Electric Vehicles

If you are lucky enough to live in a part of the world that experiences all four seasons, you know how tumultuous winter driving can be. From the slippery snow to freezing car seats, to poor visibility to black ice, winter driving is no one’s favorite experience. So how does Tesla handle these undesirable driving conditions? Tesla’s, especially those equipped with all wheel drive can perform quite well in wintery conditions. With colder temps however, electric vehicles tend to get less range than during warmer conditions. Tesla has added a few features you can take advantage of within the app, and we’ll also cover some other tips to maximize your range, and safety, during less than ideal driving conditions. Electronic vehicles face a different set of challenges with cold winter weather than gas vehicles do. The more tech a vehicle has, the more that could potentially go wrong. This article will consider these specific challenges as well as advise you on how to best care for your Tesla model this winter season. Know the Winter Challenges That Come With a Tesla Most people do not like winter driving for a plethora of reasons. The snow and ice make driving on suburban roads a nightmare. The bad dream only gets worse when driving on the highway with more traffic at higher speeds. Tesla recognizes the problems electric vehicles have in winter and continuously tries to make the issues more manageable. Before the 1980s, it was a common practice to go out to your gas-powered car in the winter and let it warm up in the driveway for 10 minutes or so to ensure the oil was not frozen and could lubricate the car engine properly. Today, this practice is totally outdated and utterly unnecessary in your fossil fuel car. Electric vehicles, on the other hand, face a different set of problems and definitely benefit from preconditioning, or warming up the battery pack. The nice thing about Teslas is that you can turn on your car, prep the motor(s), and even defrost windows and mirrors remotely! With the Tesla app, the process is incredibly simple: Open the Tesla app on your smartphone Press to open the “Climate” section Turn the feature on By heating up the cabin interior, the battery will heat up as well. If you are able to preheat your car while it is plugged in at home, you will not waste any battery charge. Your car will also be nice and warm, inside and out, and ready to drive. The only downside is heating up your Tesla can take up to an hour. To defrost windows and mirrors, the process is almost exactly the same. Open the Tesla app on your smartphone Press to open the “Climate” section Press on the defrost icon Use Scheduled Departure to Heat Up Your Car If you want to save a little time in the morning before you head out to work or to an appointment, you can also use the Scheduled Departure feature. Your Tesla model will automatically start charging and preconditioning itself at the best time so you can be out on the road when you need to be. To use the Scheduled Departure feature: Tap on “Charging” lighting bolt icon Press on “Schedule” and punch in the time you want your car to be ready Everything from using the radio to warming your seat to running the heater uses up your battery charge. On the other hand, your battery can be warmed up with driving, charging, and preconditioning your vehicle. To keep your Tesla model working in the best possible way, it is important to keep your battery charged and warm. If your car is not properly heated before you use it, you will not be able to access all of the perks of having a Tesla vehicle. Cold weather can quickly decrease your battery charge and prevent you from accessing all the power storage. If your car battery is too cold, displayed with a blue snowflake on the touchscreen, your usage may be limited. Cold weather also limits your access to regenerative braking and battery power. Regenerative braking is a remarkable technology that allows the forces involved in braking to recharge your battery. This is super helpful to prolong the driving time in your Tesla vehicle. Know the Winter Difference Between EVs and Gas Vehicles Thus far this article has touched on the general interior driving lifestyle of a Tesla owner, but another equally important ownership factor to consider is how the operator of an electric vehicle will have to change their driving practices in the winter. Electric motors produce considerably more torque than your traditional gas-powered engine. This greatly influences how an electric vehicle will handle slippery roads. Luckily, Tesla has created technology to combat this inevitable factor and is constantly trying to improve the way Teslas’ onboard computers handle icy conditions. Consumers have found that in recent years, the traction control system in their Tesla models manage the tires in such a way that the power transfer and power limiting technology prevents the car from spinning out on slick surfaces.  This means that when the car senses itself losing control, the system is able to control the power output and limit the transfer of that power to the wheels so driving on icy roads is much easier. This keeps the wheels from spinning out and losing too much traction to propel the car forward. Use Slip Start to Escape Deep Snow Tesla also has a technology called Slip Start. This function allows the wheels to spin more freely and create more slip in the tires. You might think that this is the opposite of what you would want in a winter driving technology, but it is actually very helpful for snowy conditions. Turning off the traction control with Slip Start helps the tires spin which comes in handy when driving in deep snow. High-performance off-road vehicles use a very similar feature to dig themselves out of

Most cars come with some safety and protection, but as with all other conventional car features, Tesla went a step further to provide cutting edge protection. Although already enabled with several safety features, none are as innovative and vigilant as Sentry Mode. Tesla’s Sentry Mode provides an active layer of protection for a Tesla by monitoring the nearby surroundings for threats. However, in order to provide this protection, the Tesla is using a number of functions onboard. When used together and for long periods, battery drain is inevitable. On average, expect to loose about 1 mile of range per hour. Learn more about why Sentry Mode drains the batteries, what Sentry Mode does, and more. We will also discuss how you can combat Sentry Mode draining your Tesla’s battery as well. Why Does Sentry Mode Drain the Battery? Being on high alert for a long period of time would be exhausting for a human. Using that logic, it is not impossible to understand that asking a Tesla to do the same would be equally draining on the power available. A Tesla never completely “turns off.” Even while sitting idle being charged, the battery is in use. Therefore, when Sentry Mode is activated, a Tesla is incorporating more features and requiring more battery. However, the drain of the battery in Sentry Mode depends on the length of time the Tesla is kept in this mode. What Is Sentry Mode? Sentry Mode only became available on Tesla vehicles after August 2017. Sentry Mode monitors the car’s surroundings and determines potential threats. But how? Sentry Mode is activated when the owner engages the mode. When the Tesla senses movement near the car and Sentry Mode is activated, it immediately starts arming the alarm and cameras on board. While this mode does not actively resist a break-in, it will certainly provide the first level of security to scare off less determined criminals. How Does Sentry Mode Monitor the Surroundings? Teslas are equipped with several safety features, including cameras and alarms. When placed in Sentry Mode, the Tesla is using all many of its features to keep the car safe and is therefore far from idle or turned off. A joint effort is made using sensors, the computer, and cameras to keep the Tesla aware of its surroundings and vigilant in deterring theft or tampering. Usually triggered by motion within a certain proprietary distance of the Tesla, Sentry Mode will enter one of two modes: Alert Alarm The Alert State of Sentry Mode The Alert State of Sentry Mode is engaged when the threat is deemed as minor. Something as non-threatening as leaning on the Tesla can trigger the Alert State. When Alert State is activated, the Tesla will not sound the alarm but does immediately start recording. Of the two states, the Alert State is the least aggressive. When triggered, the Alert State causes the Tesla to politely flash its lights and displays a message on the interior screen that the vehicle is recording. The Alarm State of Sentry Mode The Alarm State of Sentry Mode really does step up the attention-getting shenanigans. After the Alert State’s gentle nudge, Tesla spared no expense to announce a problem when they arise. The Alarm State is activated when something truly impactful happens to the Tesla. Something as obvious as a broken window will trigger the Alarm State. In this event, the interior center screen will become brighter than the Alert State, and the alarm sounds. As a bonus, the Tesla will also play music from the sound system at maximum volume. Battery Usage in Sentry Mode As you can see, although a Tesla may appear “off” and unguarded, several functions are actively engaged in Sentry Mode. The surroundings are monitored by: Sensors Cameras Additionally, internal displays, lights, and even the radio are all on standby when Sentry Mode is enabled. Sentry Mode reduces battery life at the rate of one mile per hour, according to Motoring Research. That means if you were to leave your car unattended for 11 days, you would come back to a dead Tesla. For comparison, parked Teslas can go as long as 20 days before losing their charge. As such, Sentry Mode does in fact cause additional battery drain. More movement and activity around your vehicle will use more electricity. Areas such as busy parking lots can trigger a lot of activity. The 20% Fail-Safe Regardless of how it happens or how fast, battery drain is a threat to a car that requires battery power to run. Tesla thought about that, too. In response to this, they installed a fail-safe system to try to make sure that a Tesla owner never comes back to a completely dead car. To that end, once the Tesla drops to 20%, Sentry Mode will automatically turn off. How to Combat Battery Drain Here is some information to help you combat battery drain: Find a charging station for long-term parking. The easy and obvious answer when facing long-term parking and enabling Sentry Mode is to use a charging station. Have a charging plan. One Tesla owner suggests having a charging plan at the ready. Have the car charged to near 90% before parking and access to charging upon accessing the vehicle again. Be aware of likely movement. It is not clear how far away movement must be to trigger the Alarm mode. However, some say any movement engages the functions. As such, be aware and attempt to limit the car’s visuals of movement. This aims to limit the number of times that Alarm Mode is engaged. Do not use 3rd party apps to check battery drain. Some suggest that using third party applications to check on the battery, engage more of the battery to check the vitals. Similarly, the number of times the car is checked equates to more power loss. Additional Tesla Security Aside from Sentry Mode, what protection does a Tesla offer? The options regarding protection for a Tesla are somewhat dependent on

Many people purchase a Tesla in the hopes of reducing their carbon footprint. In reality, the energy that charges the electric vehicle is often generated by less than environmentally friendly fuels. It begs the question of why the world’s top producer of electric vehicles and a pioneer in solar energy systems have not combined the two. Tesla does not put solar panels on cars because there is not enough surface area on a standard electric vehicle to generate sufficient power. Many electric vehicles come with solar panels, but they provide little to no benefit, barely getting a few miles of travel time after hours of charging. With a lack of practicality, this concept is one that just will not happen unless serious developments in modern solar panels are made. The impracticality of solar panels on the electric vehicle itself has been addressed by Tesla in the past. Read on to learn why solar panels and your Tesla are not that compatible. Solar Panels on Cars Is Inefficient When generating solar power, more area exposed to the sun equals more energy generated for later use. Cars, especially electric cars, are compact. They are often kept in a garage or under a carport. Their exposure to the sun is little to none unless they are driving or parked on the street. Keep in mind they need direct solar exposure too. There were talks back in 2017 to put panels on the Tesla Model 3. The way the system was proposed to operate would see a convertible solar panel unfold from the trunk to cover the electric vehicle when parked. This increase in surface area would definitely generate more power, but the practicality was called into question. Some problems include: Deployment times could be inconvenient The panel could take up too much space in more enclosed areas The power generated would still be very limited The panel would add to production cost The panel would be another concern for maintenance Elon Musk has gone over the glaringly obvious drawbacks of solar panels being installed onto the electric vehicle itself. For an extra twenty to thirty miles of range versus all of the time, energy, and resources needed to develop this system, the ends do not justify the means. Tesla has pointed to these obstacles many times before. The best systems that exist today in other electric vehicles generate enough power to drive less than two miles after eight hours of charging. As you can see, this is an impractical idea that just will not happen until panels can produce much more output. Tesla’s Solar Roof and other systems are viable options for those seeking clean energy. Are There Panels on Larger Tesla Vehicles? In 2021 people will potentially see the first generation of solar panels on a Tesla vehicle. Elon Musk has hinted that the tonneau cover on the Cybertruck could be covered with solar panels. He’s also mentioned the possibility for additional fold-out solar panels. These would likely come from the sail pillar store area on the side of the bed. The desire to have an efficient, solar-powered vehicle is there, but the yield is not enough for any substantial generation. This feature will add around 15 miles of range a day without having to be folded out from the trunk every time you park. The fact that you can leave the electric truck alone and simply charge the battery, coupled with its larger size, makes it a much more practical option for carrying solar panels. However, do not expect any major charging. This increase is minimal and will not be anywhere near the amount of power needed to charge the entire battery. The same can be said for Tesla’s largest electric vehicle, the Semi. When you do the math, you will see that even on this electric vehicle, with a plethora of surface area from the trailer and large cab, your yield is lackluster. While there is an increase in output with these larger vehicles, it simply is not enough for self-sufficiency. It does not hurt to add some panels with the available space for some increase in efficiency as long as realistic production costs can be maintained. There will always need to be a dedicated charging station for these electric vehicles. Why Are Companies Putting Small Panels on Electric Cars? There is unused space on electric vehicles. Some companies, Tesla included, are beginning to toy with the idea of adding smaller panels to increase efficiency. Despite the minimal increase in the longevity of your daily range, companies are experimenting with the concept of solar systems on electric vehicles. In most cases, you will not see an electric vehicle that can charge its battery to 100% from these panels, but they will give you some increase in range if they receive good amounts of direct solar exposure. If these additions do not alter the production cost in a bad way, then some charge is definitely better than no charge. The problem comes when consumers and manufacturers want a self-sustaining solar mounted system on the vehicle. Maximizing unused space can be beneficial, but only on a limited scale. Could You Mount Enough Solar Panels for a Tesla? As mentioned before, the surface area and a large number of panels are key to an efficient solar energy system. On an electric vehicle, even the largest ones, there is not enough surface area to meet the demands of the impressive battery, which is exactly why Tesla has shied away from using solar panels to charge their vehicles in the past.  With the Tesla Model 3, you would need somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 kilowatts to fully charge the battery. To generate that much power, you would need around 200 panels and a whopping 4,000 square feet of surface area with excellent solar exposure. You would also need an inverter. Doing this would triple the weight of the vehicle. Inverters usually weigh 40 to 60 pounds. 4,000 square feet of solar panels would

If you have wireless Qi charging, use Sentry Mode, and/or have setup the Tesla Boombox, you’re likely running out of USB Ports. You could try adding a USB hub designed for use with a PC. However, there’s better aftermarket solutions designed for your Tesla to avoid additional cables. One of the cleaner ways to get additional USB ports in your Tesla Model 3 or Model Y is with a hub designed to specifically fit into your Model 3 or Model Y. Tesla currently does not offer any such hubs, so you will need to look at aftermarket solutions. Some of the companies that currently make USB hubs for the Tesla include Taptes, Jada, and Pacewalker. Make sure you are ordering one designed for your particular year and model. Tesla Model 3’s manufactured May 2020 and earlier had 2 USB-A ports in the center console. We’ll cover these details and recommendations for media storage next, as well as one big drawback. If you’re not sure what month/year your Tesla was produced, you can look in the driver door jam. The month/year should be displayed in the top left corner. USB-A vs. USB-C When the Model Y first launched, USB ports were slightly different from the Model 3 which it shares many different parts with. On the back of the center console where the Model 3 had a pair of USB-A ports, the Model Y uses a pair of USB-C ports. The Model Y also had a single USB-C port inside of the center console near the front along with a USB-A. The Model 3’s (up until June 2020) had a pair of USB-A ports and no USB-C’s. There are aftermarket Tesla USB Hubs for all years of Model 3 and Model Y. They aren’t all created the same though. Depending on your needs, make sure you read the details as to what you are ordering. Some of these hubs may only offer charging, but no data transfer support. Typically, USB-A ports that have a blue connector support charging and data. Possible Damage (Disclaimer) Try and learn from my mistake on this one. I’ve read reviews where it has happened to others, so I’m not the only one. These hubs are designed to fit tight. It does require some force to get them into place. Not only that, but it can be difficult to get the ports to align properly. This is where I caused some damage. After realizing the USB hub didn’t feel as though things were going in like they should, I took a quick look to examine things. Sure enough, the USB-A port inside the console was damaged. I also noticed on the USB hub a bit of damage as well. Fortunately, I was able to use a flat head screwdriver and bend the outer metal of the USB-A port back enough to where on another attempt, I was able to get the hub properly inserted. Best advice, just be aware you could permanently damage your ports. You will have to use some force and pressure to get the Tesla USB hub into place. Just make sure you gently push it in towards the ports once you think you have the hub in the proper position. You also want to make sure you have it properly angled. An improper angle could cause damage to the ports as you get ready to push the hub in to make the connection. Take your time and use caution. With that out of the way, we’ll jump into the installation steps. Installation of a Tesla Model 3 USB Hub from Taptes Now that we got the damage portion out of way, let’s run through the installation steps. It’s pretty straight forward. Just align the ports and slide it in. Easy, right? It’s a tight fit and you can’t see the ports. As mentioned earlier, just take your time and use as gentle of force as possible. Once it’s connected, you can add your remove drives. Whether it’s a MicroSD with an adapter, SSD, or a USB flash drive. Jada Tesla USB Hub The Jada Tesla USB Hub is quite similar to the one by Taptes. The Pacewalker Tesla USB Hub I haven’t personally tried this one, but I saw it on Amazon the other day. This USB hub is smaller than the Jada and Taptes hubs. It’s made out of aluminum and clearly isn’t designed to blend in. They claim the aluminum design helps dissipate heat. Aluminum, especially when combined with “fin” designs can be great at dissipating heat, I’m just not sure if USB hubs get that hot to begin with. While the Pacewalker is more expensive than the Taptes, the smaller design should make it much easier to install. Aligning the ports shouldn’t be anywhere near as difficult. It’s getting mixed reviews so far though, so take this one with a grain of salt. Tesla Sentry Mode Storage Recommendations A USB thumb drive I started with originally for my TeslaCam became problematic after a certain over-the-air software update. I believe the write speed was too slow. Shortly after, I decided to try Solid State Disk (SSD) hard drives in our Model X. Our daughter got her Model 3 in June 2020. I picked up another SSD for her to use for Sentry Mode. While there are SSD’s with USB-C connectors, the one’s I had picked up used a SATA connection. This was going to make it impossible to fit into the hidden compartment of the USB hub on my daughter’s car. This is when I decided to order the USB adapter and a new Micro SD card. It’s a much cleaner install with even less cables. If she ever needs to leave something small of value in her car, this storage compartment can be used for something such as a key, credit card, etc. and not be filled with an SSD. Micro SD Cards I recently came across this video on the YouTube channel Because Tesla. He mentions not using

If you have been keeping track of the news and seen Tesla cars, you might have been considering purchasing one. Right up until the time that you read that some states have banned the sale of Tesla cars. But, why wouldn’t a state want to sell Tesla cars? What happened to cause the ban? Tesla is a car manufacturer that will only let its cars be sold from its car dealerships. Some states have laws prohibiting car manufacturers from owning dealerships.  Although there are no laws stopping someone from purchasing a Tesla car and then collecting their vehicle in a state that allows Tesla to function as both a manufacturer and car dealership owner, you might be interested in the particulars behind the laws. Read on to find out more about why Tesla cars cannot be sold in some states. Why Are Tesla Cars Banned In Some States? It may surprise you to learn that some states have banned the selling of Tesla cars, considering it is such a renowned company. Elon Musk is one of the richest men globally, due in no small part to his creative design of the electric car. Tesla is a famous and prosperous company, so you are probably wondering how they managed to get banned in some states. As it turns out, Tesla did not commit any crime to be banned. It merely comes down to a few laws passed nearly a century ago when car manufacturers first began their operations. Back then, it was the custom for car manufacturers to focus on making cars only since the workforce required was enormous. Franchises were smaller companies who bought cars from the manufacturers and spare parts for routine repairs and then turned around and sold them. They worried that car manufacturers would eventually stop selling their cars to the franchises and instead, sell them directly to the populace.  Franchises mustered a great many lobbyists to convince lawmakers to pass laws outlawing the practice of car manufacturers opening up their dealerships. If car manufacturers were allowed to own dealerships, too, there would be no place for franchise dealerships. To protect their livelihoods, they persuaded lawmakers to enact franchise laws.  Franchise Laws One of the main reasons why Tesla cars are banned in some states is because of certain state-by-state franchise laws. Most car manufacturers sell their cars to automotive dealerships, who then turn around and sell the actual cars. Tesla refuses to participate in this franchise system and insists on owning their own dealerships to cut out the middleman. Early in America’s history, car manufacturers established a relationship with dealerships to spread out the work and the payment. However, as manufacturing technology advanced, dealerships worried that they would be cut out and persuaded lawmakers to pass laws that would protect their livelihood and forbid manufacturers from also being dealerships. Tesla justifies its position in three ways: Tesla pays its salespeople a salary, unlike most companies who pay the salespeople by the commission. A commission-based income gives salespeople a huge incentive to hurry the sale along, possibly through unethical means or by not giving the person enough time to consider the purchase. Car dealerships that sell a combination of gas-fueled cars and electric cars would have a conflict of interest since most companies who sell their cars to the dealerships are oil-based. Tesla believes that this conflict of interest could spark unwanted conflict and that Tesla’s cars might not be given a fair shake. Their engines’ proprietary nature is supposedly complex enough that only Tesla employees can properly explain their advantages to potential customers. Other sellers would not know enough to replace a Tesla employee.  Conflict Of Interest In the case of Tesla wanting to own their own car dealerships to sell their cars, existing dealerships are lobbying to stop them. Although car dealerships do not make much profit from the sale of cars, they do make a fair amount of money from car repairs. Unlike traditional cars, electric cars do not need the same types of routine maintenance.  They do not need their oil changed, tuneups are not necessary, and even brake pads last a lot longer thanks to regenerative braking technology. Car dealerships see that electric cars will end up costing them a pretty penny in the future with the lack of regular repairs needed. Since their profit often comes from those repairs, car dealerships are wary about selling electric cars. Thus, they are not keen on allowing Tesla to open up their own dealerships or sell Tesla’s cars. If car dealerships had their way, electric cars would go out with the baby in the bathwater, and they would not have to worry about them taking over the market. Tesla, however, appears to be here to stay. To Stop A Growing Trend Franchises are not just worried about the effect electric cars will have on their bottom line. They also worry that if Tesla is successful in their venture that other car companies will decide to withdraw from their current agreements with franchise car dealerships and sell their gasoline cars from their own dealerships and take on the repair responsibilities. If gasoline car companies see that Tesla successfully sells their own cars after making them, they might try their hand at it. Franchise car dealerships would no longer be needed. We might see a future where the same company manufactures and sells their cars. That future would be more profitable for car manufacturers, which worries car dealership owners.  The loss of those companies would spell the end of franchise car dealerships entirely, so they do not want to encourage any other types of car manufacturers to follow in Tesla’s footsteps. If electric car manufacturers withhold their cars for their own dealerships, it wouldn’t be any significant loss, but gas cars certainly would be.  What States Have Banned Tesla? Sixteen states have laws that explicitly prohibit Tesla’s ability to open a car dealership because of their status as a manufacturer. A further nine states have

For most of my recent memory, modern electric cars have been somewhere between quirky oddity and cars of the future. With gas-powered cars dominating every part of the automotive world, it seemed impossible for electric cars to really have a chance. But, when Tesla entered the scene in the 2000s, it showed not only that electric cars could be viable transportation, but it also showed that they could be better than gas-powered cars. Tesla cars have several advantages over traditional gas-powered cars. Since they are entirely electric, their carbon footprint is lower than gas-powered cars, and they also have a better “fuel” economy. Tesla also offers more sophisticated technology, better performance, and lower maintenance than similar gas-powered cars. Tesla’s outshine their competition in a series of different ways. Because of the very nature of their build, Tesla’s can offer performance upgrades, diagnostics, and software updates in a matter of minutes. Their electric motors offer instant torque and acceleration only rivaled by supercars. In this article, we’ll tell you every advantage a Tesla has over its gas-powered competition. The Advantages of a Tesla Over Gas Cars Tesla vehicles were once reserved for those with extra money to spend. Even though the overall goal was to help the environment, the hefty Tesla price tag wasn’t one that most people could afford. But in recent history, thanks to more affordable models and tax credits for those with energy-efficient vehicles, Tesla’s street presence has increased.  However, electric cars are not a new invention. Electric cars have been around for nearly as long as gas-powered cars. But, for a variety of reasons, the production of electric cars fizzled out in the early 1900s. Nearly 100 years after their initial decline, electric cars are back with so many new innovations that their gas-powered counterparts can’t keep up. Gas-powered cars, for the majority of their lifetime, have been mechanical machines. Even though they have gotten increasingly more computerized, the heart of all gas-powered cars, the engine, is still a mechanical machine. It relies on making little gas explosions to propel itself, and if something’s wrong, you usually have to physically fix it. But Tesla’s, for the most part, are not mechanical. They are electric, and they are computerized. They don’t rely on gasoline, they don’t need oil changes, and they are packed with cool hardware and software features. Tesla Technology According to Pocket Lint, Tesla operates through an operating system, kind of like your computer does with Windows or Mac. In a way, Tesla is like a computer on wheels. This technology allows for a large number of possibilities, including: Auto-pilot Performance upgrades Easy Operating System Updates Games, Easter Eggs, and Extras Auto-Pilot Along with being a pioneer in mainstream electric cars, Tesla is also at the forefront of self-driving cars. According to Wired, a problem with developing self-driving cars in the past is that most vehicles have to be retrofitted with cameras and sensors, and computers. Today, Tesla vehicles come with all that stuff standard – even if you don’t pay for it up front. In comparison, there will probably never be a modern self-driving gas-powered car. According to Clean Technica, gas-powered vehicles introduce too much delay in the system to make a safe, self-driving car. While a Tesla’s computer can instantly hit the accelerator and move forward, a gas-powered self-driving AI is still at the mercy of a revving engine.  Performance Upgrades The birth of automobiles was closely followed by the birth of automobile racing. For as long as cars have been around, there’s been someone who’s wanted to make them faster. In the early days, it was all about supercharging and engine swapping.  Then, as time went on, car lovers started slapping on turbo’s, and nowadays, there are millions of things you can do to squeeze as much performance as you want out of your car. But, even though their accessible, there is still something to consider: making a gas-powered car go faster requires a lot of hard work and a lot of money. A lot of performance parts cost somewhere between hundreds and thousands of dollars, and that’s just for the parts. It will cost another chunk if you want someone else to install it. If you want to make your Tesla go faster, the process is very simple. You don’t have to swap an LS motor into it and stick a turbo and supercharger on it. If you own a Performance version of the Model S or X, all you have to do is buy ludicrous mode. Once you buy it, an over-the-air update is ready to be installed, and you’re ready to go. It isn’t cheap. Tesla has changed it’s price over the years. Ludicrous mode has had a cost between $5,000-$10,000. It was even included for a while on Performance models. But it’s quick and easy. Easy Operating System Updates With gas-powered cars, the procedure with bugs, updates, and recalls have pretty much stayed the same over the years. Usually, a problem will be found with your car, and the automaker will issue a recall. You have to take your vehicle to the dealership and wait for them to fix it. With Tesla, it’s a lot easier. For many things, all Tesla needs to do is send out a wireless update to your car. I’ll use information from Green Car Reports to help illustrate this point. Back in the early days of the Model S, people were still getting used to the feeling of driving an electric car. One thing drivers found strange was the Model S didn’t creep forward when they had their foot off both the brake and accelerator. In a normal car, doing so would let the car crawl forward very slowly, but since Tesla’s are all-electric, they don’t have to worry about an idling engine. But, since customers complained, Tesla released an update that installed a fake creep mode into their cars. This is an optional setting that can be enabled. Games, Easter Eggs, and

It’s a practical pairing for Tesla vehicles to use Startlink internet service. SpaceX is bringing internet to the most desolate places in the world via low-orbit satellite through their Starlink service. Is it possible though and how soon? The possibility of SpaceX’s Starlink being used with Tesla cars is very real. Especially with Elon Musk involvement in both companies increases these chances. This article will explore Starlink and what it could allow Tesla cars to do if the two were paired. Tesla nor SpaceX have announced any official plans thus far. However, Elon alluded to Starlink possibly providing internet to cars. The current hardware would likely need to be changed for it to become reality. It’s doubtful you’ll ever see a Tesla rolling off the assembly light with a satellite dish sticking out the back. As Starlink builds out their ground relay stations, there could be potential for vehicles to rely on these stations. What Is Starlink? Starlink is a project launched by SpaceX in 2015. SpaceX is an Aerospace company owned and operated by Elon Musk. They specialize in creating rockets and reusable spacecraft, the most noteworthy being the “Falcon Heavy,” the largest rocket today. The goal of Starlink is to provide satellite internet to the most remote parts of the world. To this day, SpaceX has launched over 800 satellites for the Starlink project. SpaceX has received approval from the FCC to launch over 7500 satellites. It seems like a huge number, but SpaceX designed these satellites to be very compact. They sit at a lower orbit than traditional satellites. This technology could possibly change the world. With the goal of the internet being available to the most places in the world. It will spring forward growth in more rural and poor areas. Thanks to Starlink service, the Hoh Tribe on the Olympic Peninsula has finally gained access to high-speed internet. Moreover, Starlink will help to provide more competition between cable and telecom companies. It could even be used in communication technology for Musk’s future endeavors in colonizing Mars. Backfilling 5G Networks In addition to providing internet to places otherwise untouched, Musk has hinted at using the Starlink network to help backfill 5G networks. This will support the growth and infrastructure of the communications industry. Phones can soon utilize this satellite internet service. It seems like they will rarely ever lose service once that occurs. The prospects of providing access to the internet are exciting. The potential that is waiting to be released in the technology sector from this is around the corner. Starlink is currently in Beta, establishing satellites above the North American and European continents. Do Tesla Cars Currently Have Wifi? Right now, all Tesla cars currently offer standard “connectivity”. In the standard version, the only feature available is navigation, which is a basic GPS feature built into your car. The only other way to access other parts of the internet with your Tesla car with the standard connectivity is to connect it to WiFi. Connecting your car to wifi isn’t practical if your’e going to drive. This is where you can get premium connectivity for your Tesla. This connection is a cellular one that provides wifi to the car features other than navigation and your phone. This service is made possible through AT&T’s network. In time, I could see it being replaced with Starlink service. Tesla Premium Connectivity Premium connectivity will allow you to use internet-dependent features in your Tesla (depending on model) wherever you have a cell signal, such as: Satellite View Maps Music Live Traffic Visualization Internet Browser There are some exceptions to who has premium connectivity. It is included for free in vehicles delivered before June 30th, 2018. For vehicles delivered July 1st, 2018 or later, the service can be purchased for around $10/month. How Could Starlink Be Used With Tesla Cars? With the range of Tesla cars ever-increasing, more people use them to travel long distances and even on road trips. While the cell phone signal will provide wifi in many places, a Starlink connection could replace the connection in rural areas. Besides being able to have nonstop wifi and GPS signals, this could also dramatically increase driving safety. Some of the most dangerous parts of the country to drive in are rural states without many people or services. Establishing a connection right away will increase response time in locating accidents or emergencies. Taking it one step further, the main utilization of the Starlink administration is for associated vehicle innovation that permits the organization’s vehicles to speak with different vehicles (with a cloud interface). Envision a future where self-governing Tesla vehicles can send information to and from the cloud, utilizing many satellites. Controversy Elon Musk has alluded to Tesla “coming close” to attaining autonomous driving. Many carmakers started to pursue computer-driven cars. With Tesla entering the scene in 2013 with the Model S, introducing some limited features to its current cars. Autonomous cars are a large and controversial subject. One thing is certain: there needs to be a connection to analyze data. The biggest asset to creating and maintaining the success of a program like self-driving cars is inputting data to the AI. The key to continually improving is analyzing data from: Cameras Sensors Radars With cell phone service being very choppy, it has made it difficult for automakers to develop something that is not connected to a network for support. The prospects changed with 5G coming out, for the cars will need a strong bandwidth network to communicate with. More data will require a stronger network. That is where Starlink comes in. The ultra-fast broadband network can supplement where 5G is lacking — or even replace it entirely. Starlink may be the solution because SpaceX and Tesla can pair up to make their own efficient network. What Is Ahead Elon Musk has been very optimistic about a timeline. People can see some of the first autonomous vehicles being presented to consumers as early as this year. In an earnings

A unique feature of some Tesla model electric vehicles will allow you to gain substantial acceleration speeds. Tesla used the starship speeds from the movie Spaceballs for naming inspiration. Light Speed, Ridiculous Speed, Ludicrous Speed, and Plaid Speed were in the speed settings from the movie. Ludicrous, and soon Plaid have made it into the Tesla performance packages. The Ludicrous package is an upgrade available on the Performance versions of both the Tesla Model S and Model X. Tesla has changed it’s availability over the years, including having it free on Performance models at one point. Ludicrous Mode will allow your Tesla EV to accelerate to 60 MPH in less than three seconds. When Ludicrous Mode is activated on your Tesla, you will have the power of a roller coaster at your disposal. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has even declared that it is faster than falling. This is exciting news for techies and thrill-seekers alike, but Ludicrous Mode is just the beginning. Tesla has pushed the envelope further, not once but twice. Read on to find out everything you need to know about Tesla’s next-level supercharged speed modes. Ludicrous Mode The genesis of Tesla’s speed boost mode began here. Ludicrous Mode was an exciting feature on Tesla’s already impressive series of electric vehicles. Ludicrous mode was first introduced on August 23, 2016, on the Model S P100D. This new feature boasted a 10% increase in acceleration from the standard Model S. This speed boost also came with an increase in price, requiring customers to tack on an additional $10,000 to the pricey MSRP of their Tesla S P100D. The higher price seems to be worth it to many Tesla customers. Tesla has improved this feature twice since its inception. When compared to traditional internal-combustion engine vehicles, you can easily drop thousands of dollars to gain similar performance improvements. Tesla has been seen as a power symbol by many people since its inception. Instant torque and quick acceleration are two by-products of the electric motors. The Ludicrous Speed Mode certainly adds to that level of prestige and impressiveness. This performance increase does come at another cost though. Customers felt the first generation of Ludicrous enhanced wear and stress placed on the engine and battery. Newer models even inform the driver before entering Ludicrous Mode of the added wear to the battery, which can definitely be a drawback when considering whether or not to use this feature. Secret ludicrous plus mode warning… pic.twitter.com/lMkJYDofos — Dean Hall (@rocket2guns) February 23, 2017 Ludicrous Plus Tesla upped the ante next year in 2016 when they released the next level of Ludicrous speed that will get you from 0-60 in 2.4 seconds. These incredible speed boosts require a ton of energy and will place significantly more stress on your electric vehicle’s battery. The reason for this is the added heat from the battery’s optimization. This mode will require your battery to heat up for optimization. The battery will heat up to nearly 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Along with this spike in temperature comes an increase in horsepower, around 35 more actually. Ludicrous Plus Mode is valued at $20,000, but it comes standard on certain variants of the model S and X. This feature makes Tesla the producer of the fourth fastest production sedan on the market and the fastest electric vehicle on the market. Ludicrous Plus with Warp Mode This ultimate mode, or current ultimate mode, is the top of the line. When properly heated to the fully optimized temperature, Ludicrous Plus with Warp Mode can shave down a quarter-mile time to 10.5 from 10.6. Clearly taking inspiration from Star Wars, the control panel will display a view from a starship in hyperdrive when Ludicrous Plus with Warp Mode is activated. Another fun feature is the warning that will appear to notify you of potential wear and tear. If you opt-out of using Ludicrous speed and Warp mode, you will have to press the option on the screen that literally says, “No, I want my mommy.” Fans of the tech giant love the animations and comical messages the screen puts out. At the moment, this is the apex of Ludicrous Speed, but if Tesla has shown the world anything, it is that they stop for no one. Perhaps there will soon be a new speed, but for now, there are three: Ludicrous Ludicrous+ Ludicrous+ with Warp Mode How Do You Use Ludicrous Plus with Warp Mode? The biggest thing to remember here is that patience is a virtue. To unleash the ultimate power of Ludicrous Speed, you must allow the electric vehicle to warm up. Doing this will allow your electric vehicle to perform to the height of its potential. Follow these steps: On your control panel under acceleration, select “Ludicrous Plus.” You will receive a notification that explains that your battery will begin heating to an optimal temperature. Select “Max Battery Power.” Allow your Tesla to warm up. While this could take a few minutes if you have already been driving, it will take much longer if the car has been idle. Temperatures outside can also affect the wait time.  Once your battery has warmed up to optimum temperature, swipe down on your control panel to reveal the Warp Mode icon. Select this icon to begin the final optimization. You can use this even if the heat is not optimal, but your output will be far less. Another notification will appear asking if you are sure you would like to put the extra strain on your vehicle with the options “Yes. Bring it on!” and “No, I want my mommy.” Clearly, Tesla wants its users to experience the full extent of its high-tech engineering. Accept the challenge to engage Warp Mode. In this video, Eli Burton from My Tesla Adventure demonstrates the three modes of Ludicrous Mode. Is Ludicrous Mode Bad for Your Car? Several times throughout the activation of Ludicrous Plus with Warp Mode, you will receive warnings and releases of liability regarding strain

One of the most talked about features in the latest Tesla software update is the new Tesla Boombox. The Tesla Boombox allows you to change the sound of your horn, driving sound, and also the sound your vehicle will make when it is “summoned”. This feature is only going to be available on the Model 3 and Y vehicles that have the external speaker. You can find the Boombox in the Toy Box section of your Touchscreen. Once you open up the Boombox, you’ll find drop down menus where you can choose one of the default sounds that Tesla has included. The external speaker is used for the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) and was first added to the Model 3 some time in 2019. Most Model Y’s should have this speaker. So far, no Model S or X vehicles have an exterior speaker (as far as I know). At least our 2020 Tesla Model X with a 12/2019 build date doesn’t have one. In this post, we’ll discuss how to tell if you have the Boombox feature including hardware and software requirements. We’ll also go through the steps to setup your own custom sounds for the Tesla Boombox on a USB drive. We will also discuss retrofit options for vehicles that do not have the external speaker. Tesla Boombox Hardware and Software Requirements In order to receive the Tesla Boombox update, you’ll need the hardware for it. In this case, it’s an external speaker found near the lower front bumper. You’ll also need the latest software release, v2020.48 also referred to as v10.2. You can check which software version you have installed by going into Controls (which is the car icon near the lower left of the touchscreen). [ADD PHOTO] What If You Don’t Have the External Speaker? Tesla Owners Silicon Valley asked Elon Musk on Twitter if a retrofit would be possible for older vehicles that don’t have the speaker. This was his response: Ok, service might be able to do this. Will check. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 27, 2020 Some vehicles appear to have the wiring harness for the speaker and there are others that have the holes for where the speaker would go, but no speaker. Simply adding a speaker to the existing wiring harness likely wouldn’t be enough. Tesla would more than likely have to push out the software update that specifically includes the Boombox. When I had our previous 2018 Model X upgraded with the HEPA Air Filter, the Service Center installed it, but failed to make sure Biodefense was enabled. I ended up having to call support to get this taken care of – it would likely be the same with an external speaker retrofit where someone at Tesla, whether the SC or support line enables it. Don’t Have the Latest Software Yet? Tesla more often than not does phased rollouts of the software. If you’d like to try and receive updates sooner, go to Controls / Software and select “Advanced” rather than “Standard”. How to Access the Tesla Boombox To access the Tesla Boombox, open up the Toybox. The Boombox should appear at the top (assuming you have it). From this screen, you’ll see built-in sound options for the Horn, Driving, and Summon. These are the built-in sounds for the horn: Fart (just like Emissions, it has multiple variations, just press your horn again) Posh Toss a Coin GOAT! Old Horn Applause Tada Ba Dum Tss DJ La Cucaracha The Drive and Summon sounds have the same 10 options. They are as follows: Coconuts What appears to be a snake and saxaphone icon (not sure what this means, maybe slow jazz?) Polynesian Elevator Music Toss a Coin Rainforest Rock n’ Roll Harp Ice Cream (I was expecting this to sound more like an ice cream truck sound) Merry Go Round Caribbean Play Current Media By clicking on “Play Current Media”, the external speaker will play the same sound that you currently have playing inside. Custom Sounds for Your Tesla Boombox To play custom sounds, you can add files to a USB flash drive. It’s been recommended to use a separate flash drive from your Sentry Mode drive. The instructions from Tesla state that you can upload up to 5 custom sounds. To do this, you’ll need a properly formatted flash drive and create a new folder titled “Boombox”. Simply save your MP3 files into this folder. Once you have your flash drive ready with your MP3’s, simply plug it into a USB port. Now, when you go to the drop down menu’s you should see your custom MP3 files listed (in additional to the built-in Tesla ones). If you need help on how to format your flash drive on a Mac, follow these steps: Insert your flash drive into a USB port on your computer Open Disk Utility Select your flash drive on the left (make sure you select the appropriate drive!) You don’t want to accidentally erase important data Once your drive is selected, click on Erase 5. Choose a name for your Flash Drive (You should be able to choose anything here). Make sure to select ExFAT. I went with Master Boot Record for the scheme. Then click Erase 6. Now create a new folder titled “Boombox”. Add your MP3’s to this folder and you’ll be ready to plug your Flash drive into your Tesla’s USB port. After you’ve inserted your Flash Drive, you should now see your custom sounds added to the drop down menus. Tesla will automatically put “USB” in front of your file name. I added some Knight Rider and Airwolf MP3 files. Note On Changing Sounds At least in this initial release, any time you turn your car off it will reset the horn, driving, and summon sounds back to default. It would be great if Tesla allows you to save some of these settings in a future release. Is It Legal? Tesla makes mention of checking your local laws regarding the use of this

Tesla software v10.2 has been pushed out! This is the latest over-the-air software update. New games and improvements in a few other areas round out the main software updates found in Tesla’s 2020.48 release. It sounds like Tesla originally was aiming to have this released before Christmas, but it came a day later and with some of the features pushed out for a later date. Let’s dive in… New Tesla Games As in previous releases, the Tesla games can be found in the Entertainment/Arcade section. The games that have been added to the Tesla Arcade are The Battle of Polytopia, Cat Quest, and Solitaire. The Battle of Polytopia This is a strategy game with low poly graphics in which users take turns. The goal is to lead your civilization to victory by expanding your empire while researching new technologies. I never heard of this game before, but according to the release notes it has won some awards. You can also play online by creating a Tesla game profile. You’ll also see the option to play offline if you prefer. This appears to be the first Tesla Arcade game that will use a leaderboard, assuming you play online. Cat Quest This is another game I wasn’t aware of (but that’s not saying much). The Release Notes mentions that Cat Quest is an adventure game with dragons, magic, and cats. The goal of the game is to rescue your catnapped sister from the evil Drakoth. Gameplay includes an overworld map to help you navigate as you explore dungeons for loot, and help various characters in several side quests. Cat Quest does require you to connect a USB game controller to play. Solitaire So I am familiar with this one, as I’m sure most people are. Apparently it is also known as Klondike to some. The classic card game that can be found in digital format on Microsoft Windows has now landed in the Tesla Arcade. In this Tesla version you can choose one of three modes. Draw 1, Draw 3, or Vegas play mode. You can also customize the backdrop and card backs. Driving Visualization Improvements In the Release Notes it mentions the instrument cluster has been refreshed (this will apply to the Model S and X, although the Model 3/Y have also had a UI update). The Autopilot availability and detected speed limit are now displayed next to the driving speed. It also mentions that select items have slightly moved, but will continue to look and behave the same as before. I noticed several items are small now, it looks similar to if you change your computer monitor to a higher resolution. Everything gets slightly smaller. I also noticed the “D” for drive changes to a blue color when Autopilot is engaged. I’m not sure if I agree with the color choice as at a quick glance you might think your high beams were on, but this is in a completely different location at the bottom of the screen. Scheduled Departure Improvements A couple of nice updates here. Scheduled Departure can now precondition the battery and cabin even when your vehicle is unplugged. To account for different utility rate plans, you are now able to set the time when your off-peak rates end to help you save on charging costs. We don’t have off-peak rates where we’re located, but for those that do this feature will help you save a bit of coin on charging. To access this feature, tap on Schedule from the climate control or charging panel when your vehicle is parked. Supercharger Display Improvements With this update the Supercharger pins on the touchscreen will now display the number of available stalls at Supercharger location. A number now displays inside of the red pin. This will especially help if you’re choosing between one of a couple locations based on how many people are currently using them. The number available might not be as important as how many there are total in the case of power sharing on version 1 and 2 Superchargers. It won’t matter on with Version 3 Superchargers since they have dedicated power. You can also search for nearby amenities by tapping an amenity icon on the Supercharger popup display. By tapping on an icon for restroom, food, lodging, or WiFi, you’ll get a navigation search for the specific amenity. It seems even if there is not one of the amenities nearby, it will still allow you to click on it which will then show “no results”. This is one in a future update it would be nice to see the icon greyed out showing there is no nearby amenities for that particular selection. Vehicle Information This one also pertains to the Tesla “T” which was removed. To access information such as your VIN, model, odometer, naming of your vehicle, and packages you’ve purchased (such as Full Self Driving and Standard or Premium Connectivity), you’ll now go into Controls / Software. Release Notes Improvements The Tesla “T” at the top of the touchscreen has now been removed. Previously, you could click here to access the Tesla “Easter Eggs” and software Release Notes. Now, the Release Notes can be found by clicking on Controls / Software / Release Notes. They’ve also improved the browsing of Release Notes by adding a left-hand navigation. Tesla Model 3/Y Updates A few specific updates for the Model 3 and Y have also been released. There’s now a Boombox feature, updated UI including illustrated vehicle animation. Boombox The Model 3 and Y also received some specific features including the new Boom Box feature which allows use of the external speaker. The release notes mention you can entertain a crowd with your media player when parked. It also states you can adjust the sounds your car makes, but to check local laws before use in public spaces. It mentions adding up to 5 custom sounds which can be done by connecting a USB with a directory named Boombox. I could see owners added