Understanding the Hands Free Power Liftgate System

The hands free power liftgate system is a convenient feature that allows you to open and close your vehicle's liftgate without having to use your hands.

This system is typically activated by a sensor that detects your presence behind the vehicle, and it can be programmed to remember your preferences.

The system is designed to provide a smooth and quiet operation, making it easy to load and unload cargo.

It's a great feature for people with mobility issues or those who simply want to make loading and unloading easier.

The hands free power liftgate system is usually controlled by a button on the key fob or on the driver's side door, and it can be customized to fit your specific needs.

To enable the AutoSense Power Liftgate, head to your center display and select Vehicle Settings > Comfort and Convenience > Hands-Free Exterior Storage Access > Open Only. Make sure your vehicle is on.

You can disable the feature entirely by selecting Vehicle Settings > Comfort and Convenience > Hands-Free Exterior Storage Access > Off in your center display, or by pressing and holding the button in the liftgate area for over five seconds.

To turn the feature back on, simply press and hold the button again.

To enable the AutoSense Power Liftgate, you'll need to start by turning it on using your center display. Select Vehicle Settings, then Comfort and Convenience, and finally Hands-Free Exterior Storage Access.

The feature should be set to "Open Only" by default, but if it's not, you can change it to this setting to enable the AutoSense Power Liftgate. This will allow you to use the feature to open the liftgate with a simple kicking motion.

To confirm that your vehicle has the Hands-Free Power Liftgate, check your infotainment system for the HANDS-FREE CUSTOMIZATION MENU. If you have this menu, your vehicle is equipped with the feature.

You can also check for a knob on the inside of your driver door or overhead console that shows an open liftgate with various heights. If you see this knob, your vehicle has the Hands-Free Power Liftgate.

If you're still unsure, try kicking under the bumper to see if the liftgate opens. If it does, your vehicle has the feature.

To cancel a liftgate opening, you can simply step more than 3 feet (approximately 1 meter) away from the liftgate within three seconds. This will automatically cancel the liftgate opening.

You can also use a single press of the liftgate button on your key fob to cancel the liftgate opening. This is a convenient way to stop the liftgate from opening unexpectedly.

If the liftgate has already begun to open, you can press the exterior liftgate touchpad/emblem at the rear of the vehicle to cancel the opening. This is another effective way to stop the liftgate.

Here are the ways to cancel a liftgate opening:

To operate the liftgate, you'll need to have the Hands-Free Power Liftgate feature enabled. If you have the HANDS-FREE CUSTOMIZATION MENU on your infotainment system, you're good to go.

First, make sure your key fob is within three feet of the rear of the vehicle for the feature to work. Now, to open the liftgate, simply kick up toward the bumper in a straight motion. If your vehicle has the logo projection feature, an illuminated logo will be shown on the ground to guide you.

The kick should be high enough to come within five inches of the bottom of the bumper without kicking the vehicle. Remember, a side-to-side motion or holding your foot under the bumper won't work – you need to pass through the range of light beam sensors with a quick, straight kick.

You can also cancel a liftgate opening by stepping more than 3 feet away from the liftgate within three seconds or by pressing the exterior liftgate touchpad/emblem at the rear of the vehicle or the liftgate button on the key fob (single press).

To open the liftgate, you need to approach the rear of the liftgate with your key fob from farther than 10 feet.

The key fob will activate the opening function within 3 feet of the liftgate.

The liftgate will prepare to open with multiple quick beeps and flashes from the exterior lighting if you stay in that area for about three seconds.

If you step out of this area in under three seconds, the liftgate opening will be cancelled, unless you return within eight seconds.

The liftgate will continue rising, accompanied by slower chimes and flashes from the exterior lighting, until fully open.

The logo projection feature, which shows the correct location to kick, turns on automatically as you approach within six feet of the rear of the vehicle and stays illuminated for 60 seconds.

To operate the Hands-Free Power Liftgate, your key fob must be within three feet of the rear of the vehicle.

Here are the steps to open the liftgate:

Note: Always check your vehicle's Owner's Manual for specific instructions on how to operate the liftgate, as features may vary depending on your vehicle model.

Closing the liftgate is a straightforward process, but it's worth noting that the liftgate won't close automatically when you approach or leave the vehicle.

To close the liftgate, you have a few options. You can press the Close button in the rear of the vehicle, which is usually located on the liftgate trim.

The exact location of the Close button varies by model, so you may need to take a look around to find it.

You can also press the liftgate button in the cabin, but the location of this button also varies by model.

Finally, you can close the liftgate using your key fob by double pressing the liftgate button.

Here are the three ways to close the liftgate at a glance:

To avoid unintentionally triggering a liftgate opening, be aware that the liftgate is designed to open with a purposeful approach, using the areas and process defined in this article. If the liftgate alerts an undesired opening, step more than 3 feet (1 meter) away from the liftgate within three seconds.

You can also use a single press of the liftgate button on your key fob or the exterior liftgate touchpad/emblem to cancel. This is a convenient way to regain control and prevent unwanted openings.

To enable the AutoSense Power Liftgate, go to your center display and select: Vehicle Settings > Comfort and Convenience > Hands-Free Exterior Storage Access > Open Only. This will allow you to use the feature with confidence.

Make sure to check your vehicle's Owner's Manual for the correct location to kick, especially if your vehicle does not have the logo projection feature. This will help you use the feature safely and effectively.

To operate the Hands-Free Power Liftgate, your key fob must be within three feet of the rear of the vehicle. This ensures that the feature is only activated when you're near the vehicle and ready to use it.

Here are some essential settings to keep in mind:

The Hands-Free Power Liftgate is a convenient feature that lets you open and close the liftgate with a simple kicking motion below the bumper.

To determine if your Buick has this feature, check if you have the HANDS-FREE CUSTOMIZATION MENU on your infotainment system, a knob on the inside of your driver door or overhead console that shows an open liftgate with various heights, or if your liftgate opens when you kick under the bumper.

The power liftgate is designed to open or close when you kick up toward the bumper in a straight kicking motion, using sensors positioned below the rear bumper.

A logo projects on the ground to show you where to kick, and it turns on automatically as you approach within six feet of the rear of the vehicle and stays illuminated for 60 seconds.

To operate the Hands-Free Power Liftgate, your key fob must be within three feet of the rear of the vehicle, and you should aim your kick over the logo that is projected on the ground, but don't step on it.

Here are the key requirements for using the Hands-Free Power Liftgate:

The taillamps will flash and a chime will sound to indicate the liftgate is opening or closing, and when closing the liftgate, there is a two-second delay before it starts closing to give you time to step away from the moving liftgate.