Content about tesla

Tesla Cybertruck Hit With Stop-Sale Because of Unintended Acceleration: Report (gizmodo.com)

I'm no car designer, but the design for the accelerator on the Tesla Truck appears to be astonishingly bad. First, it's a bit janky, apparently with a cover that slides over the main structural element of the pedal. Maybe that's standard, but it feels a bit cheap. More importantly, though, the cover can slide forward on the pedal, wedging itself in the carpet and effectively locking the accelerator on the floor. That's a problem.

"Pedal to the metal"? More like "metal off the pedal."

tags: tesla

posted by matt in Monday, April 15, 2024

Scripting News: Sunday, September 10, 2023 (scripting.com)

"And it tried to stop us in no man's land. Insane. Anyone seeing this behavior would have thought I was drunk. So next time something like that happens if I'm in FSD mode, I'm going to cancel it by turning the steering wheel slightly and taking over fully."

I won't say this happens regularly, but it certainly has happened to me several times over nearly five years of Tesla ownership. You always have to be ready to take over control of the car in FSD in an instant. It is nowhere near being a license to ignore the road, traffic, and surroundings. I hope to see that someday, but we're not there just yet.

tags: teslacarsai

posted by matt in Sunday, September 10, 2023

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My Model 3 has been neglected a bit since we got Renee's Model Y. It's no longer the cool car in the family. And it's no longer the car she and I take on routine errands. It has quickly become the car I use for commuting to the office and back.

And that's ok. I love her Model Y.

I felt the 3 needed some attention, though, so I washed it yesterday and cleaned the inside today. That should feel nice on the way into work tomorrow morning.

tags: tesla

photo posted by matt in Sunday, September 10, 2023

We're eating in a Panera in Cheektowaga, New York as the Tesla charges out back. I guess the charging time is the downside of traveling with the Tesla, but it's also kind of nice. Breaks things up a bit, and changes what we eat on the road, mostly for the better.

There was only one open spot when we pulled in, so we almost had to wait for a charger.

tags: roadtriptravelteslanewyork

postposted by matt in Monday, September 4, 2023

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Chattanooga, Tennessee. First time I've entered a supercharger lot to find no empty spaces. I'm sure that will become more frequent in the (near?) future. It really wasn't a big deal—a charger opened after just a few minutes. So now we're happily sitting at the Chattanooga airport watching planes come and go as we charge.

And it's raining, too.

tags: teslaroadtriptravelairport

photo posted by matt in Sunday, June 26, 2022

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Teddy has been great in the car again. He's quiet, but a little nervous this time, I think. He loves the walks when we stop to charge, and happily gets back in the car when we're ready to go. I don't think he fully relaxes in the car, but seems to do ok.

Here Renee is giving him a drink while we charge in Acworth, Georgia.

tags: teslaroadtriptraveldog

photo posted by matt in Monday, June 20, 2022

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20/20/20.

We made it from Perrysburg to Florence, Kentucky for the first segment of the drive—much better than I thought. The car automatically started preconditioning the battery for fast charging when we were about 20 miles away. We charged to about 90% in a little over 20 minutes, for a little under $20. Incredible.

tags: teslatravelroadtrip

photo posted by matt in Monday, June 20, 2022

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We're driving the Tesla to Florida for the first time today. We've continued to drive Renee's gas car for our drives to St. Pete even after getting the Tesla three years ago. But, with current gas prices, we have a bit more motivation to go electric on this trip.

So, we headed out on our first real cross country trip in the Tesla this morning at about 4:30.

tags: teslatravelroadtrip

photo posted by matt in Monday, June 20, 2022

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Seeing "Replace Battery" on the screen in your Tesla produces a little anxiety, I can attest to that. This message popped up on my Model 3 yesterday. Luckily, the devil is in the details - the 12V battery needs to be replaced, not the battery battery.

A few taps in the app last night and I scheduled an appointment for first thing this morning...and now I'm sitting in the service center waiting for the tech to complete the job. Normally I'd replace a car battery myself, but the price they quoted me is ridiculously cheap...and I don't know how to access the 12V in the 3. So, service center coffee for me this morning.

tags: teslamodel3

photo posted by matt in Monday, January 24, 2022

Hertz orders 100,000 Teslas in deal reportedly worth $4.2 billion (theverge.com)

"Bloomberg says that the first of the Tesla Model 3s will be available to rent from Hertz in major US and European markets from early November. Renters will be able to use Tesla’s network of superchargers...."

This will be a force multiplier for Tesla and EV's in general. I've driven a Model 3 for three years now, and have learned that people have a combination of hesitancy and curiosity about EV's in general. But, once they actually drive that car — with its pep and the self driving features — they're generally sold on the idea. Renting a Model 3 on a vacation (or even on a staycation) may be the best test drive Tesla could give potential customers.

tags: evtesla

posted by matt in Monday, October 25, 2021

Finally picking up my car after a two week service appointment. Tesla has been fantastic through the whole thing. Just paid (through the app, of course) and am now waiting while they juice me up a bit before heading to work.

tags: teslamodel3

postposted by matt in Wednesday, July 14, 2021

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And then a little time with Teddy as I take him to the vet (regular, not emergency) for what will hopefully be his last blood draw, bringing his Advil scare to an end.

tags: tesladog

photo posted by matt in Saturday, April 17, 2021

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One of my tires has developed a slow leak over the last few months. It will hold a fill for a few weeks, but eventually starts losing pressure, slowly. I finally had a bit of time to take it in for a look today...on the jack she goes!

tags: teslamodel3tirecar

photo posted by matt in Saturday, April 10, 2021

There's a rattle in the steering column of my Model 3. It's probably two-and-a-half years old, so it seems like it's about the right time for the typical, minor annoyances to develop. It was sporadic when I first noticed it, but now it's constant - a steady hum when driving at a constant speed, and an increasingly louder grinding as regenerative braking kicks in. I'm fairly sure the housing is loose and a quick tightening (or carefully placed wad of paper towel) will fix it. Weekend project!

It's amazing. We buy cars based on performance and bells and whistles. And, over time, we're usually happy with all those things. Eventually, though, frustration with the entire car grows because of cheap plastic parts that have nothing to do with performance, bells, or whistles.

tags: cartesla

postposted by matt in Wednesday, February 24, 2021

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A Tesla Model 3 has its front hood open and liner removed to reveal the firewall and various system components. (Matt Buchanan/Perrysburg, OH)

Well, a few weeks into my Tesla experience and I'm getting an overhaul. Service noticed an issue with the computer in my car - nav wasn't always working properly. Eventually they said a computer swap was the best fix. So, they sent someone to the house and he did the job in our garage! Easy peasy.

tags: teslacarmechanicgarage

photo posted by matt in Tuesday, October 16, 2018