TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Steering Wheel Weights on ebay. Legal now?

Discussion in 'Autopilot & Autonomous/FSD' started by 2101Guy, Jul 5, 2020.

  1. 95gator

    95gator Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2020
    Messages:
    44
    Location:
    LA
    I’m saying I’m driving with my hands on the wheel in proper ready position at all times and you’re letting your index finger rest on the bottom (your own little “defeat mechanism” unless your finger has digits on it) and you’re calling others bad drivers?
     
  2. boonedocks

    boonedocks Active Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2015
    Messages:
    2,526
    Location:
    Gainesville, GA
    Many don’t want to acknowledge this. It you are 100% correct. If I were to disengage AP and use the pressure to alleviate the nags I would sail across all 6 lanes of I-85. Much more torque than is required to keep the car straight on long stretches of road
     
    • Love x 1
  3. 2101Guy

    2101Guy Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2020
    Messages:
    1,222
    Location:
    USA
    #23 2101Guy, Feb 24, 2021
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2021
    seems Cadillac (and soon, Ford) do/will allow hands free driving as they use technology to confirm your eyes are straight ahead.

    So that lets me know, that if you drive with eyes straight ahead/paying attention to the road, then its OK to use an Autopilot hands free.

    Its ensuring that we allow the car to oversee and enforce the looking forward, thats the crux of the various concerns.

    Is that a correct assumption?
     
  4. stopcrazypp

    stopcrazypp Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2007
    Messages:
    9,830
    The problem is people end up not doing that absent of a nag and that had led to fatal crashes in the past, leading to NHTSA doing an investigation (and Tesla having to make the nags a lot more strict, previously they were much more lax).

    That's the main crux.

    I should note when these defeat devices first came out, NHTSA immediately issued a C&D letter to stop it.
    CONSUMER ADVISORY: NHTSA Deems ‘Autopilot Buddy’ Product Unsafe

    If NHTSA finds people are still using these things readily, or even worse, someone gets into a widely publicized accident or even fatal accident while using one of these, no doubt there will be an even harder clamp down on Tesla, likely ruining the experience for all owners due to the actions of a few people.
     
  5. Fernand

    Fernand Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2019
    Messages:
    1,457
    Location:
    Northern california
    #25 Fernand, Mar 5, 2021 at 1:52 AM
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2021 at 2:38 AM
    There are some variables here that the disapprovers can't seem to grasp. First of all, it appears that different cars require more or less torque on the wheel to quell a nag. Secondly, people have quite different upper body anatomies, and physiologies. The nags can make auto-steer almost unusable for some unlucky drivers who have to keep yanking the wheel, through no fault of their own.

    A terrible car/human combination develops when no "slight torque resistance" works, and a jerk is periodically required. This can easily cause auto-steer to drop out, making the driver ever on edge and fatigued.

    Given the variations in wheel response and human anatomy, the software should allow for adjustment. Barring that, a small counterweight, not enough to defeat the nag, can tune a specific car + human to where a hand resting on the wheel, e.g. lightly pulling at the cross-member, will prevent most nags. When a nag occurs, a gentle pull takes care of it. This is how it should be working by design, for everyone. If it works like that for you with no mods, that's great, but don't crucify the outliers.

    If one is needed, the ideal weight to use has to be determined by trial and error. IMHO removing hands entirely should let the blue nag occur. I think that using heavy weights is crude, counter-productive, and completely unnecessary.

    On my car, 100 grams (3.5 oz) behind the cross-member has had the nag behaving ideally for 2 years, until version 2021.4.10.1. The whole nag system has suddenly changed, and I just had a miserable 150 mile drive with frequent nags, and 3 drop-outs of auto-steer with dangerous dives into the adjacent lane. Either an update will fix it, or it's back to the counterweight calibration drawing board.
    .
     
    • Like x 1

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC