# Teslas really are not great cars **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 30, 2025, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339 "2025-03-30T09:18:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/201 "2025-04-13T15:39:13Z")
That is not obvious _at all_ unless you have studied the owner’s manual, and not all Teslas are Model 3s. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/202 "2025-04-13T15:39:42Z")
Okay, they have a manual way to open the door. But i wouldn’t describe that as “in the usual expected place”. That’s kind of a hidden secret switch. I wouldn’t expect anyone to find it without having read the manual or otherwise being given guidance. But good to know. I used to drive a plug-in hybrid Ford Cmax. If it hadn’t been a lemon, I’d probably still be driving it. But it was a lemon. With a decent warranty. So Ford road service helped us a lot. Once, when the car died in the middle of a road, the service man arrived. And he said, “can you open the hatchback?” I replied, “no”. He looked at me, annoyed, and said, “i need to open that to get at the main battery to start your car”. And i told him, " and I’d love to open it for you, but i can’t, because the power is off and i can’t open that door without power". It took a while, probably he had to jump the car to open the hatch, i forget. But anyway, i don’t mean to minimize the value of a mechanical backup. I wish I’d had one. But it’s not appropriate to describe that as “in the usual place” ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/203 "2025-04-13T15:43:20Z")
How many people that rent Teslas are told that they must read the manual first, or even told that reading the manual first would be a good idea? ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/204 "2025-04-13T15:43:49Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > When you factor that in, “only” 19 deaths attributed to FSD is a bit high. Hajario wrote “linked”, not attributed. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/205 "2025-04-13T15:45:40Z")
The Model 3 and Y have the same doors. The electronic button opens the windows a little so it’s easier on the weather stripping. The mechanical just unlatches. Maybe because it’s the same on the Honda that I had before but the very first thing I did when I was in an Uber Tesla was open the door that way and the driver chastised me. I’ve had passengers do the same thing in my car before I explained to them. It was right where I and others expected it to be. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/206 "2025-04-13T15:47:58Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > How many people that rent Teslas are told that they must read the manual first, or even told that reading the manual first would be a good idea? Everyone agrees that the Tesla rental thing was a terrible idea for many reasons. I can definitely tell you that the door latch was exactly where I expected it to be. The same place as my old Honda. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/207 "2025-04-13T15:53:06Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Could they have been talking about the battery issues with regards to fires which is a thing for all EVs? That was part of it, which as you say, is a factor for all EVs. But he specifically mentioned the doors. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/208 "2025-04-13T15:56:39Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I did have a client almost drown in his Suburban because the first responders were unable to open the door under water. That may just be simple physics; pressure differentials & the amount of water pressure on that door & even the strongest strongman couldn’t open it ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/209 "2025-04-13T16:09:34Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > The electronic button opens the windows a little so it’s easier on the weather stripping. The mechanical just unlatches. The funny thing about that is: my Subaru has a mechanical door handle and the car senses that it is being used and dips the window just fine. My 2007 Mini did the same thing. Why Tesla went with the complexity of two door releases with only one of them working properly is beyond me. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/210 "2025-04-13T16:14:29Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > I’ve heard about this mostly with regard to Teslas, including from a firefighter friend of mine who said they must be treated quite differently in various emergency situations. This is not a Tesla issue, it is a high voltage battery issue. All EVs and hybrids are going to require different rescue procedures than used on gas cars. If you search you can find the manuals for emergency responders about the Nissan Leaf, Tesla, and others. They detail where to cut to disable the high voltage battery, and where it is safe cut chop apart the car without hitting in high voltage wires. And cutting into the car has nothing to do with the electric door poppers. It is because sometimes in accidents the doors can’t be opened, or a bigger hole has to made to get someone out. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/211 "2025-04-13T16:14:44Z")
I agree. I drove a friend’s Mini not too long ago and that’s exactly how it worked and the latch was in the same place as the Tesla latch as I recall. Presumably it works just fine with a dead battery with the window staying in place. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/212 "2025-04-13T16:46:08Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Everyone agrees that the Tesla rental thing was a terrible idea for many reasons. Yeah, i accidentally rented an electric Kia a couple of months ago, and it was a huge nuisance in ways that owning the same car wouldn’t have been. We don’t yet have the infrastructure for electric rentals to be a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/213 "2025-04-13T22:01:15Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > How many people that rent Teslas are told that they must read the manual first, or even told that reading the manual first would be a good idea? The glove compartment of the one I rented didn’t have a manual, just a Gideon’s bible, and one of those little green “Psalms + gospels.” I did manage to bring a few helpful hints up on my phone. Like where the keys go so the car will start. I swear, it reminded me of those novelty puzzle boxes. Yes, I realize that the bibles are one thing I cannot put squarely at the feet of Elon Musk. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/214 "2025-04-13T22:11:27Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > The glove compartment of the one I rented didn’t have a manual, just a Gideon’s bible, and one of those little green “Psalms + gospels.” I see you found the Easter Egg! Probably left there by a previous renter. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/215 "2025-04-13T22:22:00Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I see you found the Easter Egg! > > Probably left there by a previous renter. could have left the manual _as well_. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/216 "2025-04-14T02:33:06Z")
I think Tesla’s manual is only online, not printed ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/217 "2025-04-14T02:34:50Z")
Well, then, that info and a URL would have been helpful. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/218 "2025-04-14T03:31:10Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Well, then, that info and a URL would have been helpful It can be accessed through the big screen in the car. That’s reasonably convenient,as you can’t lose, it, **if you know it’s there**. I’m not blaming you for lack of this information; it’s not something we’re born with. I do blame the rental companies for not having a pamphlet with the title _So You’ve Decided to Rent a Tesla_. Not that anyone would read it, but the rental companies could at least try. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/219 "2025-04-14T04:19:03Z")
My own car, which was in for work, is a Leaf, and the car I _booked_ was a Bolt. By the time I went in to get it, though, Tesla. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/220 "2025-04-14T05:01:32Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Well, then, that info and a URL would have been helpful. www [tesla.com/ownersmanual/](http://tesla.com/ownersmanual/) Or, as mentioned, right on the screen [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339.md?page=12)