Four People Die Trapped in Burning Tesla

[edyvw]

I didn't need guidance on how to get in and out of a Tesla either, so I still don't understand what the problem is here. The car even told me when I pulled the emergency handle instead of using the button. My natural reaction was to use the manual handle as many do the first time.

So you say that tesla functions normally in crash while burning? That car will tell you what to do if you have to bail out, while computers, speakers etc. are probably melting?

 

[eljefino]

I have thought of that too. Make it a two stage switch that triggers the window before hitting the latch itself. Heck it could even just use the location of the current emergency switch since I think that's a better location than where the popper button is. It seems they copied the Corvette while putting the emergency handle in a better location.

Makes sense to me. It's like how a brake master cylinder is set up, the redundant braking power is accessed via the same pedal as if you had all four wheels working at stopping.

 

[Torrid]

So you say that tesla functions normally in crash while burning? That car will tell you what to do if you have to bail out, while computers, speakers etc. are probably melting?

What are you talking about? The handle tells you when everything is working fine that the window won't retract when pulling the handle. It'll work if everything else burned to the ground. The car just says it's easier on the window to use the power switch for daily use.

Are you kidding me right now? Do you make a habit of using equipment you aren't familiar with for your own safety? You're being intentionally obtuse here.

 

[Torrid]

No one here prevents you from opening a topic about people not being able to get out of burning vehicles of other manufacturers.

And no one prevents you from beating a dead horse about a car you seem to know nothing about. Obviously. It's even been explained to you. I don't know how anybody who has a car doesn't understand how their car works.

 

[edyvw]

What are you talking about? The handle tells you when everything is working fine that the window won't retract when pulling the handle. It'll work if everything else burned to the ground. The car just says it's easier on the window to use the power switch for daily use.

Are you kidding me right now? Do you make a habit of using equipment you aren't familiar with for your own safety? You're being intentionally obtuse here.

What does daily use have to do with a discussion about exiting a vehicle while the vehicle is burning?
Also, maybe this is new to Tesla, but looooooooong time ago, real car companies had and still have regular handle that lowers window while exiting.
I had one, 25 years ago!

This reminds me of Churchill when he said: "Americans will exhaust every other option before they do the right thing. " That is how this discussion goes: can we figure out any other way, just not to have what the other 99% of vehicles have?

 

[edyvw]

And no one prevents you from beating a dead horse about a car you seem to know nothing about. Obviously. It's even been explained to you. I don't know how anybody who has a car doesn't understand how their car works.

IDK, ask those that burned.
I explained to you how brain works in situations like that. But hey, maybe Tesla engineers and owners like you have new science at hands.

 

[Torrid]

I'm done. This is pointless. Understand the tool at hand. If not, get a different tool. We know you're not buying a Tesla at least.

Why are you in the EV section if your only goal is to let forth excrement and drag your posterior across the floor? This isn't an EV issue, this is a design issue at best. As covered multiple times this isn't a Tesla exclusive design, this story is just about a Tesla which for some reason defaults to an EV issue. Beyond that this thread is a waste of both of our time and I'm done wasting it.

I've got nothing to defend here and you have an axe to grind. Might be worth finding a better use of your time.

 

[alarmguy]

What car is the same as the next though? Most people tend to own the same brands over and over again. Those vehicles share similar traits most of the time. I will say it took a quick lesson for my kids to show them how to operate the exterior door latches on our first Tesla. It's basically a manual version of the electronic Jaguar design. It just doesn't present itself to you on unlock. They haven't had a problem with them at all.

Those that don't find any of this intuitive just haven't used one. It's second nature pretty quick. It's almost the difference between latches that can only be pulled underhand and the bar style handles that can be grabbed either way. It's just a different grip to operate it.

I agree with you the person I replied to said training is needed. Your reply has nothing to do with me. The person below has owned two Teslas.

“JeffKeryk said:
Are you kidding? Training is a critical component for safe machinery operation.“

 

[CarlB]

That IS THE point! The cost of developing and unit cost of airplanes today is insane, and YET they have the same ejection lever as the ones 75 years ago. And it is designed for pilot that costs millions in training and knows all functions in an cockpit in his/her sleep. Yet, coming out of burning airplane must be as simple as possible, same as coming out of burning car.

You believe it's cheaper to be consistent in all situations?

 

[CarlB]

Makes sense to me. It's like how a brake master cylinder is set up, the redundant braking power is accessed via the same pedal as if you had all four wheels working at stopping.

Emergency brakes would like a word.

 

[edyvw]

You believe it's cheaper to be consistent in all situations?

I absolutely believe that cost and design (marketing) were the driving forces here.
But, that does not mean they should do it.

 

[Torrid]

I agree with you the person I replied to said training is needed. Your reply has nothing to do with me. The person below has owned two Teslas.

“JeffKeryk said:
Are you kidding? Training is a critical component for safe machinery operation.“

I tend to agree with @JeffKeryk's sentiment here. Then again I research and learn everything about any vehicle I own because I tend to become obsessed with the ownership experience. I'm very much an emotionally invested vehicle owner. I'm one that wants to understand the reason why behind design decisions. I will admit not all of those design decisions are always 100% the best choice in my eyes.

I always feel very uncomfortable in rentals. The intuitive nature of operating a vehicle every day where everything feels second nature gives me a lot of comfort. I'm definitely a creature of habit and when it comes to traveling I don't like using Uber or Lyft, though I do when necessary. While I know where the emergency release is in Model 3s and Model Ys in the rear doors, I might not know in another car with a similar setup. I'm really honestly surprised they didn't use the same design on the rear doors as the fronts. Since I mentioned it, the release is inside of the rear door pocket under the rubber insert. You wouldn't know it's there at first glance.

 

[ecotourist]

I don't see nearly the fatalities due to fires on other makes compared to Tesla.

No one reports if "a dog bites man". Everyone reports if "a man bites dog".

Common stuff doesn't make the news. But if there is a fire in a Tesla, man that will make the national news. But the story gives you no idea whether it's common or not.

I've been involved in 3 major news stories over my career. None of the news reports were even close to accurate. Reporters have a very short time to put together a story and are not subject experts. And dare I say it, there may even be some spin involved too.

 

[AZjeff]

@Teslaowners, do you inform passengers of the manual door latch location? Just wondering since it isn’t labeled.

 

[Torrid]

@Teslaowners, do you inform passengers of the manual door latch location? Just wondering since it isn’t labeled.

Usually it comes up because people pull that instead of using the button. No one is in my car without me so if something happened I'd tell them what to use if the button didn't work, but again, most people pull the handle instead of using the button.

 

[ecotourist]

.... most people pull the handle instead of using the button.

That's correct. Unless a passenger who is unfamiliar with Teslas is instructed otherwise, they will always open the door using the emergency mechanical release. It looks like a door handle and it's right where you'd expect to find the door handle.

I can't understand how 4 people would be unable to get out of a burning Tesla. The only explanations I can think of are (1) they were all unconscious or dead already, or (2) the body damage was so severe that the doors were literally jammed shut. All the more reason to have an emergency window breaking tool.

And no I'm not going to try breaking the side windows to see if it works.

 

[CarlB]

That's correct. Unless a passenger who is unfamiliar with Teslas is instructed otherwise, they will always open the door using the emergency mechanical release. It looks like a door handle and it's right where you'd expect to find the door handle.

I can't understand how 4 people would be unable to get out of a burning Tesla. The only explanations I can think of are (1) they were all unconscious or dead already, or (2) the body damage was so severe that the doors were literally jammed shut. All the more reason to have an emergency window breaking tool.

And no I'm not going to try breaking the side windows to see if it works.

Reminds me of the Paul Walker crash, except no one talked about door handles.

 

[Torrid]

That's correct. Unless a passenger who is unfamiliar with Teslas is instructed otherwise, they will always open the door using the emergency mechanical release. It looks like a door handle and it's right where you'd expect to find the door handle.

I can't understand how 4 people would be unable to get out of a burning Tesla. The only explanations I can think of are (1) they were all unconscious or dead already, or (2) the body damage was so severe that the doors were literally jammed shut. All the more reason to have an emergency window breaking tool.

And no I'm not going to try breaking the side windows to see if it works.

That was my thought. The crash that causes the vehicle to catch fire are high enough force to knock the passengers unconscious in most cases if not jam the doors. I don't think most people understand how much force it takes to actually damage the battery to the level to cause a fire.

 

[JeffKeryk]

@Teslaowners, do you inform passengers of the manual door latch location? Just wondering since it isn’t labeled.

Never have, at least directly. As @Torrid said and I have said, they often find it for themselves.
It's more like, "Use the button on the handle where your hand is. That's the emergency release."
They feel funny and then get a kick outta the button electric release that opens the door a little for them. Neato burrito.
After one time it's a non-issue for most.

Some don't like it, but younger people seem to love it and the car's tech interfaces in general.
Teslas are not trying to be like other cars and that's certainly not for everyone.
If you are change-adverse, you may struggle with one. Personally I love the car even though I am not the most tech savvy; there has been frustration.
Humans are creatures of habit; reluctance to change is common. But once you get the hang of these cars, they are a freakin' blast.

 

[Torrid]

Never have, at least directly. As @Torrid said and I have said, they often find it for themselves.
It's more like, "Use the button on the handle where your hand is. That's the emergency release."
They feel funny and then get a kick outta the button electric release that opens the door a little for them. Neato burrito.
After one time it's a non-issue for most.

Some don't like it, but younger people seem to love it and the car's tech interfaces in general.
Teslas are not trying to be like other cars and that's certainly not for everyone.
If you are change-adverse, you may struggle with one. Personally I love the car even though I am not the most tech savvy; there has been frustration.
Humans are creatures of habit; reluctance to change is common. But once you get the hang of these cars, they are a freakin' blast.

Speaking of younger people, the reaction from kids in a Tesla gets a huge reaction. Kids wave. They yell "I love your car!" It's so fun. I had an elderly man see me come down the road this morning and he took out his phone to film me driving by. My wife told me she gets a lot of attention driving her car. Now that I'm dailying a Tesla I see what she means.