I actually like the autopilot functions on the right control wheel better than on the stock. Shifting gears on the screen was not a big deal. So I basically prefer what Tesla did with the right control wheel on the model S. The blinkers and the horn are another issue though.
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Further discussion and analysis on why the yoke is not good
- Thread starter Plaid to Mod 3
- Start date
Yes actually, I have a lot more control over the car and autopilot for the same reason. I've got a pretty rock solid grip in many different positions on the steering wheel so when the car decides to take me off the road, which we all know happens quite a bit. I'm ready to grip the wheel. I can't say the same for the yoke, not even close. Typically with the yolk I was more resting my hands on it so the reaction time was much slower
That's all I'm trying to do here. Just trying to get the word out because not a lot of people have experience with this. It was a costly mistake for me.
I don't think that these are silly threads for many people who are considering getting a model S. It's a big decision to buy a car with a rectangular steering wheel especially one that you can't test drive. I wouldn't say these are silly discussions for a lot of people and that's why I'm putting some time and energy into it
Wol747
Active Member
I agree with you.
I don't think a test drive cuts it with something as fundamentally different as the yoke set-up. I would need at least a week or two, encountering most of the issues unexpectedly rather than "experimenting" with them, to firm up on my feelings about it.
No-one's going to rent a MS Plaid for a fortnight to evaluate it so I surmise there are a fair number out there with some form of buyers' remorse even if they don't admit to it as you have done.
Hayseed_MS
Spreader of "Endless Non Sequitur"
It would be nice to solve the test drive issue at Tesla but they do not seem to be working on that solution.
Of course there will be some with buyer's remorse - there is in any product. However, I did not do the scientific study to come to the conclusion that it was a significant lot of buyers. Before calling people liars about their experience, maybe listen and see that they could be telling the truth and having a great experience with the yoke.
I have the same resolve as the OP and would have dumped this yoke thousands of miles ago if I really did not like it.
Interesting, as I have taken many trips and have experienced no fatigue. I already have 14,200 miles on my Model S since early Dec, so that tells you how much I drive. I actually think the yoke makes driving on trips much easier. If you do get fatigue on trips, I suggest you use autopilot. If that does not work, at least the Model S has outstanding resale value right now and you can get something different without losing much if any money.
When I purchased my model S, I expected not to like the yoke or an EV and was expecting to sell it and treat it like a test drive for a month or two. Ended up really liking it though.
I would like to get a Model Y for one my wife, but the one downfall is it does not have the yoke. Seems weird just going to back to a normal steering wheel now and wish Tesla would use the yoke in all the cars or have the option too.
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@Plaid to Mod 3 the irony is you could have bought an aftermarket steering wheel to suit your specific mission, but did the equivalent of buying a new car because you ran out of gas, or needed new tires. That's a personal choice to downgrade to a different smaller platform and not a logical excuse because you had some specific scenarios that did not meet your expectations as well as steering wheel agnostic complaints and out of scope issues.
Some people can make it work and deal with it, and others have replaced the wheel with a round one aftermarket.
Some people can make it work and deal with it, and others have replaced the wheel with a round one aftermarket.
The non-carbon fiber is $2,299 MSRP on their site as well. they have options Tesla Model S Yoke Replacement 360 Hand Upholstered Steering Wheel
I'm just trying to get my voice out there in case it helps anybody else. It seems like the people who supposedly love the yoke like to get their voice out there so I'm just trying to balance that out a little bit
It's not even round. Why would I spend this kind of money and monkey around with my 150,000 car for something that isn't even really a solution?
I think these are the issues that are going to catch up to Tesla really quickly as other automotive companies come online with electric and act like mature automotive companies that they are
I think it's easy to talk favorably about the yolk for a while. I know I did. But at some point I think for a lot of people it's going to click when they jump into a car with a round steering wheel and drive it for a while and realize how much more easy and relaxing it is
Hayseed_MS
Spreader of "Endless Non Sequitur"
You do not need to create a balance. Just state your opinion (as persoanl experience and opinion) and let the chips fall where they may.
TigerNinety
Member
I don’t think these are comparable critiques (and I don’t think this one is as reasonable as your others). There are a lot of great sales and marketing reasons for Tesla to offer Model S buyers a choice of wheel or yoke (maximize the market, if nothing else, and the production costs should be minimal). Aftermarket add-ons aren’t comparable to OEM installations, no matter how much money you might have to burn.
If you love the yoke, great, have at it. But, I think it’s fair to ask Tesla to throw in the choice to choose a wheel when paying six figures for a car. (And, gimme the stalks, while you’re at it.)
I'll let you know how it goes I pick mine up next week. If it's that big an issue I'll make a true round steering wheel for the Model S and port all the functionality / safety features over to a new wheel, then call it a day. I'm not going to sell the car because of it.
This stuff is normal. If complainers had been driving with a yoke for 30 years, and someone decided to change to a full circle wheel, they would also have complained how it blocked their view of the display, reduced leg room, made it harder to get in/out of the car, weighed more, used up more material, was confusing as to how much the wheel was turned, etc.
Imagine that some will continue to prefer the full circle, and others the yoke for some time.
Imagine that some will continue to prefer the full circle, and others the yoke for some time.
TigerNinety
Member
One other thought. Cars are generally like appliances; you should be able to sit down in one, adjust a few things, and generally feel at home. (This has zero to do with the propulsion or fuel.) Yes, different cars and manufacturers will move things around in the spirit of making things better and different, within a certain range. Cars will evolve, sometimes rapidly, but cost/benefit will determine that evolution’s future.
If you’re going to argue that a generous test drive of a car isn’t enough to validate someone’s opinion of a control surface, you are by definition making an elitist argument that the general public isn’t capable of discerning the value of that control surface (the general public can’t afford to take one home for a month or five months to test drive). And, if you (no specific “you”) are going to argue that months of ownership also aren’t legit for making that judgment, then that’s a whole other category of exclusive judgment.
By all means, have a discussion about the pros and cons of one or the other, but leave “you haven’t owned it long enough” at the curb.
If you’re going to argue that a generous test drive of a car isn’t enough to validate someone’s opinion of a control surface, you are by definition making an elitist argument that the general public isn’t capable of discerning the value of that control surface (the general public can’t afford to take one home for a month or five months to test drive). And, if you (no specific “you”) are going to argue that months of ownership also aren’t legit for making that judgment, then that’s a whole other category of exclusive judgment.
By all means, have a discussion about the pros and cons of one or the other, but leave “you haven’t owned it long enough” at the curb.
2021+ Model X/S Round Steering Wheel is yet -another- one more round. Again there are options pre-existing you sold your car for gas money.
