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Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Winter Tire Plans -- Changing My Recommendations


Years ago I was quite devoted to the "mission" of getting more people aware of how superb Finnish snow tires were, as represented by Nokian. However, as our winters have gotten milder I've turned from full-on snow tires to "all weather tires" and discovered that Nokian was... well, let's just say I'm not impressed:

Monday, January 15, 2024

Under the Frunk: Rerouting the AC drain line to prevent battery damage/failure

Many Tesla Model S battery pack failures have been traced to water ingress/moisture issues. Partly this is due to aging pack seals, but it's also commonly linked to the factory placement of the AC drain line. Click through for an easy DIY every Model S owner should do:

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Tesla TPMS issues and how to fix them - system variations, sensor options and troubleshooting

There are basically two types of Tesla TPMS and I'll explain the differences between them and how to troubleshoot the earlier system (in particular) when replacing/updating your sensors.

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Will it fit? Getting dimensional with the Model S (finally)

Like many of you, I've found myself wandering through the hardware store with a project in mind and ready to start pulling lumber...  And then caught myself wondering, "Will it fit??" After years of this I finally got around to answering that question once and for all.

Monday, November 16, 2020

Tesla Model S sway bar link replacement and suspension system walkthrough, common failures explained

I had a loud knocking/rattling in my front suspension which I traced to sway bar links. One joint failed, other side was going to fail SOON-- both uppers, due to corrosion and failing boots. Was an easy DIY for under $100. 

Friday, October 30, 2020

My Tesla Charger Failed After 5 Years

RED LIGHT OF DEATH!
Fortunately this was a rather easy out-of-warranty "repair"-- but it still cost me $300+!

Friday, October 2, 2020

Unplugged Speaker Caused "Treble" For Years

I'm a bit sheepish to admit this-- well, more amazed really... 
When my panoramic roof was replaced in 2017 (and about 35,000 miles ago) it seems my "tweeter" speaker on the passenger side was never plugged back in... and it took years for me to notice.

Friday, September 18, 2020

First Accident - Part 5: Three Shades of Grey

Our Tesla had been sodomized by a Honda minivan, found to be dissolving deep under the bumper and delayed because of wrong parts sent from the factory while we swigged gas in The Gangster... But finally the call came: she was ready.  It was time to get our Serena back.

Monday, March 11, 2019

Tank Slapping Tesla Veers Back Into Retail.... For Now

Yeah, I know... the title is a head-scratcher to many of you. A tank slapper is defined by motorcyclists as a type of control problem wherein the bike shakes violently back and forth, also known as a "death wobble." It can happen to cars too, where bad driving (or impacts) result in a sudden or violent oscillation of the fuel load. Typically drivers will repeatedly over-correct the skid in these situations until the sloshing subsides or they completely lose control.

It seems an appropriate metaphor for the recent developments at Tesla, ironically, as the company seems unable to just pick a direction and stick to it.

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Tesla Disrupts Retail by Closing Their Own Stores

There it is, ladies and gentlemen. The long-awaited Tesla Store, snuggled in a nest of affluence at Ross Park Mall in Pittsburgh's northern suburbs has unceremoniously closed. If Elon is to be believed, that gate won't open for customers until a new company name adorns the header.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

First Accident - Part 4: Eaten Alive

The first major modification we had done to our Tesla-- and one of the first reviews I did for Teslarati-- was the installation of our Torklift EcoHitch. It was a huge opportunity to get functionality we wanted but I was very nervous about the installation process and, three years later, I’ve discovered my concerns were justified.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

First Accident - Part 3: Living with The Gangster

We arrived home from our big road trip and immediately the car shuffling began.  The Hunger Games’ motto “may the odds be ever in your favor” kept rattling through my brain as I scrambled to keep two cars on the road at all times.  Then came The Gangster.

Sunday, December 10, 2017

First Accident - Part 2: Sourcing Parts

For years we’ve heard about the long road to recovery many Tesla owners face for even the slightest damage.  Waiting for the insurance companies to work their magic after "crash weekend" was going to be the first step to that process and I was eager to hear my phone ringing.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

First Accident - Part 1: Dashcam's Big Day

The moment every dashcam waits for, perched atop a windshield with varying degrees of elegance, is to save its owner from an insurance claim against them.  Alas, my Thinkware camera's moment finally arrived when my car was ambushed from behind by a minivan.

Monday, November 20, 2017

DASHCAM REVIEW: Thinkware F770 vs Blackvue DR650GW

They’re in every store, every restaurant, most workplaces, monitoring traffic, stashed on buses and trains, tucked up under your neighbor’s gutters, watching you work out at the gym and lurking in some places you wouldn’t even expect and their sole purpose is to record what you’re doing.  Estimates vary, but the average American is captured on camera about 100 times a day.  With all those lenses aimed your direction, you’d be wrong to assume you could count on any of them to protect your interests or property, even assuming you could obtain the recording without a subpoena.  Given the value of our cars, the political climate and the litigious nature of modern society, many Tesla owners have shrugged their shoulders and joined in the camera arms race.  Do it right and you’ll have at least one camera you can count on to be your witness-- but only if you choose wisely.

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Here's the Pudding: "Franklin Park" Supercharger?

I had a number of people question my "confirmed" proclamation on a previous post regarding the Wexford Supercharger.  They said the white cabinets could be "anything," despite my assurances they weren't some kind of new vending machine installation for your MTOs.  Well I've been doing this a long time...

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Wexford / Franklin Park Supercharger CONFIRMED!

As one of our sharp-eyed local Tesla owners put it, "That looks familiar."  ANOTHER Supercharger location found and under construction in western Pennsylvania and-- you guessed it-- it's at ANOTHER Sheetz.  Elon, you gonna come get your MTO n'at??

Friday, August 4, 2017

Hermitage / West Middlesex Supercharger CONFIRMED!

Hot on the heels of the DuBois / Falls Creek Supercharger getting turned on and our own unofficial charge at an unopened Supercharger near Corning, NY... we now have yet ANOTHER new Supercharger that was spotted by my very own father near Hermitage, PA.  Wanna guess who is hosting the latest Tesla Supercharger?

Saturday, July 1, 2017

DuBois / Falls Creek Supercharger CONFIRMED!

Not content to wait for others to claim the glory, Darren and Joseph mounted up and headed for the hinterlands of Pennsylvania to see if the rumors of a DuBois Supercharger were true.  Here's what they found...