Of the niggles my wife had with the Model S after we took delivery (no visor lights, cup holder position, no grab handles), the only one that remained a complaint after 8 months of blissful driving is the fact that the rear seat belts seem to grab excessively. So much so, she refuses to sit in the back at all times.
And the fact that several of our friends who took test rides also notice this while riding in the back bothered me. So I included it in items to be checked in my first service visit. But the SC checked and said the seat belts were working normally.
So I decided to examine this issue more closely myself. And here is what I found.
AFAIK all seat belts except for the driver's has a point at which the 'ratchet' function triggers when extended beyond a certain amount. At that point the only movement allowed is for the belt to retract, not to extend. We are all familiar with this action - upon which the usual solution is to unbuckle, let the seat belt retract almost completely to release the ratchet, then re-buckle. Since all belts lock when subject to sudden movements (as in panic stops, accidents), I think the only reason for this ratcheting action under normal circumstances is so the belts can be used to anchor child seats.
Measuring the maximum amount of seat belt slack in my Model S, I find that all are 59 to 60 inches; with the exception of the center rear belt at 67 inches.
Comparing to my BMW 5 series sedan, the same numbers are respectively 65-66" and 77". A full 6 to 10 inches extra.
I didn't know what to think of this, comparing between different manufacturers, but was a bit annoyed because the BMW actually had less rear seat legroom and space. I could definitely belt-in sitting within the limited confines at the back seat of the BMW and move around without getting 'ratcheted'.
Then last week I had a chance to check my friend's newly delivered Model S - also a S85, and his rear belts had 67-68" and 72" slack!
Also on whim, I decided to look under his frunk carpet - and lo and behold there is a tow hook neatly occupying the depression made for it! I asked my SC, and they claimed that tow hooks in their showroom demo cars are added only because they are demo cars.
So is my Model S made for skinnier people? And is it tow hook-less... for a reason?
And the fact that several of our friends who took test rides also notice this while riding in the back bothered me. So I included it in items to be checked in my first service visit. But the SC checked and said the seat belts were working normally.
So I decided to examine this issue more closely myself. And here is what I found.
AFAIK all seat belts except for the driver's has a point at which the 'ratchet' function triggers when extended beyond a certain amount. At that point the only movement allowed is for the belt to retract, not to extend. We are all familiar with this action - upon which the usual solution is to unbuckle, let the seat belt retract almost completely to release the ratchet, then re-buckle. Since all belts lock when subject to sudden movements (as in panic stops, accidents), I think the only reason for this ratcheting action under normal circumstances is so the belts can be used to anchor child seats.
Measuring the maximum amount of seat belt slack in my Model S, I find that all are 59 to 60 inches; with the exception of the center rear belt at 67 inches.
Comparing to my BMW 5 series sedan, the same numbers are respectively 65-66" and 77". A full 6 to 10 inches extra.
I didn't know what to think of this, comparing between different manufacturers, but was a bit annoyed because the BMW actually had less rear seat legroom and space. I could definitely belt-in sitting within the limited confines at the back seat of the BMW and move around without getting 'ratcheted'.
Then last week I had a chance to check my friend's newly delivered Model S - also a S85, and his rear belts had 67-68" and 72" slack!
Also on whim, I decided to look under his frunk carpet - and lo and behold there is a tow hook neatly occupying the depression made for it! I asked my SC, and they claimed that tow hooks in their showroom demo cars are added only because they are demo cars.
So is my Model S made for skinnier people? And is it tow hook-less... for a reason?