Tesla Door Handles

[Hopkirk]

How do Tesla door handles work?

They appear to be flush with the door.
Do you push them, pop them out and pull them or what?

[Zacs-Master]

Touch them and they pop out. They have whoopee cushion setting for the seats too!

[ABerrant]

[brian j john]

you push in the the bigger side with your thumb and the handle side pops open to get your fingers around it

[Zacs-Master]

My answer relates to Model S

[Mamyalynne]

https://www.consumerreports.org/video/view/cars/auto-test-track/2371716971001/tesla-model-s-door-handle/

[Mamyalynne]

My link is from a few hours ago so hopefully a later model.

[Zacs-Master]

Just a cheaper one, Mamya.

[Hopkirk]

All very neat though, whichever model.

[davebro]

Is it keyless entry? I presume the handles won't pop out if you don't have the key on you.

[Hopkirk]

I wonder how you open it if the battery is flat.
(Mind you, if the battery is flat you have big problems)

[ABerrant]

The door handles on the Model S pop out - “auto-present” in the words of Tesla - when they detect that the key fob is nearby. Non-working door handles are one of the most common reported problems with the Model S. Drivers have also complained about being unable to access their cars when the handles are covered in snow or ice.

Furthermore, Omar Awan, a 48-year-old anaesthesiologist, was driving his leased Tesla in Florida when he lost control and the car slammed into a palm tree. A police officer couldn’t open the doors because the handles were retracted and bystanders watched helplessly as the car filled with smoke and flames originating from the car’s battery. Fire engulfed the car and burned Dr. Awan beyond recognition due to the inaccessible door handles and no other way to open the doors. The Tesla continued to burn for hours, reigniting several times even after firefighters had extinguished the flames and the car had been towed. The cause of death was listed as smoke inhalation. Dr. Awan had sustained no internal injuries or broken bones in the crash.

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-doctor-omar-awan-dies-in-burning-tesla-as-futuristic-doors-didnt-open-after-crash-in-florida-alle-2121767

[Hopkirk]

Oh, that's horrible.

Perhaps I won't buy one.

[davebro]

No problem - don't go out in winter & don't crash!

[youngmafbog]

Mate of mine has an S, the handles are a right pain. On his third on one door. Seems it is a known problem.

Rest of the car seems to be ok.