When the temperature is low (below freezing ?) and you remotely turn on cabin heat. The “red” defrost is active (heat on windshield with blower high). No need to fiddle with HVAC every time you leave and enter the car. As soon as you enter the car it reverts to previous settings.
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Model 3 + Snow Exposure = Frustration
- Thread starter Amendale
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- cold weather freezing Model 3
When the temperature is low (below freezing ?) and you remotely turn on cabin heat. The “red” defrost is active (heat on windshield with blower high). No need to fiddle with HVAC every time you leave and enter the car. As soon as you enter the car it reverts to previous settings.
StealthP3D
Well-Known Member
Are you saying when using the climate control remotely it always goes to "Auto" settings? Maybe that's new behavior with recent firmware? Or maybe it's temperature dependent?
NOW we know why Elon invented the Not a Flamethrower!
Elon Musk's 'not a flamethrower' devices show up on eBay for thousands
Seriously, though, Tesla should probably spend a few more bucks in climate testing prior to releasing their cars. Then they might consider running short strips of resistance wiring/heater tape near all the door handles, window seals (at door edge I'd guess?) and possibly at/near the body rubber seals too? Oh, and how about the charge port door too? (Oh, now I'm getting giddy--make this available for the S and X, but ALSO include arm rest heaters
They don't need to run all the time, just either on a manual App switch, or when being charged with an OAT below freezing, or predicted to be below freezing with local humidity above xx% (all easily pulled from the cloud), or set to a timer, say 20 minutes before you'd leave for work, assuming the battery was at least at xx% SOC? Such easy software to play with, and allow the user to set as desired perhaps?
Ok, so it'll cost "something." Make it part of a Sub Zero, Severe Cold Weather Package, or just make it standard and increase the price by ~$500?
Not rocket science--Elon, get it done. You're already making the Best Cars on the Planet; let's make 'em even better!
Elon Musk's 'not a flamethrower' devices show up on eBay for thousands
Seriously, though, Tesla should probably spend a few more bucks in climate testing prior to releasing their cars. Then they might consider running short strips of resistance wiring/heater tape near all the door handles, window seals (at door edge I'd guess?) and possibly at/near the body rubber seals too? Oh, and how about the charge port door too? (Oh, now I'm getting giddy--make this available for the S and X, but ALSO include arm rest heaters
They don't need to run all the time, just either on a manual App switch, or when being charged with an OAT below freezing, or predicted to be below freezing with local humidity above xx% (all easily pulled from the cloud), or set to a timer, say 20 minutes before you'd leave for work, assuming the battery was at least at xx% SOC? Such easy software to play with, and allow the user to set as desired perhaps?
Ok, so it'll cost "something." Make it part of a Sub Zero, Severe Cold Weather Package, or just make it standard and increase the price by ~$500?
Not rocket science--Elon, get it done. You're already making the Best Cars on the Planet; let's make 'em even better!
I’m not sure if it’s what Auto would normally do, since I never have Auto on and don’t know how it behaves. But it might be doing that, and probably makes sense if it has the brains to do that. But you can see the defrost icon lights up in the phone app when it’s extra cold out.
I applied some silicone lube today on the back inside of the door handles and on the charge port lever. Hopefully that prevents them from freezing some. Bought some Rain-X Windshield De-Icer for when the windows won't open. We'll see how the next snow day goes.
Today I also opened the driver side window while driving for a second. When I closed it I noticed that the window brought up a lot of moisture from inside of the door. Its been dry for two days. This is consistent with my suspicion that the bottom weather seals don't work too well and lead to freezing inside the door.
Today I also opened the driver side window while driving for a second. When I closed it I noticed that the window brought up a lot of moisture from inside of the door. Its been dry for two days. This is consistent with my suspicion that the bottom weather seals don't work too well and lead to freezing inside the door.
StealthP3D
Well-Known Member
You have a fundamental misconception about the design and function of car windows. There are no "bottom weather seals" on the side windows. The side windows slide on a "felt" gasket that is designed to support the glass, not keep out water. The water is supposed to flow past the "felt" runner to the bottom inside of the door where it can drain out of weep holes. All cars work this way, the Model 3 is not unique.
You might consider checking the weep holes at the bottom of the door to make sure they are not plugged with something.
If your windows are freezing to the "felt" runner you might apply some silicone to it. Yes, it might leave a little minor streaking on the glass for a couple of days as you roll the windows up/down but it polishes off easily and will soon stop streaking. That will reduce the amount of water the synthetic "felt" sliders absorb.
Garlan Garner
Banned
Everyone keeps talking about water inside of the door but no-one is mentioning where inside of the door? I've been inside of the door more than I car to mention and I just can't see where moisture would sit.
Please let us know WHERE the moisture is inside of the door. Its certainly NOT coming from inside of the cabin because that door comes from the factor more sealed from the cabin than I've ever seen.
Can someone please open up their door and take a picture of the moisture inside of your door?
Please let us know WHERE the moisture is inside of the door. Its certainly NOT coming from inside of the cabin because that door comes from the factor more sealed from the cabin than I've ever seen.
Can someone please open up their door and take a picture of the moisture inside of your door?
The design of the Model 3 is flawed this way for cold climate use.
The door glass has to drop before the door will open. And if it has frozen then the glass isn't going to drop.
In SK we get the odd warm spell from the mountains. The wind will blow and it can be close to zero with a snow/rain mix.
The next day it can be -35 and the windows are frozen shut on all cars and trucks. But with these designs just have you muscle the door open. You can drive all the way to work and the windows will still be frozen. They can stay like this for a week at a time if your car lives outside. If anyone from SK reads this they will know exactly what I speak of LOL!
The Model 3 will undergo a design change for the 2nd gen. No make would allow this to continue. Probably get some real handles you can open with a mitt at the same time.
The door glass has to drop before the door will open. And if it has frozen then the glass isn't going to drop.
In SK we get the odd warm spell from the mountains. The wind will blow and it can be close to zero with a snow/rain mix.
The next day it can be -35 and the windows are frozen shut on all cars and trucks. But with these designs just have you muscle the door open. You can drive all the way to work and the windows will still be frozen. They can stay like this for a week at a time if your car lives outside. If anyone from SK reads this they will know exactly what I speak of LOL!
The Model 3 will undergo a design change for the 2nd gen. No make would allow this to continue. Probably get some real handles you can open with a mitt at the same time.
This is true. The gasket at the bottom of the glass is designed to hold the glass and shed most of the water. But some water will get by.
And the glass can freeze to the gasket. The inside mech is not freezing.
Do not scape low enough to damage the gasket. Where I live your windows remain frozen until it warms up.
LionelHutz
Member
What are the weather conditions for this to happen? Is simply leaving a car outside in sub-freezing temperatures (with or without snow) enough to run into sticking handles or windows?
No it does fine in just cold. Its whenever you have moisture + cold. So far this has happened when there was either rain or snow in mild weather, followed by freezing temps. I have had maybe a month of mild winter weather so far. Have had a major problem only once as described by the first post. However have run into a stubborn handle maybe once a week.
The door handle seems to freeze very easily, as the door handle pocket is sort of a collection pool for water, and does not drain very well. Part of the problem I think is that the part of the handle you press to open the door is short about the pivot point, while the part that is frozen has a long arm about the pivot point. From a physics perspective, the amount of force you need to apply to the handle when frozen is several times greater than the breaking strength of the ice, due to this ratio of arm length.
The windows also freeze, but this seems to be a problem of the frameless design (since window operation is required to open/close the door) and not unique to Tesla.
The door handle seems to freeze very easily, as the door handle pocket is sort of a collection pool for water, and does not drain very well. Part of the problem I think is that the part of the handle you press to open the door is short about the pivot point, while the part that is frozen has a long arm about the pivot point. From a physics perspective, the amount of force you need to apply to the handle when frozen is several times greater than the breaking strength of the ice, due to this ratio of arm length.
The windows also freeze, but this seems to be a problem of the frameless design (since window operation is required to open/close the door) and not unique to Tesla.
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When I roll up the window after several days of dry weather I can see the window tracking up moisture (on the outside) from somewhere inside the door. I haven't seen the door design/framing the Model 3 has, but it would seem to me that the door is retaining moisture somewhere.
Garlan Garner
Banned
again...
I can't imagine where moisture would be coming from. Moisture has plenty opportunities to escape and dry out - just like an ICE car does. My P3D+ doesn't do that at all.
I wash my car at least 3 times a week during the winter with no moisture at all showing up on the outside of the window.
Xenoilphobe
Well-Known Member
How to Keep Car Doors from Freezing Shut
This is what I use - got it on Amazon---- used it all gaskets inclusive of the Model S Sunroof seals... works like magic..
White Lightning - Chemours WS0856602 Krytox Weatherstrip Lubricant
This is what I use - got it on Amazon---- used it all gaskets inclusive of the Model S Sunroof seals... works like magic..
White Lightning - Chemours WS0856602 Krytox Weatherstrip Lubricant
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Garlan Garner
Banned
Nice article - especially about putting a silicone lubricant on the rubber seals BEFORE it gets cold.
Put dry lubricant on the seals in the Fall. It won't wash away.
Have you applied this along the bottom of the window? Im debating doing this but have seen some people complaining about long-term smearing after application.
Garlan Garner
Banned
Indeed - you do get long time streaking with that product. Sure - your windows won't stick, however it would take some time to get out of the felt window material.
I wouldn't go through drive-thru's with it on my felt, but...…
That's why dry-silicone based products are best for windows.
Xenoilphobe
Well-Known Member
Don't use Krytox on the felt at the base of the windows, only on the door gaskets on the outer edge of the door frame... I would use a dry lube for the felt... like this stuff..
https://www.amazon.com/DuPont-Non-S...35254&sr=1-3&keywords=DuPont+Teflon+Non-Stick
You could also treat the windows with this, works like a charm in my snowblower auger
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0031T82NO/ref=emc_b_5_t
https://www.amazon.com/DuPont-Non-S...35254&sr=1-3&keywords=DuPont+Teflon+Non-Stick
You could also treat the windows with this, works like a charm in my snowblower auger
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0031T82NO/ref=emc_b_5_t
Ah I see. I hadn't realized before that there was a "dry" variety. I have been using MotoMaster Silicone Lube on the outer edge, but will check for dry lube next time I'm at the store. Thanks!
I agree. I think those felt gaskets retain water for way too long. That's why some folks say run a credit car along the window to break it free.
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