Model 3: Tesla offers retrofit turn signal levers for the first time

Tesla is offering a retrofit turn signal lever for the Model 3 for the first time. The offer is initially only available in China and can be found on the US car manufacturer's website there. Whether other countries will follow is unknown, as Model 3 vehicles delivered to Europe, for example, are also manufactured in China, it would be easy to offer the lever here too. In any case, with the new offer Tesla is moving away a little from its controversial design decision to dispense with the lever, which caused much discussion after the release of the facelift unofficially called Project Highland.

In the redesign, which came onto the market in 2023, Tesla drastically extended the elimination of analog controls by removing both levers on the steering wheel. The one on the right was previously used to select the gear and switch on the autopilot. The latter was integrated into a control element on the steering wheel. The gear selection has been moved to the display and can be activated there by swiping. Alternatively, Tesla also offers automatic gear selection when driving off, for example if the vehicle is parked and can only be moved in one direction.

Difficult in traffic circles

While the changes to the autopilot and gear selection were largely rated as unproblematic by testers and vehicle owners, the elimination of the lever caused irritation for some. Tesla integrated the turn signal functions into the steering wheel instead. There are two buttons on the left-hand side, one above the other. Many drivers report that the change is mainly a question of getting used to it. However, in some situations, such as traffic circles, the button concept is still considered difficult, as the buttons move as the steering wheel is turned and the driver's attention is diverted from the road.

The offer that has now emerged from Tesla in China envisages a conversion of the vehicle, whereby the turn signal lever is installed and the old steering wheel is replaced by one without buttons. The modification is reportedly only available for vehicles built after February 7, 2025, and should ideally be carried out at a Tesla service appointment. The retrofit costs 2499 yuan, the equivalent of 300 euros.

It remains unclear what prompted Tesla to take this step. However, the vehicle manufacturer is facing increasing competitive pressure internationally and particularly in China.

(mki)