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Tesla Model S: the story of a very short happiness and excitement

dmitryzavyalov.livejournal.com

161–170 of 213 posts

Re: Tesla Model S: the story of a very short happiness and excitement

#161
post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Makes one wonder where else QC may be lacking. Especially if these cars are expected to be fully autonomous in the future.

FWIW, the drive software on the car is independent of the displays. So, pressing the pedal, braking and steering is probably very well tested. I've had the main drivers screen crash on me and I have no idea how fast I'm going (follow the car in front of you) while the screen takes 1 minute to reboot. But you're right about the QC. Although, I don't think Tesla is alone in this, every startup developing autonomous sof…

> I've had the main drivers screen crash on me and I have no idea how fast I'm going

That's somewhat terrifying! I'm surprised there isn't a requirement for a backup, analogue version of core instruments, as there is for planes fitted with digital displays.

Re: Tesla Model S: the story of a very short happiness and excitement

#162
post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would you opt for a rebuild (with lots of risk) when you have a refund offer?

The offer implied was that he'd get a brand-new Tesla with the exact same specifications as the one he had. Only, later, he found out he'd have to pay the full retail-price, which did not include the 16k "Showroom Discount." tldr: The author was excited about getting a brand-new Tesla, but a lot cheaper than a brand-new Tesla, which turned out to be false.

tldr: The author was excited about getting a working Tesla, for the price he paid for a supposedly working Tesla, which turned out to be false.

Re: Tesla Model S: the story of a very short happiness and excitement

#163

Earlier quoted context omitted.

to the best of Tesla's knowledge, at the time the letter was signed, the car was defect-free. This is what happens when there is in fact an intermittent defect, but the technical staff does not believe the user/customer. Basically, this is poor epistemology on the part of the Tesla staff. If this is an exceptionally difficult intermittent problem, their choice is between replacing the unit, or losing a customer. They…

The defect is on the engineering side. Someone at Tesla thought it was a good idea to display a failure message but not to log the nature and origin of the failure. That person needs to be identified and put on a performance improvement plan.

That's clearly a product decision!

Re: Tesla Model S: the story of a very short happiness and excitement

#164
post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've always changed my own oil, and at every 7500, rather than the insane 15000 BMW states for their service intervals. So while it was in warranty, I took advantage of the 15000 mile changes, and did my own in between. In hindsight, it's not even worth my time, and I won't be doing it again with a future car. Oil change is quick, and you can get 5L Liqui Moly for much cheaper than "BMW" brand oil.

This is exactly what I do, down to the oil. BMW made it really easy with the access flap for the drain plug and there are convenient jacking points on the subframe. The service calls for more than just changing oil but I'm not confident that the dealer even does all the "extra" things they claim. My car is due for a brake fluid flush soon, not sure if I will do that myself or have the mechanic do it.

> My car is due for a brake fluid flush soon, not sure if I will do that myself or have the mechanic do it.My car is due for a brake fluid flush soon, not sure if I will do that myself or have the mechanic do it.

Leave brake fluid stuff to the experts. If you manage to get any moisture or air into your brake systems, say goodbye to your brakes. Back when I had a car, I did everything by myself except brakes, engine works and steering - mess up on these three and you can end up dead.

Re: Tesla Model S: the story of a very short happiness and excitement

#165

As a (now former) Tesla owner, there's not a single moment of this story that surprises me. As I tweeted on the day that I was told that I would be receiving $5,000 less for my car than they had offered me and that I would be waiting 2-3 weeks (I actually waited over 6 weeks and had to follow-up multiple times to get the check which incidentally arrived today), a Tesla is a nice car--but the company is garbage. I've…

I click and see that you're employed at Paypal...

Re: Tesla Model S: the story of a very short happiness and excitement

#166
post #31

Wow that's sounds like a crappy experience all-round given the avg customer service response! A few things regarding the towing situation tho... Do tesla's honestly not have any form of rear tow hitch/chassis/axle? The bit where the tow truck driver had to push the vehicle out of a park because it was nose-in boggles my mind. Like,why didn't he just strap on to a rear axle/chassis point and pull it out with his truck…

> Do tesla's honestly not have any form of rear tow hitch/chassis/axle? I suspect the issue is more to do with the electric drive. There is no neutral unlike a traditional ICE vehicle, so any kind of towing could potentially damage the electric motors. I have a Prius and it's the same issue - if I need to get it taken to a garage, it's recommended to get a flatbed with a crane.

Electric motors default to being in neutral. If they produce voltage, and nothing consumes it, they spin freely.

Re: Tesla Model S: the story of a very short happiness and excitement

#169

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My first experience with Tesla service was when my car created an alert telling me that there was a coolant leak. When I called them, they told me that it didn't make sense as the car had no radiator. I had to send them a picture of the warning on my dash before they realized that I must be telling the truth. When I brought the car in to the service center in Sunnyvale, they told me they were backed up and that they…

This sounds so bizzare to an European. Here you leave the car at the dealer, go to the reception and ask if they will be providing replacement car or have a preferred rental company.

I'm in the US and I always get a loaner car, even when I drop it off for an oil change. I'm in no hurry they can give it back to me the next day.

Re: Tesla Model S: the story of a very short happiness and excitement

#170

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My first experience with Tesla service was when my car created an alert telling me that there was a coolant leak. When I called them, they told me that it didn't make sense as the car had no radiator. I had to send them a picture of the warning on my dash before they realized that I must be telling the truth. When I brought the car in to the service center in Sunnyvale, they told me they were backed up and that they…

This sounds so bizzare to an European. Here you leave the car at the dealer, go to the reception and ask if they will be providing replacement car or have a preferred rental company.

In the US, there is no obligation on the part of the dealer/service-station to provide a replacement car while warranty repairs are being performed.

Many of the luxury brands, and some of the larger dealers, provide this as a value-added service. When my Lexus goes in for service (even just an oil change), they provide a new Lexus for the day. For my VW, the dealer provides a car from a rental service. When I owned a Jeep, I was SOL during service, having to schedule my own transport.

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