Electric Vehicles

Maintaining proper tire pressure is important on any vehicle. While you can always manually check the pressure on your tires with a tire gauge, using the built-in Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is a quick and easy way to get a pressure reading. Despite the TPMS system, Tesla still recommends periodically checking your tire pressure manually. To check your Tesla tire pressure via the TPMS will vary based on which vehicle you drive. For Model S and X owners, follow these steps: Tesla Model S and X Tire Pressure Display Press down on the Left Scroll Wheel for a second or so, you’ll see an options menu appear. Using the left wheel control, scroll down to “Check Status”. This will now display vehicle status on the left-hand portion of the Instrument Panel. Tesla Model 3 and Y Tire Pressure Display If you own a Tesla Model Y or Model 3, this is for you… It’s a bit faster to check the tire pressure on the Model 3 and Y. On the touchscreen for these models there’s a section in the bottom left called “Cards”. Simply swipe on this section until you get the card with the tire pressure display. Safety and Saving Money (Proper Tire Care) As stated in the Tesla owner manual, under inflated tires are the most common cause of tire failures. These failures can include the tire overheating which can result in severe tire cracking, tread separation, or blowout. Any of these results can lead to an unexpected loss of vehicle control and safety risk. Under inflated tires also reduce the vehicle’s range and tread life of the tires. In an article by AAA, it further elaborates on the affects of low tire pressure: Low tire pressure will affect braking distance and also cause less responsive steering and handling of your vehicle. This is obvious less than optimal condition if you need to break or swerve in an emergency. If an animal or another vehicle unexpectedly jumps in front of you, braking, steering, and overall handling are not something you want compromised because of something as simple as low tire pressure. A tire with low pressure will also have the sidewalls flex excessively which generates heat. Moderate heat will accelerate tread wear, but high heat can lead to loss of tread segments or even blowouts. Tires that are not properly inflated will also have a higher rolling resistance. Have you ever tried to push a vehicle in neutral that had flat tires or ride a bike with underflated tires? It becomes increasingly more difficult to move. On electric vehicles this reduces your range and your overall economy as you have to use more electricity. Checking When Your Tires are “Cold” If you read the print on your tires you’ll likely see a cold fill in front of the recommended PSI. Checking your tire pressure “cold” merely means a check when the vehicle has not been driving, typically for at least 3 hours. It’s not related to the temperature outside. You should always check your pressure “cold”. The same is true when filling since you’ll need to get a new pressure measurement. Driving just one mile can warm up the tire enough to affect the pressure. What Causes Loss of Tire Pressure? According to Michelin, tires can lose up to 1 psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure every month. Keeping your tires properly inflated is an easy, but also a critical maintenance item. We’ll cover tire pressure in more detail below. Punctures and Cold Weather Nails, screws, broken glass, and other objects along the road can cause punctures, but so can colder weather. As the temperature gets cold, the air molecules become less dense resulting in less pressure. A drop of every 10 degrees Fahrenheit can cause the pressure to drop 1 psi. If the temperature drops 20 degrees, you could see a loss of 2 psi and so on. Air Leaks If there’s no sign of damage to the tire, there could be air leaks from the valve (the stem where you fill the air) or around the bead of the tire. The bead of the tire is the surface that makes contact with the inside of the wheel. Age of the tire, contaminants, and stress on the tire can affect how well it seals to the wheel. While valves can be replaced, if the tire has defects in the bead it might be time for a new tire. Tesla TPMS Errors and Faults Reading Tire Pressure Electronic systems and components can fail. The Tesla tire pressure system is not vulnerable to errors either. When you first f a fault with the Tire PressureMonitoring System (TPMS) is detected, the indicator flashes. For a TPMS fault, contact Tesla. Manual Tire Pressure Checks Even though Tesla’s have the built-in TPMS, even the manual recommends a periodic check with a tire pressure gauge. Portable Air Compressors Since Tesla’s (and many other vehicles today) no longer carry a spare tire, at least in my experience, it’s come in handy to have an air compressor in the vehicle. If you have a slow leak, an air compressor can get you back up to the proper pressure until you can get to a near by tire shop. The air compressor I went with is made by DeWalt. One of the main reasons I choose this compressor was the multiple power options it offered. It can use the same 20 volt battery as my DeWalt 20v tools, a 12v car outlet, or a 110 volt outlet like what you have in your house. There’s also some manufacturer’s who make cases specific to this compressor. These type of cases can help keep your compressor from getting scratched up or sliding around. I originally kept my compressor in the frunk, but have since moved it to the back below the rear parcel shelf where I keep my charging and towing accessory bags. After I had a slow leak in a tire a couple years

Many more drivers want to purchase a Tesla car than ever before, and it’s easy to know why- they are among the highest quality cars on the market. If you’re considering purchasing a Tesla car, it’s natural to wonder whether it’ll be a good investment.  We’ll use the term “investment” loosely in this post, as cars are typically depreciating liabilities. Out of all the vehicles out around, only a relatively small handful appreciate, and those usually require very limited usage. Rack up the miles and you’ll likely get back into depreciation. When purchased by a consumer, vehicles are a consumption and not an investment. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at how Tesla can be cheaper over the total cost of ownership. Some people might quickly dismiss purchasing a Tesla from the initial sticker price. However, well informed buyers will dive deeper than the initial purchase price and look at the total cost of ownership. This also includes resell value. There’s people out there think these are six figure vehicles. While you can certainly get into that price point with options on the Tesla Model S and X, the Model 3 starts out under $38,000. The total cost of ownership of an entry level Model 3 is expected to actually be cheaper than a sub $21K Honda Civic over 5 years. We’ll cover these topics and more. Benefits of Tesla Ownership Tesla cars are great investments for many reasons, including: Lower depreciation over time Generous warranties Superior handling and overall performance Great range (300+ miles on most models)* on one charge  Top of the line specs that matter Highest Rated Safety Lower Operating and Maintenance Costs Possible RoboTaxi Income *The Model 3 Standard Range Plus has 263 miles per charge, however the Long Range and Performance are well over 300. Tesla cars regularly beat out competitors in reliability, range, overall quality, and more. If you want to know more about why tesla cars are great investments, keep on reading.  Tesla Cars are Incredible Investments Every single car depreciates the moment that you drive off of the lot, and Tesla cars are no exception. But if you are going to invest in a car, you should invest in the best of the best. Tesla cars are fantastic investments, as they shine in categories like safety and performance and do not depreciate as quickly as their counterparts. The following sections will go into the benefits of Tesla cars in detail.  Depreciation Over Time While many cars depreciate fairly quickly and aren’t able to be resold for a good price, Tesla’s are found to hold their value really well. For instance, according to electric cars expert Simon Alvarez, the Tesla Model 3 holds its value several times better than comparable electric vehicles.  It is believed that Tesla’s are great financial investments because their remote software updates help to keep them in good shape.  In addition to that, some of these updates improve the overall performance of the cars over time. So, if you purchase a Tesla, you can rest assured that there won’t be a ton of depreciation over time.  Teslas Come with Generous Warranties Another way to know if a car is a good investment is if it has a generous warranty.  For new Tesla vehicles, you can expect a limited warranty that’ll last for either four years or 50,000 miles. The vehicles are also covered by a battery and drive warranty for 8 years.  The warranties will cover either the repair or replacement needed to correct defects in Tesla products that occur with normal, reasonable use.  Used Tesla Warranties Used Tesla vehicle warranties are not as long-lived. After the first 4-year warranty has expired, an additional year (or 10,000 miles) of coverage is available.  Remote Repairs If something goes wrong with the vehicle, Tesla may be able to fix your car remotely using their computer system. If the problem cannot be rectified remotely, you can go elsewhere to get the repair done. However, your warranty could possibly be voided if you don’t go to a Tesla repair center.   You can read more about Tesla’s warranties on their vehicle warranty page.  Tesla Prices Are Somewhat Moderate What many don’t know about Tesla vehicles is that they are modestly priced. With all of the fancy specs, safety features, and their reputation for luxury and innovation, people would expect Tesla cars to start at a sky-high price. Below are all of the starting prices of the new Tesla vehicles on the market today (at the time of this article): Tesla Model S $69,420 Tesla Model 3 $37,990 Tesla Model X $79,990 Tesla Model Y $49,990 These prices are subject to change and increase based on the specific car’s specs. If you go with a base model, you can keep your cost down while still enjoying the superior safety and performance that we have come to expect from a Tesla.  If you want a used car, you can snag a gorgeous Tesla vehicle for less than $40,000.  Tesla’s Are Designed to Be Good Investments Tesla thought of everything when designing these cars, and this is not an exaggeration. This next section will focus on the intricate details that propel Teslas to the very top.  Tesla’s Are Undeniably Safe Tesla cars are among the safest cars that you’ll find on the market, and this comes down to its design. While there are many different types of Tesla vehicles, you can rest assured that all of them were created with safety first.  The Tesla Model 3 is made of both aluminum and steel, two metals that combine to create a very sturdy structure. It is stated on their website that this particular model can withstand the weight of 2 adult elephants!  Tesla’s Model S is not only built with super-strong metals, but it also features a floor-mounted battery for maximum safety in a collision. It has a 5-star safety rating per the Tesla website. The Model X stands out when it comes

Many people are surprised at just how fast Tesla’s are, but perhaps equally as impressive, is the amount of weight the have to move to do so! For anyone new to electric vehicles, you might be shocked at the curb weight of a Tesla (or any other EV). We’ll cover the topic of how much a Tesla weighs, pros and cons of the weight, and variables dependent on the vehicle configuration. When compared to internal combustion engine vehicles of similar dimensions, a Tesla will certainly weigh more. This weight is mostly in the battery packs. If you’ve ever lifted a traditional 12v car battery, you’ll immediately notice how heavy batteries can be for their size. Compared to equally sized lead acid batteries, lithium ion batteries (which are used in the Tesla battery pack) are only 1/3 of the weight. A Tesla battery pack is made up of small, cylindrical battery cells that are a part of a module. These battery cells are similar to ones you would find in laptop computers, only a whole lot more of them. The Tesla Model S and X us 18650 cells in 16 modules and the Model 3 and Y use 2170 cells in 4 modules. How Much Does a Tesla Battery Pack Weight? The older Tesla 85 kWh battery pack weighed in at 1,200 pounds. With the Model 3 Long Range, the battery pack weighs 1,060 pounds. Now, let’s compare that to gasoline. A gallon of gas was 6.3 pounds. An average car gas tank is around 15 gallons which comes out to 94.5 pounds when full. Up next, we’ll take a look at the weight of the current Tesla lineup. Over the years, Tesla has offered various sized battery packs. For a short while, they offered a 40kWh battery pack in the Model S. Tesla discontinued it back in 2013. Today, only the 100kWh battery pack is available on the Model S and X. Tesla has offered 60, 70, 75, 85, and 90 kWh packs for the Model S. Today, the 100 kWh pack is standard on both the Model S and Model X. Previous battery packs available on the Model X included 60, 75, 90 since it debuted in 2016. The 60 kWh pack fell way side similar to the 40 kWh pack on the Model S, enough demand wasn’t there. The Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus has a 54 kWh battery pack. On the Model 3 Long Range variant, there’s a 75 kWh battery pack. Tesla Weight This is the weight of the current lineup: Lowest Weight Highest Weight Model S 4,815 lbs (Long Range Plus) 4,929 lbs (Performance) Model X 5,437 lbs (Long Range Plus) 5,498 lbs (Performance) Model 3 3,582 lbs (Standard Plus) 4,065 lbs (Long Range AWD and Performance) Model Y 4,416 (Long Range AWD) 4,416 lbs (Performance Depending on the year and model, a Tesla battery pack makes up approximately 30% of the entire vehicle weight. Unless technology drastically changes or there’s demand for much shorter range vehicles, these numbers likely won’t change any time soon. The Tesla Cybertruck is scheduled to go into production late 2021. It will have 3 variants, a single, dual, and tri-motor version. While Tesla currently hasn’t listed in specs for the vehicle weight, it has been estimated the truck will weigh over 5,000 pounds and could even break 6,000 pounds for the dual and tri-motor versions. However, I could see it weighing more. Depending on the options, an F-150 can weigh 4,500 pounds and tip over 5,000 pounds. Factor in enough battery cells for the Tri-Motor version to get the estimated 500+ miles of range, I can see the Cybertruck really tipping the scales. We’ll also go through some of the pros and cons of all that weight. Let’s take a look at that now… Potential Additional Tesla Weight Wheel and Tire Weight While Tesla’s website doesn’t indicate an increase in weight for various wheel options, there’s likely an additional weight (usually the larger you go). For the Tesla Model X Performance, selecting the 20″ rim estimates 341 miles of range. Jumping up to the 22″ Jumping up to the 22″ Onyx rim on the Tesla Model X will drop your estimated range down to 300 miles per charge. That’s a difference of 41 miles between the 20 and 22″ wheel! On the Model S Performance, the 19″ Tempest rim shows an estimated 387 miles of range. Jump up to the Sonic Carbon Twin Turbine wheels and the range drops to an estimated 334 miles. That’s an even larger difference of 53 miles per charge compared to the Model X. Tesla currently does not show any range differences for the Model 3 and Y wheel configurations, however, similar to the S and X, some differences in range are likely. Wheel Weight or Aerodynamics? While weight could be a factor between wheel sizes and designs, aerodynamics can also play a part. Car and Driver did a test with and without the Model 3 Aero Wheel covers. They found that keeping them on provided a 3.4% range increase at three different speeds. This yields up to 10 miles of range increase. Reducing Weight for Racing (Tesla Seat Comparison) Many of those who race at the drag strip or other locations will trim weight from their vehicle any way they can. If that means lighter components such as carbon fiber body panels or removing back seats, trim pieces, and a passenger seat these components are frequently taken out. With the Model X offering 5, 6, or 7 passenger seating, the 6 and 7 passenger versions will add additional weight as well. Advantages of Heavier Tesla Weight With what they refer to as a skateboard design, the battery pack is placed within the vehicle chassis. This provides a very low center of gravity which can significantly reduce vehicle roll and improve handling, especially in the corners. Tesla vehicles have very evenly balanced weight distribution as well. The Model S has a weight

Tesla Key Fob Protection and Tips How to Use Them for Newbies Tesla key fobs are not cheap to replace, so it makes sense to spend a little money to help keep them protected. The Tesla Model S and Model X come with two fobs. The Model 3/Y have an optional fob you can purchase through the Tesla store for $150. Scratch Protection On our previous 2018 Model X, I had a handful of keys attached to the lanyard that came with the Tesla Model X key fob. It managed to scratch the fob pretty well over time. I had taken a picture of ours side by side before we got our 2020 Model X, but I can’t find it now. There are fob covers with openings that don’t fully wrap around the fob, however, I prefer these silicone ones for full protection. Have You Ever Misplaced Your Keys? Admittedly I lost my fob recently and for several weeks. I finally found it in the pocket of a jacket I don’t wear very often. I wasn’t sure if it might have slipped out of my pocket. Normally I don’t have an issue misplacing my keys, for the longest time it was my wife who wouldn’t know where she put hers. Not wanting to go through that ordeal again, I ended up picking up a pair of Tile Pro (2020). These are Bluetooth enabled devices you can attach to your key ring (among many other items). Download their app, follow the on-screen directions, and setup is pretty quick and easy. Tile uses Bluetooth to communicate with your phone and this is how you can track/locate them. If you have a tile, but can’t find your phone, simply press the button on the tile and it will send an audible alert to your phone. Even if your phone is on vibrate. The latest 2020 version is supposed to be capable of a 200 foot range. They come with a lithium battery that is expected to last a year and are also replaceable. https://amzn.to/3eJtjmA Keep Your Tesla Key Fob Dry! The Tesla key fob is water-resistant, but not waterproof. On Tesla’s website it mentions that heavy rain or becoming submerged could damage the fob. If you’re into water or snow sports, you’ll want to make sure to come up with other options to ensure your fob stays dry. Accidentally dropping one into a large puddle could also cause problems. I personally haven’t tested how water resistant the Tesla fob’s actually are, nor do I want to. Whenever we’re out on a boat (usually crabbing), I have a waterproof Pelican case I keep my phone/wallet, and keys in. While it’s a little bulky, I typically keep it clipped to my life jacket. How to Use the Tesla Model X Fob This video from Tesla demonstrates how to use your Model X key fob. Note that there are some settings you can change in your Controls settings for how the remote will function. One option is to have a single depress on the top of the remote to close all the doors of the vehicle (including the liftgate, but excluding the front hood which isn’t powered). One thing the Model X fob doesn’t do is open the front doors, only the falcon wing doors, rear trunk, and releasing the latch on the front hood (frunk). Model S Key Fob Functions Here’s a quick overview video for how to operate the Tesla Model S Key Fob: More Tesla Posts on Fabville! Looking for more Tesla articles? Check out more of our Tesla posts. If you’re looking to purchase a new Tesla vehicle or Tesla Energy product, please consider using my referral code (link to Tesla with my code): https://ts.la/kevin82163

Charging Basics and How Long Does it Take to Charge a Tesla? When it comes to Tesla charing, there’s a lot of options and variables. In our Tesla 101 series, we’re going to dive into some common newbie questions around Tesla vehicles. For this article, we’ll cover charging basics, everything from charging at home and on the road. Within the Tesla network and whether or not you should consider 3rd party options. The short answer, if using a Tesla charger, press the button on the “wand”, the charge port door on your Tesla will open, and you simply insert the wand. The vehicle will automatically start charging. The indicator light will display as white when the door opens. As soon as you insert the wand, the light will change to blue as the vehicle prepares to charge. It will then start to flash green as the vehicle begins to charge. It certainly gets a bit more complicated than that, or at least it can with several variables to consider. Some owners may not worry about all the details, but we’ll dive into some of those variables a bit. How long does it take to charge a Tesla. Is Tesla charging free? These are some of the questions we’ll cover. Next, we’ll cover some of the charging types, commonly referred to as Level 1, Level 2, and Tesla Supercharging. Level 1 vs. Level 2 Charging vs. Supercharging Before we begin, we’ll cover a few items of terminology. Level 1 charging uses a 110v outlet. These are the standard 15 or 20amp outlets commonly found in homes throughout the US and other some other countries. This charging can be quite slow. If you are fairly low on charge, you’ll likely see a time estimate of 24+ hours to recharge. Level 2 charging uses a dedicated 240 volt circuit. This provides much quicker charging times, up to three to nine times faster than Level 1 charging. Electricity is exponential, so if you go from a 20 amp outlet to a 40 amp circuit, the charging speed should be close to three times faster. Tesla Supercharging In the Tesla realm, the next step up is their Superchargers which use a 480 volt DC power source. You won’t find these in homes, this is an industrial application with considerably higher voltage. Other manufacturers such as Nissan refer to 480 volt charging as “quick charging” and Ford appears they will call their upcoming network “FordPass Chargers”. Since I’m focusing this article on Tesla, we’ll continue to use the “Supercharger” term in regards to 480 volt charging. NOTE: A quick terminology definition. For 110 volt or 220 volt charging, electric vehicles have an onboard charger. Using either 110 or 220 volts, a vehicle is connected to an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). The EVSE then safety transfers electricity to the vehicles onboard charger. Many of those who are knowledgeable on electric vehicles will quickly call people out if they refer to an EVSE as a “charger”. For 480 volt charging, the onboard charger is bypassed and these stations are considered “chargers”. In my opinion, it just adds unnecessary confusion. Very few people will refer to these units as Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. Someone who is new to electric vehicles won’t have any idea what EVSE stands for. Tesla Charging at Home Most owners will do the majority of their charging at home, so we’ll discuss some of the options for charging your Tesla at home first. Tesla Wall Connector The Tesla Wall Connector is a popular choice for many owners. They are currently on “Generation 3” of the Wall Connector which added Wi-Fi connectivity, but also has a 48 amp output max verses the 100 amp on the previous Gen 2 Wall Connectors. Below is a chart from Tesla that shows the charge speed you can expect depending on the size of circuit breaker you’re using. The larger the amperage, the faster you will charge. This chart is based on the current models offered. Older vehicles had various battery pack sizes and other hardware configurations that will affect these numbers. Tesla Wall Connector Power Sharing If you plan to own more than one Tesla and want multiple Wall Connectors, they can be used on the same circuit for “Power Sharing”. You must have the same generation Wall Connectors though, for example, you can’t combine a Gen 2 with a Gen 3 in this shared configuration. You’ll need to make sure you have two Gen 2’s or two Gen 3’s. Wall Connector Cable Length The Tesla Wall Connector is available in two lengths, either 8.5 feet or 18 feet. Surprisingly, this doesn’t affect the price as with some other manufacturers. I find going with the longer 18 foot cord gives you more flexibility. It can also save you from having to run longer wires from your circuit panel. It may seem trivial, you’ll likely have more cabling to wrap up (depending on your install). For mine, I ended up running my cabling behind shelving and was able to run less wiring from my circuit breaker. Indoor or Outdoor, Hardwired or Plug-In If you plan to install your Wall Connector outdoors, it is typically recommend that you have it hardwired. Otherwise, you’ll need to ensure you have outdoor rated, weatherproof outlets. Be sure to check your local code if you are considering a plug-in approach outdoors to make sure you’re in compliance. Always take the proper safety precautions when dealing with electricity. Adding a Cord? A plug-in Wall Connector from Tesla was available, although it’s no longer listed in their store. They now have a Corded Mobile Connector we’ll discuss further below. You can also consider adding a cord to your Wall Connector. Home improvement stores sell dryer and range cords. Most commonly, they’re available for 30 amps, but you will find a smaller selection of 40 and 50 amp cords as well. This is the 50 amp range cord by GE I purchased from Amazon for my

Tesla has started rolling out their next over-the-air software update. This time around, it’s version 2020.40.3. I just installed it on our 2020 Model X Long Range Plus. These are the main features: Speed Assist Priority Bluetooth Device Glovebox PIN We’ll cover each in more detail below… Tesla Speed Assist Improvements Speed Assist is now able to utilize the onboard vehicle cameras to detect speed limit signs to improve the accuracy of speed limit data for highways. This feature was previously enabled for local roads, and has now been expanded to highways. We have a couple roads near us that are 35 mph. It’s happened again now where these two roads are indicating a 25 mph speed limit by Tesla. It will be interesting to see how long it takes to correct again. Tesla Priority Bluetooth Device With this feature, you can avoid connecting the wrong nearby phone by setting your priority Bluetooth device. With this feature enabled, your Tesla will attempt to connect to the priority device associated with the profile selected before it attempts to connect other paired phones. This is one I quickly took advantage of. Previously, we noticed that our Model X would seemingly pick or choose if it wanted to connect to my phone or my wife’s. She has a larger data plan, so I went ahead and set hers as the Priority Bluetooth Device. Here’s how to set your priority device: Tap the Bluetooth icon at the top of the touchscreen Select the preferred phone and slide the Priority Device slider. Glovebox PIN The Glovebox PIN is intended to protect the valuables in your glovebox with a 4 digit PIN. While I could see this being a headache for normal every day use, I could certainly see myself activating this in certain areas. If we plan to leave the vehicle unattended and have something we plan to leave in the glovebox, I’ll likely use it from time to time. Here’s how to enable a Glovebox PIN: Tap the Car “Controls” Icon Tap Safety & Security Then tap Glovebox PIN to set your PIN More Tesla News and Updates Check out more of our Tesla posts.