AND TikToker he locked himself inside her Tesla Model 3 for 40 minutes hot sun while it was installing software update, and as of this writing, her video has more than 10.7 million plays after just one day online. Before you jump to conclusions about her incompetenceBrianna Janel actually followed the rules he set Tesla.
According to the Tesla user manual, “Vehicle functions, including some security systems and opening or closing doors or windows, may be limited or disabled during installation and could damage the vehicle.” Janel decided to obey Tesla warning and didn’t try to open her doors or windows during the setup process for fear of damaging her vehicle, but this seems like a very dangerous oversight on Tesla’s part that she could have stayed inside in the first place.
Door mechanisms on Tesla Model 3 and Model Y they are electrically operated and under normal circumstances open from the inside with a simple door unlock button. If the vehicle does not have power, these models have auxiliary levers for manual cable release also located on the door panel, but Tesla warns against using the manual mechanism, stating that it should only be used when the car has no power. Janel said she was aware of the option, but didn’t want to risk damaging her car, and was confident it could handle the heat.
Unlike Tesla potentially dangerous warnings, Lucid Motors requires all occupants to exit the vehicle before the installation procedure begins and Lucid Air User Manual states that owners will not be able to lock or unlock doors during the update. The Air will start a two-minute countdown when the owner decides to install the update, giving them enough time to exit before the update starts.
The Tesla the 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 does not require occupants to exit the vehicle before the grueling installation process begins. Tesla also recommends that owners install software updates as soon as possible, which may cause some owners to feel compelled to run an update in a compromised environment.
Janel said her car estimated the installation would only take 24 minutes, but it actually took 40 minutes, which was long enough for the inside of her car to reach 115 degrees. In the following video, her caption states that she was afraid of ruining her car by going out during setup. She claims she owned a Tesla for six years now, and she said she will continue to own her car for many more years, despite the experience.
Tesla must either require all occupants to exit the vehicle before starting the software installation or at least amend the wording to prevent such incidents from occurring, especially as we approach summer with higher global temperatures than ever before. If someone living in a city like Phoenix, Arizona or Las Vegas, Nevada were to face the same situation, it could pose a more serious health risk. If there are any Tesla reading owners, make sure you are not parked in direct sunlight when running the software update if you are going to stay in the car.
A version of this article originally appeared on Jalopnik.