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

reuters.com

141–150 of 287 posts

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

#141

I have a model 3 (from 2023), that is rated 270 miles. I can get at max 120 miles, more like 90 miles from it. My drive to work involves going steeply uphill, not very cold. The only reason I don’t care is I have free office charging. If I didn’t I would be pissed by the range I observe. Also Tesla servicing is famously bad, and the way the employees treat service requests (as described in the article) explains a lot

> Also Tesla servicing is famously bad I don't own a Tesla, let alone a car. What is "servicing" for a car? You go to the dealer when something is wrong/broken? Or do you call Tesla? Also, can you give a specific example of how Tesla servicing is "famously bad"? (I'm not doubting, but it will help me to better understand your comment.)

Servicing normally means you take your car in annually to check it over for any problems that have developed.

In most countries you have a mandatory safety check. Here in the UK it’s called an MOT and it is annual. It will check things like tyre tread depth, whether the windscreen wash is aimed at the windscreen, steering, suspension, brake pads, brake disks, condition of seatbelts.

Normally people try and service their car at the same time. The service typically will include things like oil changes and oil filter changes and air filter changes.

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

#142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Also Tesla servicing is famously bad I don't own a Tesla, let alone a car. What is "servicing" for a car? You go to the dealer when something is wrong/broken? Or do you call Tesla? Also, can you give a specific example of how Tesla servicing is "famously bad"? (I'm not doubting, but it will help me to better understand your comment.)

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 w…

To be fair i don’t think there is a business where I can make an appointment in the same week.

I have ICE and getting basic oil change must be week in advance even when I call, I never get “we can book you tomorrow”.

Heck gettin haircut in my area they have calendars blocked so you have to plan with a week in advance. Super annoying as I have a simple cut and most of time it can be done in 15mins. Ok washing down cut hair is useful so maybe 18mins.

But I get frustrated I cannot just walk in, hotels, restaurants, hairdressers.

At lest ordering food online is usually an hour so no need to wait a week

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

#144

This nonsense again. My 2020 S has a lifetime Wh/Mi of ~260. When the battery was new it was 96 kWh, that's 369 miles. And I floor that sucker all the time for fun, blast the stereo, and run the A/C constantly. Luggage rack on the roof. At the end of the day, I've never had a real problem with the range. I definitely don't feel lied to. I wouldn't trade it for any other car in the world.

That’s what I do with my model Y. Pedal to the metal immediately when it’s safe to drive fast. Long trips only with the family. And then charge time doesn’t matter. Or we just take the plane.

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

#145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Getting only 30% of the advertised range would be very unlikely unless you always drive uphill and in the cold. I've had a Model 3 and a Model Y, and would get at least 80-85% of the advertised range in average California weather.

If they were traveling uphill to work you’d think they would gain some of that back coming back downhill. But I’m guessing it might be very hilly terrain where the roads are not level at all. The crazier thing is that their commute is 60+ miles one way (based on saying they are lucky they can charge at work).

[flagged]

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

#146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Getting only 30% of the advertised range would be very unlikely unless you always drive uphill and in the cold. I've had a Model 3 and a Model Y, and would get at least 80-85% of the advertised range in average California weather.

If they were traveling uphill to work you’d think they would gain some of that back coming back downhill. But I’m guessing it might be very hilly terrain where the roads are not level at all. The crazier thing is that their commute is 60+ miles one way (based on saying they are lucky they can charge at work).

> If they were traveling uphill to work you’d think they would gain some of that back coming back downhill

It's uphill both ways.

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

#147
From a company that sell "full self-driving" cars that don't, you now, "self drive fully", I was kinda already expecting that whatever advertised range was, to put it nicely, a "large exageration".

The bit of code in the dashboard to exaggerate even more is a nice touch. I wonder what the commit message was for that PR ? (Or maybe Tesla does not do PRs or commits, and just let anyone build anything on their laptop and put the binaries in the car. I mean, all that "software engineering" process sounds like so much useless efforts, right ?)

Also, the author of the article takes a lot of pleasure in mentioning the EPA dozens of time - too bad the days of the agency are numbered.

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

#148
post #91

Tesla advertises 350+ miles on its cars. I’d bet money that the cars can’t do 300 in normal weather, normal driving conditions without the AC/heater on, on a straight road with no elevation gain. These are the things they blame when they say EPA estimates are different becase blah blah… (I own a Tesla)

You can review claims from some YTers here[0]. But I've copied the params and results over for the Model 3. They also have tons of other cars tested in similar params[1]. Testing procedure: - Tire pressure set to manufacturer recommendation - DCFC to 100% SoC to ensure optimal battery temperature - Most energy efficient drive setting - Climate control set between 68-72 on most eco-friendly mode that still allows A/C,…

tailwind would not counteract headwind because drag increases with the square of windspeed.

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

#149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Also Tesla servicing is famously bad I don't own a Tesla, let alone a car. What is "servicing" for a car? You go to the dealer when something is wrong/broken? Or do you call Tesla? Also, can you give a specific example of how Tesla servicing is "famously bad"? (I'm not doubting, but it will help me to better understand your comment.)

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 w…

In Geneva, Switzerland they simply dont give replacement cars as per colleague's recent visit. And of course they are in the middle of nowhere, impractical for ie going to work adterwards.

Thats a very shitty service, even cheapest noname garages give replacements

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

#150
post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 w…

To be fair i don’t think there is a business where I can make an appointment in the same week. I have ICE and getting basic oil change must be week in advance even when I call, I never get “we can book you tomorrow”. Heck gettin haircut in my area they have calendars blocked so you have to plan with a week in advance. Super annoying as I have a simple cut and most of time it can be done in 15mins. Ok washing down cut…

I am not sure where you live but in most of America you can get an ICE vehicle serviced in minutes. I always go through one of those express oil changes, usually they get me all setup 10 mins once I roll in, don’t even have to get out of the car.
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