I can't handle it! - A Rant

[Nick77]

OK. Who came up with the designs for the door handles on these cars?

I've genuinely lost count of the number of times I've had to wind the window down and explain to people how to open the car door. I've probably had 10-15 different people in the car since I bought it and EVERY single one couldn't work out how to get in first time. Young and old alike.

And then there's getting out again. You have to explain and constantly re-iterate that you have to press the button to open the doors from the inside. Several times now they've pulled the handle instead, bringing up the warning on screen. And who the hell designs a car door operation that has a risk of shattering the window glass upon closing if its not opened a certain way?

Why make something as simple and long standing in people's psyche like car door handles so counter-intuitive?

In 5 months of ownership there are some very minor issues that don't bother me but this one is just stupid design.

 

[Sean.]

Nice thread title!

 

[Mr H]

I solved the problem a long time ago, I tell them to take the bus.

 

[page3]

I had a TVR, with an equally interesting door handle design. It was one of the things that made the car different and interesting.

 

[SR-Plus]

I get out and open the doors for my passengers (and gently close the door afterwards).
Maybe it might be a good time at this point to show them the button on how to get out?
I find this solves the problem whilst looking like a true gent to those that are none the wiser.

 

[GRiLLA]

Imagine when they are all Robotaxis

 

[Artiste]

Imagine when they are all Robotaxis

No need to worry about that for a while as it’s at last 10 years off and probably won’t happen at all.

 

[M3noob]

OK. Who came up with the designs for the door handles on these cars?

I've genuinely lost count of the number of times I've had to wind the window down and explain to people how to open the car door. I've probably had 10-15 different people in the car since I bought it and EVERY single one couldn't work out how to get in first time. Young and old alike.

And then there's getting out again. You have to explain and constantly re-iterate that you have to press the button to open the doors from the inside. Several times now they've pulled the handle instead, bringing up the warning on screen. And who the hell designs a car door operation that has a risk of shattering the window glass upon closing if its not opened a certain way?

Why make something as simple and long standing in people's psyche like car door handles so counter-intuitive?

In 5 months of ownership there are some very minor issues that don't bother me but this one is just stupid design.

Pax. One of the first unnecessary add-ons I bought, even before the car was delivered, was little glow-in-the-dark stickers that show an open door icon. I stuck them down on the door release button. Never a problem since. Yeah, sure, Tesla could have done more than the measly little LED stripe. Spending a few quid after the wad dropped on the car was de minimus.

Now, ladies that have expensively-groomed talons in place of their fingernails may have a valid issue with the exterior handles...

 

[HenryT]

In a similar vein, I always struggle finding the stupid handle when I come back to my car in the dark.

I was spoilt before with a MS which popped out the illuminated handles as you approached, as well as lighting up the car. Seems a bid odd that the M3 doesn't wake up and at least put the lights on as you get near.

 

[JonB]

I've seen an after market thingie that lights the door handles, and another that pops them out for you.

 

[HenryT]

Now, ladies that have expensively-groomed talons in place of their fingernails may have a valid issue with the exterior handles...

You mean to say you don't run round and open the door for them?

 

[HenryT]

I've seen an after market thingie that lights the door handles, and another that pops them out for you.

That might be a plan...

(Or a torch)

 

[Matt125]

I've got a 2021 Model 3 that has illuminated buttons with icons that show a door opening, and I still have people ask me how to get out, and I've had people pull the emergency release.

My mother has been in this car and my previous Model 3 and still closely examines the door handle to see where the button is - she lacks muscle memory, it seems.

I've found people find it easier to work out the exterior handles. I've only had a few who throw up their shoulders and need my help to open the door from the outside.

 

[M3noob]

You mean to say you don't run round and open the door for them?

Only for the wife. Otherwise complications beyond bent talons may ensue ;-)

 

[M3noob]

I've got a 2021 Model 3 that has illuminated buttons with icons that show a door opening, and I still have people ask me how to get out, and I've had people pull the emergency release.

My mother has been in this car and my previous Model 3 and still closely examines the door handle to see where the button is - she lacks muscle memory, it seems.

I've found people find it easier to work out the exterior handles. I've only had a few who throw up their shoulders and need my help to open the door from the outside.

Just about the only hint given by our less than overwhelming collection briefing was "use your right hand for driver's door, left hand for the passenger side"

Manual read and semi-memorised before collection (even tho only the US version was available at the time) ;-)

 

[Durzel]

The secret is to have no friends.

I would tend to agree, from an ergonomics point of view a button or another unconventional control to open the door wouldn't be so bad if there wasn't an actual pull handle - the thing everyone is intimately familiar with - right there, in the place you would expect the handle to be, tempting you to pull it. People will naturally default to what they're used to.

Why the emergency release can't be somewhere less obvious I don't know. It could be underneath that part of the door and it would be just as effective, but would also be obviously the wrong thing to use to open the door normally.

It's dumb design and I'm surprised it hasn't changed with refreshes to be honest.

In terms of the glass - I guess the logic is that if you've used the emergency release you don't care about the state of the glass, assuming it's even still there. It's not intended for normal operation.

 

[GRiLLA]

I don't understand why I can't open the doors from the screen, surely it's all on the same canbus. Should be easy to add to the parked car picture.

 

[adsheff]

I don't know why they don't set it so that the emergency release also triggers the normal door opening mechanism. That way, if someone pulls it by mistake the door will open normally, but itll still work if there's no power.

 

[Durzel]

I don't know why they don't set it so that the emergency release also triggers the normal door opening mechanism. That way, if someone pulls it by mistake the door will open normally, but itll still work if there's no power.

I presume the emergency release is fully mechanical? if you make it "check" for other things before working, or changing how it works, then there is perhaps a chance it might not work at all?

I always assumed the emergency release was a direct physical connection to the latch and the car complaining about it after the fact is because it knows the door has opened without the door open button having been pressed.

 

[adsheff]

Yeah it is a physical connection, but you wouldn't have to make it wait - just have a sensor that triggers when you start pulling it up, the mechanical link would work regardless.