71–80 of 113 posts
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Apparently non-retractable door handles have only a very minor impact on drag/efficiency: https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/09/flush-door-handles-are-... So, yes, I think you're right that they are largely just a gimmick.
Nissan GT-R manual flush handles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK0MxfPE4N0&pp=ygUWbmlzc2FuI...
Electric retractable door handles is such a stupid gimmick. I once pulled over to help a stranded Model S driver with a flat tire in the Mojave desert. Every door handle had a zip tie hanging off it because they _all_ had failed present mechanisms. Junk
I'm old and still somewhat feel electric windows is such a gimmick. For that inevitable day when I run my car off the bridge and into some body of water, I'll be able to get out of my car when I manually roll down my window. Electric windows are a death trap! At some point, convenience routs safety, and the consumers have spoken
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I'm old and still somewhat feel electric windows is such a gimmick. For that inevitable day when I run my car off the bridge and into some body of water, I'll be able to get out of my car when I manually roll down my window. Electric windows are a death trap! At some point, convenience routs safety, and the consumers have spoken
You cannot open car windows under water, electric or not. The pressure jams everything up.
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The funny thing is that Elon has been very critical of regulation in car design, such as the rules around the side-view mirrors (he wanted to get rid of them and replace with cameras). But then they find something unregulated and manage to flub it so badly it makes a strong case for regulation. I'm not sure if Elon was involved in these door handles on the interior, though I do recall he was very involved in the earl…
I always found what we regulate and don't regulate when it comes to motor vehicles interesting... Demanding Tesla's need door handle regulation because of safety concerns lacks perspective given how relatively safe Teslas are, and that current regulation allows people to buy vehicles which go 60MPH+ on just two wheels, no airbags, and no doors at all. It would be cool if Tesla can come up with something a bit safer i…
To put things in comparison, there were fewer injuries associated with the infamous Ford Pinto and its explosive fuel tank, and that was considered one of the most dangerous cars ever made in the U.S.
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You cannot open car windows under water, electric or not. The pressure jams everything up.
That's precisely why you roll down the window. Nobody suggested opening the door. Not even sure how you got there
>You cannot open car WINDOWS under water, electric or not.
>Nobody suggested opening the door. Not even sure how you got there
Uh, you aren't sure how I got there because I didn't. I never even said the word door.
You cannot roll down manual car windows in a sunken car because the pressure of the water jams the mechanism regardless of what powers that mechanism. In a still sinking car, electric windows do not short out and you can roll them down just fine.
Purely mechanical flush exterior door handles are possible if aerodynamics (or giving the impression of trying too hard to be aerodynamic) are a factor. Aircraft have used them for decades. Several older cars have used them including the Chevrolet Corvette (third generation), Subaru XT, Fiat Barchetta, and Pontiac Grand Prix (third generation).
Just to share a personal anecdote. The other day me and my wife were getting into an Uber that was a Model 3 and she said to me "I don't know how this door works, can you open it for me". Sure they are not that hard to figure out but something like door handles shouldn't be something to "figure out" at all, it should be immediately obvious how to open the vehicle. Beyond that I just dislike electronic door handles in…
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It's not about banning a particular design, it's about mandating that emergency egress is possible. If you're ever trapped in a burning car and can't open the fucking doors you might find that requirement to be a little bit less silly than you think it to be.
No other car company has screwed it up this badly before. Tesla may force it to happen if enough deaths occur.
I considered buying a Model 3 but the door handles were the dealbreaker for me. The standard door handles don't work if the vehicle has a loss of power (such as after a collision). In the front, there's a manual release in the front seat that's accessible if you know where to look, but would be easy to miss in an emergency. In the rear, it's almost impossible to access the manual release in an emergency. You have to…
Just to share a personal anecdote. The other day me and my wife were getting into an Uber that was a Model 3 and she said to me "I don't know how this door works, can you open it for me". Sure they are not that hard to figure out but something like door handles shouldn't be something to "figure out" at all, it should be immediately obvious how to open the vehicle. Beyond that I just dislike electronic door handles in…
The electronic door handle being a safety issue has been discussed for a very long time and to the point it's surprising it's just now getting this scrutiny. Personally, I don't want to ride in a Tesla and this is one of a few reasons.