Road & Track GUSH over Model S

I like this statement

 

Gushing & salivating, the 60Kwh Model S starts at $63,570, may cost less than a BMW active hybrid 5 which starts at $61,400.

Model S delivery story! My 2013 Tesla Model S Electric Sport Sedan: Delivery at Last!

 

Can you power off the car while sitting in it? Did the author mention that is not doable? I heard there is a 'butt sensor', so whenyou put it in park, it shuts off when you get out of the seat? If so, they need a power off button.

Is there a 'park' button on the steering wheel? Does that park button activate an electrical parking brake?

 

If it's easy to turn off or power off the car while in the driver's seat, fine, but if it's not easy, then I don't think I would like that.

Come to think of it, some times I get in my car just to get something out of the glove box or wipe down the interior, etc... I usually have my key because had to unlock to get in.... if I touched the brake pedal and the car powered on when I don't want it to .... I wouldn't like that.

I think the Model S powers on with key in pocket, sitting in driver's seat and applying the brake, or maybe lightly applying / touching brake pedal.

Hard to tell w/o living with one, but might they have gone too far leaving out a power on/off button?

 

cool... seems like a great car.

 

One day

 

To wipe down the dash, inside windshield, console, detail interior ... yes I sit in the driver's seat to do so. Sometimes I might need to change batteries in flash light in glove box, any number of things. Maybe I don't accidentally hit the brake pedal.

I don't do this much, but sometimes I may just want to stop for a while, send a text, eat some lunch in driver's seat and oftentimes I prefer the car to be powered off.

 

Splitting atoms

 

I just wanted to know they left in an option to power off the car while sitting in it, and from the manual below, it looks as though they did. I saw a review a while back where I thought reviewer claimed it couldn't be done, but sounds like something changed or he didn't know how. There's probably ways to change the user setup on power off, locking, etc...


"PARKING AND POWER OFF
When you finish driving, shift into P (Park) by pressing the button on
the end of the gear selector. The parking brake automatically engages
and all systems keep operating. When you leave Model S, it powers off
automatically, turning off the touchscreen and instrument panel.
Model S also powers off automatically after being in Park for 15 minutes,
even if you’re sitting in the driver’s seat.
To manually power off Model S, or to control the parking
brake, touch CONTROLS > E-BRAKE & POWER OFF."

http://www.teslamotors.com/sites/default/files/blog_attachments/ms_owners_guide.pdf

 

LOL. That's because you are so eager to drive it.

I guess you haven't had occasion to eat something while stopped, or if you don't eat in the car, I could see that. On rare occasion I'll eat something while stopped and I'm sure many others do that too.

 

Utterly bizarre.
Why would you turn off the car while eating?
I prefer a bit of music, or news with my lunch.
But yes, as you found, you can turn the car off via the main console.

 

It seems good it powers off when you get out of the seat. That way it can't be left powered on like some Prius driver's who've walked away leaving car powered up.

 

It's not like the car's motor idles.

With just the displays and radio on, it might only be drawing from the 12volt battery.

 

Anyone think Model S should eventually get heated steering wheel and heated rear seats?

 

I don't know of any other cars with heated rear seats. I can't see this as a sales point for anything but limos. Heated steering wheel may be a good idea, but since you can pre heat the car, its probably not as necessary as on some other non-electrics

I would think for normal use, there is no reason for an off switch in an EV. There is the case for strange emergencies and for first responders that a hard off switch would be nice.