Tesla Model X: Opening and Closing Falcon Wing Doors

Model X has falcon wing doors that easily open and close by pressing a button, using a key fob, using the mobile app, or touching the associated icon on the touchscreen. The falcon wing doors are equipped with several sensors that detect the presence of people and objects and, if an object is detected, the door stops moving. Based on detected objects, the doors may adjust their outward and upward movement in an attempt to avoid contacting the object. For example, if an object is detected above Model X, the door's movement may extend further outward but lower, whereas if an object is detected beside the door, the door may extend outward much less.

WARNING: It is important to keep your hands clear of the falcon wing door frames at all times. Proactively check the door frame area prior to closing, and monitor the movement of the door during closing to ensure that it does not come into contact with a person or object. Failure to do so can result in damage or serious injury.

WARNING: Before opening or closing a falcon wing door, it is important to check that the area around the door is free of obstacles (people and objects). Although the doors have many sensors, it can not detect all objects at all times, particularly when moving. At any given moment, there may be areas near the door that are not in the detection zone. Therefore, when opening or closing a falcon wing door, you and your passengers must stand away from the door as it is moving, while proactively monitoring the door's movement and being prepared to take corrective action at any time. To stop a door from moving, single-click the falcon wing door button on the key fob, press the switch on the door or door pillar, or touch the button on the touchscreen.

To open a falcon wing door from outside Model X, press the door handle or double-press the falcon wing door button on the key fob (see Keys).

To open a falcon wing door from inside Model X, press the switch located on the driver's side door pillar, or, on the touchscreen, touch the associated door icon (Controls > Locks):

NOTE: Falcon wing doors open only when Model X is stationary.

NOTE: If Model X is locked, using the switch (illustrated above) the first time unlocks the associated door. Using it a second time opens it.

CAUTION: Remove accumulation of snow or ice before opening a falcon wing door. Snow can get inside Model X and ice can prevent the door from opening. In situations where water or snow has accumulated on the glass on top of the falcon wing door, Tesla recommends using the touchscreen or switch on the door pillar (instead of the external door handle or key fob) to slowly open the falcon wing door for the first few inches (cm). Opening the falcon wing door slowly for the first few inches (cm) mitigates the scenario of water, snow, etc. from entering the vehicle.

To close a falcon wing door, press the button located on the inside of the door. You can also use the key fob (see Key Fob), use the switch on the door pillar (illustrated above), or touch the associated door icon on the touchscreen (Controls > Close).

If a falcon wing door or the front trunk is left open when you attempt to shift out of Park, the touchscreen displays a notification requiring you to confirm your intent to drive. The falcon wing door automatically closes when your driving speed reaches 10 mph (16 km/h). In addition, your vehicle speed is limited if you choose to keep the front trunk open while driving. It is your responsibility to ensure doors and trunks are properly closed before driving.

NOTE: To prevent children from opening falcon wing doors using the interior switch, turn on child-protection locks using the touchscreen (Controls > Locks > Child Locks). See Child Locks.

NOTE: You can configure Model X to open the falcon wing doors to a lower height setting by using the touchscreen (Controls > Locks > Falcon Door Height).

NOTE: If a falcon wing door detects an obstacle while closing, it reverses a few inches before it stops moving.

WARNING: Whenever a front door is partially open (approximately 20º) as you are opening or closing the associated falcon wing door, you MUST keep your hands (or any object) away from the opening edge of the front door. When a falcon wing door passes by a partially opened front door, the distance between the two doors is very narrow. Objects, such as hands or fingers, placed in this area, are not detected by sensors and can therefore become pinched between the doors. To avoid bodily injury, it is a good practice to keep your hands away from the front door whenever you are opening or closing a falcon wing door.

CAUTION: In rainy weather, leaving a falcon wing open while opening the liftgate can result in rain water falling from the liftgate into the rear seating area.

WARNING: When opening or closing a falcon wing door, it is important to proactively monitor the movement of the door to ensure that it does not come into contact with a person or object. Failure to do so can cause serious damage or injury.

Obstacle Detection

A falcon wing door stops moving when one of its many sensors detects an obstacle, or when the door senses resistance because it has made contact with an object. The touchscreen displays a warning. In these cases, provided it is appropriate to continue opening or closing the falcon wing door, you can override obstacle detection by pressing and holding the switch located on the door pillar, or touching and holding the associated door icon on the touchscreen.

When Model X detects a low ceiling (for example, in a garage), it opens the falcon wing doors (and trunk) to a lower height, even if no obstacle is detected. You can override this height and open the doors higher by touching the associated door icon on the touchscreen (Controls). The touchscreen displays a message asking you if you always want to open the doors to the higher height at this location, and saves your choice. The next time you open the falcon wing doors at this location, Model X opens them to the height you saved.

WARNING: Before overriding a falcon wing door's default opening height, visually inspect the area to ensure adequate clearance between the door and the detected object.

WARNING: Applying adhesive products such as wraps, stickers, rubber coating, etc. on the outside of the falcon wing doors can affect the sensors' ability to detect obstacles properly.

Calibration

If the falcon wing doors lose calibration, the main Controls window on the touchscreen displays a Calibration Required message. To calibrate the doors, first ensure that both doors have plenty of space to open and close and are clear of passengers, objects, etc. Touch Controls > Service > Calibrate Doors, then press and hold the Calibrate button until calibration is complete. During calibration, the lower door opens all the way out (requiring extra space on the side of Model X), the upper door moves all the way down, and then the lower door closes.