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Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

motortrend.com

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Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#81

Post by laydn »

jimmcslim wrote: post #12

Is there a HUD or do I have to move my eyes to the centre console to check my speed? Seems like bad ergonomics to me... and whereas the road ahead is perhaps still in my peripheral vision when I check my speedo, its less so if I am glancing at the centre console (which maybe has a bunch of other distracting things on it as well?)

Center console indicators are quite common. One advantage is that, the indicators are never blocked when you are in a turn. With your traditional instrument cluster placement, the steering wheel blocks the indicators.

Cars with instruments in the center dashboard:

Mini Cooper: http://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2010-mini-cooper-hardtop-2-do...

Toyota Yaris: https://cars.usnews.com/static/images/Auto/izmo/306771/2009_...

Saturn ION: http://consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/05130061...

Citroen C4 Picasso: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/fe/d6/5a/fed65a4f2...

etc...

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#82

Post by kayoone »

chvid wrote: post #52
booop wrote: post #17

No comments on the interiors? It looks more befitting in a prototype than a $36,000+ car.

I was struck how sad the interior of the Tesla S looks compared to a mid-priced Audi. I understand how people can be excited about the driving experience and the fossile-fuel-vision of a Tesla. But interior wise they are not anything special.

my impression as well. The Model S interior is nice, but compared to a similar priced Audi, BMW, Mercedes it falls short.

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#84

Post by TheSpiceIsLife »

guelo wrote: post #19
jimmcslim wrote: post #12

Is there a HUD or do I have to move my eyes to the centre console to check my speed? Seems like bad ergonomics to me... and whereas the road ahead is perhaps still in my peripheral vision when I check my speedo, its less so if I am glancing at the centre console (which maybe has a bunch of other distracting things on it as well?)

Yea that interior is kind of weird looking http://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/5/2017/07/Tesla-Model...

I don't follow how that interior design, with important information for the driver off to the right, can pass safety regulations.

Presumably an exception is made because the car (mostly?) knows the speed limit and alerts if you exceed? I'm making s wild guess here.

Maybe it's actually less distracting than having instrumentation in front of you? I'd like to hire on for a few days when the opportunity arises.

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#85

Post by TheSpiceIsLife »

laydn wrote: post #81
jimmcslim wrote: post #12

Is there a HUD or do I have to move my eyes to the centre console to check my speed? Seems like bad ergonomics to me... and whereas the road ahead is perhaps still in my peripheral vision when I check my speedo, its less so if I am glancing at the centre console (which maybe has a bunch of other distracting things on it as well?)

Center console indicators are quite common. One advantage is that, the indicators are never blocked when you are in a turn. With your traditional instrument cluster placement, the steering wheel blocks the indicators. Cars with instruments in the center dashboard: Mini Cooper: http://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2010-mini-cooper-hardtop-2-do... Toyota Yaris: https://cars.usnews.com/static/images/Auto/izmo/306771/2009_...…

The Yaris in particular must be easy to build as either a left hand drive or right hand drive vehicle. I'd hazard a guess that was a significant motivating factor for Toyota.

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#86

Post by prostoalex »

chc wrote: post #70
prostoalex wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Elon mentioned the interior was redesigned with full autonomy in mind. I guess the use case "driver maintaining the vehicle speed via non-autonomous pedal pressure while wanting to check the vehicle speed because he did not enable cruise mode" is a weird edge case for them. On autopilot the car will stick to the assigned speed (with adaptive cruise control slowing down or speeding up depending on the traffic in front…

It's pretty bizarre to treat driving without an $8000 options package as a weird edge case. If autonomous driving is that central, it seems like it should be a basic feature, not an upgrade.

The company likely has the data on the percentage of customers opting in for autonomous features and likely optimized for that.

Considering the hardware in every vehicle supports autonomy, it's a feature that could be sold to the customer later on or as an on-demand subscription.

If autonomous driving is out of the question, what makes Model 3 appealing compared to a Chevy Bolt, Chevy Volt or a plug-in Prius?

edit: I believe that adaptive cruise control (automatic speed adjustment based on the obstacles in front) is included in basic config, autopilot would include that + lane steering + lane change assistance with blind spot monitoring.

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#87

Post by lucaspiller »

martin_bech wrote: post #48
jabl wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How does it work? Does it use regen exclusively if you press the brake pedal lightly, and then the mechanical brakes are only engaged when you stomp on the pedal, or?

It depends on settings, state of charge and temperature of the batterypack. On normal it stars a slow regen as soon as you let go of the "gas". And brakes are only deployed if you hit the brakes. However if you already have a full battery (very rare) or the battery is cold (very often in cold winter) the battery cant absorb the charge, so regen is disabled. This means the car brakes very differently, with or without…

I have a Gen 3 Prius and it works the same. The only think I'll add is the Prius uses the brake pads at low speed (<10mph) and when you come to a full stop as well.

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#88

Post by davidgould »

mtgx wrote: post #63

> Tesla’s trying to change the vocabulary we’re using to describe it, from “kilowatt-hours” to “range.” I understand why they did it -- Tesla's cars tend to be the most efficient EVs around, often by significant margins compared to competitors. But for someone who was hoping battery size competition would be the new megapixel race, this is quite disappointing to hear. I suppose "range" could be used in the same way,…

> Tesla's cars tend to be the most efficient EVs around, often by significant margins compared to competitors.

Well, yes and no. Teslas have very low Cd, so are aerodynamically efficient for their size, but they use AC induction motors which are less efficient then the PM DC motors in most other EVs. Compared to the Bolt or the Hyundai Ioniq the Teslas are less efficient at lower speeds.

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#89

Post by TheSpiceIsLife »

kumarvvr wrote: post #6

What sort of maintenance are performed on these cars?? Seems like there is nothing to be maintained, given the all steel, aluminum, glass stuff everywhere. Does it have any oil changes required, like in brakes or transmission?

From what I've heard Telsa vehicles rare in for warranty repairs at a higher rate than most other new vehicles.

"The main problem areas involved the drivetrain, power equipment, charging equipment, giant iPad-like center console, and body and sunroof squeaks, rattles, and leaks."

The most common problems involve replacement of the electric motors, warped brake rotors, door handles that fail to slide out as a driver approaches, and numerous squeaks and rattles, which may be more apparent given the very quiet nature of electric propulsion.

Other problem areas cited by Tesla owners are leaking cooling pumps for the battery pack, dead windshield wipers, persistent alignment issues with the wheels, and misaligned latches for the front trunklid and the rear liftgate.

Thus far, all such problems have been handled under Tesla's four-year/50,000-mile warranty (it's eight years and unlimited mileage on the powertrain)--and owners appear to be pleased with the level of attentiveness and customer service they have received. But Consumer Reports notes that once the car is out of warranty, such problems could become expensive for owners of older Teslas to fix.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1100561_tesla-model-s-to...

Re: Tesla Model 3 First Drive Review

#90

Post by Matt3o12_ »

prostoalex wrote: post #42
kumarvvr wrote: post #6

What sort of maintenance are performed on these cars?? Seems like there is nothing to be maintained, given the all steel, aluminum, glass stuff everywhere. Does it have any oil changes required, like in brakes or transmission?

Break fluid, battery coolant, drive unit fluid, tires when necessary, wheel alignments when necessary, wiper blades when necessary, key fob batteries. https://www.tesla.com/support/maintenance-plans

Funnily enough, there is no key fob on a Model 3. You are supposed to use your phone to unlock your car (using Bluetooth) or a key car (using NFC) in case your phone is dead or you do not wish to couple your phone with the vehicle.

I personally like the idea because I hate carrying my keys with me and a credit card sized car would be much better for me. But I think Tesla should offer to sell normal key fobs for people who which to use those instead.

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