Tesla created secret team to suppress driving range complaints (2023)

My understanding is that it is for the cabin.

BTW, for the cabin I did two things:

- I installed a permanent shade for the sun roof. The sun roof is the stupidest thing ever, I hate it.

- In the summer, I usually put one of those shiny umbrellas to the front windshield when parked.

These two things alone reduce the cabin heat to an okay level.

If you're not familiar with this story, the headline misses what seems to me like the bigger scandal, of Tesla rigging a dashboard instrument to lie:

> Tesla years ago began exaggerating its vehicles’ potential driving distance – by rigging their range-estimating software. The company decided about a decade ago, for marketing purposes, to write algorithms for its range meter that would show drivers “rosy” projections for the distance it could travel on a full battery, according to a person familiar with an early design of the software for its in-dash readouts.

> Then, when the battery fell below 50% of its maximum charge, the algorithm would show drivers more realistic projections for their remaining driving range, this person said.

IIUC, when many individual drivers were realizing that the rigged instrument didn't agree with reality of their car, they assumed their car was broken, and initiated service requests.

To reduce the costs of being caught in a lie, Tesla then created a team to again lie to customers, but this time it's humans lying one-on-one, rather than lying via rigged instruments.

Also consider things like Full Sell Driving misrepresentations, mishandling sensitive video surveillance from the cars, quality problems, and occasional 'retaliations' against those who complain, and it looks like Tesla might have a culture of dishonesty.

Hopefully other Musk-controlled companies have better cultures, since some of them are being put into positions of trust for the broader country and world. (Broader than safety of occupants of Teslas and any innocent bystander the car might crash into or harm with fire.)

Don't worry! Even if Tesla is collapsing under the CEO's public behavior, he will be able to use his position of influence to attract opaque investment in his other companies https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43317526

Yes

I sold my Tesla after 4 years, because I refused to own it out of warranty. No longer being associated with Musk is a bonus.

During the 4 years, it needed servicing (for actual faults, not for maintenance) 13 times.

4 of those times were "Car is dead" and it had to be towed.

To book service, you have to use the app. There's no phone number. You pick a date which is usually at least a week in advance, type in what's wrong, maybe attach a photo.

First, you'll get a reply in app's "chat" feature that your problem is actually normal, or it's somehow your fault, and it's not something they can fix.

After you've convinced them it's a real problem, your appointment comes around, and you take it into your service center, and wait about 30 minutes for someone to get around to seeing you. They repeat the previous message that it's your fault, or normal, etc. etc.

When they finally take it, there's zero feedback as to what's going on. In theory, you should get a loaner car while they repair, but they are usually "out".

3-14 days later, if you are lucky, your car is ready for pickup. No-one will be there to help you collect it, you just have to find it in the parking lot.

There's about a 50/50 chance of your problem being fixed, and 100% chance that they've added a couple of new ones. Your car will be filthy, inside and out, and need to be cleaned.

They also offer "mobile service" which is basically the same except they are rude to you in your driveway instead of at the service center.

Worst experience of any car. By far. Will never buy another one.