Is the lack of electrically-folding mirrors a big problem?

[adhawan]

I agree with you guys. I just sent Tesla an email request for a power-retractable heated mirror. I suggest each of you send them some feedback too - if they get enough pressure, perhaps they will come up with something by the time Canadian Production starts. Wishful thinking I know, but it's worth a shot...

[Lloyd]

I agree that heated mirrors are necessary for driving is really cold weather. Foldable, yes is needed if you have a narrow parking space or garage. These should be made optional items for Tesla to keep their price point where it needs to be.

I live in Central Coastal California. I need a heated mirror about maybe once a year, but other areas of the country are not so fortunate with the weather and need this option.

I would likely not order folding mirrors if it were an option, but see it as a necessity for others.

[NigelM]

I'm not being flippant here but what did people in cold climates do before heated mirrors wre introduced? Risk of going OT but I'm genuinely curious.

[Lloyd]

You pull over, open the windows, Freeze for about a minute while you scrape the mirrors off, or continue driving not being able to see out of your side mirrors.

[olanmills]

While I suppose I was not surprised to learn of there existence, the first time I heard about power folding mirrors was on the offcial Tesla forums, when somebody was asking if they would be included. I guess they wouldn't be bad, but they don't seem that useful. I never fold the passenger side mirror, and I very, very occasionally fold the driver side mirror (while still sitting in the driver's seat) in order to clear a post or something that I am parking extremely close to.

Heated mirrors would be much more useful to me. I think that's a really nice feature. Still, on my current car, on the driver-side side mirror is heated and auto-dimming, and some how, I've managed to survive.

[Doug_G]

Although I would also appreciate heated mirrors, I haven't found it to be the massive problem others have described. In freezing rain conditions they don't tend to ice up if you're moving - that's what happens to the front of the mirrors. I once drove for four hours on the 401 in the midst of a ridiculous ice storm, and ended up with ice an inch thick across the front of the car, including the mirrors. But the mirrors themselves never iced up. (No I am not exaggerating about the inch thick part - everyone at work the next day was asking me what the heck happened to my car. It looked really bizarre.)

Also, I don't change lanes without shoulder-checking, regardless of how good the mirrors are.

Finally, I should point out that you can turn on the rear view camera while driving - and it's a nice big screen on the Model S.

[kendallpb]

My garage entrance is narrower than I thought. I believe it'll fit folded, but not sure. It's tough to answer the poll without knowing how wide the car is when the mirrors are folded.

[gmontem]

My garage entrance is narrower than I thought. I believe it'll fit folded, but not sure. It's tough to answer the poll without knowing how wide the car is when the mirrors are folded.

Width (Mirrors Extended): 86.2"
Width (Mirrors Folded): 77.3"

http://www.teslamotors.com/models/specs

[Jeeps17]

Although I would also appreciate heated mirrors, I haven't found it to be the massive problem others have described. In freezing rain conditions they don't tend to ice up if you're moving - that's what happens to the front of the mirrors. I once drove for four hours on the 401 in the midst of a ridiculous ice storm, and ended up with ice an inch thick across the front of the car, including the mirrors. But the mirrors themselves never iced up. (No I am not exaggerating about the inch thick part - everyone at work the next day was asking me what the heck happened to my car. It looked really bizarre.)

Also, I don't change lanes without shoulder-checking, regardless of how good the mirrors are.

Finally, I should point out that you can turn on the rear view camera while driving - and it's a nice big screen on the Model S.

True for the backup camera (which may well be iced over too !).

My issue with freezing rain is not with highway, but city driving, which I do much more of. In lower speed conditions, the direction of the wind pushing the rain has often lead to the back of my side mirrors getting iced up.

Freezing rain is not that frequent, but it is one of the most dangerous types of weather to be driving in, and you need everything your car can give you to maintain visibility.

[mnx]

The Montreal-ers had me starting to think I was nuts for not thinking heated mirrors were a must. I don't think I've ever had mirrors ice up while driving. (Sure they get covered in snow/ice when the car is parked but that doesn't make it a must have situation for me.)

Although I would also appreciate heated mirrors, I haven't found it to be the massive problem others have described. In freezing rain conditions they don't tend to ice up if you're moving - that's what happens to the front of the mirrors. I once drove for four hours on the 401 in the midst of a ridiculous ice storm, and ended up with ice an inch thick across the front of the car, including the mirrors. But the mirrors themselves never iced up. (No I am not exaggerating about the inch thick part - everyone at work the next day was asking me what the heck happened to my car. It looked really bizarre.)

Also, I don't change lanes without shoulder-checking, regardless of how good the mirrors are.

Finally, I should point out that you can turn on the rear view camera while driving - and it's a nice big screen on the Model S.