Will Manually Closing an Electric Tailgate Cause Damage?
3 Answers
Occasionally manually closing an electric tailgate will not cause immediate damage, but it can lead to wear and tear on internal components such as the motor, gears, and telescopic parts, thereby reducing the lifespan of the electric tailgate. Below is additional information: Methods for opening an electric tailgate: Use the tailgate switch located on the tailgate to open or close it. Placing a hand or any object in the designated sensing area will automatically open the tailgate, which is useful when your hands are full or when using the electronic car key is inconvenient. Pressing the tailgate switch on the vehicle dashboard can also open or close the tailgate. Precautions for using an electric tailgate: Always ensure there are no obstructions in the tailgate's opening range before activating it to prevent scratches caused by unnoticed obstacles. The electric tailgate emits a beeping alarm sound when fully closed. Do not start the vehicle until you hear this confirmation sound to avoid accidents due to an improperly closed tailgate. If the electric tailgate exhibits any abnormalities, seek maintenance and servicing from an authorized manufacturer.
I've been driving a car with a power tailgate for five years, and I've encountered this issue quite a few times. Manually closing a power tailgate depends on the situation—doing it occasionally is fine, but don't make it a daily habit. The power tailgate contains precision motors and gear sets, and forcing it shut can cause the gears to grind and potentially strip. The scariest part is the hydraulic struts—I've seen cases where manual closing was so forceful that the struts bent, and replacing the whole set costs nearly two grand. Rainy days require extra caution; if sand or grit gets into the tracks and you force it shut, the wear and tear doubles. Manufacturers anticipated this, so most power tailgates have a protection program—manual closing beyond a certain angle will trigger resistance. But is it completely safe? My old X5 suffered from too much manual closing, and now it lifts and lowers like an old ox panting. The mechanic straight up told me to replace the entire assembly.
From a mechanical design perspective, manually closing a power liftgate poses structural conflict risks. The core component is the motor unit with position sensors - manual closing forces the motor into passive reversal. Through oscilloscope testing, I observed current peaks exceeding three times normal load during forced closure, accelerating metal fatigue in worm gears. However, overconcern isn't necessary as certified products incorporate overload protection. The critical indicator is whether 'clicking' gear slippage sounds occur. Particular attention should be paid to spring balance mechanisms, as manual pulling may cause pawl misalignment. In actual repair cases, 70% involve oil leaks in lift supports or track deformation. Recommended practice: support the base and apply even force when manual operation is required.
