Motion Sickness and Tesla Model 3

[ecotourist]

We've had out of town visitors for the past several days. We've been doing a lot of touring around in our Tesla Model 3. As they were catching the ferry this morning our friend, said "I usually like to sit in the front seat because I get motion sickness if I sit in the back seat, but that didn't happen in the Tesla."

She seemed quite surprised. She wondered if there was some sort of electrical basis for this effect. Being a skeptical guy, I don't believe that. But I do have questions:

First of all has anyone else has observed this effect?

Then, assuming for the moment that this is a real phenomenon, do you suppose it could be because of the large windows all around (including above) the passenger compartment? There is a plausible basis for this idea because keeping a constant watch on the horizon is a common approach to preventing motion sickness.

Or maybe it's because of the long wheelbase of the Model 3?

 

[97prizm]

I found just the opposite in the model y. My parents rented one last year for a week and it rode like a covered wagon. Very jerky, the ride was very twitchy on narrow winding hilly roads. There's no "phenomena " or Aura that your Tesla would provide over a standard vehicle. I could have been all in your guests head maybe? I don't think the model 3 has windows any bigger or smaller than other vehicles. Maybe due to no engine sound.

 

[y_p_w]

I wouldn't necessarily know, but perhaps the glass roof might have an effect. My dad absolutely hates being driven around, claiming that if he's not driving he feels motion sickness as a result. However, I've been driving him a bit in his Model 3 and he hasn't complained about feeling sick. He of course complains about my driving......

 

[AZjeff]

Or maybe it's because of the long wheelbase of the Model 3?

Long compared to what? Corolla, Camry, Crown Vic, crew cab truck???

 

[ecotourist]

Long compared to what? Corolla, Camry, Crown Vic, crew cab truck???

Long considering the car's length. [Short compared to a Greyhound.]

We have a severely up sloped and oblique angle corner to get out of our neighbourhood. My Tesla will drag if I take the usual route. I get around it by squaring off the corner. Not a biggy, but evidence of the long wheelbase (and little ground clearance).

 

[ecotourist]

I wouldn't necessarily know, but perhaps the glass roof might have an effect. My dad absolutely hates being driven around, claiming that if he's not driving he feels motion sickness as a result. However, I've been driving him a bit in his Model 3 and he hasn't complained about feeling sick.

That's pretty much my friend's experience as well. She generally prefers to drive or at least sit in a front seat. She tried sitting in the back seat of the Tesla and found she was just fine.

 

[fsdork]

Maybe you're just a good driver. My wife has commented that she would often feel a bit carsick when riding in a vehicle with my father in-law driving, as he tends to use abrupt inputs. Although I do accelerate more aggressively than average, I think I roll into the pedals more smoothly.

Alternatively, perhaps Tesla has done a good job of smoothing out the vehicle's response to inputs.

Maybe it's both. Or neither.

 

[Trav]

Got it, now musk can advertise Tesla cures motion sickness. LOL

 

[wpod]

I found just the opposite in the model y. My parents rented one last year for a week and it rode like a covered wagon. Very jerky, the ride was very twitchy on narrow winding hilly roads. There's no "phenomena " or Aura that your Tesla would provide over a standard vehicle. I could have been all in your guests head maybe? I don't think the model 3 has windows any bigger or smaller than other vehicles. Maybe due to no engine sound.

If you buy a Tesla you get the smug feeling you are saving the planet . Worth ever cent.

 

[vavavroom]

You spin me right 'round, baby, right 'round
Like a record, baby, right 'round, 'round, 'round

 

[JohnnyG]

My wife would get motion sickness in my Jeep JK4, and my Ford F150 (twin I-beam front axle). Never in the Caddy's I've owned, nor the Mercedes. It was due to t he side to side rocking of those suspensions that got her. So I suppose you have to know which vehicle made your friend ill. I'd guess that the low ground clearance of the model 3 does not allow for much side to side rocking.

Maybe your passenger should try a tinfoil hat to eliminate the effects of the electrical fields? Just Kidding of course.

 

[Torrid]

There's just less to feel in an EV. There's no shifting of gears to interrupt the pull of power in stop and go traffic. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the absolute pull of power can do it as a passenger because of g force under full acceleration.

Having a truck or tall SUV definitely amplifies body motion being so far above the axle. My youngest is prone to motion sickness and it happened a lot in our F150 and Edge, but it hasn't happened in the GTI or Model 3.

 

[AZjeff]

Having a truck or tall SUV definitely amplifies body motion being so far above the axle.

Maybe something to do with how it's driven? I get motion sickness if I'm a passenger and any vehicle is driven even slightly aggressively in corners. Never in anything driven low g's.

My youngest is prone to motion sickness and it happened a lot in our F150 and Edge, but it hasn't happened in the GTI or Model 3.

There you go, reason enough to outlaw trucks and SUVs for private use!

 

[daves87rs]

Got it, now musk can advertise Tesla cures motion sickness. LOL

Never get sick of the car lol

 

[Torrid]

Maybe something to do with how it's driven? I get motion sickness if I'm a passenger and any vehicle is driven even slightly aggressively in corners. Never in anything driven low g's.


There you go, reason enough to outlaw trucks and SUVs for private use!

I love it. I definitely think it has to be some form of multiplying force over the center line of the axles with how rough some roads are here. I'd call it sway I guess. I don't do well as a rear seat passenger in any vehicle though. Driving style does play a big part. Working for the railroad though I can't think of a single time I've been a passenger in a single vehicle that wasn't a full size truck or full size SUV. I'd like to think I'm a good driver! I feel bad because I was always sensitive to it as a kid too. She didn't seem too pleased when I talked to her about the EV Lightning, so if if we get that far it'll be part of the vetting process. I'm thinking I'll stay away from the idea because I think I've built tuner kids and they are into modified performance cars now. We'll see how it plays out.

 

[Torrid]

I wouldn't necessarily know, but perhaps the glass roof might have an effect. My dad absolutely hates being driven around, claiming that if he's not driving he feels motion sickness as a result. However, I've been driving him a bit in his Model 3 and he hasn't complained about feeling sick. He of course complains about my driving......

I've always been a bit sensitive to that. Unless I'm absolutely exhausted I'd prefer to be the driver. I think that may be a control situation though. I don't do well as a passenger.

 

[PandaBear]

Tesla is heavier, having longer wheel base, acceleration without shifting and powerband is consistent vs a gasoline engine, the center of gravity is lower so it doesn't wobble as much as a tall car.