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Model S Keyless System described by Tesla in this NHTSA Comment Letter

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I've been searching the NHTSA website and came across this interesting March 12, 2012 submission from Tesla in the form of a 5-page comment letter in response to proposed NHTSA rulemaking regarding Theft and Rollaway Prevention:

http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=NHTSA-2011-0174-0029

It describes operation of the Model S keyless system in detail for vehicle entry, starting and shutdown.
 
Great find, Russ! Thanks.

Very interesting read; one extract related to towing:

The Model S is equipped with a stop switch, but activation is currently possible only after several touch screen commands. The primary purpose of this stop switch is to override the automatic shut down process of the vehicle and allow towing. Specifically, should Model S require towing, the only means by which the vehicle can be shifted into neutral and shut off is through this process. Having the stop switch enabled only after several touch screen commands ensures that the operator understands the consequence of overriding the automatic shut down process, as well as minimizing inadvertent shifting of the vehicle out of park.

About the missing mechanical hand/park brake:

Finally, all Model S vehicles will be equipped with a park brake capable of dynamic application. When the park brake button on the center screen is depressed, regardless of vehicle speed, the brake is applied slowing the vehicle.

Good luck finding that one on the screen quickly enough in an emergency!
 
It's cool that the Model S can do the following (impossible for an ICE drivetrain to do, right?) but, how can the driver get out of the car, with the key fob, while the car is in D or R?

Moreover, if the driver stops the vehicle and exits with the key fob but fails to shift into park from drive or reverse, the vehicle automatically engages the park position prior to shut down.

What, no chance to get the car to go off a cliff while jumping out just in time (to eliminate one 'identity' or some such nefarious motive)?! ;)
 
It's cool that the Model S can do the following (impossible for an ICE drivetrain to do, right?) but, how can the driver get out of the car, with the key fob, while the car is in D or R?

Picture this:

It's the upper midwest in January. It's a cold, blustery day and you're running late for work because you overslept thanks in large part to that new video game which was released at midnight. You stumble still half asleep out of the house, hop in the car, only to realize that you forgot your gloves. You curse as you undo your belt, open the door, and step on the garage floor, quickly becoming aware that in your half-waking state, you forgot to put the car in park. Your fight-or-flight instincts take over, and you roll away from the car, as you watch the open drivers door in slow motion contact the side wall of the garage. It bends perpendicular to the car, but provides enough resistance to stop the car from rolling further. After more cursing, you're able to run around the vehicle, get back in, move it back in the garage, and survey your handiwork.

Not that that's ever happened, or anything... but I'm sure it's possible.
 
What, no chance to get the car to go off a cliff while jumping out just in time (to eliminate one 'identity' or some such nefarious motive)?! ;)

It's easy. You just toss the fob in the window as the car rolls toward it's certain doom. The only problem is there isn't a gas tank filled with nicely explosive gasoline to go boom when the car hits the bottom.
 
It's easy. You just toss the fob in the window as the car rolls toward it's certain doom. The only problem is there isn't a gas tank filled with nicely explosive gasoline to go boom when the car hits the bottom.

Aargh, of course! Might need to toss a 200lb sandbag in the driver's seat too to activate that sensor.

But, yeah, Hollywood has to rethink how to make that action sequence happen in a post-ICE world.

Back on topic!
 
It's easy. You just toss the fob in the window as the car rolls toward it's certain doom. The only problem is there isn't a gas tank filled with nicely explosive gasoline to go boom when the car hits the bottom.

You do know that the Mythbusters utterly busted that Hollywood exploding car thing, right? To get a car to explode after hurtling off a cliff they had to wire it with explosives.

Now going up in flames, that happens all the time - no crash required.
 
It's cool that the Model S can do the following (impossible for an ICE drivetrain to do, right?) but, how can the driver get out of the car, with the key fob, while the car is in D or R?
Moreover, if the driver stops the vehicle and exits with the key fob but fails to shift into park from drive or reverse, the vehicle automatically engages the park position prior to shut down.

The Roadster 2.5 does this already. The car engages park as soon as you turn off the motor and remove the key.
 
I've been searching the NHTSA website and came across this interesting March 12, 2012 submission from Tesla in the form of a 5-page comment letter in response to proposed NHTSA rulemaking regarding Theft and Rollaway Prevention:

http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=NHTSA-2011-0174-0029

It describes operation of the Model S keyless system in detail for vehicle entry, starting and shutdown.

Thanks, engle, for the link. Very interesting to read.
And thanks guys for the imaginative scenarios....... you made me smile. :smile:
 
Seems like those Mythbusters guys could fill a whole show on the myths of electric vehicles!

Surely this one!

dbrn511l.jpg


Hollywood can rope in Samuel L. Jackson for "Eels in the Frunk" - sorry, couldn't resist! :)