Motor vehicle lock

A motor vehicle lock for securing a movable element of a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle lock in the fitted state interacts with a striker in order to secure the movable element, wherein the motor vehicle lock comprises an adjustable catch and an adjustable locking pawl assigned to the catch, wherein the catch is adjustable into a main locking state, in which it is in secure engagement with the striker, and into an opening state, in which it releases the striker, wherein the locking pawl is adjustable into an entry state, in which it engages with the catch at a point of engagement, and holds the catch in the main locking state at the point of engagement, and into a lifted state, in which it releases the catch,

• wherein the catch is spring-preloaded in its opening direction,
• wherein the motor vehicle lock comprises a tensioning mechanism, wherein the tensioning mechanism has a tensioned state, in which the tensioning mechanism introduces a mechanical preload into the catch in its opening direction, wherein the mechanical preload of the tensioning mechanism introduced into the catch is independent of the spring-preload acting on the catch,
• wherein the tensioning mechanism has a relaxed state, in which the preload originating from the tensioning mechanism is reduced or cancelled,
• wherein when the catch is in the main locking state and the locking pawl is in the entry state the tensioning mechanism is configured to be brought into the tensioned state and, wherein when the catch is in the main locking state and the locking pawl is in the entry state the tensioning mechanism is configured to be brought into the relaxed state.