Rear jump seats

[gg_got_a_tesla]

guys, I think TEG meant it as a joke with that picture and all.

I don't think it was a joke at all. That picture was posted on some person's Flikr feed and where the caption was indeed "Tesla S jumpseats in hatchback. Only for kids >60lbs, <10yrs" which that person presumably put up there after hearing so from a Tesla rep at the event.

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

The "60 lbs" 'magic' number has a definite legal angle to it, in CA for instance (California Safety Laws - Cell Phone, Seat Belt, Car Seat, Child Safety Laws in CA at DMV.org: The Unofficial DMV Guide) - I guess Tesla doesn't want to be in the federally-approved-carseat manufacturing/certification business.

The < 10 yrs is probably to do with the height of the child - as per the CDC's growth chart (http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/data/set1clinical/cj41c021.pdf), at 10 years of age, children in the US average between 51" in the 5th percentile to about 59" in the 95th percentile. So, I guess Tesla would accommodate the 'tallest' 9 year old and still have enough room for the hatch door to close.

 

[KBF]

GG is totally right. I'm thinking that one could add a booster or carseat for the younger kids as well - rear-facing is always preferred by the experts anyway. I have 4 kids under the age of 7, so those back seats will be used for a long time for my family!

 

[Robert.Boston]

No wonder Elon is in such a hurry to get the Model S released: if there's a delay, his twins may have outgrown their designated seats!

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

There's a change in the law for California starting Jan 1, 2012: New Law Puts Some Kids Back in Car Booster Seats - Half Moon Bay, CA Patch

So, that > 6 years part might become > 8 years?!

 

[doug]

There's a change in the law for California starting Jan 1, 2012: New Law Puts Some Kids Back in Car Booster Seats - Half Moon Bay, CA Patch

So, that > 6 years part might become > 8 years?!

Beginning Jan. 1, a new California law will require that children riding in any vehicle must be restrained in the back seat in a child restraint until their eighth birthday or until the child reaches 4 feet 9 inches tall. If you're caught violating the new law, you'll be subject to a fine of nearly $500 and the loss of one point on your driver's record.

Those jump seats are "child restraints", with a 5 point harness design for someone child sized, so it should be fine. They likely comply with the intent of the law, but someone should check the details to make sure they comply with the letter of the law.

 

[Arnold Panz]

Those jump seats are "child restraints", with a 5 point harness design for someone child sized, so it should be fine. They likely comply with the intent of the law, but someone should check the details to make sure they comply with the letter of the law.

Those seats comply with the letter and spirit of the law. They're as good as a store-bought booster seat, which is different than an infant seat.

 

[Kipernicus]

$1,500 for the rear jumpseats is rather pricey, but I still think I will get them

 

[Arnold Panz]

For those interested in the rear-facing seats, attached are some pics of my older kids sitting in the back. They're 10 and 8 years old and were quite comfortable back there. Not a ton of headroom for them (maybe 2-3 inches more), but I think the final version will have the seats a few inches lower because these are bolted on top instead of being built into the car.

There are two additional pictures of my daughter showing (1) the amount of space below the seats (where they will store when folded down), and (2) her fully laid out with both sets of rear seats folded down. She had plenty of room to spare and she's pretty tall for her age (over 4 and a half feet tall).

 

[Iz]

For those interested in the rear-facing seats, attached are some pics of my older kids sitting in the back. They're 10 and 8 years old and were quite comfortable back there. Not a ton of headroom for them (maybe 2-3 inches more), but I think the final version will have the seats a few inches lower because these are bolted on top instead of being built into the car.

Thanks for posting. I have twins that will be 9 in several months. Hoping to have my Model S Q4 2012 and get at least 1-year's use from the rear-facing seats.

 

[Lyon]

For those interested in the rear-facing seats, attached are some pics of my older kids sitting in the back. They're 10 and 8 years old and were quite comfortable back there. Not a ton of headroom for them (maybe 2-3 inches more), but I think the final version will have the seats a few inches lower because these are bolted on top instead of being built into the car.

There are two additional pictures of my daughter showing (1) the amount of space below the seats (where they will store when folded down), and (2) her fully laid out with both sets of rear seats folded down. She had plenty of room to spare and she's pretty tall for her age (over 4 and a half feet tall).

Thanks for the photos and the info. It looks like my oldest (who will be 5 by that time web get the car) will be quite comfortable in the back .

 

[Trnsl8r]

For those interested in the rear-facing seats, attached are some pics of my older kids sitting in the back. They're 10 and 8 years old and were quite comfortable back there. Not a ton of headroom for them (maybe 2-3 inches more), but I think the final version will have the seats a few inches lower because these are bolted on top instead of being built into the car.

Thanks for that. When I took my four-year old to Santana Row last fall he wasn't allowed to sit in the back (despite puppy-eyed pleading). Maybe they loosened restrictions. And not to worry, he quickly got over it after being able to sit in all the other seats...

 

[Arnold Panz]

Thanks for that. When I took my four-year old to Santana Row last fall he wasn't allowed to sit in the back (despite puppy-eyed pleading). Maybe they loosened restrictions. And not to worry, he quickly got over it after being able to sit in all the other seats...

This was in the Florida store last week after hours when they let reservation holders only into the store to see the car. I don't think they were letting anyone during business hours into the car -- it looked like it was roped off during the day.

I was very pleased to be able to check out the rear seats this way. I know it's the least popular option on the car, but for those of us with smaller kids, it's an absolute necessity, and godsend, to have those extra seats when necessary. To be able to use them at least until the kids are 11 or so (at least) will be fantastic. I have a 4 year old who didn't come along that day, so with him I'll be using those seats for many years.

 

[BillShepp]

Does anyone know if the jumpseats can be removed permanently once a family has "aged out" of them?

 

[jerry33]

Removal should be no problem because they can be added on at any time.

 

[Robert.Boston]

We learned from someone that the seats can be added or removed, but by the Tesla shop, not owners.

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

On a different note, at the Palo Alto event today, I raised a concern about the power liftgate (with the tech package) apparently not having a sensor to stop moving if there's an obstacle. A couple of product specialists made note of the concern but pointed out that if the "obstacle" were to be a child, s/he has the option to reverse the motion and open the liftgate with a switch on the inside.

 

[Lyon]

On a different note, at the Palo Alto event today, I raised a concern about the power liftgate (with the tech package) apparently not having a sensor to stop moving if there's an obstacle. A couple of product specialists made note of the concern but pointed out that if the "obstacle" were to be a child, s/he has the option to reverse the motion and open the liftgate with a switch on the inside.

I accidentally closed the rear hatch on myself at the Fremont event (using the switch in the trunk) and it moved a little, beeped at me and then reversed itself. The Rep told me that it won't close on someone. This was a Beta car and it's possible that it's been taken out.

 

[AnOutsider]

What about the opposite direction? Hitting a low ceiling for example

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

I accidentally closed the rear hatch on myself at the Fremont event (using the switch in the trunk) and it moved a little, beeped at me and then reversed itself. The Rep told me that it won't close on someone. This was a Beta car and it's possible that it's been taken out.

They may not have taken it out; the Tesla reps at Palo Alto today couldn't confirm either way. And, I didn't feel like putting myself in there

AO, there's no visible sensor on the outside of the liftgate for sure. That'd be an interesting question for Tesla.