High-tech features and capabilities that go beyond simple “wow” factors are common to Tesla cars, which are often held up as paragons of modernity and style. It’s almost impossible to find anything in a Tesla that’s done ‘regularly’.
Thanks to these many “innovations,” Tesla glove boxes, or glove compartments, have become a hot topic in recent years. When buyers sit in their new Tesla, the first thing they notice is that the glove box does not open normally. Instead, it uses a touchscreen on the center.
A potential situation like this presents itself to us. In Tesla cars, the glove box can be opened by the central touchscreen, but what if you were completely powerless and needed access to the glove box? Could you still open the glove box? It’s this question that drives today’s blog post.
Do All Tesla Models Come Without a Glove Box Latch?
Yes, Tesla now requires the main touchscreen to open the glove box on all models across its range. Open the box by following the same procedure, but with a slight difference in where the button is located.
For users to access their car settings, they need to click the car icon on their screen. The “Controls” section should appear automatically after pressing the car icon, as it is located at the top of the screen. A button to “Open Glove Box” will then appear in the upper left corner of the screen, next to the “Fold Mirror” and “Child Lock” buttons.
The glove box will open when you press this, and it must be closed manually afterwards. There are some users who find it disconcerting that pressing the glove box button again doesn’t close it. Additionally, the glove box can be opened with a voice command “Open glove box” or “Open dropbox” instead of using the button on the main screen.
The compartment can be opened with these, but it cannot be closed with them. Manually closing it is required.
Customer (Dis)Satisfaction with Glove Box
In fact, there is quite a bit of controversy among Tesla owners and enthusiasts regarding the lack of a manual latch on the glove box:
- Since it is now possible to apply a PIN code to the glove box, it makes it a great security feature, since it must be entered to unlock. You may not want others to see or take important documents or other items from your glove box, so such a feature would come in handy for the owner.
- Other critics view Tesla’s glove box mechanism simply as an example of how he overengineered problems; a re-invention of a wheel. Some commenters claim that the fact that Tesla has created a new problem instead of a solution, is evidence enough that they have only created a new problem.
How To Open Tesla Glove Box Without Power
Our main question for today’s blog is now at hand. With our new knowledge of how to open a Tesla glove box, can we do it without electricity? Could Tesla have incorporated a simple failsafe and backup solution, or would it be a major pain in the backside? Let’s examine this Tesla issue in more detail.
The research we conducted revealed that you can still open the glove box manually if you drive a Model 3, but not in a conventional way, nor in any way Tesla intended their customers to do so.
Tesla Model 3
It’s easy to remove the glove box’s removable panel without any tools. The panel is located between the dash and the door. If the owner wants to pry into the hole/gap on the left-hand side of the opening, he can use a hook-shaped tool like an allen key/wrench.
Once you’ve got the allen wrench in there, you can move a catch on the glove box door, which will then open it. The solution may not be convenient, but it is feasible and can even be completed while the car is completely off. The bad news is that other Tesla models do not have the same removable panel needed to do this.
Other Tesla Models
The Tesla Model X, S, or Y doesn’t have power, but you need to get into the glovebox, so what should you do? Some owners have told very unfortunate stories about being involved in serious collisions and having their car smashed up, preventing it from working. It is impossible to access valuable items stowed in the glove box under such conditions.
Due to the lack of a working power button in the glove box to open it, or due to the fact that the insurance company or owner of the wrecked vehicle forbade the owner from forcing it open with a crowbar or similar tool, many of these owners were unable to access these important, sometimes financially valuable items.
According to the insurance company or current owner of the wrecked vehicle, using a crowbar would cause additional damage to the vehicle – as if that would really be worse than anything else!
Glove Box PIN
You may want to consider adding a glove box PIN if any sensitive information is kept in your glove box, such as your USB drive for Sentry Mode. Every time the glove box is opened, the PIN number will be required.
Remember that the glove box cannot be used as a safe. Manually opening the glove box can be accomplished by removing the latch from the side panel of the dashboard. A passenger side door must be unlocked and opened by someone with access to the vehicle.
You can set a PIN number under Controls > Safety & Security > Glovebox
PIN. Set your PIN number according to the instructions.
The PIN number can be removed by tapping Disable and entering the PIN number.
Forgot Glove Box PIN
Using your Tesla account credentials will allow you to reset your glove box PIN if you forget it.
Voice Commands
By using a Tesla voice command, you can easily open the glove box. Pressing the voice command button on the steering wheel and saying “open glove box” will bring up the PIN number display on the screen if your glove box requires a PIN number, otherwise the glove box will be opened instantly.
Is the glove box locked when the car is locked?
In most vehicles, when the vehicle is locked through the touchscreen, the glove box is also locked. When you lock your car with your keyfob, phone, keycard, or app, your glove box will also be locked. A glove box in a vehicle that is currently in Valet Mode will automatically be locked when it is enabled.
Glove Box Won’t Stay Closed
It’s possible that the trigger of your glove box no longer springs back if your glove box won’t close. When you close the glove box, manually pull out the round triggers on the left and right sides to see if this is the problem. The problem likely lies with your seals, which will need to be replaced if they stay closed. The warranty on this item is provided by Tesla.
Conclusion
The innovative way Tesla uses its central touchscreen to operate its glove box may offer enhanced security features and a sleek design, but it also presents challenges, especially when power is lost. The manual method is available to Model 3 owners, but not to other models, leaving owners without access to the glove box in an emergency. With the addition of a PIN option, the issue of power loss is addressed, but the issue of security is not solved. In the end, Tesla’s unique approach to glove box functionality highlights the need to consider accessibility and practicality when designing cars.
