Tesla removes window auto-close feature due to new regulations

Updated federal regulations from NHTSA no longer allow windows to auto-close via cars or apps, among other features.

Tesla owners took to social media to share their frustrations about the lack of auto-closing windows in their cars.

Twitter users and Tesla owners @Tommyf902 I have contacted Tesla Service to obtain additional information regarding this issue. Tesla Services responded, “Due to recent federal regulations, certain automatic window features will no longer be available until further development.”

Features mentioned by Tesla Service include:

• A physical switch rolls the window up or down as long as the vehicle’s brake pedal is not pressed.
• Ventilate/close windows via the Tesla mobile app
• Windows close automatically when the vehicle is locked
• Automatically close windows when vehicle is in wash mode

Although not specifically mentioned by Tesla Services, this may also limit window movement during Tesla’s light show feature.

This latest safety guidance from NHTSA isn’t just limited to Windows. It also applies to roof panel systems and partitions.

“This standard applies to passenger cars, utility vehicles, and trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings of 4,536 kg or less. For vehicles manufactured before October 1, 2008, S6(a) of this standard applies. Inadvertent Actuation Performance Requirements Not Required: S6(c) standard pull-to-close switch operability requirements are not required for vehicles manufactured prior to October 1, 2010.

Operation of electric windows, partitions or roof panel systems can only be closed when the vehicle’s engine is set to the ‘ON’, ‘START’ or ‘ACCESSORY’ position. By “muscle power unassisted by the power supplied by the vehicle.” Or, above all, during continuous activation of a locking system external to the vehicle. A message from Tesla Services to Tommy said, “Until further development takes place.”

future availability

Federal regulatory code states that a window can be opened remotely if the device is continuously pushed and within 6 meters (19.5 feet) of the vehicle, but closing the window or partition You can not. There are also some exceptions based on the window’s ability to detect force. According to regulations, windows must be able to stop and reverse direction when a force of 100 Newtons or more is applied.

The new Teslas have already been delivered without the ability to remotely close the windows, so it appears Tesla doesn’t have a solution that meets regulations, at least not yet. may be waiting for So this feature may not be available right now, but Tesla may roll out a fix or workaround for the issue.

Tesla’s stock fell, car deliveries fell short of expectations last quarter, and China saw a significant price drop. These are the main concerns swirling around electric car makers as investors take to Twitter to complain about lower prices abroad. However, his EV market in China is very different compared to most other parts of the world, especially North America.

Tesla dominates almost every market except China. Unlike the dinosaurs of the North American car sector, Chinese automakers have long been developing and producing electric vehicles. Tesla has monopolized buyers for electric cars in countries like the US and Canada, but it’s not so easy in China. Telsa has to convince consumers to try something other than his BYD Song Plus or Wuling Hongguang Mini EV.

Tesla is competing in China

BYD was founded in China in 2003 and by 2008 had produced China’s best-selling hybrid vehicle. In 2009, several years after the automaker achieved the top sales volume in the country. BYD has since converted to a fully electric vehicle, making it much easier to adapt to EVs while maintaining the brand that buyers already trust.

Then there’s the horrifyingly ugly and ridiculously cheap Wuling Hongguang Mini EV. With a starting point of $4,500, no one can hope to see them in this EV. Automakers have hit the Chinese market hard since 2020, not exceeding 500,000 units.

Tesla’s main competitor has two particularly important advantages. BYD has brand loyalty and the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV is cheap. So it makes sense that Tesla would be aggressive. The Model 3 is now the cheapest ever in China, and the Model Y is much more affordable.

Tesla price cut

The company already lowered the price a few months ago and is now lowering it again. RWD Model 3 went from nearly $39,000 to $33,500. The same car costs about $47,000 in the US. The RWD Model Y (not sold in North America) is currently down from around $42,000 to he’s $37,800.

Following its announcement in China, Tesla has also cut prices in several other regions. Model 3 and Model Y are discounted in Australia, with price reductions ranging from 2-4% depending on the model.

In addition to China and Australia, Japan is also slashing Model Y prices by up to 10%.

These prices may be difficult for North Americans to swallow, but consider that Tesla is constantly changing its prices to match what the market is paying. Removed the slimy auto salesman tactics that have plagued the industry for decades. So, while it may seem unfair, Tesla owners need to understand that a successful company in all markets around the world is essential to its survival in the face of increasing competition. I have.

There could also be some price cuts in the US as well. Tesla is aiming to make as many models eligible as possible, with his EV tax credit taking effect this January.

Elon Musk confirmed that while using the FSD Beta, Tesla vehicles no longer require the driver to apply force to the wheel. All Teslas now require the wheel to add resistance at regular intervals to check the driver’s attentiveness. However, with the addition of cabin cameras in 2017, this requirement may soon go away.

Elon confirmed the change in response to a tweet from @WholeMars Blogasked users who had driven over 10,000 miles with the FSD Beta software if there was an option to disable the tedious steering wheel nag.

Elon replied, “Agreed. The update will be in January.”

While using Autopilot, drivers are warned to keep their hands on the steering wheel after 30 to 70 seconds without applying torque to the wheels. The time varies depending on the situation and model. If the driver does not apply force after being warned, autopilot may be disrupted for the remainder of the drive or access to FSD Beta may be removed.

The FSD beta allows drivers to get up to five strikes before Tesla disables the feature for an extended period of time. For vehicles without a cabin camera, he is limited to 3 strikes.

possibility

It’s still unclear what Elon meant by agreeing to the “option to turn off steering wheel nugs.” Tesla may be able to measure hand tension more accurately in a future update, or switch to using the vehicle’s cabin camera. Many expect to use the cabin camera instead of detecting steering wheel tension, but Tesla may have simply improved its ability to detect hand tension. Tesla recently added the ability to detect defeated devices, so it’s clear that Tesla has made some improvements in that area.

This change will exclude Model S and Model X vehicles built before 2021, should Tesla transition to using only cabin cameras. This is because these vehicles do not have cameras.

Once the nags are finally removed, this is a huge step forward for using Autopilot and FSD Beta to provide a truly hands-free experience.

Since Autopilot was first introduced in 2014, it has relied on the application of force as an indication of driver alertness. Getting rid of the nagging issues is a big step forward for FSD Beta, and it will bring the level of autonomy that Tesla self-driving can achieve.