Posted on 08/01/2023 10:04:07 PM PDT by algore
An Arizona man says he was trapped in his Tesla in the extreme heat after the power died and he didn't know how to escape.
Investigators at Scripps News Phoenix found dozens of drivers have filed complaints with federal auto safety regulators who are urging car owners to learn how to manually get out in an emergency.
"It's definitely a safety concern; it was one of the hotter days," said 73-year-old Rick Meggison.
He said he was stuck in his Tesla Model Y in his garage back in June.
"I couldn't open the doors. I couldn't lower the windows. The computer was dead, so I couldn't open the glove box. I couldn't open anything." Meggison said his main lithium-ion battery, what's needed to propel his electric car, had plenty of range.
He later learned a separate 12-volt battery in his Tesla Model Y died after he opened the door, and he said he was trapped inside on a 100° day for 20 minutes. The low-voltage battery powers what's inside a Tesla including the doors, computer display, and windows.
"Being caught in there for a couple hours could be dangerous," he said.
Meggison said he eventually called his sister who somehow got the passenger door to open through the Tesla app, but it cracked his window. He said he had to call a tow truck to take his Tesla to the company's service center. His invoice reads, "Car won't power on… remove and replace 12v battery."
"I think that Tesla needs to address this," Meggison said.
"It's essentially a computer on wheels that's run on a battery," said car safety expert Norma Hubele.
Hubele is the founder of theautoprofessor.com, a data-based website that ranks how cars perform in crashes. She's also been an expert witness in over 120 consumer-related cases with the majority involving automotive safety.
"If that battery is not reliable or if for some reason the consumer isn't aware of how to override a problem with the battery, then you can have real safety problems," she said.
When the electric system fails, there is a way to get out of an electric car, which is clearly outlined in Tesla's manual, but experts believe many drivers, like Meggison, are unaware.
"I am sorry Dave I can not do that."
Big Hammer under the driver’s seat.
Apparently it should be standard equipment.
Does the can opener get stored in the glove compartment, or does it have a separate location?
Leftists hate Elon, is this more fake news?
I keep a small hammer in my center console in case I am in an accident where the door jams shut.
.45 ACP?
.45 ACP would work ...
But the center punch won’t blow out your eardrums ...
Good “point”....
Starrett - GOOD tools.
“learn how to manually get out in an emergency”
Those sort of things are beyond the typical oversized electric golf cart driver.
Far too mechanical to remember. If they cannot poke at it like an iFag smartphone, forget it.
I think it is. My only experience with Teslas is that I sat in my friend’s new one last week. He showed me the emergency door opening handle underneath the armrest in the door. Could it be that this isn’t a feature on every model?
Maybe, but it seems a pretty basic piece of safety equipment
I suppose for an emergency but cars should always have an easy manual way to exit for power loss situations.
That would take strength and dexterity, something lacking in the Teaser drivers I see.
But, many do have their face diapers on....
Most personal vehicles used to.....
“I keep a small hammer in my center console in case I am in an accident where the door jams shut.”
For just the window or to also pry the door itself?
Just what everyone wants, a stinking computer with wheels.
Hotel Telsafornia
Bahahahahaha
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