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After my 5-year anniversary article, right here’s an addendum.
Quickly after my 5-year anniversary, Tesla notified me that my 12-volt battery wanted to get replaced. This isn’t the drive battery, however the small battery wanted in addition up the automobile and run equipment. There have been veiled threats: I might not set up software program updates and who is aware of what else wouldn’t be working. I scheduled an appointment on Friday and a cellular service technician was at my driveway in Lindon, Utah, vibrant and early Monday morning.
I had left the frunk unlatched, which he opened, after which he opened a compartment in direction of the wind display screen, took out my outdated battery, and put in a brand new one. Determine 2 exhibits the purple 12-volt battery within the frunk of a Tesla Mannequin 3. The battery was on the small measurement in comparison with the large battery for the V8 engine on my ski boat. I requested the service technician whether or not I might have carried out it myself. He stated that may not be a good suggestion and relayed the story about somebody who had modified his personal 12V battery and fried the $15,000 drive battery. I additionally requested him whether or not the restore notification got here as a result of I used to be at my 5-year anniversary or whether or not it had detected poor efficiency of my battery. He stated it was the latter.
The nice half: the associated fee was solely $120 together with labor.
I had been ignoring my spouse’s complaints that the controls on her electrical seat weren’t working. One of many knobs had damaged. I had solely added this to my service request on the final minute and the restore technician stated he didn’t know if he had the right half to repair it. He tried just a few knobs, none of which labored, and he stated I must schedule one other appointment. The appointment was to be the next Friday, however we’re on journey, so we must wait at this level to reschedule.
The dangerous half: the associated fee can be $160 when I’ve this carried out. This looks as if so much for a damaged knob.
FSD 12.5.4.1 Fails
I’ve been driving with Tesla Full Self Driving (FSD) Beta, now “Supervised,” for two.5 years. Over this era, I’ve obtained 10+ software program updates. Modifications from a few of the updates had been insignificant, Nevertheless the remainder of the updates gave me important enhancements in efficiency. Nevertheless, that modified with Full Self Driving Supervised 12.5.4.1. For the primary time I’m discovering the efficiency considerably worse below some circumstances. Actually, I’ve discovered some circumstances the place it’s driving me loopy. The software program nonetheless performs very effectively at freeway speeds and making activates metropolis streets. Nevertheless, at intermediate speeds on winding roads, it’s completely nuts. It not tells you the velocity you might have set, it simply says MAX. Coming down very winding Provo Canyon from Heber to Orem, Utah, I like to cut back the requested velocity to the velocity restrict of fifty mph and even 45 mph in order that I can loosen up and let FSD routinely drive me down the Canyon with no worries. I’ve discovered FSD Supervised 12.5.4.1 bringing me down at 65 or 70 mph, and it couldn’t keep on observe on the curves at that velocity. I attempted to decrease the velocity however it wouldn’t let me do it. I discovered this a lot too quick to come back down the canyon safely. Lastly, I disengaged FSD and drove down the canyon with solely Autosteer, which might let me set any velocity I wished.
Please, Tesla, at all times let me set the velocity I would like once more, and inform me what I’ve set, not simply MAX. Do that at each velocity not simply at freeway speeds!
- Moreover, FSD Supervised 12.5.4.1 not retains me centered completely in my lane, I discover my automobile drifting each proper and left. To the left I as soon as hit the rumble strip within the heart of the highway, and to the precise I’ve really drifted off onto the gravel and one time grazed a curb. The Autosteer efficiency is worse — are you kidding me?????? Underneath some circumstances, I don’t belief it anymore.
- FSD Supervised 12.5.4.1 additionally has a powerful bias to the precise. Merging onto a freeway, it hugs the precise lane till the lane lastly joins the primary freeway. Solely then will it lastly heart itself within the correct lane.
- FSD Supervised 12.5.4.1’s proper bias usually has me in a proper flip lane as an alternative of the primary heart lane required for going straight as specified by the navigation. I’ve seen this downside earlier than, however the newest software program updates (earlier than this) had decreased or eradicated this downside.
- Nevertheless, probably the greatest new options of FSD Supervised 12.5.4.1 is that it not requires tugging on the steering wheel to let the system know you’re being attentive to the highway. The digicam above the mirror watching your head and eyes does that perform very effectively. However when decreasing the extent of automation from FSD to Autosteer, you’re again to tugging on the steering wheel. Holding all these completely different modes straight is driving me loopy. Earlier than I knew it, I had didn’t tug on the steering wheel sufficient and obtained two pressured disengagements. Three extra and I’ll lose entry to FSD and Autosteer for 7 days.
Why We Nonetheless Love Our Mannequin 3 after 5 years & 139,993 miles
We love the unimaginable acceleration of our dual-motor Tesla Mannequin 3. It’s easy as silk and much exceeds any automobile we’ve owned previously 70 years. Following a gradual truck on a two-lane highway, you solely want 100 yards to go. Full Self Driving is a pleasure besides on windy roads. The navigation system can be superb, the place a voice command will take you to almost any handle or enterprise you ask for. The sound system with a pair subwoofers is marvelous, and you may give it voice instructions to play practically any track you’ll be able to consider. Alternatively, it would play out of your playlist in your cellphone when driving by means of Wyoming with no cell connection. The 2 electrical seats are nice and the motive force’s seat will routinely retract and lift as much as any setting you select while you get out. If you get again in it routinely returns the motive force’s seat, steering wheel, and mirror settings to the motive force’s choice.
Nevertheless, the suspension could be very stiff and offers you a jolt with each bump within the highway. If the highway is just lately resurfaced and easy, it’s no downside, but when the highway is outdated and bumpy, you are feeling it. I perceive that the brand new Mannequin 3 refresh has addressed this downside.
Referral Program: If you’re shopping for a brand new Tesla, Tesla has reactivated its referral program. In the event you discover any of my articles useful to you, please use my referral hyperlink: https://ts.la/arthur73734 (be sure you use it while you make your order). If you’re shopping for a brand new Tesla and use my hyperlink, I imagine you’ll obtain $1,000 off the acquisition value of a Mannequin S or X, or $500 off the worth of a Mannequin 3 or Y. Additionally, you will get 3 months of Full Self-Driving (Supervised). Simply be ready to intervene instantly if it screws up.
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