Welcome to Tesla Motors Club
Discuss Tesla's Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Cybertruck, Roadster and More.
Register
  • We just completed a significant update, but we still have some fixes and adjustments to make, so please bear with us for the time being. Cheers!

3rd row ventilation

Myke Hines

Member
Aug 23, 2014
25
14
Hines
Musk stated over a year ago that the 3rd row ventilation problem would be fixed. Has there been any updates to recent cars? What is everyone doing to solve the problem themselves?
 

AmpedRealtor

Well-Known Member
Jun 30, 2013
6,351
3,341
Phoenix, AZ
Shame on Tesla over this issue. They have done absolutely nothing. Customers shouldn't have to be shopping on Amazon for hoses and fans to make those 3rd row seats functional. Let's call it what it is - a complete, fundamental failure of Tesla design process. Who puts kids' seats in the back, underneath the rear glass hatch and in direct sun, without addressing ventilation? I'm surprised we haven't seen an NHTSA complaint over this, as I surely would have filed one if I was a parent. Plenty of reports of kids vomiting, getting sick, red faced, crying, sweating... come on!

Most likely, the 3rd row seats were a marketing afterthought. Someone should challenge Elon to put his kids back there on a summer day in California and to drive for an hour or so. I suspect he would not take that challenge. This issue bugs me because it involves the safety and comfort of children as well as a complete non-response from Tesla. Shameful.
 

Electric700

Active Member
May 21, 2013
1,695
358
Florida, United States
May be two vents on either side of the car for the third row? They would need to run small ductwork routes along the floor of the car for that.

Let's raise the priority of an enhancement for cooling, and contact [email protected]. There are also things they can do for current owners, e.g. a discount on tint, fans, etc.
 

Myke Hines

Member
Aug 23, 2014
25
14
Hines
You are both right. I have tweeted Elon several times without a response. I've emailed that address, if enough people do the same maybe we can get a response.
 

linkster

Active Member
Apr 22, 2013
1,128
267
USAX2
Tint along with pano and rear liftgate sunshades should help.

Also, Elon tweeted: "Turning recirc off, windows closed and the right film on rear glass usually works." (since incoming cabin air is rear exhausted)
 

lloyds

Active Member
Apr 3, 2013
1,100
205
Bay Area
Still, I think Tesla should get this fixed. SUVs & vans would have rear ventilation wherever there are occupants. The MS should as well.
 

Shumdit

Member
Sep 2, 2013
885
186
SC
Tint along with pano and rear liftgate sunshades should help.

Also, Elon tweeted: "Turning recirc off, windows closed and the right film on rear glass usually works." (since incoming cabin air is rear exhausted)

Love Elon. Don't love that "fix".
 

AmpedRealtor

Well-Known Member
Jun 30, 2013
6,351
3,341
Phoenix, AZ
Tint along with pano and rear liftgate sunshades should help.

Also, Elon tweeted: "Turning recirc off, windows closed and the right film on rear glass usually works." (since incoming cabin air is rear exhausted)

Huh, I don't remember seeing that disclaimer anywhere on the order page. It sounds to me like Tesla owes some owners money for a useless upgrade that was purchased without the full disclosure.

I think any sort of retrofit from the factory is going to cost $$$ for them.

Any retrofits for this issue should be FREE to owners, as they spent money on a feature that was not designed properly and that the CEO even admitted (above) does not work without jumping through hoops - hoops that were never stated to customers that were necessary to make this feature usable in warmer climates.

Those of you who have followed my posts know that I love Tesla. Some have accused me of being a fanboy because I love this company and their products so much. But in this case, let's call it what it is. I think owners who paid for this upgrade, but who are unable to use it because of Tesla's failure to design proper ventilation to those 3rd seats, are owed a refund.
 

darthvdr

Member
Jul 13, 2013
310
13
los gatos, ca
I specifically ordered the jumpseats for my grandchildren and really looked forward to family vacations. Even though my car is tinted with photosync, during our 4 hour drive to Lake Tahoe the kids began to complain about two hours into the trip about it being hot. We turned up the AC, but the ventilation does not reach the rear. This really is a design flaw on Tesla and hope they can come up with a real solution.
 

Chris TX

Active Member
Sep 30, 2013
1,531
186
Dallas, TX
Until I get my ventilation system up and running, I've found that if you put the far right middle row seat down (if you can) and point the rear AC vents to the right, some air does creep into the back, but it only helps the kid sitting on the right side.
 

3pod

Member
Sep 1, 2013
37
2
SF Bay Area
Here's my current set up. Seems to actually work as the kids have really reduced their complaining today. Today was in the high to mid 70's.

Two fans: http://www.amazon.com/IO-Crest-Powe...e=UTF8&qid=1408933128&sr=8-5&keywords=usb+fan

Solar Panel Charger 10000mAh Dual-Port Portable Charger Backup External Battery Power Pack:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FXWGRHU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The beauty of this set up is the kids can turn the fans on/off themselves if they need it. Also, the power pack is solar charging so you rarely have to add power to it as long as you park out in the sun for part of the day.

I've played around with the location quite a bit and have settled right now on the center. I have the rear vents pointed at the fans. The fans seem to be doing a reasonable job of pulling that cold air into the back trunk area.

Ever since I've had this setup, the kids have complained a lot less. Oh, I also have photosync as well as the sun visor screen in the back too.

IMG_0764.jpg
IMG_0765.JPG


Once I'm really satisfied with the location, I'll look for a more aesthetically appealing way of mounting or attaching the fans to that location.
 
Oct 27, 2013
52
2
Los Angeles
All I ask is that when Tesla finally addresses this, the fix is retrofitable. I would really love to have proper ventilation back there for my kids and hopefully the retrofit won't cost too much.
 

Zarwin

Member
May 12, 2014
600
656
Hillsborough, NC
Here's my current set up. Seems to actually work as the kids have really reduced their complaining today. Today was in the high to mid 70's.

Two fans: http://www.amazon.com/IO-Crest-Powe...e=UTF8&qid=1408933128&sr=8-5&keywords=usb+fan

Solar Panel Charger 10000mAh Dual-Port Portable Charger Backup External Battery Power Pack:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FXWGRHU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The beauty of this set up is the kids can turn the fans on/off themselves if they need it. Also, the power pack is solar charging so you rarely have to add power to it as long as you park out in the sun for part of the day.

I've played around with the location quite a bit and have settled right now on the center. I have the rear vents pointed at the fans. The fans seem to be doing a reasonable job of pulling that cold air into the back trunk area.

Ever since I've had this setup, the kids have complained a lot less. Oh, I also have photosync as well as the sun visor screen in the back too.


Once I'm really satisfied with the location, I'll look for a more aesthetically appealing way of mounting or attaching the fans to that location.

I very much like the simplicity of this fan implementation. Minimal back seat interference, great location for air circulation, and looks to be removable in seconds. I'd probably copy this implementation and run 12v to usb from the front except for the worry about the long hair issue. My son has long hair and his female cousins have even longer hair. The more I stare at it though, the more it looks like this wouldn't be an issue for the kids in the back if a piece of tape were applied over a small portion of the side of the back up against the kids headrest, to keep stray hair from sucking in. Looks like a great and simple solution for many people though, thanks for sharing.
 

3pod

Member
Sep 1, 2013
37
2
SF Bay Area
I have two girls, one 8 and the other 5 with very long hair. Maybe because their hair is so long, waist length, that this has never been a problem. Thanks for the compliments, just trying to help myself and the community!
 

Myke Hines

Member
Aug 23, 2014
25
14
Hines
ZArwin - though I love your ingenuity, it's awful that a $100k car needs something that I would use for a dryer vent. I really hope it's something they address soon.
 

About Us

Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.

Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


SUPPORT TMC
Top