Model S Door Handles

They get super hot in CA too. I looked at EVAnnex's genuine carbon covers. They would certainly solve the problem. But you must buy a kit that includes the nose cone and B pillar appliques. I did and applied the two latter. They look great. Fit perfectly. I love them. I deemed the handles to be tacky as I could still see the chrome. They fit well. But they don't wrap around (not possible). So I tossed them. I am certain that they would work for keeping the handles cool on the exterior. Not sure about the inside part that we pull. Just don't know. But the kit price is high if that is all you want/need. I wrote them and expressed that forcing a kit for all three was a mistake on their part. No response or change.

I drive mine throughout last summer and frequently had it outside baking during the hottest hours. BTW, the smartphone climate control activation was worth a lot then. We never had any issues with actually touching the door handles because of auto-present. On the few occasions when auto-present was slow we tapped the handle with a fingernail, that always worked. Thus, for us at least, there was no problem at all.

Well, you know the Model S is a hot car! :cursing:

FloridaGary said:

Good to hear and perhaps I worried over nothing. Thank you.

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I've heard some folks complain about the handles getting hot but the great majority of owners we know never complain. Our Model S has survived 3 summers so far.

They can get really hot if you actually touch them. I don't think I've ever pressed the handles to open them (other than demoing how they work), because they auto present when I walk up to the vehicle, or when I unlock with the fob. The inside of the handle isn't particularly hot, and that is the part I pull to open the door.