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.
It completely amazes me, though it really should not, the abject ignorance of the vast number of people wrt batteries and their characteristics in above average hot and cold conditions.
Multicell batteries can be very dangerous. The phenomenon of Thermal Runaway is a danger for all multicell batteries. Their composition determines the relative danger level. Car carriers transporting battery-powered vehicles resulting in disasters are not uncommon.
Homes catching fire while charging EV’s in their garages. This has happened twice in our suburban subdivision just this year.
Putting out the fires required several fire departments and even when thought to be extinguished both house fires experienced reflash fires. The fire departments ended up Bulldozing both homes.
Parking garage fires from parked EV’s simply parked and not even connected to a charger. Insurance companies declaring EV’s totalled after minor car accidents if the battery pack has even the most minor accident damage.
Again, all multicell batteries are a hazard. Almost all batteries are subject to Thermal Runaway. But, the more power designed into smaller packages with thinner and thinner insulators is a safety issue.
The car carrier burning and sinking off the coast of north western Europe caused by EV’s is just the latest occurrence. It’s happened before and will happen again.
If it doesn’t kill you by burning you to death or self driving you into a wall in will simply lock your dumb ass in until you starve to death
Even Star Trek had manual override if things went south, and that was like what 1967?
Auto insurance should go way up for EVs.
Your house insurance should ban EVs in the driveway and garage.
And why would they open electrically in the first place??? My gas pickup doors don’t run on gas.
Yes. I can totally see how that would happen. It's kinda like when a urinal won't flush, so I can't wash my hands.
No mechanical way to open car doors incase of power failures is a deadly safety issue.
Where’s my super capacitors?
I was promised super capacitors!
[Flying cars too....]
My son-in-law rented a Tesla to check it out once.
Came down here with it. We rode around in it.
It’s a very nice car. The thing I hate about it is the giant ipad thing that controls EVERYTHING.
Imagine having to navigate an ipad and menu just to adjust your air vents??? Ridiculously over teched. But fast as hell. And I’m 5’18” and it had plenty of legroom. Although I didn’t drive it. Odd that when you punch it you can see the mileage in the range drop dramatically. I would NEVER buy one even if I could afford it.
I always read manuals of my new cars. But my brand new (then) 2014 Grand Cherokee came with the manual on a DVD! If that’s true of this guy’s Tesla, opening the glovebox wouldn’t have done him much good. I called the dealer, and they gave me a paper manual, but had to order it. They said I’d get it more quickly if I ordered it myself — but that would have cost me ~$30.
LOL
Well, at least he wasn’t at a depth of 12,000ft. The same door designer of Oceangate do the doors dor Tesla? 😂
My daughter has one, and I share each of your comments. Except that here in Texas we just call 5’18” “six foot six.” (I’m 6’1” and the leg room was fine). I couldn’t believe how fast it is. She doesn’t have or want the FSD thingie, but it holds lane by itself, follows at a proper distance, and more.
[I’m 5’18”]
Not 4’30”?
:)
Scotty Kilmer (5.8M subscribers) explains the pitfalls of no cables for door locks and windows and trunk and hood.
If the car battery dies you cannot even open the door as it is electronic!!
Here’s Why New Hondas are Crap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkarsbXKaxY
“And why would they open electrically in the first place?”
Because EV’s are crap. And overcomplicated bullsh!t like electric door handles are needed as a distraction for that fact.
These stupid electric cars are overweight already because of the batteries. And they add to that hundfreds of pounds of plastic and electronic crap and gimmicks and gadgets and toys and nonsense.
For my next car, I hope to buy an early model with no electronics in it all. Something very simple.
RTFM.
How much does a Tesla window replacement cost? A gazillion bucks?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.