Frunk, slight dent

[Gizmotoy]

I don't have my Model S yet... presumably the gas shock prevents dropping the frunk from a small height? My current car has a very tempermental and thin aluminum hood, and I just hold it up about 6" and drop it.

If you have to push on it to close it, it should be able to support a light amount of pressure. This thread is depressing. :frown:

 

[jerry33]

If you have to push on it to close it, it should be able to support a light amount of pressure. This thread is depressing. :frown:

Although I usually close the frunk with both hands, I've also done it a number of times with just one and no dents. I think the trick is to do it very gently and as near the edge as possible.

 

[bkenchan]

I have scrupulously followed the instructions for closing the frunk, and decided to try one hand (other hand holding groceries) at the top of the Tesla logo, and this is what happened! Really, VERY TEMPERMENTAL!!!!

My frunk looks the same!!! This is not good at all!! I'm going back to Tesla about this. That bend is starting to annoy me more and more. Even my friends are noticing it, and soon strangers will start noticing it. They have to fix this for me! I can't show off a Tesla with that bend on the hood!!

 

[rjcbox]

Please let us know how you make out approaching Tesla, as others have had the same issue. I recall posts saying that they believe Tesla reinforced that spot in later models, but cannot verify. approx. VIN?

 

[bkenchan]

My VIN is in the early 26000. I wonder if anyone has approached Tesla about this issue and did they repair or replace hood?

 

[Rockster]

I've opted to push on the front edge right in front of the latch with the palm of one hand. With the fold of the aluminum there, it doesn't deflect as much as when pushing on the flat surface farther up on the car... even when using the two-hand palm method.

I agree it should be reinforced.

When i picked up my car, this is how the Farmers Branch SC folks instructed me to close the frunk.

 

[bkenchan]

Update on approaching Tesla. When I approached them with the hood issue, they just tried to argue their way out and say that I was supposed to close it one special way. The manual does not explain this technique clearly. The manual just said: "Lower the hood, then place both hands on the front of the hood as shown. Press down firmly with both hands..." The picture was not all that clear with where the hand placement should be, but one can argue about that. I have been closing the hood with both hands all the time at about shoulder length (guess that didn't work due to my shoulder length not being far enough apart). The way the guy showed me, I had to spread my arms apart to close the hood and it felt inconvenient. Another point he brought up was that this issue only happened on the early models and they did reinforce the more current ones. He said he hasn't seen this issue for a year now but on the forum I see many people with this issue. I also found that some people were instructed where to place their hands to close the hood when they picked up the car. I on the other hand just had the manual to go off of.

Then finally, Tesla recommended me to a place that could take a look and possibly fix my hood problem. So I went and spoke with a guy that has been repairing the hood issue for customers and he wants to bring it up to Tesla to get a better design for the hood. When I asked him why he didn't bring it up, he told me that he's only a "little" guy. I guess same for me too since I'm a little guy as well. I'm pretty sure if enough people bring this issue to Tesla, there may be some changes.

I'm going to schedule something with him and hope he can get rid of the bent hood problem.

Still feel bummed with that approach with Tesla though. Just wish they could teach everyone how to close the hood when they go pick up their cars.

- - - Updated - - -

When i picked up my car, this is how the Farmers Branch SC folks instructed me to close the frunk.

That's not what the guy told me today. You have to spread your arms and make sure your palms are on both corners but not on the edge of the corners.

 

[islandbayy]

Noone told me anything when I got my car. Came off a car hauler delivery truck, handed me the keys, walked around it to note any scratches or dents and that was it

 

[scaesare]

Originally Posted by scaesare I've opted to push on the front edge right in front of the latch with the palm of one hand. With the fold of the aluminum there, it doesn't deflect as much as when pushing on the flat surface farther up on the car... even when using the two-hand palm method.


I agree it should be reinforced.

When i picked up my car, this is how the Farmers Branch SC folks instructed me to close the frunk.

Interesting. Well, it's been working OK for me for the ~7 months I've had the car, but the fact that people are getting different sets of instructions... or in some cases no instruction at all, is a problem. As is the fact that the manual covers this inadequately.

In reality, the design that requires some secret special handshake or rain-dance to close a hood-latch without damaging the car is the real problem. It should either be engineered to withstand the "traditional" method people have used for decades (i.e. hard push or 10" drop), or there should be some built in mechanism to close it (i.e. electric latch like some car trunks).

Even though I and my family have been trained on the procedure, all it's going to take is me popping the frunk for a friend to grab something while I'm digging in the trunk or otherwise distracted, and him being "helpful" and closing the frunk for me. It'll get a dent in it, though no real fault of his, and I'll be pretty unhappy about it.

I've thought that a reinforced piece of material about 12" square, with contours and cutouts to match the sloped profile of the frunk lid and epoxied in place on the bottom would be a useful aftermarket item. Although in reality we shouldn't have to do that.

 

[islandbayy]

Just my experience, 7 months 6 days of ownership (within 30 minutes) and 18,500 miles. I use the frunk daily, and even had some family members slam it like you would a normal car's hood (made me cringe!). No dents or dings as of yet.

 

[Chris TX]

I always use the two-handed palm down press right in the center where the latch is. My DS was also very specific about this.

Holy cow, this is the opposite of what my DS told me. One palm on each of the side corners, and a firm/quick push down. You push down in the middle and a crease will start to form since there is no support underneath.

 

[lloyds]

Better to go 2 hands. I've tried the one hand and it works only sometimes and I do feel the hood bulge in when I use 1. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[jive_devil]

I have been very careful in closing the frunk (using the 2 hand technique), but alas, my hood now has a dimple. Hope someone finds a simple fix that doesn't require a hood replacement.

For those following along and interested, I was shown the "wide" two hand approach on car pickup.

 

[mknox]

Holy cow, this is the opposite of what my DS told me. One palm on each of the side corners, and a firm/quick push down. You push down in the middle and a crease will start to form since there is no support underneath.

Interesting. I was very specifically told and shown to press down with 2 hands near the center. This was last March when I got my car. So far, I have no creases dents or any other marks. Could the hood or latch have been redesigned in some way?

 

[scaesare]

So... to be clear, the official Tesla video covering this demonstrates the "Two Hands Either Side Near Center Logo" method:

Are people saying that:

1) Using this method, they have creased their frunk lid?

2) Tesla Delivery Specialists are recommending something else (i.e. hands spread further apart near lid corners)?


Thanks for clarification...

 

[mknox]

So... to be clear, the official Tesla video covering this demonstrates the "Two Hands Either Side Near Center Logo" method:

That's exactly what I was shown and have been doing. Two hands near the center. Sometimes I'll press down with my fingers, but in that same spot. No problems with my hood thus far.

 

[jerry33]

That's exactly what I was shown and have been doing. Two hands near the center. Sometimes I'll press down with my fingers, but in that same spot. No problems with my hood thus far.

I do the same. No problems.

 

[bkenchan]

This is how I have been closing it without ever seeing the video or being showed how to close it. I just did this based on what I read in the manual. My hood is creased just like the picture of the white Model S in one of the previous posts.

Can't stop thinking that I have that stupid crease on my hood.

So... to be clear, the official Tesla video covering this demonstrates the "Two Hands Either Side Near Center Logo" method:

View attachment 39773

Are people saying that:

1) Using this method, they have creased their frunk lid?

2) Tesla Delivery Specialists are recommending something else (i.e. hands spread further apart near lid corners)?


Thanks for clarification...

 

[Mayhemm]

Yeah, it's pretty silly to require special instructions to close your hood. What happened to EV simplicity?

Any reason why you can't just drop it closed (from a reasonable height, of course)?

 

[Todd Burch]

21,000 miles, 1+ year of ownership, no issues. I think some and even Tesla overthink this.

To borrow from Mary Schmich, my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Rule #1: Forget all of the videos, advice, and suggestions, from Tesla or others.
Rule #2: Using the heel of your hand, apply pressure at the very edge of the frunk (within an inch or two of the edge), on centerline, where the aluminum rolls back under. The edge is the *only* area that has structural strength. Only push enough until the frunk latches.