Anyone ever fit an interior trunk release?

Yaworski · Post by **Yaworski** » 19 Nov 2017, 17:39

Volvo seems to have a thing about trunks and hatch releases. My V70 has no way to unlock the tailgate if the central locking system isn't working. No key slot. So if you have a dead battery, you can't get to your jumper cables.

My new-to-me 2002 has a key slot for the trunk but the manual says "use only in emergencies" because using the key slot will set off the alarm.

The silly car has a button to allow the rear headrests to flip forward and a button for "valet mode" which makes little sense because if you give the valet the "valet key" he can't open the trunk anyway and if he has the regular key he can turn "valet mode" off.

So why isn't there a button to release the trunk lid? Let's say I'm dropping my kids off at school and their bookbags are in the trunk. I have to fumble with the remote to open the trunk for them.

So now for the question. Has anyone figured a way to rig a release for the trunk lid so that I can do it from the driver's seat? An electrical button would be fine. A cable release would be great as well.

Post by **June** » 19 Nov 2017, 19:30

As long as the central locking system is unlocked the trunk is unlocked and the button to open the trunk is between the tag lights. So a extra button inside to open the trunk is unnecessary. If the car is locked the button won't work. The valet lock button is so the trunk won't unlock with the central locking system effectively preventing the valet access to the trunk. My V70 had a keyhole under a flap to open the tale gate and all doors could be unlocked there. Also had a lock button like the doors that went up and down for locked and unlocked.

The button for the headrests is for short people who might be trying to backup and can't see they can push the button to move the rear headrests out of the way instantly. I like that button personally. June.

Yaworski · Post by **Yaworski** » 19 Nov 2017, 21:03

June wrote: ↑19 Nov 2017, 19:30 As long as the central locking system is unlocked the trunk is unlocked and the button to open the trunk is between the tag lights. So a extra button inside to open the trunk is unnecessary.

I didn't see that in the manual but that doesn't mean much. Thanks.

If wasn't 11 PM and sleeting, I'd be running outside to check that out.

The valet lock button is so the trunk won't unlock with the central locking system effectively preventing the valet access to the trunk.

Ah! Sorta makes sense but that has no bearing on my life since I don't have the valet key.

My V70 had a keyhole under a flap to open the tale gate and all doors could be unlocked there. Also had a lock button like the doors that went up and down for locked and unlocked.

No key at all, hidden or otherwise on my 2001 V70. V70s of my vintage that had the third seat had the key in the tailgate and the interior latch. I had found a junked V70 with the third seat and planned to scavenge the locks for the tailgate but the car had other plans.

The button for the headrests is for short people who might be trying to backup and can't see they can push the button to move the rear headrests out of the way instantly. I like that button personally. June.

I like that the headrests tip out of the way, I just think that having an electrical release and getting a computer involved adds too many levels of complication.

Thanks again.

Post by **mrbrian200** » 20 Nov 2017, 00:33

The valet button is useful when you leave the car window cracked or down, such as on a very hot day. Somebody may be able to access central locking via the button on the door panel, but they still cant get to valuables hidden in the trunk. Hint: put valuables in the trunk.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 20 Nov 2017, 01:28

mrbrian200 wrote: ↑20 Nov 2017, 00:33 The valet button is useful when you leave the car window cracked or down, such as on a very hot day. Somebody may be able to access central locking via the button on the door panel, but they still cant get to valuables hidden in the trunk. Hint: put valuables in the trunk.

Only really works on a sedan though and they have key holes to begin with as far as I know. On an estate you'll reach the boot easily from the front by folding the seats.

If you lock the car using the remote all the interior handles and lock switches are disengaged by the way.

Post by **June** » 20 Nov 2017, 03:39

Yaworski wrote: ↑19 Nov 2017, 21:03
June wrote: ↑19 Nov 2017, 19:30 As long as the central locking system is unlocked the trunk is unlocked and the button to open the trunk is between the tag lights. So a extra button inside to open the trunk is unnecessary.
I didn't see that in the manual but that doesn't mean much. Thanks.

If wasn't 11 PM and sleeting, I'd be running outside to check that out.

The valet lock button is so the trunk won't unlock with the central locking system effectively preventing the valet access to the trunk.
Ah! Sorta makes sense but that has no bearing on my life since I don't have the valet key.

My V70 had a keyhole under a flap to open the tale gate and all doors could be unlocked there. Also had a lock button like the doors that went up and down for locked and unlocked.
No key at all, hidden or otherwise on my 2001 V70. V70s of my vintage that had the third seat had the key in the tailgate and the interior latch. I had found a junked V70 with the third seat and planned to scavenge the locks for the tailgate but the car had other plans.

The button for the headrests is for short people who might be trying to backup and can't see they can push the button to move the rear headrests out of the way instantly. I like that button personally. June.
I like that the headrests tip out of the way, I just think that having an electrical release and getting a computer involved adds too many levels of complication.

Thanks again.

Here's a picture of mine.

Really the headrests rarely get in the way enough to push the button but it is convenient in that tight spot. I secretly think the designer of this feature secretly wanted a teenager attention getter. LOL

Post by **mrbrian200** » 20 Nov 2017, 10:16

I very much appreciate that the headrests flip down with a button. I'm not 'short' but I appreciate the increased visibility in city traffic. The electric rear headrests were a selling point for me. My previous car was just old enough that it didn't have rear headrests. And I didn't appreciate other people's vehicles with rear headrests which usually are either fixed or you have to manually remove and store them. They block rearview visibility which I don't like when I drive into Chicago. In dense urban traffic every little bit (of increased visibility) makes a difference. In small farmer town Indiana it's not quite so critical.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 20 Nov 2017, 10:52

Heh. Here in Europe it seems to be unfashionable at the moment to make cars that you can see out of in any direction but forwards. Except when using the 360-degree camera on the dash. It's gotten slowly worse for quite a while now.

Regarding head rests. Since when do cars not have them? They've been a standard feature for at least 40 years by now

Yaworski · Post by **Yaworski** » 20 Nov 2017, 14:50

Rattnalle wrote: ↑20 Nov 2017, 01:28On an estate you'll reach the boot easily from the front by folding the seats.

Easily is a relative term. I'm really past the age to go climbing into the back of the car through the side doors.

If you lock the car using the remote all the interior handles and lock switches are disengaged by the way.

Interesting. Something else to break.

Yaworski · Post by **Yaworski** » 20 Nov 2017, 14:51

Rattnalle wrote: ↑20 Nov 2017, 10:52Regarding head rests. Since when do cars not have them? They've been a standard feature for at least 40 years by now

My first car with them was a 1971 Ford Torino. My issue is that it is a silly thing to put a button on the dash to drop the rear headrests.