Closing of Hood Resulting in Damage?

[habanero69]

I don't have my car yet, about 2 weeks away, but I've been reading the S owners manual cover to cover in hopes I will be pretty well informed once the big day arrives.

I see that they make quite a big deal about where to place your hands on the hood when closing in order to prevent damage, Apparently the hood is very lightweight aluminum and not only cannot be closed under its own weight, but careful hand placement must occur (each side of "V" nose area) and equal depressing until it latches is required, or bending will occur. Has anyone had an issue or worse, some 3rd party worker (tint, wrap, etc.) do damage?

For some reason this has me worried. I seem to have that luck with cars and I don't know of a real way to prevent other than never let anyone touch the hood (which makes getting tint, wraps, etc., done without fear impossible).

 

[thimel]

Here is a thread on the problem: Frunk Dent (Frustrating...).
Summary, one can get a slight crease. If one is careful, it doesn't happen. It is not clear if the hood has been redesigned to make it harder to crease. I haven't seen any recent complaints about this problem.

 

[habanero69]

Geez, guess I should have searched first. That said, looks like a LOT of owners try and avoid even using the frunk. Come on Tesla, reinforce the area with an insert of some type. This definitely is something that doesn't require a complete redesign or replacement.

 

[jmsurpri]

As owners of new cars, we're all told by the DS how to close the frunk, so although it's annoying, we shouldn't be too concerned with causing damage. However, with all the used Teslas being sold, I wonder if the knowledge gets lost and new owners of used cars have no idea of this requirement? Maybe a sticker or something would be useful on the underside of the hood.

 

[habanero69]

As owners of new cars, we're all told by the DS how to close the frunk, so although it's annoying, we shouldn't be too concerned with causing damage. However, with all the used Teslas being sold, I wonder if the knowledge gets lost and new owners of used cars have no idea of this requirement? Maybe a sticker or something would be useful on the underside of the hood.

As I kinda eluded to earlier, my fear is a friend or a service center that might be doing aftermarket stuff (tint, wrap, dashcam, etc.) while I'm not there to warn/watch. I just don't see why some form of reinforcement/strengthening in that critical area would be a bid deal. Heck, a piece of balsa wood glued in the right place would probably suffice. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

 

[Zaphod]

I would hope that with the redesign facelift hood, this had been taken into consideration. It has always amazed me how fragile the hood supposedly is. I've had 3 Audi's in the past 15 years, all with aluminum hoods, and they feel as solid as any steel hood would be.

 

[ibdb]

It's been a very long time since I've seen people talk about issues with frunk creases. Maybe it's because we've learned how to close the frunk properly, or are being taught how to close the frunk properly, or maybe there's been a design change. In any event, I use my frunk when I need it and haven't had a second thought about it.

 

[Canuck]

That said, looks like a LOT of owners try and avoid even using the frunk. Come on Tesla, reinforce the area with an insert of some type.

I use mine a lot, for 2.5 years now, and I don't have any crease. I have no concern in using it but I am careful in the way I close it because of all the crease problems I have read here.

 

[Cyclone]

It's been a very long time since I've seen people talk about issues with frunk creases. Maybe it's because we've learned how to close the frunk properly, or are being taught how to close the frunk properly, or maybe there's been a design change. In any event, I use my frunk when I need it and haven't had a second thought about it.

In early 2015 Tesla switched from two manually actuated latches (onto separate "hooks" under the frunk) to one manually actuated latch and one electronically actuated latch (onto the same single "hook"). That made the process of closing it much easier as it required significantly less effort to push the hook into the latch. That said, I use my 2013's frunk 5-10x/month and have had no issues.

Come on Tesla, reinforce the area with an insert of some type.

There is a reinforcement there. The crease appears where the reinforcement ends. If you apply too much pressure on the reinforced area, it can crease where the reinforcement ends and the hood is weaker.

 

[habanero69]

In early 2015 Tesla switched from two manually actuated latches (onto separate "hooks" under the frunk) to one manually actuated latch and one electronically actuated latch (onto the same single "hook"). That made the process of closing it much easier as it required significantly less effort to push the hook into the latch. That said, I use my 2013's frunk 5-10x/month and have had no issues.


There is a reinforcement there. The crease appears where the reinforcement ends. If you apply too much pressure on the reinforced area, it can crease where the reinforcement ends and the hood is weaker.

OK, maybe MORE so there is no END? I just find it's a bit hard to understand why it MAY still be a problem assuming they have done nothing to change the original design. Why should I have to panic and shout at the service dude as he's about to close the frunk that it must be done a certain way or I will have a crease? He'd think I was OCD to the max. I know of no other vehicle you need special instructions on for closing the hood/trunk. I know I'm about to get flamed, but it seems like such a simple thing. Maybe by the sound of some of your posts the problem doesn't exist anymore and I need to chill.

 

[Cyclone]

I know of no other vehicle you need special instructions on for closing the hood/trunk. I know I'm about to get flamed, but it seems like such a simple thing.

You won't get flamed from me. I agree with you!

Maybe by the sound of some of your posts the problem doesn't exist anymore and I need to chill.

I wouldn't go that far. After all, I've heard people say that Elon said that if a device needs a manual, its poorly designed. Like the X now has "soft close" doors, I would have long ago thought they would softclose the frunk like my 4Runner did it's trunk.

assuming they have done nothing to change the original design

But they did. Most of the creasing happened because of putting too much pressure on the reinforced area, which wouldn't budge and inside the crease would occur where the reinforced area ended. They changed the latch so that it requires MUCH less pressure and thus, even if you press on the reinforced area, you shouldn't end up pushing hard enough to cause stress at the end.

 

[Canuck]

Why should I have to panic and shout at the service dude as he's about to close the frunk that it must be done a certain way or I will have a crease?

What's he doing? Checking the oil? I've never had a "service dude" close my frunk.

I know of no other vehicle you need special instructions on for closing the hood/trunk. I know I'm about to get flamed, but it seems like such a simple thing.

No one's flaming you. Everyone's trying to help you out while many are flaming Tesla. You don't even have your car yet and you're complaining about a frunk crease. Sheeesh... I sure miss the old days with the early adopters working out problems we all knew were inevitable with a brand new automaker, with game changing technology, would have. People now compare them to automakers making ICE cars for decades, who have worked out many problems of their own (and for which I'd never buy from again) and now we have to listen to all the whiners.

Wait, I guess I did flame you... sorry...

 

[habanero69]

What's he doing? Checking the oil? I've never had a "service dude" close my frunk.

Again, some old school lingo I suppose. I was using that as a generic term to try and describe a 3rd party human (note no reference to sex(ual) orientation; must be PC these days) that might interact with my car, while I was present or not, for something like a wrap or radar install where the frunk might be involved. Don't frunk with my trunk...

 

[Canuck]

for something like a wrap or radar install

Tell them to be careful and show them how to close it. These are one time things. It's not like you need to be yelling at someone every time the oil needs changing, and you need to...

panic and shout at the service dude

Take a chill pill now that you "Dont Need Cialis. I Drive an EV" as you state in your profile pic.

 

[Tes Pride]

I haven't used my Frunk 10 times in the last 3.6 years. 2013 MS

 

[jerry33]

I have opened and shut my 2013 Model S frunk hundreds of times without any issues.

 

[mdobin]

When I was CPO shopping, the sales rep told me how the refinish the car to "new" standards. He specifically pointed out the crease on the leading edge of the frunk as something they take care of. As I understand it, they put a new lid on it, which is why, 3 weeks from putting down my deposit, I still don't have my car.

 

[ecarfan]

Geez, guess I should have searched first. That said, looks like a LOT of owners try and avoid even using the frunk

I often use the frunk on my December 2013 Model S and have not had a problem. You are worrying about it to much. Just follow the instructions in the manual and it will be okay. I love having a frunk! That said, I DO NOT let other people close my frunk because they will treat it like every car they've ever owned and slam it shut with one hand. I don't blame them, I just don't let them touch it. It's really not a big deal in my opinion.

 

[787steve]

I know of no other vehicle you need special instructions on for closing the hood/trunk.

No flame, but my Acura NSX has aluminum also, and the procedure for closing the engine compartment and the trunk are very similar to the Tesla. So, it isn't the only one. Maybe they should both be re-engineered. Bottom line, when I take the NSX to anyone who needs trunk access I give them a little lesson on the subject. I have found that they are so impressed by the car that they are more than happy to comply.

 

[Jbailey]

Not even something I think about. I use the frunk every day. It really becomes a non-concern once you own the car. You just don't slam it, jump on it or put excessive pressure away from the edge. I have a simple 2 handed and 1 handed techniques that seem natural and not even worthy of teaching.

You would have to be really careless to dent the frunk hood. I suppose I could do it but it would it would have to be virtually purposeful at this point....kind of like standing on top of my laptop to close it.