Hi guys, I'm seeing a ton of steering wheel weights for FSD on eBay and Amazon. I searched the forum and couldn't find any posts on them (do they work, are they legal, etc.). If anyone can point me to a thread with some info I'd appreciate it!
Not legal, and a ridiculously bad idea. The nitwits that have used one and crash their car cause grief for ALL of us ... when the Congresscritters come along and insist the system is unsafe.
Totally illegal. Not recommended. Works as intended; well 95%+ of the times. Can be had for $25-35 these days from China. Can be made obsolete by Tesla with a simple software update.
For a foreseeable, Tesla FSD monitoring system is dependent on your ability to physically feel the torque so you can intervene seamlessly, instantaneously. If your hand is not physically feeling how the automation steering is doing, by the time you realize that it is not steering the way you want, it might be too late to move your hands back to grab the steering wheel. Using weight to defeat the monitoring system is asking for trouble.
THANK YOU GUYS! Noted as bad idea. Removed all "watching" fleaBay listings! LOL! On to the next accessory!
Three reasons it is a very bad idea: 1) Defeating the monitoring system increases your risk of an accident 2) Anything attached to the steering wheel might become shrapnel when the airbag goes off 3) After an accident, that you had used said device increases your risk of liability
I actually find the use of the steering weight as "necessary" and here is why. From delivery day and several weeks after, I kept getting the message to apply force...but...I was! My hand was on the wheel, slightly pulling it depending on the placement and yet the nagging message kept popping up. Another owner suggested I get one and that it would solve the problem...and it did. I hardly notice that it is on the steering wheel and with my left hand on the wheel, I no longer get the warning message and I feel as if I am actually more attentive than dealing with the popup messages. Someone mentioned airbag deployment issues and I would argue it isn't in the way and likely not going interfere. The model I have uses two very sturdy magnets that are aluminum welded, not glued. I am sure the forces in a sever accident may cause the unit to separate but given the location, I doubt it will do anything to obstruct the safety systems. Pretty sure other junk, mobile phone, water tumbler, etc. will do more harm...just saying. Use it in an "assisted" manner while still having one hand on the wheel.
Oh. maybe the same software update to fix the dozens of other broke items too? As for the legality, the device itself is not "illegal" and the use of it while maintaining direct control of the vehicle is also not illegal. There are plenty of individuals who have endorsements on their drivers license that require the vehicle they drive to have a "spinner", "control arm", etc. Now, if someone wants to be that person not directly in control of their vehicle, then sure, they are breaking the law. But back to software updates...... lol