Has anyone taken delivery of a new Model S and opted for the steering wheel?

[Odedoralive]

I'm asking because we have one with a yoke and with the upcoming retrofit kit, we're considering the switch but I was wondering:

1. What the width of the wheel is? is it as wide as the yoke and/or older Model S steering wheels (that always felt HUGE to me) or more like the size of a Model Y/3 wheel?

2. Did Tesla finally add the horn at the center/airbag or is it still a touch-button on the right side?

Would love to see real world photos and driver's view of the binnacle display with the wheel if anyone can post those!

Thanks!

 

[dmurphy]

I'm asking because we have one with a yoke and with the upcoming retrofit kit, we're considering the switch but I was wondering:

1. What the width of the wheel is? is it as wide as the yoke and/or older Model S steering wheels (that always felt HUGE to me) or more like the size of a Model Y/3 wheel?

2. Did Tesla finally add the horn at the center/airbag or is it still a touch-button on the right side?

Would love to see real world photos and driver's view of the binnacle display with the wheel if anyone can post those!

Thanks!

I don't believe any of these are "in the wild" yet ... Still a "Coming Soon!" item.

We're planning to retrofit our S LR as soon as available. I get the purpose of the yoke, but it still feels awkward. Decades of sliding the wheel through my hands on a turn leaves me grasping for air occasionally -- and in the middle of a turn, that's not a pleasant feeling.

 

[Odedoralive]

I don't believe any of these are "in the wild" yet ... Still a "Coming Soon!" item.

We're planning to retrofit our S LR as soon as available. I get the purpose of the yoke, but it still feels awkward. Decades of sliding the wheel through my hands on a turn leaves me grasping for air occasionally -- and in the middle of a turn, that's not a pleasant feeling.

The retrofits are coming in March, but for the last month, if you ordered a new vehicle it gives you an option to choose between a yoke and a steering wheel - so I guess I’m asking this if anyone who may have elected the steering wheel AND taken delivery already.

 

[Odedoralive]

I don't believe any of these are "in the wild" yet ... Still a "Coming Soon!" item.

We're planning to retrofit our S LR as soon as available. I get the purpose of the yoke, but it still feels awkward. Decades of sliding the wheel through my hands on a turn leaves me grasping for air occasionally -- and in the middle of a turn, that's not a pleasant feeling.

The only advantage is the visibility of the driver display…I really don’t see any other benefit, and that level of display visibility is not really THAT important IMO. Strongly considering the retrofit when it comes out but would love to get a “preview” before spending an additional $700

 

[dmurphy]

The retrofits are coming in March, but for the last month, if you ordered a new vehicle it gives you an option to choose between a yoke and a steering wheel - so I guess I’m asking this if anyone who may have elected the steering wheel AND taken delivery already.

Right - I don't believe any round-wheel new deliveries have happened yet, let alone the retrofits. But I could be wrong of course!

The only advantage is the visibility of the driver display…I really don’t see any other benefit, and that level of display visibility is not really THAT important IMO. Strongly considering the retrofit when it comes out but would love to get a “preview” before spending an additional $700

Yup, the visibility is exactly what I meant for its strength. I also find it quite comfortable on straightaways/highway driving, to be frank. It's local driving, with sharp turns, where I find it gets awkward. I end up crossing arms which was one of those "never-ever-do-this" moments from Drivers' Ed. I guess that falls under the "that's so last century" category but, well, so do I.

 

[Odedoralive]

Right - I don't believe any round-wheel new deliveries have happened yet, let alone the retrofits. But I could be wrong of course!



Yup, the visibility is exactly what I meant for its strength. I also find it quite comfortable on straightaways/highway driving, to be frank. It's local driving, with sharp turns, where I find it gets awkward. I end up crossing arms which was one of those "never-ever-do-this" moments from Drivers' Ed. I guess that falls under the "that's so last century" category but, well, so do I.

I’m with you on that! Very comfortable in straight line or Highway drives (though, so is a wheel), but those lower speed, “in town” maneuvers is where it’s a bit awkward. Yeah, we can absolutely get used to it, but I’m not sure we will ever prefer it to a wheel. I love that it’s now an option to choose!

 

[dmurphy]

I’m with you on that! Very comfortable in straight line or Highway drives (though, so is a wheel), but those lower speed, “in town” maneuvers is where it’s a bit awkward. Yeah, we can absolutely get used to it, but I’m not sure we will ever prefer it to a wheel. I love that it’s now an option to choose!

What I find during local drives is either a) I'm crossing my arms, or b) I'm just using a finger or two to "push" the corner of the yoke. That's a really, really bad habit to get into ... one slip and I'm going off course.

Looks cool, amazing visibility, drives great for a drag strip car, but don't think it's for me.

I am a bit concerned about visibility with the round wheel to be honest. My wife's "antique" 2020 X has one of course, and I find the top of the wheel blocks the tip-top of the binnacle. That is, of course, where the Autopilot/FSD alerts are if it's not picking up my hands on the wheel. That pulsing white bar across the top isn't easily visible - the top arc of the wheel blocks it - so I've struck out of Autopilot several times because I don't see it pulsing, and there's no accompanying audible alert. My fault for keeping my eyes on the road, I guess? Really frustrating.

 

[TechieEV]

I ordered an aftermarket steering wheel for mine. Just don't like the yoke in slow maneuvers. Just downright awkward.

 

[Rocketfan30]

After complaining about the Yoke constantly (why reinvent the wheel) for the first few months after getting my car, I got used to it and don't notice it anymore. I miss the stalks (hit the wrong turn signal a lot still) and center horn (dangerously couldn't honk in time 3x and barely avoided accidents each time).

I figure if I ever get the peeling steering wheel defect, I'll replace it with a round wheel

 

[TLLMRRJ]

As a grumpy old person that's driven a lot of different cars, I don't understand all the fussing and complaining about the Yoke horn because horns have been all over the place on cars in the last few decades, and no one made any fuss about those horns.

I have seen plenty of other cars with horns on push buttons next to the spokes for activation with your thumb. My first car, a Mercury Marquis had that approach. Heck, I even had a Lambo and several Lotus with that horn location, and they got their steering wheels off Pontiacs. So that was common. I have used steering wheels with a separate inner steering wheel ring to activate the horn. And even drove GM's that had the horn on one of the steering wheel stalks, far from the center of the steering wheel. No one was being over dramatic that they could die because the horn wasn't in the center of the steering wheel with those cars. Why now is this suddenly the end of the world that the horn isn't on the center of the steering wheel? Just take a few moments to train your muscle memory on the new horn location and move on with your life.

 

[WilliamG]

As a grumpy old person that's driven a lot of different cars, I don't understand all the fussing and complaining about the Yoke horn because horns have been all over the place on cars in the last few decades, and no one made any fuss about those horns.

I have seen plenty of other cars with horns on push buttons next to the spokes for activation with your thumb. My first car, a Mercury Marquis had that approach. Heck, I even had a Lambo and several Lotus with that horn location, and they got their steering wheels off Pontiacs. So that was common. I have used steering wheels with a separate inner steering wheel ring to activate the horn. And even drove GM's that had the horn on one of the steering wheel stalks, far from the center of the steering wheel. No one was being over dramatic that they could die because the horn wasn't in the center of the steering wheel with those cars. Why now is this suddenly the end of the world that the horn isn't on the center of the steering wheel? Just take a few moments to train your muscle memory on the new horn location and move on with your life.

I mean you pretty much said it yourself… grumpy old person! What newer cars don’t have a central horn location, and why do you think that is?

 

[TLLMRRJ]

I mean you pretty much said it yourself… grumpy old person! What newer cars don’t have a central horn location, and why do you think that is?

Good question. It’s because too much soy in your diet made it so your generation can’t even drive a stick shift.

 

[Brass Guy]

Just take a few moments to train your muscle memory

If it's not in the center, it's not always in the same place is it?

 

[Unclepaul]

Nice First World problem.

I have seen many concept cars over the years with Yoke steering wheels. This is often done to help transition new ideas into the mainstream.

Now that we have a choice when ordering, either Yoke or Round, seems like everyone would be happy...but no....

Tesla is making cars for the next generations. Legacy cars are still making tons of cars for those resistant to change.

Let the market decide how personal transportation will evolve.

Imagine we will see similar posts when the Yoke is replaced with a joy stick, and ultimately FSD with voice (and even later thought) control.

Thoughtful people seem to be able to adapt to new stuff, while others will wish to cling to what they are used to.

 

[myoda]

I had an new long range out over the weekend. Got used to the yoke fairly quickly, but the reflection off the dash let me watch myself driving. I thought it was too wide, and could be more grippy.

 

[WilliamG]

Good question. It’s because too much soy in your diet made it so your generation can’t even drive a stick shift.

Hahaha oh that's hilarious, my dude! What generation are you referring to when you say, "your generation?" And the best part is, I grew up driving a manual transmission, in one of the toughest places to learn to drive (central London). My first non-manual was a 7-speed DSG Golf R in 2016, after having driven manuals for decades (Euro Spec Ford Escorts, Cosworths, Impreza Turbos, STIs, Porsche 911s etc). Fun fact: In England, you're not even legally allowed to drive a manual if your driving test was on an automatic transmission. If you take the driving test on a manual, it covers you for both transmission types going forward.

Anyway, do go on. I'm listening with eagerness for what else you come out with.

 

[Mark II]

As a grumpy old person that's driven a lot of different cars, I don't understand all the fussing and complaining about the Yoke horn because horns have been all over the place on cars in the last few decades, and no one made any fuss about those horns.

I have seen plenty of other cars with horns on push buttons next to the spokes for activation with your thumb. My first car, a Mercury Marquis had that approach. Heck, I even had a Lambo and several Lotus with that horn location, and they got their steering wheels off Pontiacs. So that was common. I have used steering wheels with a separate inner steering wheel ring to activate the horn. And even drove GM's that had the horn on one of the steering wheel stalks, far from the center of the steering wheel. No one was being over dramatic that they could die because the horn wasn't in the center of the steering wheel with those cars. Why now is this suddenly the end of the world that the horn isn't on the center of the steering wheel? Just take a few moments to train your muscle memory on the new horn location and move on with your life.

I have also driven many cars in my life, and yes, some did not have center horns. However all of them had a large area to hit, and all of them had it on both sides of the center or all around. None of them had a tiny button on one side that is hard to find, especially when you are mid turn in a parking lot and someone starts to back into you.

 

[TLLMRRJ]

I have also driven many cars in my life, and yes, some did not have center horns. However all of them had a large area to hit, and all of them had it on both sides of the center or all around. None of them had a tiny button on one side that is hard to find, especially when you are mid turn in a parking lot and someone starts to back into you.

Practice makes perfect.

 

[Brass Guy]

Practice makes perfect.

I know a little something about practicing, however I feel that something as critical as the safety device in question should not require practice in different situations. Know where the control is, it should not move and be easy to operate. You should be able to activate it at any time, without looking at it, even if you're in the middle of a turn such as in the parking lot situation described.

 

[TLLMRRJ]

If I put my palm over the right spoke, the horn is activated. Can you handle that?