A recent incident involving a Tesla Model 3 has raised concerns about the safety of software updates. A TikToker, Brianna Janel, found herself locked inside her Tesla Model 3 for 40 minutes in the hot sun while the car was installing a software update. The incident, which has garnered over 10.7 million views on TikTok, occurred despite Janel following Tesla’s guidelines.
According to Tesla’s owner’s manual, vehicle functions, including safety systems and the ability to open or close doors or windows, may be limited or disabled during the installation process. Janel chose to heed Tesla’s warning and did not attempt to open her doors or windows during the installation process for fear of damaging her vehicle. However, this resulted in her being stuck inside the car as the interior temperature rose to 115 degrees.
The door mechanisms on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are electrically operated, and under normal circumstances, they are opened from the inside using a button to unlatch the door. These models do have auxiliary manual cable release levers also found on the door panel, but Tesla warns against using the manual mechanism, citing that it should only be used when the car has no power. Janel was aware of this option but didn’t want to risk damaging her car.
In contrast, Lucid Motors requires all occupants to exit the vehicle before the installation process begins, and the Lucid Air owner manual states that owners will not be able to lock or unlock the doors during an update. The Air will start a two-minute countdown when an owner chooses to install an update, giving them enough time to get out prior to the update beginning.
The Tesla owner’s manual states that the car will not initiate a software update if Keep Climate mode, Dog Mode, Sentry Mode, or Camp Mode are engaged, but it fails to require vehicle occupants to exit the vehicle before the installation process begins. Tesla also recommends owners install software updates as soon as possible, which could cause some owners to feel obligated to initiate an update in a compromised environment. Janel said her car estimated the installation would only take 24 minutes, but it actually took 40 minutes.
Despite the harrowing experience, Janel claims to have owned a Tesla for six years, and she said she will continue to own her car for many years.
Read more at: gizmodo.com