Electric Tailgate: Clean Sensors Regularly to Avoid False Triggers
The sensors on your electric tailgate are considered to be its virtual “eyes.” These sensors are linked to your electric tailgate and are responsible for detecting objects, responding to your hands-free instructions, and preventing the tailgate from closing on objects. Yet, if they are covered with dirt, mud, or bird droppings, they will cease functioning efficiently. You might discover them opening when they are not supposed to, for example when a stray leaf brushes past, or not opening when you wave your foot underneath the bumper.
These sensors are very simple to, step one, get a soft microfiber cloth, and a bit of warm water, then begin to wipe the sensors. You can also use the same cloth you use to wipe your car’s windscreen, as long as you use warm water. Avoid using harsh chemicals, as they will be damaging to the protective’ layer of the sensor. Wipe the sensors, circularly and gently. These sensors are very delicate, especially the tailgate edge, and on the rear bumper.
Electric Tailgate Sensors: How Regular Cleaning Can Prevent Problems
Your tailgate’s sensors are somewhat like its ‘eyes.’ As soon as electric tailgate is linked to the car, the sensors familiarize with the objects around them, obey the hands-free command, and stop the tailgate from closing on anything. But if the sensors get dirty with mud, bird droppings, or anything else, they lose their functions. You might find them opening when they shouldn’t, as an example a stray leaf opening or them not opening when you wave your foot under the bumper.
Cleaning the sensors is rather simple. You just need step one to get a soft microfiber cloth and a bit of warm water. You can also use the use the same cloth you wipe your car’s windscreen as long as you use the warm water. Sensors are not to be wiped with any harsh cleaning chemicals as they are damaging to any protective covering on the sensor. Once the sensors are clean, they must then be wiped very softly and with circular motions. the sensors of the tailgate and the rear bumper are very delicate and must be treated with the utmost care.
Think of it as cleaning your glasses—if the glasses are smudged, the person is unable to see clearly. Similarly, dirty sensors hinder your tailgate’s functionality. Yongpai Tech covers sensors, but water resistant coating does not protect against mud. Those sensors are foggy, and a two minute wipe down every couple of weeks keeps them sharp.
Electric Tailgate: Lubricate Moving Parts Gently.
Hinges, latches, and the sensor rails that assist in lifting and lowering your electric tailgate are all classified as small, yet crucial, components. Over time, squeaky sounds, slow movement, or stuck hinges may all develop as a result of these components drying out. Lubricating these components helps maintain a straining movement and also helps mitigate irritation.
Not all types of lubricants are effective—WD-40 is counterproductive because it attracts dirt and dries out parts faster. A light silicone based lubricant from the auto parts store is ideal—as a small amount left on a cotton swab can lubricate hinges and the latch. Every three months excess lubricant should be removed to prevent dripping onto the paint or attracting dirt.
One time, a customer had a tailgate that was stuck half open, and found the tailgate hinges were completely dry. A bit of silicone lubricant repaired it, and the customer said they should have fixed it long before. It’s a little fix, but it prevents bigger issues.
Electric Tailgate: Inspect the Motor and Wiring
The motor of the electric tailgate works to lift and lower the tailgate, and it’s the most crucial. Although you don’t have to take it apart, you can look and listen for some of the more obvious issues. When you open and close the tailgate, try to listen for the motor. Ideally, it should sound nice and smooth without any grinding, clicking, or excessive straining. If you hear anything unusual, it might mean that the motor is working a bit hard.
The next step to take is to look at the wiring connections (which most of the time can be found around the tailgate hinges). Look for any loose cables, damaged insulation, or corrosion (greenish or whitish stuff that grows on metal). If you can spot a loose cable, push it back into the connector (make sure the vehicle is turned off first). If there’s any corrosion, wipe it off with a dry cloth; don’t use any water on the cables or else you might damage them.
Yongpai Tech includes powerful motors and waterproof wiring, though even the finest components may loosen over time (the bounces from the poorly maintained roads surely doesn’t help). A single check a month allows you to find problems before they spiral into a burnt up motor.
Electric Tailgate: No Excess Weight, No Impact
Your powered tailgate is pretty sturdy, but not stone. The very best and most rapid ways to accelerate wear on it is to overload it and use it in a rough manner. For instance, leaning on it when it is in the up position and manual closes (as opposed to the motor closing it) puts undue stress on the hinges and motor. Even the handle on the tailgate can be negatively impacted when suspended with heavy items (such as a filled gym bag).
Adhere to the tailgate manual (which is almost always between 50 to 75 pounds) and do not forget to set your electric tailgate. If you need to close it in a hurry, use the button on your key fob or dashboard, not your hands. Please restrict the use from children for whom I urge you to not let them hang off the tailgate or use the open and close button, because sensor and latch systems can be easily broken.
You wouldn’t wear your nice dress shoes on a hike because you’d wear them out quickly. In the same way, your electric tailgate should be handled gently so that it meets your daily needs.
Conclusion
Tailgate maintenance is not about adding work to your schedule, rather it is about protecting your investment. The steps that we suggested, in addition to sensor cleaning, lubricating, and throttling motor power, and monitoring tailgate usage, will construct a lifetime of usage when performed regularly.
Most importantly, they require no special tools, in exchange for your time and attention. Yongpai Tech makes the rest pretty convenient. Their tailgates come with sturdy electric motors and sensors, and their maintenance steps are not time-consuming. Lastly, broken tailgates are easier to avoid when you get an electric tailgate that is well-padded with the delicate repairables. You won’t need to repair it often and, in addition to that, you will not spend a lot from your pocket.
Every busy day, trip, or grocery run—just remember to maintain it, and you will never be disappointed.