, or should you consider getting a power lock? 

A Brief Overview of What Are Manual Locks

As the name suggests, manual door locks work on a manual mechanism. They do not include any electronic components. If you want to unlock/lock your vehicle’s manual lock, it can easily be done with push/pull of a lever or you may find a pin on the inside of your car to access it. If you want to open your vehicle using your car key, you can insert a key into the keyhole available on the car door. 

In manual locks, every car door has its lock. Only the driver door & the passenger door have access to the lock from the outside. The rear passenger doors can only be accessed from the inside. 

What are the Pros & Cons of Manual Door Locks? 

There are different pros and cons of using manual door locks for your vehicle. 

Some of the pros discussed are as follows: 

  • If you ever get into an accident, you can quickly pull the lever and exit the vehicle on your choice. 
  • Manual door locks have a relatively low failure rate in comparison to automatic door locks. 
  • Manual door locks can last for up to a lifetime unless they are mishandled. 
  • If your vehicle gets submerged in water, you can easily exit the car at any time.
  • In case you lock yourself outside the car with the key inside, the door can be unlocked with a simple tool.  

As far as the cons are concerned, 

  • Because of their simplicity, they are the ones that can easily be broken. 
  • If manual locks are the only safety mechanism, then your vehicle can easily get stolen. 
  • Since the number of manual locks on the road is low, maintenance is not easily findable. 

A Brief Overview of Automatic Door Locks

Power locks or automobile locks use a combination of electronic & mechanical components to lock/unlock automobile doors. Such locks normally use a central locking system to operate. If you’re operating an automatic lock on an old vehicle, it may require a keypad to unlock it which is installed on the vehicle’s door. However, the newer car models have a remote keyless system. So if you want to lock/unlock your vehicle, you can easily control it using a car key fob. 

These locks have plenty of modern features. For example, if you haven’t unlocked your vehicle and reached a particular speed, your car automatically gets locked. To learn how the power door lock mechanism works, you can always search it up on Google to learn in-depth about it. 

What are the Pros & Cons of Automatic Door Locks?

Just like manual car door locks, automatic door locks also have some pros & cons. 

Some of the pros of power locks are as follows, 

  • Automatic door locks are highly convenient to use. 
  • If you’re carrying groceries and kids, opening them won’t be a hassle. 
  • When you want to unlock your car door, you don’t have to rummage through your purse. 
  • With a simple touch of a button on the key fob, you can access all the vehicle doors. 
  • If your car auto-locking system is working, you can’t ever be locked out of the vehicle. 
  • Since automobile lock keys cannot be copied, you get upscaled security. 

As far as the cons are concerned, 

  • In case the battery goes dead on the key fob, you will have to find a car key replacement
  • Troubleshooting of the lock for the problem can take time, and component changes can cost. 

We have discussed both of the locks. Now it’s up to you to choose which one is the best option.