Wife is afraid to use frunk

[hamtonp]

I used the two handed method that Tesla described and on the second day I dented the hood (indentation on right side of the emblem). I’ll be having it fixed hopefully via PDR. My plan forward is to never use the front trunk unless absolutely necessary.

If you look at the instructions closely, you can see that the green blocks are actually above the T logo. About 3-5 inches higher from where you dented the hood.

 

[hamtonp]

After seeing the BMW i8 hood open/close procedure, I'm not complaining about the Model 3 frunk.

 

[KG2V]

I put the stuff I rarely need up there - first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and my PPE for work (I only need it when I visit a plant) plus my woobie.

Someone thought the Woobie was funny (I guess that is why they marked it funny)

Why The Woobie Is The Greatest Military Invention Ever Fielded

 

[MentalNomad]

I use a quick underhand pull on the inside handle so that I don’t have to touch the paint.

I do this all the time, too!

Can you describe this method a bit more?

I stand at the corner of the car, not the center.

If you reach up with your palm facing you, you'll find a pull handle cavity on the inside of the trunk that's easy to grab. Don't jerk it down hard - instead, pull down smoothly, continuing to pull harder as you bring it down, and let go at the last moment - kinda like throwing something heavy. It will close itself nicely.

You don't want to yank it too hard, or you might eventually pull the inner liner out of the trunk lid.

Definitely a fail design. Seriously, what car doesn't have a hood you can just drop down to close LOL?

Every "normal" car's hood lets you drop it to close, but they have a special double-latching mechanism which requires you to release the hood, and then to manually release the secondary safety catch to open it. Why? Because they use a special latch to ensure the hood STAYS latched in the event of a front-end collision and won't fly open even if it's not completely latched and the wind catches it.

The frunk latch design allows you to fully open the frunk without having to release a safety catch, but requires a push to close it.

I don't love the design either, it does feel a bit kludgy. I still use my frunk regularly, especially for groceries. Whether I put hot or cold stuff in there depends on the weather, though.

"I won't be using that" ...my wife says.

It's actually not something to be frightened of. Simply:

1. Don't slam it, close it. Slamming won't work, anyway.
2. Lay on your hands and give a quick lean into the hood. Start lightly, add more lean until you learn how hard until it closes.

If your start from standing and ram your straight arms into the car, you can hit with more momentum and weight behind it than you may think. Damage is unlikely if you start with your hands on the car.

I do wish they'd had some different design - the frunk latch is my most disliked element of the car.

 

[jerry33]

When we picked up our LR RWD a few days ago the Tesla delivery specialist made a big deal about closing the frunk lid. It needs to be gently lowered, hands placed just so, here and here, and then just the right force applied to close it fully.

He said it's just aluminum and they are seeing a lot of repairs because owners are not being gentle enough with them.

"I won't be using that" ...my wife says.

No dents in my 2013 and it's probably been opened 4,000 times. Just don't slam it. Place two open hands on the edge in the centre and press down.

 

[JetFalcon]

Well, I'm not against having the frunk, better than not having one.

I store stuff I want outta the way and not gonna access much. Mainly my Tesla charger cable & an umbrella (for random rainy days). Or maybe very important stuff I don't want getting lost around the trunk. Maybe some spare clothes like underwear or a jacket?

Since its less convinient, I just store stuff that I want outta the way, that I don't want cluttering the trunk, but its there if I really need it.

 

[jasonh4451]

My frunk latch failed and was replaced by Tesla but my gym bag and laptop were stuck in there for 2 days until I could bring it in. That was six months ago and its working fine but now I'm afraid to put anything critical in there thinking the latch may fail again. That said, stinky food always goes in the frunk.

 

[Runnergirl]

Someone thought the Woobie was funny (I guess that is why they marked it funny)

Why The Woobie Is The Greatest Military Invention Ever Fielded

It made me laugh in a tender way because he said he puts his "rarely used" items in the frunk.. thus he doesnt need his woobie much anymore.. we have limited choices in responses..

 

[fabian]

We both use the frunk daily. No problems yet.

• Lower the hood (no need to be super careful/gentle, but just set it down rather than letting it free-fall).
• Palms to the left and right of the tesla logo, and an inch or two up.
• Press down firmly.

Show her once or twice and it'll be second nature.

Yes this works, 1 hand only on the left or right side of the T is fine also. What not to do is push on the T directly, I tried that once and I felt it bending in/out.

 

[jerry33]

My frunk latch failed and was replaced by Tesla but my gym bag and laptop were stuck in there for 2 days until I could bring it in. That was six months ago and its working fine but now I'm afraid to put anything critical in there thinking the latch may fail again. That said, stinky food always goes in the frunk.

I really doubt it will fail given that mine is still fine after 122K miles and thousands of openings. I use the trunk as my suitcase. I lay pants and shirts down and put small items in the duffel. Denise puts her two suitcases in the truck. Nothing visible while we travel.

 

[Mr Vader]

keep the car - change the wife

 

[gbrgbr]

i'm late to this thread but my 2 cents: I use the frunk almost every days. it's great for groceries in bags (soft drinks/bottle water go in the trunk). i bought the frunk luggage and my wife and i enjoy using them for overnight trips.I also don't get the issue with closing the lid. just don't try to slam it - push down smoothly anywhere near the T and it's all good.

 

[mbp11]

If you lock your wife in the frunk on a hot day, or you lock your dog in the frunk on a hot day, when you open the frunk, who is happy to see you?

 

[S'toon]

Oh, a woobie is a poncho liner, or ranger blanket. I've been using them for decades, ever since I was in the army. Never heard it called a woobie before.

 

[Zero CO2]

I keep insulated chests in both of our frunks and use them all the time for leftover meals, frozen foods, fresh oysters, etc. I just put my hands where Tesla says and have seen no damage in over a year on one car and 9 months or so on the other. Just follow the directions and you will be fine.

same here cooler works perfect for trips to Costco etc

 

[KG2V]

Oh, a woobie is a poncho liner, or ranger blanket. I've been using them for decades, ever since I was in the army. Never heard it called a woobie before.

I gather the term started in the Army in the early 90s, after the movie Mr Mom came out and the kid had his security blanket he called a Woobie.
I have a liner in both cars, and the cats have 2 they have adopted around the house

 

[SMAlset]

After seeing the BMW i8 hood open/close procedure, I'm not complaining about the Model 3 frunk.

OMG could they make things more complicated LOL. And to the comment that there's no reason to open the hood unless the car's in the shop, how does an owner put windshield washer fluid in? Looks like there's a reservoir there. This is unreal. And it takes two people in unison to open the hood? Loved the comment about how the most replaced part is the emergency release on the door because people break it off. Is this the great German engineering I've heard about for years?

For the Model 3 frunk I follow the diagram in the manual and had to instruct my husband that it's different placement than on his Model S. If you don't drop the hood, and you position your palms level so as to spread out the pressure as you gently push the hood down I find that it latches really easily. Never had to redo and haven't put any dents in it either.

 

[SMAlset]

I don't use it.

I'm too OCD to have hand prints on the hood.

Definitely a fail design. Seriously, what car doesn't have a hood you can just drop down to close LOL?

Aluminum-based cars don't have sufficient weight for that to happen. It's a New World and probably more electric cars will be manufacturered with aluminum to keep the weight down and be more efficient range wise.

Suspect aluminum might also be better for a crumple zone or a softer landing spot if you are unfortunate to hit a pedestrian and they fly up on the hood. Would think it would give more than a steel hood and maybe reduce the severity of injuries. Hope to never find out though.

 

[Dre78]

Glad to hear the Frunk dent/crease appears to no longer be an issue. Model 3 Frunk Daily Users: Dent Issue?

 

[Shewillbemine]

Aluminum-based cars don't have sufficient weight for that to happen. It's a New World and probably more electric cars will be manufacturered with aluminum to keep the weight down and be more efficient range wise.

Suspect aluminum might also be better for a crumple zone or a softer landing spot if you are unfortunate to hit a pedestrian and they fly up on the hood. Would think it would give more than a steel hood and maybe reduce the severity of injuries. Hope to never find out though.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but the hood seems to have sufficient momentum when dropped from a standard height. Unless you're telling me all aluminum frunks need manual assistance for closing such as those of the Model S and X (which I wouldn't know).