We are waiting for our XE-R to arrive and are driving a loaner. New vehicle will have standard electronics for the 3.5 XE-R, no "packs". Standard features include "Keyless" entry, but it is unclear if "keyless" means you don't have to unlock with fob. Wife is coming out of an Audi A6 and "passive" entry, or lack thereof is a deal breaker. I don't have the car yet so I can't just go look for little square on door handle to verify. Does anyone know definitively if XE-R comes with "passive" entry or is it necessary to unlock with key fob?

 

The key fob must be on your person (or in a handbag), but it needn't touch the car. The car "senses" the presence of the key fob and unlocks automatically.

 

I’ve had this on my XE for 6 months now, and using it has become very elegant. Just carrying the fob on you gives you “god-like authorization” to enter the vehicle any time you want by just pulling on a door handle. No need to push any button on your fob, no need to reach in your pocket and touch it at all. As long as you have the fob near the car, the security system is lifted and the door unlocks a split second before you actually start pulling on the handle… no interruption or delay in your movement at all.
In my neighborhoods, this is great because prospective thieves never get to see HOW you opened the car. They don’t see you reach or click anything. Walk over to the door, it invisibly knows you when you go for that handle, and you’re in like James Bond.

My family hates it, because if any on THEM pull on a door handle, the car ignores them and stays locked. I’m loving it, for that very same reason. Hehehe.
My retired mother described it best, “YOU come over and open this door for me. The car doesn’t deny YOU!”

Incidentally, any time you like, you are still free to to the conventional "pull out the fob and press it to unlock/lock the car", if you want.
I’ve tested the range on my fob, and it’s the first one I’ve ever owned that can consistently signal the car from nearly ¾ of a block away.

 

I know how it works, exactly as you describe it. Have had it on last 3 vehicles. My concern is that my ordered XE-R doesn't have it. Is it standard on the XE-R, or do I need some "pack"?

 

I like the remote phone app for locking and unlocking the car as well.

A week after we took delivery of the R Sport, my wife drove it to her brother's house for a visit.

I was able to lock/unlock the car and start it with my iPhone 21 miles away.

Ain't technology grand?

 

I dont think that there is any need for a pack to get the "passive" entry. You probably know this (I had the car a few weeks before I realised), but to lock the car you touch the little dimple in the door handle, and to double lock it you touch it twice. Sometimes when I am washing the XE it thinks that the hose is my finger so it keeps unlocking and locking.

 

Bruce the Quail, what is "double locking"? How does it differ from just "locking"?

Thanks!

 

Is it something that has to be activated?? We can remote start via app but cannot lock/unlock without pressing button on fob

 

Hi! Actually it might not be available in US cars, but over here if you double lock the horn beeps and it means that the handles on the inside are locked as well.

 

have you tried touching the little dimple in the door handle?

 

I will try when she gets home and will advise thanks

 

Mine will double lock if I press any dimple twice or the lock icon on the key fob twice.

And then the road runner horn sounds........one beep

 

On the opening page of the app, above the car's current location, it will read "vehicle locked and alarmed"

If you touch that portion of the screen, it will take you to another page that has "vehicle lock/unlock" and will show what on the car is opened/closed or locked/unlocked.


It will also allow you to unlock the vehicle, after you enter your PIN.

 

Charles - we can unlock/lock via app but other half has been driving and has app on her phone so I'm stuck with the fob and have yet to get it to unlock without pressing the button

 

When you press the dimple on the door handle, you must not grip the handle itself. Pressing the dimple will not lock the door if your hand is gripping the handle.

 

I never grip any handles except to open. I press any dimple to lock/ double lock. RF, LF, RR, LR door, doesn't matter on mine.


And the missus and I have the remote app loaded on both our phones. They both use the same log in.

 

Here's a link to a video I just made of lock/unlock in my crowded garage:



Couldn't find the dimple while looking through the phone.


Yes, I am that lame.....

 

thanks for the video - will need to contact dealer as no matter where I touch - it will not lock/unlock. Manual says just grab handle but no joy there either

 

And although it's hard to see in my crappy iPhone video, I'm only placing my index finger with very light pressure on the inside of the door pulls to unlock.

 

Was just at dealership to pick up vehicle. Car is gorgeous... Perfect for wife. XE-R 3.5 RWD, Fuji White, black/red leather, black wheels... Unfortunately, the car does not come standard with "passive entry", no little square on door handle, have to use fob. Deal breaker for wife, going to be getting another Audi.