Power Tailgate System Description

Basic Operation 

OPEN: The power tailgate can be opened by operating the driver's power tailgate switch, remote, tailgate outer handle switch, or hands free access power tailgate control unit/sensor under the following conditions:

• The Vehicle is in the OFF (LOCK) mode or P position/mode.
• The vehicle speed is less than 1 mph (2 km/h) *5/2 mph (3 km/h) *6.
• The power tailgate closer unit detects the ratchet switch is ON and the full latch switch is OFF (fully-closed position).
• The power tailgate closer unit detects the ratchet switch, full latch switch, and half latch switch are ON (except full closed position).
• The system is not in failsafe mode.
• The battery voltage (VBU) is more than 11 V.
• The battery voltage (VBU) is less than 16 V.
• The thermal protection is not active.
• Previous actuation: Close operated.
• When programmable height function is completed (when the programmable height function is enable).
• All door lock knob switches are in UNLOCK.* 1* 2
• The driver's power tailgate switch is pressed.* 1
• The remote is not in the vehicle.* 4
• The keyless tailgate button on remote is pressed.* 2
• The tailgate outer handle switch is pressed.* 3
• The hands free access power tailgate control unit/sensor detects kick motion.* 4

*1: Driver's power tailgate switch operation*2: Remote operation*3: Tailgate outer handle switch operation*4: Hands free access operation (with hands free access power tailgate)*5: '22-24*6:'25

CLOSE: The power tailgate can be closed by operating the driver's power tailgate switch, remote, power tailgate inside switch, or hands free access power tailgate control unit/sensor under the following conditions:

• The tailgate is fully open.
• The system is not in failsafe mode.
• Previous actuation: OPEN operated.
• The pinch sensor detects no obstruction.
• The battery voltage (VBU) is more than 11 V.
• The battery voltage (VBU) is less than 16 V.
• The power tailgate closer unit detects the neutral switch is OFF.
• The power tailgate closer unit detects the ratchet switch is OFF, and full latch switch and half latch switch are ON.
• The thermal protection is not active.
• When programmable height function is completed (when the programmable height function is enable).
• The driver's power tailgate switch is pressed.* 1
• The vehicle OFF (LOCK) mode.* 2
• The keyless tailgate button on remote is pressed.* 2
• The power tailgate inside switch is pressed.* 3
• The hands free access power tailgate control unit/sensor detects kick motion.* 4

*1: Driver's power tailgate switch operation*2: Remote operation*3: Power tailgate outer inside switch operation*4: Hands free access operation (with hands free access power tailgate)

Closer Retraction Operation 

When the operation switch is operated again while the closer motor is operating, the closer motor stops its operation.

Pinching Detection Control 

When something is pinched (hit) during the open/close operation of the power tailgate, pinching is detected and the motor of the drive unit is stopped to reverse the rotation. There are two types of detection methods, the direct detection method and the indirect detection method.

1. Direct Detection Method (Pinch Sensor Detection) 

In this method, the change in the internal resistance due to oppression of the pinch sensor during the auto close operation is detected to determine the existence of pinching.

2. Indirect Detection Method 

• Pulse detection (Overload detection)

  In this method, the change in the pulse width output from the pulse sensor during the auto open/close operation is detected to determine the existence of pinching.

• Current detection

  In this method, the change in the load calculated value from the power tailgate motor current during the auto open/close operation is detected to determine the existence of pinching.

Power Tailgate Open/Close Speed Control 

The power tailgate open/close speeds are detected from the pulse signals of the pulse sensor and, based on the open/close position of the tailgate, the speed control is carried out to follow the preset target speed.

Buzzer Sound Function 

The buzzer sound function activates the buzzer sound when the operation is stopped, pinching is detected, the close operation is performed while the vehicle speed is detected, the auto operation is carried out during the door fall prevention function, etc. There are some buzzer sound patterns as shown below.

Warning sound (1) 

• When the tailgate starts to open automatically.
• When the tailgate starts to close automatically.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Warning sound (2) 

• When the reverse operation is started after the tailgate has detected any obstruction.
• When the pinch sensor on mode is detected while the tailgate is closing automatically.
• When the vehicle speed exceeds 1 mph (2 km/h) *1/2 mph (3 km/h) *2 while the tailgate is opening automatically.
• When the failsafe mode is detected while the tailgate is operating automatically.
• When the operating time is over.
• When the following release conditions are met when the power tailgate closer unit is operating:
• • -

    The pinch sensor ON is detected.

• • -

    Failsafe of the pinch sensor is detected.

• When the close operation retries when the power tailgate closer unit is operating.
• When programmable height registration is canceled.
• When the power tailgate could not start the close operation by walk away close.

*1: '22-24*2:'25

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Warning sound (3) 

• When the vehicle speed exceeds 1 mph (2 km/h) *1/2 mph (3 km/h) *2 while the tailgate is closing automatically.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

The buzzer sound is stopped when the following conditions are met:

• When the full latch switch OFF and the latchet switch ON are detected.
• Vehicle speed of 1 mph (2 km/h) *1/2 mph (3 km/h) *2 or less is detected.
• Close operation is stopped.

*1: '22-24*2:'25

Warning sound (4) 

• When the tailgate fall-down detection function is activated. (Closing operation when the tailgate fall-down detection function is activated or after second inspection.)

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The buzzer sound is stopped when the following conditions are met.

• When the full latch switch OFF or the half latch switch OFF is detected.
• Fall-down detection operation is stopped.

Warning sound (5) 

• When the tailgate is not fully-latched, and the following conditions are met: The transmission is in any position other than P position/mode, and the brake pedal position switch and parking brake switch is OFF, and the vehicle speed exceeds 1 mph (2 km/h) *1/2 mph (3 km/h) *2.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

The buzzer sound is stopped when the following conditions are met.

• 31 cycles buzzer sound is completed.
• Vehicle OFF (LOCK) mode.
• When the full latch switch is OFF and latchet switch ON is detected.
• Vehicle speed is 1 mph (2 km/h) *1/2 mph (3 km/h) *2 or below and the ATP-P or the foot brake and the parking brake is ON.

*1: '22-24*2:'25

Warning sound (6) 

• When the tailgate starts to open automatically with the tailgate outer handle switch*.

*: The conditions may vary depending on the customized settings.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Warning sound (7) 

• When the tailgate is opened manually with the tailgate outer handle switch*.
• When programmable height registration is completed.

*: The conditions may vary depending on the customized settings.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Door Fall Prevention Function 

This function prevents the tailgate from suddenly falling down because of an accumulation of snow, or other causes. If the pulser in the drive unit detects abnormal pulses, the tailgate starts to open. If this operation is activated twice, the tailgate will close automatically. If the obstruction detection function detects any obstruction several times during this fall-down detection function, the tailgate stops moving.

Power Tailgate Stop and Hold Function 

When a switch is operated during auto open/close operation, the system stops the auto operation. Then, if the tailgate is in the holdable range, the system holds the tailgate position with the power tailgate motor and tailgate support strut. When another switch is operated while holding the tailgate, the system moves the tailgate in the opposite direction from that of the previous tailgate operation.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Programmable Height Function 

The highest tailgate position during auto open operation can be set by opening the tailgate to the height of the user's preference and pressing and holding the power tailgate switch for 3 seconds. When the registration is properly completed, a buzzer sounds. The tailgate position is detected by a sensor built into the power tailgate drive unit. However, when the register operation continues for 60 seconds, the register operation is cancelled.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Thermal Protection 

The power tailgate control unit monitors the temperature value using the ambient temperature measured by the thermistor and the power tailgate motor current value, and sets up the limit number of times for the AUTO operation before system damage occurs. When constant pulse count value is input within additional time after each AUTO operation, 1 is added to the number of times for operations, and when subtraction time lapses, 1 is subtracted from the number of times for operations. But the AUTO operation within subtraction time is not added to the number of times for operations. Also, when the temperature value caused by the power tailgate motor current value exceeds the specified value, the limit number of times corresponding to the ambient temperature is set up to maximum, and the AUTO operation does not operate during the subtraction time. When the thermal protection activates, alert sound will beep and AUTO operation will be cancelled. In the event when AUTO operation is cancelled, it will only accept MANUAL operation. AUTO operation will restore after a certain period of time when the thermal protection is released.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Ambient Temperature	Cycle Limit	Increment Time	Decrement Time
122 deg.F (50 deg.C) or more	10 times	45 sec.	120 sec.
95 deg.F (35 deg.C) or more and less than 122 deg.F (50 deg.C)	15 times	45 sec.	80 sec.
Less than 95 deg.F (35 deg.C)	20 times	45 sec.	60 sec.

Hands Free Access Power Tailgate Function (With Hands Free Access Power Tailgate) 

When the start conditions of the power tailgate are met regardless of the door/tailgate locked state, opening and closing the tailgate can be done by placing your foot in a in and out motion under the rear bumper. The capacitance sensors detect the user's motion, and output the ON/OFF signal to the power tailgate control unit and body control module. The body control module detects the remote within the detective range of the LF antenna, and transmits it to the power tailgate control unit. Only when both the capacitance sensors signal and smart entry function signal are established, the power tailgate control unit operates opening and closing, or stopping the tailgate.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Walk Away Close Function (With Walk Away Close Power Tailgate) 

With the tailgate open, activate the hands free power tailgate close switch located in the tailgate area. Once the switch is active, begin to walk away from your tailgate with the remote. When you have left the area, the tailgate will begin a power close operation. If 30 seconds have passed and the remote has not left the tailgate area the function will end a buzzer will sound.

Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

Failsafe Function 

A malfunction among the sensors, switches, or control units cancels the power tailgate failsafe function. At the same time, a warning message on the gauge control module comes on.