Tesla Model 3 And Y HVAC Systems Under Investigation In Canada: The main concern right now is reduced visibility due to the EVs' inability to defog or defrost the windshield.

https://insideevs.com ^ | Jan 14, 2022 at 9:52am ET | By: Steven Loveday

[Red Badger]

As you may have heard, Tesla Model Y and Model 3 owners in Canada are having issues with their cars' heat pumps. This is a major problem that could be life-threatening, so it needs to be addressed and fixed as soon as possible.

That said, Transport Canada has put the cars under an “Issue Assessment Investigation.” The investigation is specifically related to Tesla's HVAC systems and potential problems with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in frigid weather.

The government organization has not yet issued a recall. However, automakers must make Transport Canada aware of defects and potential safety concerns, and the information must be shared with all impacted owners.

Thus far, the organization has received at least 16 complaints from Model 3 and Y owners in Canada. As we previously reported, the complaints pertain to a lack of heat in extremely cold weather.

Transport Canada is working to figure out exactly what the issues are and whether or not they pose a real safety concern. However, at this point, according to a report by Teslarati, the organization's primary concern is the fact that the cars may not be able to appropriately clear the windshield for safe visibility. This is not only the ice or snow on the outside of the windshield, but also the "fog" that collects while driving, which can freeze and inhibit visibility.

We can only assume that Transport Canada also has concerns with the lack of heat, in general. However, Tesla owners can preheat their vehicles, make an effort to park them indoors, and use seat heaters for warmth. This isn't ideal, but it may assure that people remain relatively warm and safe while Tesla finalizes an over-the-air software update to correct the issue, which appears to have been caused by a previous firmware update.

Tesla's heat pump is a relatively new feature on the Model 3 and Model Y that's supposed to help in cold weather, especially related to range. However, if the software isn't working correctly in the coldest weather, it needs to be updated immediately.

Thankfully, Tesla is aware of the problem and working to fix it. In fact, Teslarati reported that a Tesla technician shared the following message on a Tesla Owner's Club forum:

“Tesla is taking this cold weather climate problem very seriously – they’re very worried about the safety of drivers and have definitely prioritized this issue.”

Hopefully, Tesla will be able to roll out the update ASAP. In the meantime, there's a chance a recall could happen. If you own a Model Y or Model 3 – and live in an area with cold weather – be sure to follow the necessary steps to remain safe and warm. You can find the most recent suggestions in the first article linked below. Moreover, if your windshield begins to fog up, pull off the road and clear it before continuing to drive.

[The_Media_never_lie]

Bicycles never have heat pump issues, nor do they run out of gas and never need recharging.

[Red Badger]

Seems like all teh homeless guys around here have electric bicycles..............

[Yardstick]

Right, so there’s a precedent for it being acceptable in a refined vehicle.

[rdcbn1]

heating and cooling are problems in electric cars. You can get range via efficient drive trains but heating and cooling demands are constant. Heating is easy with iC engines as heat is a byproduct of combustion so there is plenty of available waste energy available for heating

[fireman15]

...and there was NOTHING like the old VW bug (we had a ‘62) heater which passed air over the cylinder fins.

You and some others here are somehow confused about how a VW heating system works. They did not capture warm air from the cylinder fins; they captured heat from the exhaust system. Maybe this photo will jog your memory?

If you were smelling something bad it likely had a crack in the tube that channeled exhaust through the center of the assembly and carbon monoxide was getting into your cabin. Most general aviation airplanes have a similar system that has an enclosure that goes over the muffler.

[DennisR]

Why? It would be a quick way to recharge. :)

[Yardstick]

Or maybe a firebox in the glovebox and you just throw a lump of coal in it every now and then.

What would be truly cool is if they did a kerosene heater and worked the catalytic elements into the interior lighting scheme somehow.

[Yo-Yo]

Moreover, if your windshield begins to fog up, pull off the road and clear it before continuing to drive.

I wonder if the issue is Tesla switching from resistant heating to a combination AC/Heat Pump unit.

On a regular car, heat is provided by hot engine coolant, and the AC will run when in Defrost mode to remove moisture from the heated air. Thus you can have both heat and AC on at the same time.

With a combination AC/heat Pump, you run the compressor in one direction for air conditioning, and run it backwards for heating.

The advantage is that a Heat Pump is more efficient in providing heat than resistance heating, so you get the same heat with less battery drain.

The drawback is that you cannot dry out the heated air with a Heat Pump by using the AC. The pump can't run both directions at the same time.

[moovova]

“I remember the old Vacuum operated wipers on school busses and big trucks..................”

I wish I could remember that far back...and I drove a school bus in high school!

[BobL]

Also great pumps don’t do well in super cold environments, so they’ll need a resistance heater for at least Canada in any case.

[right way right]

Those heat exchangers always worked great as long as they had no holes in the heat hoses and the cables and levers were in good working order.
Simple maintenance.

[bgill]

Heat only increases the globull warming.

[dhs12345]

Proof that “our betters” want us freezing in caves.

[PIF]

Moreover, if your windshield begins to fog up, pull off the road and clear it before continuing to drive.
😂 😂

[dhs12345]

Lol. Been there done that. And it is better to just accept your fate in a VW, close the vent, and freeze or wear a heavy coat. I bought a extreme temperature coat when I was in college and was comfortable. I dressed like an Eskimo.

Darn good car though. Would start in bitter subzero cold.

[Hodar]

Actually not the case at all.

https://wonderfulengineering.com/watch-a-youtuber-test-how-long-a-tesla-can-keep-you-warm-in-a-winter-traffic-jam/

Much like watching Star Trek, your EV can send it’s energy to the Climate Support, to keep you at 70F for 18 hours, while keeping more than a 50 mile range for the motors. Further, while we gas car users frequently run down the road with a half tank of gas or less; while EV owners typically will have a charge station in their garage, and will leave their home with 80% or a full charge every time they leave.

If you are in the ditch, with a gas engine, your engine’s gas consumption turns the transmission, runs the alternator, water pump, and the entire car; whether the wheels turn or not. If you are out of gas, it’s going to get very cold; and many cars won’t let you run the heat for 18 hours.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Wow, I learned to drive a stick on that car around 1966. It was our second family car (first time Dad had ever bought a second car).

All these years I’ve been under the impression the heat came from the air blown over the cylinder fins! Thanks for setting me straight on that. Nothing like over 50 years of misapprehension!

I drove that bug onto a shallow frozen pond and heard the ice starting to crack! Luckily I was able to get off before it fell in. Stupid teenager!

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Heat pumps sound like a stupid idea on cars in cold climates. You need a backup resistance heater below maybe 20F.

[dhs12345]

But it don’t seem to add up. How many watts does vehicle need to keep the cab at 75 degrees F for 18 hours?

How many watts continuously? And that is all converted to heat.

Both the good and the bad — because a gasoline engine is inefficient and produces a lot of excess heat which can be exchanged in the cooling system, a person can be very cozy warm in the winter. An EV is a lot more efficient with less excess heat (wasted energy) so the passengers freeze. I picture a 2000 watt heating element plugged into the battery. I don’t know how it is done in an EV but it is probably something that simple.

At least that is my theory and I am sticking to it. :)

[fireman15]

If I hadn’t had to work on VWs and airplanes... I would never have suspected that they would design heaters that relied on exhaust gasses to heat their cabins. Seems and often is dangerous. I have some stories but will not bore people with them at this time.