Lifestyle
Elon Musk shares tip on how to cool Tesla Model S 3rd row “jump seats”
Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently gave a useful air-conditioning tip for Model S units equipped third-row rear-facing “jump” seats. According to the Musk, a trick with the settings of the electric car’s air conditioning system should help keep the rear-most seats that are designed for children as cool as possible.
Musk’s Model S A/C advice was posted on Twitter after Pittsburgh, PA resident Matthew Feinman stated that his kids ended up dehydrated and drenched in sweat after spending around 20 minutes sitting at the rear of the full-sized electric sedan. Feinman also noted that the electric car’s air-conditioning was maxed out during the drive, but there seemed to be no air circulation in the area where his children were.
In classic Musk fashion, the Tesla CEO responded to the Model S driver’s observations, advising that turning off the car’s air circulation can help keep the third-row seats cool during drives. Musk also provided a brief explanation of the airflow design of the Model S’ third-row seats.
“If there is anyone in the third row, turn off air recirculation. Third-row cooling happens by air entering from the front and exiting through the vents in the rear bumper.”
Feinman was grateful for Musk’s immediate response to his observations, stating that the CEO’s air-conditioning tip did not seem to be in the Model S’ owner’s manual. The Model S driver further noted that a nearby Service Center and Tesla showroom were not able to give any advice on the third-row seat air circulation issue either.
Air circulation in the Model S’ rear-facing seats has been a hot topic of discussion among the owner’s community. Some members, for one, have resorted to DIY projects, such as this one featured in the Tesla Motors Club, to improve air circulation in the Model S’ third-row seats. Other Tesla owners have also shared tips with each other to help keep the rear-facing seats cool, such as adding solar screens, turning off recirculation, and driving with Range Mode turned off.
If there is anyone in the third row, turn off air recirculation. Third row cooling happens by air entering from the front and exiting through the vents in the rear bumper.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 6, 2018
As we noted in a previous report, the Model S’ rear-facing seats have caused misconceptions in the past. Last year, a Model S owner was confronted at gunpoint by the Newhall, California Sheriff’s Department after getting reported for an alleged abduction. Unaware of the full-sized electric sedan’s seating design, witnesses reportedly believed that the Tesla owner was stuffing a child in the car’s trunk. Fortunately, after explaining the design of the Model S’ third-row seating configuration, the Tesla owner did not receive any charges.
Lt. Rob Hahnlein, one of the officers who responded to the alleged kidnapping, admitted that the misunderstanding happened because they were not aware of the Model S’ design.
“It was not a kidnapping. We’re not Tesla experts. The new Teslas have a weird back seat and when they put the (child) in the back seat it looked like they were putting them in the trunk,” the officer said.
Elon Musk has been pretty open about the idea of FSD being the difference maker for Tesla’s future.
If Tesla succeeds in achieving FSD, it could become the world’s most valuable company. If it doesn’t, then the company would not be able to reach its optimum potential.
FSD Supervised’s safety benefits:
- But even if FSD is still not perfect today, FSD Supervised is already making a difference on the roads today.
- This was highlighted in Tesla’s Q4 2024 Vehicle Safety Report.
- As per Tesla, it recorded one crash for every 5.94 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology.
- For comparison, the most recent data available from the NHTSA and FHWA (from 2023) showed that there was one automobile crash every 702,000 miles in the United States.
This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
— JC Christopher (@JohnChr08117285) January 29, 2025
The convenience of…
FSD user’s tale:
- As per an FSD user’s post on social media platform X, FSD Supervised was able to help him drive a relative to a medical facility safely even if he was exhausted.
- During the trip, the driver only had to monitor FSD Supervised’s performance to make sure the Tesla operated safely.
- In a vehicle without FSD, such a trip with an exhausted driver would have been quite dangerous.
- “This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
- “The convenience of sending the hospital’s address directly from my iPhone to my Tesla while still inside my house, then just a single button press once inside, and 40 miles later we were precisely in front of the hospital’s admissions area.This experience really underscores just how transformative this technology can be for society,” Tesla owner JC Christopher noted in his post.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
There are few things that prove an enthusiast’s love towards a company more than a dedicated short film. This was highlighted recently when YouTube’s SoKrispyMedia posted a 10-minute action movie starring Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, as well as several of the company’s most iconic products.
The video:
- Shot like a Hollywood action flick, the video featured a rather humorous plot involving a group of thieves that mistakenly targeted a Tesla Model 3 driver.
- The Model 3 driver then ended up speaking to Tesla for assistance, and some high-octane and high-speed hijinks ensued.
- While the short film featured several Tesla products like the Model 3, Superchargers, and the Cybertruck, it is Optimus that truly stole the show.
- Optimus served several roles in the short film, from an assistant in a Tesla office to a “robocop” enforcer that helped out the Model 3 driver.
Future Robo-cop @Tesla_Optimus
— SOKRISPYMEDIA (@sokrispymedia) January 12, 2025
full video: https://t.co/TXpSRhcP5K pic.twitter.com/YFHZ7siAP7
Cool inside jokes:
- The best Tesla videos are those that show an in-depth knowledge of the company, and SoKrispyMedia definitely had it.
- From the opening scenes alone, the video immediately poked fun at TSLA traders, the large number of gray Tesla owners, and the fact that many still do not understand Superchargers.
- The video even poked fun at Tesla’s software updates, as well as how some Tesla drivers use Autopilot or other features without reading the fine print in the company’s release notes.
- The video ended with a tour de force of references to Elon Musk products, from the Tesla Cybertruck to the Boring Company Not-a-Flamethrower, which was released back in 2018.
Check out SoKrispyMedia’s Tesla action short film in the video below.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
Tesla definitely seems to be determined to release the coolest lineup of accessories for its coolest vehicle. As could be seen in an update to the Tesla Shop, the electric vehicle maker has now launched a metal key card for the Cybertruck—because why not?
Cybertruck keys:
- The Cybertruck, similar to Tesla’s other vehicles, is shipped with a regular key card.
- The vehicle could also be accessed and locked through a phone key.
- As per the Cybertruck’s Owner’s Manual, the all-electric pickup truck is capable of supporting a total of 19 keys.
The Cybertruck’s Metal Key Card:
- Tesla’s Cybertruck Metal Key Card functions much like the vehicle’s regular key card, but it is finished using premium stainless steel
- As per Tesla’s description of the item:
- “Convenient, durable, versatile. The Cybertruck Metal Key Card is a premium stainless-steel alternative to our traditional plastic key cards, making it easy to access your Cybertruck without your Phone Key. Ideal for when your phone is unavailable or when sharing your vehicle with a friend or valet.”
- The Cybertruck Metal Key Card costs $60.
- In comparison, the Cybertruck’s regular key card is sold for $40.
- The Cybertruck Metal Key Card comes with the metal key card itself, as well as a bifold key card wallet.
Tesla Cybertruck merch push:
- Being the company’s most eye-catching vehicle, it is no surprise that that Tesla has been releasing quite a lot of merchandise inspired by the all-electric pickup truck.
- These include a $250 levitating Cybertruck model, as well as a $35 Cybertruck wind-up racer, both of which are out of stock.
- Tesla also sells the $35 “CyberMug,” a $40 “CyberStein,” and a $50 “CyberVessel.”
- Other Cybertruck-inspired merchandise are the $60 Cyberwhistle Stealth, and the $50 CyberOpener.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
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