Trunk release on remote??

[Djseto]

Just got my FL5 so maybe I'm just dumb but when I press the button on my remote to open the trunk, my lights flash but the trunk doesn't open/pop up. What am I missing here?

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[TypeRD]

It doesn’t pop up because the hatch uses pneumatic lifts. Took me awhile to get used to it too. My last car was an 09 Si, which had spring tensioners built into the trunk. The trunk lid was also much lighter weight, so springs are sufficient. But anyway, that’s why SUV’s and hatchbacks have pneumatic lifts, not springs. The door is big and heavy.

 

[Djseto]

so what I hear is it's a useless button. Basically unlocks it and that's it?

 

[PointByPatrol]

so what I hear is it's a useless button. Basically unlocks it and that's it?

Correct.

 

[Icehawk]

Struck me as odd too, I'm so used to a trunklid at least popping a little bit. It's a pretty pointless button since I *assume* everyone uses proximity sensing, I never have to unlock the trunk manually.

 

[shyong]

It's a good thing. You do not want the back hatch opening and closing that way especially with the spoiler. Major clearance issues in a garage considering Honda, if they did have the auto open/close, they wouldn't implement adjustment option on how wide the rear hatch would open.

 

[TypeRD]

The fob is probably the same one used across several Honda and Acura vehicles, including the Civic Sedan…which I bet the trunk does pop-up when the button is pushed. In other cars/SUV’s, the lift gate is probably motorized. But yeah, the button is pretty useless in our case.

 

[ctrc2022]

i guess you can always buy aftermarket parts so it pops up but ya, like others mentioned I would be concerned with clearance.

 

[s2kdriver80]

The only time it's useful is when there's someone running to the car ahead of you and is eager to get something out of the trunk, you can unlock for them to lift the hatch. ?

 

[Cornercarver]

Just got my FL5 so maybe I'm just dumb but when I press the button on my remote to open the trunk, my lights flash but the trunk doesn't open/pop up. What am I missing here?

So apparently it 'works' the same way as the one on my FK8- so useless.
I don't unlock my trunk unless there is clearance, so it is 'protecting'' me from a non-event.
I don't bother with the key fob for the trunk. I guess if you have someone else unloading or loading it while you are sitting in the car it would help, but then they would still be thrown off by the fact it didn't raise even a little bit. Not the best decision IMO by Honda on this.

 

[Clark_Kent]

Non-issue and it's logical to me. The hatch doesn't "pop" (open slightly) when you press the hatch unlock button on the key fob because there's a release button in the recess above the license plate that allows you to physically open it. The effort you would apply to opening the hatch fully if it were "popped" or pressing the hatch release button in the recess above the license plate and lifting it is the same. Even if the hatch were to "pop", if you had your hands full you would still need to put the items down and open the hatch. Not sure what you would gain from the hatch slightly popping open when you press the hatch unlock button on the fob. The trunk unlock button on the remote is purposeful because you may want to unlock the hatch without unlocking the door (or doors) of the car.

On another car I have, the rear hatch "pops" because there's no button on the back to open via proximity/smart entry or otherwise. And that makes sense because there is no hatch release button on the hatch. Otherwise there would be no way to open the hatch from outside the car.

 

[Cornercarver]

You make a very good point. That said, I have run into situations when traveling with the valet not understanding this and standing there after I unlock it from the car. If I have to get out, show them where to reach, and even open the trunk for them, I am thinking why Honda?

Unless this design decision saved weight, in which case fine. But I doubt that is it.

As it is, sometimes it sticks.

Not a big deal either way, to be sure, but a trunk that opens hands free, and that doesn't confuse others is a plus. Which is why most other vehicles work that way.

 

[Djseto]

It’s more of having useless button on a remote. You’d think they’d at least make a TypeR special fob…?‍

 

[cullystout]

i guess you can always buy aftermarket parts so it pops up but ya, like others mentioned I would be concerned with clearance.

I just purchased a 2026 FL5, so I'm still getting used to some of the nuances and quirks, but I find it very frustrating for the hatch to not at least pop up when the fob button is pressed. Has anyone found an aftermarket way of addressing this shortcoming?

 

[Clark_Kent]

I just purchased a 2026 FL5, so I'm still getting used to some of the nuances and quirks, but I find it very frustrating for the hatch to not at least pop up when the fob button is pressed. Has anyone found an aftermarket way of addressing this shortcoming?

https://dream-performance.com/products/honda-civic-fl5-type-r?_pos=8&_psq=fl5&_ss=e&_v=1.0

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