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Feeling blue...[trouble finding door handle in the dark]

Discussion in 'Model 3' started by quentinsf, Jan 16, 2021.

  1. quentinsf

    quentinsf Member

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    Have found a problem with my (otherwise fine) new blue Model 3 in the middle of a northern-European winter...

    Black de-chromed door handles on a dark blue car are really hard to find on a dark night!

    This was never the case on my previous cars which (a) didn't have such aerodynamically-flush handles and (b) had puddle lights and things which would give you some illumination when you walked up to it. With the Tesla, I'm in the dark until I can find the handle, and I can't find the handle in the dark.

    Anyone else have the same problem?

    I guess I could get a key fob which might allow me to turn on some illumination in advance, or use the watch app. But the magical automatic unlocking is spoiled a bit as both my wife and I have to grope around the wet door to find the way in...

    :)
     
  2. EVMeister

    EVMeister Lover of Tesla

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    Might be worth getting a small and compact torch to keep in your pocket? Annoying having to get it out to use it, but would solve the issue. Sometimes I can't see my chrome handles on my Model 3 if it's dark enough, either. But over time I've gotten quite used to their exact position so can usually find them without seeing them.
     
  3. Cybr.Myk

    Cybr.Myk Member

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    Their cell phone will have a light on it. Just use that...also, this situation is a good excuse to always open your wife’s door for her...which will likely lead to increased action. Every cloud has a silver lining.
     
    • Funny x 7
    • Like x 1
  4. one2many

    one2many Member

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    In the EU we use full sized, sorry free shots in lockdown til 11pm
     
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  5. KenC

    KenC Active Member

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    I used to have a button LED on my keychain, back when I carried a keychain.
     
  6. Whitehawk

    Whitehawk Member

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    My phone has a flashlight....
     
  7. TLLMRRJ

    TLLMRRJ Active Member

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    If you use the app to remote unlock the car, does it turn on any lights?
     
  8. todd2fst4u

    todd2fst4u Member

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    • Like x 1
  9. TLLMRRJ

    TLLMRRJ Active Member

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  10. KenC

    KenC Active Member

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  11. quentinsf

    quentinsf Member

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    Sadly, no - I just went and tried. Well, yes, it turns on the interior lights and the headlights but neither of these actually help you see the doorhandles :-(

    Not, I'm sorry to say, as cool as my old i3 which did light up the doorhandles... and had cool blue interior LEDs until you opened the door!

    :)

    20151219-23133107-Edit-600.jpg
     
  12. TLLMRRJ

    TLLMRRJ Active Member

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    You would think, with the interior lights on to frame the windows and B pillar, you could develop the muscle memory to figure out where the door handles are.

    Maybe a dog trainer could help in this case, and as a bonus, you would get a treat every time you successfully find the handle!
     
  13. quentinsf

    quentinsf Member

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    :) Yes, perhaps you're right.

    On the other hand, if I have to take my phone out to unlock, it would be much quicker just to turn on the flashlight!
    Unlocking on my watch is much quicker though; perhaps I'll do that.

    For now, it can go on the (admittedly fairly short) list of things I miss from the i3... :)
     
    • Like x 1
  14. Kat Jacks

    Kat Jacks Supporting Member

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    When the light burned out in my garage, I had that problem of not finding the handle easily. I practiced going from the door post to the handle a few times, now I can find it if needed, even without getting out my iPhone first. Too bad the lighting is not better where ever you are parking in such darkness.
     
  15. quentinsf

    quentinsf Member

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    Ha! It’s on my own driveway! But I live on the edge of a field - not much ambient light around here. There’s even a light on the garage but it’s directly behind the car, so it illuminates the boot nicely but leaves the door handles in darkness.

    You’re right, though: if I follow the line of the back of the window glass down, it takes me to the door handle!
     

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