I want to add the cold weather windshield - service center says no!

[rdrcrmatt]

A small chip turn into a crack that runs along the bottom of my whole windshield. Since it is getting replaced I asked about installing the cold weather package windshield on my car. I find the wipers to be nearly useless without it in a good snow.

I'm getting really irritated with Tesla service in general lately. Why is this a problem? I talked through how the cold weather package is installed on the car when it is built, which makes it nearly impossible to add on after the fact. I'm okay with that. I just want the damn heater element. I'll hook it up myself. Oh wait, I still can't get service information about the car, no parts diagrams so I have nothing on how to properly dig into things on the car.



/rant.

 

[Majerus]

The wipers are really bad in snow / ice. If you have autopilot where the camera is located on the windshield that area becomes a triangulated ice sheet which causes the wipers to skip and perform even worse. It does become frustrating how the company is so cutting edge does not make thing modular. I suppose other companies dont like to retrofit things either , however other companies dont have the ability to remote manage the vehicle and add features as time rolls on. Would it be so bad to allow hardware features to be added to the car if it was originally ordered without them?

 

[rdrcrmatt]

The wipers are really bad in snow / ice. If you have autopilot where the camera is located on the windshield that area becomes a triangulated ice sheet which causes the wipers to skip and perform even worse. It does become frustrating how the company is so cutting edge does not make thing modular. I suppose other companies dont like to retrofit things either , however other companies dont have the ability to remote manage the vehicle and add features as time rolls on. Would it be so bad to allow hardware features to be added to the car if it was originally ordered without them?

Agreed.

Or if they can't do a proper retrofit, at least sell and I shall the parts we want on our cars and let us deal with the hard part.

also, give us some damn diagrams and service information.

 

[mgboyes]

Agreed.

Or if they can't do a proper retrofit, at least sell and I shall the parts we want on our cars and let us deal with the hard part.

also, give us some damn diagrams and service information.

Jeez what did your last car maker die of?

Service information is at Welcome | Tesla Service

 

[rdrcrmatt]

Only available in MA?

 

[SUPRKAR]

The information I dug up on the cold weather package would make it necessary for you to add wiring from the body controller which would control the windshield grid. This is making the assumption your body controller has the capability to support the windshield deicer. Wiring harness would also have to be installed. Then Tesla would have to activate the cold weather package in order for it to work. I think the no from Tesla is more like it is not possible at least not without jumping through hoops and spending a fortune.

 

[wk057]

For something like the windshield heater element, the simple retrofit would be to just get the windshield with the heating element installed, and then wire it to an aftermarket switch and relay. Could possibly wire the relay to trigger with the rear defroster without another switch. No real need to worry about integration with the touchscreen and such this way.

 

[rdrcrmatt]

For something like the windshield heater element, the simple retrofit would be to just get the windshield with the heating element installed, and then wire it to an aftermarket switch and relay. Could possibly wire the relay to trigger with the rear defroster without another switch. No real need to worry about integration with the touchscreen and such this way.

That was exactly my plan, but the service center said they won't even put the cold weather windshield on my car.

 

[neroden]

The service center should allow the cold-weather windshield to be installed.

The lack of this was a design defect in the early model S. Tesla ought to accomodate those who want to update this. Even if it costs a lot of money (like the parking sensors), the cold-weather package should be retrofittable.

Tesla is under no obligation to make this possible, but they *should* make it possible.

 

[wk057]

That was exactly my plan, but the service center said they won't even put the cold weather windshield on my car.

So just have them order a cold weather windshield under my VIN, you pay for it and have them pretend your car is mine. lol.

 

[travwill]

The service center should allow the cold-weather windshield to be installed.

The lack of this was a design defect in the early model S. Tesla ought to accomodate those who want to update this. Even if it costs a lot of money (like the parking sensors), the cold-weather package should be retrofittable.

Tesla is under no obligation to make this possible, but they *should* make it possible.

Love Tesla and the MS, but this wasn't a "design defect" at all, it just wasn't an offered feature. To be totally unbiased I'd say just like other manufactures and new year model features, you shouldn't expect to retrofit everything that comes out later.

On a plus note, the only thing I've read really is that it isn't very effective anyway. It just has elements on the lower part where wipers rest and isn't a true heated full windshield like some manufacturers have. Without the rest of the cold weather package, may even be less useful.

-T

 

[green1]

Or they could do what EVERY other manufacturer does, and stop being so hostile towards their customers who just want to buy a part! I don't know any other company that makes buying parts so difficult!

Best car on the road, worst company for DIY