Tesla has a new high tech steering wheel

[SageBrush]

A bit off-topic ...
I'm still curious why Tesla did not supply Model 3 with a heated steering wheel.

 

[tvad]

A bit off-topic ...
I'm still curious why Tesla did not supply Model 3 with a heated steering wheel.

I'll play.

I think it was a feature reserved for the Model S and X to encourage up selling.

 

[ElectricIAC]

Looks like Tesla is working on a new steering wheel with haptic sensors and touch screens on it. One big change is that it would remove the gear stalk and move the gear controls to the steering wheel:

Tesla has a new high-tech steering wheel with touchscreens and haptic feedback - Electrek

Anyone curious about this?

I don’t like it. More stuff to break and even more finicky AP nags. Pass.

A heated wheel however I will take.

 

[SageBrush]

I'll play.
I think it was a feature reserved for the Model S and X to encourage up selling.

Perhaps, but I am skeptical since Tesla very much wanted to woo the the BMW and Audi crowd with the Model 3.

And frankly, it is just not Elon's style

 

[tvad]

Perhaps, but I am skeptical since Tesla very much wanted to woo the the BMW and Audi crowd with the Model 3.

And frankly, it is just not Elon's style

OK. Offer a reason for the omission.

BTW, we are longtime BMW owners. Five of them. BMW always reserves goodies like heated steering wheel for up-sell packages.

Tesla simply doesn't do tiers of packages like BMW and Audi. It would not be economical or time efficient to do so at the present time.

Also, heated steering may reduce range...and range was of utmost importance. Hence, no equipped spare tire or tire repair kit that would add weight and reduce range.

 

[camalaio]

From the article...

"In order to change gear on a Tesla vehicle, you use a gear stalk attached to the steering wheel, which is uncommon in passenger vehicles other than trucks."​

This... isn't true? Vans used to do this a lot. SUVs still do. Very specifically, Mercedes SUVs and CUVs use the same stalks for gear selection (the Model 3's is a Mercedes part).

Haptic feedback would be nice, especially if it led to better wiper and cruise controls. I won't hold my breath for now though.

 

[ElectricIAC]

It’s unnecessary to have a floor shifter when there’s no actual linkage for the shifter to operate?

 

[SageBrush]

OK. Offer a reason for the omission.

If I knew, I would not be posting in this thread ;-)

I also don't know what goes into making a steering wheel heated and if any trade-offs are involved.
All I really know is that it has become a pretty common feature in non-luxury cars that is widely appreciated.

 

[camalaio]

It’s unnecessary to have a floor shifter when there’s no actual linkage for the shifter to operate?

Many new vehicles don't have mechanical linkage for the shifter. Whether it's the centre console ones, the ones by the steering wheel on a dial (e.g. trucks), or on the steering wheel, many of these haven't been mechanical linkages for years and their position isn't dictated by linkage.

 

[ElectricIAC]

It’s kinda sad when Hyundai, Chevy have HSW and the Tesla 3 lacks..

 

[KenC]

So, I saw a cheap heated steering wheel cover that plugs into the cigarette lighter on Woot. I paid less than $15. Works fine. Not optimal, but hey, it's Winter, and it works.

 

[YusufT]

Just so you guys know and don’t get disappointed, this doesn’t mean it will be in the cars anytime soon. Companies file for patents all the time. They basically cover their ass so they don’t get sued. When there’s a problem, engineers will come up with multiple ways to solve it. Company will try to patent every way they can, doesn’t mean they’ll use it.

 

[Msjulie]

Yes, if one defeats mirror tilt completely.

However, we like the passenger mirror to tilt, and have grown accustomed to this feature for two decades. Don't know why U.S. Model S owners have this feature and U.S. Model 3 owners don't.

I don't use this, never tried - are you saying both mirrors tilt when this is set? If I remember I'll try myself tomorrow but if you don't answer

 

[tvad]

I don't use this, never tried - are you saying both mirrors tilt when this is set? If I remember I'll try myself tomorrow but if you don't answer

View attachment 508742

Yes. That's what I'm saying, and what others have confirmed.

 

[Msjulie]

Yes. That's what I'm saying, and what others have confirmed.

lame indeed

 

[tccartier]

After driving with a butterfly wheel I found the stalks can be a little awkward when turning. It is not a big deal but I can see why they want to improve this. Both the Roadster and Cybertruck had the new non-round steering and this could be a nice upgrade.

A "non-round" steering wheel is nothing new. Perhaps to you maybe. But check out a 1961 Chrysler Imperial.

 

[tccartier]

A bit off-topic ...
I'm still curious why Tesla did not supply Model 3 with a heated steering wheel.

maybe because they were trying to meet a price point? Want to heated steering wheel by a Model S or a Model X maybe?

 

[Uncle Paul]

Imagine they will offer a heated steering wheel as a winter option package some time in the future.

Right now, they are under tremendous pressure to get cars produced and into the hands of eager waiting customers. Imagine that a heated steering wheel is not all that high on their to do lists.

Realizing that their ultimate goal is not to have owners hands on the steering wheel at all, as their real goal is FSD.

 

[rdcisneros3]

“I like a lot of things about this. Especially the fact that it would enable more controls from the steering wheel”

That's some hard-hitting journalism right there, Electrek.

 

[SMAlset]

I looked over the steering wheel and honestly can’t say I like the design. So many cars have buttons all over the wheel and I find it cluttered and distracting to look at. I really didn’t line the gearshift there.