Tesla Model X Falcon-Wing Doors — How Fast Can You Drive With Them Open?

The Tesla Model X’s falcon-wing doors are arguably its most recognizable feature — there is pretty much nothing like them on the market currently. This novelty leads to something of a lack of public knowledge, though.

A good example of this point is the question, “Can you drive with the Falcon Wing doors open?” And the follow-up, “If so, how fast?” Does anyone here know if you can drive down the road at 55 mph with them open?

This topic came to my attention while reading a discussion on the Tesla Motors Club forum on the matter. A commentator there by the name of “randy1077” started it off with this: “I want to know if there is a speed limit when the doors are open. Also, what is the maximum speed at which you can be traveling and still close the Falcon doors. Thanks!”

The first response (by “ohmman”) followed a very clear line of logic: “Somebody’s planning a bank robbery.”

(Some) later responses were a bit more serious, and provided some new (to me) information.

“LoL Rick” noted: “My friend MaxK drove his in a 4th of July parade with the falcon wing doors open the whole time. So it can be done. Having said that, be super careful. There is a thread on here about someone driving theirs into the garage with the doors open, smashing the door into the wall.”

So, it certainly seems to be possible to do so, but it’s still not clear from the discussion whether there is a top speed you can drive with them open.

Interestingly, though, “ohmman” commented again to note: “FWIW, I sent a recommendation to Tesla to disable driving with FWDs open by default, but to provide an onscreen override (mostly for cases where the door or sensor aren’t registering the door being closed). I personally don’t recommend driving with them open, especially around interested kids. But your situation likely differs from what I’m imagining.”

I can’t disagree with that. I’ve got some gory scenarios running through my mind right now thinking about the subject.

FWDs, by the way, refers to falcon-wing doors — another acronym we’ll have to get used to, especially if the Tesla Model Y gets them.