Tesla driver stuck in car during software update. Warns others to avoid in-car updates and highlights the importance of knowing manual release features.
Hold up. The manual release, which these Musk humpers have been stamping their feet about and saying is totally workable if people would just use it, can damage the $30,000 car??
Various articles and forum posts suggest that using the emergency/manual releases can crack the windows. It looks like the door can't/shouldn't be opened with the window fully raised, and part of the normal door opening process is for the car to lower the windows a few millimetres.
Well that’s not good. There was a recent software update which does electrically pull down the windows incase someone manually releases the door so hopefully that issue is no longer. Unless the window Reg doesn’t get power which can be caused by a lot of trivial things (like the puddle lamp burning out)
The windows normally roll down slightly when you ask the door to open itself. It's actually been a thing for a long time on cars with frameless windows, you still need to be waterproof with the doors closed. So if you open the door with the window fully up, it has to slide out from the water proofing successfully. Depending on how tight that seal is, it might not be successful, the window might break. So they normally roll down a bit then open, and when you close it they roll back up to make a stronger seal.
On older cars it was a physical thing that brings the windows lower when you pull the door handle. They could have retained that feature for the manual release, but I guess the added price probably wasn't worth it since the idea is that you only have to manually release in an emergency anyway. So a small chance of the window breaking, like very small, is not a huge deal. If it was every single time you opened the door, sure a chance of breaking the window every day would suck. But for how small the chance is, and only in an emergency, it makes sense to want to save that money.
If only Musk's super-cars that can drive themselves could master door technology of the '70s.
This is fucking ridiculous. Electric doors have to be the stupidest thing in the world. There should never be a time where you can't safely and easily exit your own fucking car. I can't believe regulators aren't jumping on this. Even if it's rare it's such a fucking own-goal that shouldn't be a problem in the first place.
It's perfectly understandable to not want to damage a $$$ car. Tesla needs to provide better information on how to manage these situations.
She clearly knew how to self rescue, so the whole situation was just bed communication and planning on Tesla's part. Also, if things got more dire, she would have absolutely used the manual option.
Various articles and forum posts suggest that using the emergency/manual releases can crack the windows. It looks like the door can't/shouldn't be opened with the window fully raised, and part of the normal door opening process is for the car to lower the windows a few millimetres.
Well that’s not good. There was a recent software update which does electrically pull down the windows incase someone manually releases the door so hopefully that issue is no longer. Unless the window Reg doesn’t get power which can be caused by a lot of trivial things (like the puddle lamp burning out)
While Tesla maintains its position as a pioneer in electric vehicle technology, the recent incident involving Janel raises concerns that could tarnish the reputation of Elon Musk's company.
Sounds like poor planning on the company and the owner's parts. People die in cars enough that you should know how to exit the vehicle manually if necessary. The manual option should be obvious and absolutely shouldn't be an after thought.
Also, lack of adequate regulation by NHTSA (although to be fair, nobody's been braindead enough to want to design a car this irresponsibly until now, so it's understandable they're playing catch-up).