Retractable Door Handles - Is It Practical?

[AnOutsider]

Every time you press on the door handle to make it extend, you'll remember that that extra motion is the price of cool.

Every time it auto-extends as I approach, I'll remember the price of the tech package

Seriously though, you have valid concerns, but I don't think we can 100% call them issues just yet. Let's see these cars in the hands of owners and then see what the practicality amounts to. Surely even Elon isn't always in show-off mode and just wants in and out of his S quickly. I'm sure during real world testing they've encountered many of these issues. Hopefully they've found sensible solutions to them all.

Just remember that the cars we see aren't final #1 and #2 are likely in a limited/demo state.

[jerry33]

I thought that way about the SS/SE system on the Prius while I was waiting for delivery. However, after a couple of weeks it turned into on of those items that you would not do without if you could at all possibly afford it.

[Todd Burch]

One other scenario: The car loses all power (short circuit, bricked, accident, lightning, who knows) and you need to get in. Will they function mechanically?

I've often wondered how this is done on other cars without key locks, or when people only have FOBS. (What if the FOB died?). If power dies and the doors are locked, how do people get in with other cars? This is not unique to the Model S. maybe the fail-safe, no-power position is unlocked/extended?

[Todd Burch]

Every time you press on the door handle to make it extend, you'll remember that that extra motion is the price of cool.

If Tesla implements something sensible like I described, I see this as consuming a few seconds a month in my life at most. That's worth it.

And to reiterate, Tesla's never stated how the handles will work...that is, when specifically the handles would extend or retract. If we knew that, this would all be a moot point,

[onlinespending]

I know this was quite few posts ago, but that sums up my thoughts better than I could myself. Hat's off to smörgåsbord...

if you want practical, go get a Honda Civic.

[onlinespending]

One other scenario: The car loses all power (short circuit, bricked, accident, lightning, who knows) and you need to get in. Will they function mechanically?

again, how is this any different than every other current keyless entry that doesn't use a physical key and key slot?

[Todd Burch]

This is why no other car company lets potential customers fiddle with anything but a production car. Too many assumptions. Too many conclusions drawn on those assumptions.

[onlinespending]

Every time you press on the door handle to make it extend, you'll remember that that extra motion is the price of cool.

A price very well worth it IMHO. Every day that you plug in the Model S you'll remember this extra inconvenience is the price of going electric. Every time you step on the throttle you'll be reminded that this extra performance sacrifices energy efficiency. Every time you look at the gorgeous curves of the Model S you'll be reminded that it could have been that much more aero-dynamic had it looked as ugly as sin...as a Prius.

Look, a lot of features of the Model S (as well as most everything for that matter) sacrifices or compromises something else. Apparently you don't think the coolness (and nearly negligible aerodynamic benefits) are worth the inconvenience it creates. Personally I don't see much of an inconvenience and am more than happy with the small compromise this features creates. Others might be bothered by the "impracticality" of a 17" touchscreen and think it's not worth the inconvenience of having to fish for controls, or the added risk of it going dead, or even the added energy consumption it creates.

Another unmentioned benefit of the retracting door handles is that it hides the inevitable scratches that collect under the door handle from people's nails. If you don't believe me, go out and check your current car. You'd be surprised by how many scratches accumulate between the handle and door panel.

[Todd Burch]

A price very well worth it IMHO. Every day that you plug in the Model S you'll remember this extra inconvenience is the price of going electric. Every time you step on the throttle you'll be reminded that this extra performance sacrifices energy efficiency. Every time you look at the gorgeous curves of the Model S you'll be reminded that it could have been that much more aero-dynamic had it looked as ugly as sin...as a Prius.

Except that the Model S is actually more aerodynamic than a Prius...(from a Cd perspective, and possibly total drag as well)...and plugging in daily is actually a convenience, not an inconvenience...I can stop visiting the gas station on a weekly basis.

[Lloyd]

With BMW they have a physical key that folds out from the fob when you might need it. BMW also can unlock your car remotely if necessary.

I've often wondered how this is done on other cars without key locks, or when people only have FOBS. (What if the FOB died?). If power dies and the doors are locked, how do people get in with other cars? This is not unique to the Model S. maybe the fail-safe, no-power position is unlocked/extended?