[pratik1992]

Great thread! Fantastic pictures. Makes me wanna get my DSLR out. If only the birds would stop pooping on my car though

I followed into this one when I noticed a Model 3 in your BMW thread. Guess what my blue car is called

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by pratik1992

Great thread! Fantastic pictures. Makes me wanna get my DSLR out. If only the birds would stop pooping on my car though

Thanks. All pictures taken with my iPhone. I stopped using my DSLR a few years ago as iPhone can do similar justice to pictures. What say?

Don't you have a garage/shelter parking to avoid birds pooping on your "Rocket"

Originally Posted by pratik1992

I followed into this one when I noticed a Model 3 in your BMW thread. Guess what my blue car is called

It's indeed a "rocket" on 4-wheels.

Tesla is selling a ridiculously fast car to normal roads users like us.

[pratik1992]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Thanks. All pictures taken with my iPhone. I stopped using my DSLR a few years ago as iPhone can do similar justice to pictures. What say?

I am still rocking the iPhone XS. It's good enough, but low light performance and the bokeh effect is not that great. My friends can't believe that I got such a tech-y car but will not upgrade my phone

Don't you have a garage/shelter parking to avoid birds pooping on your "Rocket"

Nope. I live in an apartment community. Garages/Carports aren't that common in such communities in NJ. It's either a parking lot or street parking wherever I have lived so far. You can find sheltered parking in high rises or houses.

My friends living across in CA, MI and ID have asked me the same question. Guess NJ is a bit different.

It's indeed a "rocket" on 4-wheels.

Tesla is selling a ridiculously fast car to normal roads users like us.

I can only imagine what the Plaid Model S must be like. My friend who worked for an OEM in Michigan got to take one home for a weekend. Haven't heard the end of it yet!

[mobike008]

Rosso Diablo has been put into "full duty" the past 3-4 days in which it covered almost 1000 miles.

My sis is visiting from Boston and we are knocking the WA attractions out of the park and clocking almost 150-175 miles per day.

In times like this, it reminds me that driving a Tesla is almost liking driving it for free as each time I refill (err...I mean charge it back up after 175 miles clock each day, it costs me roughly $5 to juice it back up.)

Here are some pictures from the last 3-days were we visited just too many places and still more to go.

Posing at the gorgeous ocean side town of Anacortes, WA.



Seattle Skyline from Aldi Beach, Downtown Seattle.



UDUB Campus.







Posing in the campus of UDUB (University of Washington, Located in Downtown Seattle).

Don't miss the background.



Deception Pass Bridge/State Park where we did a 3-mile hike to enjoy the absolutely gorgeous PNW locales.

[mobike008]

Fingers crossed, thinks are going great with Rosso Diablo and it has covered 7,500 miles (12,000 kms) in exact 9-months of ownership.

Due to many factors (ease of driving, almost free driving costs and blistering speeds) make me choose the Tesla over the BMW on many occasions.

Last week, I noticed a pretty long and bad scratch (looked bad to me) which I don't know how it appeared on my rear right door.

It was not a coin scratch (checked my sentry videos) as it would be way deeper.

Check this video- The long scratch is clearly visible.

https://youtu.be/r1SEiuHIDDA

It disturbed me for a day or so. I immediately ordered this product from Amazon for $12 and wanted to see if it worked.



I used a wax pad and applied on it and rubbed hard for about 5-mins. I repeated this exercise with another coat on the scratch.

The scratch magically disappeared. Rosso Diablo is back to its glistening and unblemished self.





Super impressed with this product.

Unrelated- As mentioned in my review, my 2023 Tesla Model 3 Performance does not have any sensors. I struggled for the first few months.

Tesla released the "Vision Based Camera System" that allows you to visually view 360 degrees to see the objects before parking.

It was little buggy initially but, now after a few software updates, it's pretty near accurate and allows you to park the car literally a " hair's length away" from an object.

This is how I park the car after the 'Vision Camera" system was enabled. This is drive fast into the driveway and park this close to the garage door in one-shot.

Lovin' it !!!

[mobike008]

Last Friday, we headed out for some shopping and there was tons of groceries bought. and entire rear was filled with packets.

Then we visited Costco and I happened to like a carpet that was agreed by wife that it was beautiful (rarely, we agree ) so I didn't want to lose that opportunity so immediately bought it.

While wheeling the cart out, realization struck me- It was a 7 feet X 10 feet carpet and will it fit with my mom in the front seat?

Well, it did fit.

[mobike008]

I’m thinking of capturing some of the important software updates so I can also remember what's getting improved in my Tesla.

Every few days some things gets improved and it’s hard to track what is getting better in the car without actually spending time to review it in detail. It's almost like Elon Musk is giving a homework to its consumers each weekend.

I will try to consolidate a few software updates and pick only the features that I feel are either “cool” or “important”.

A simple way to understand how Tesla releases its software updates.

Taking the latest software as an example- 2023.20.9

1. The first portion of the version number, 2023, is the year of the release.

2. Second number-20, is the week of the year. Since Tesla has a history of releasing a major update every 4 weeks, you’ll almost always see this number in increments of 4.

3. After the week number is the revision of the build-9

As Tesla gathers fleet data and learns about any issues, they’ll make improvements and fixes to the release.

The next update will have a revision number, such as '.1'.

Revision numbers go up incrementally, although not always by 1.

For example, going from 2023.20.1 to 2023.20.2 would often indicate a smaller change than jumping to 2023.20.20.

It’s simply mind-blowing to see the speed at which the constant improvements via. software updates are released for a Tesla. This is probably better or equal to the best of the software companies out there like META, NETFLIX and Google who have broken the traditional cycle of once in a month software releases long time ago.

Here are some improvements from the last 3-4 software updates :

1. Tire Service - Now there is an option to get reminded when a tire service is required.

2. Tire Rotation- Tire Rotation reminders is now enabled.

3. Text Size- Now the text size of entire information available on screen can be changed as per your desire- Great for old people with weaker eyes.

4. Windshield Wiper Control- This feature has been added to the left scroll wheel button.

Background- A few months ago, we got a bunch of awesome features where both scroll wheel buttons have features that previously required digging through into the screen options like - Acceleration Mode/HVAC Fan/Speed/Rear Camera/AC etc.

5. Navigation Improvement- When searching for a destination, there are several Points of Interest (POI) with pictures also display. It will also give info if it will be open/closed by time you reach the destination. Super helpful !!

6. View all “9 Cameras”- that are around the car including the cabin camera- It gives a view of how Tesla is seeing things and keeps you safe. Amazing feature

7. Search Improvement- Now instead of digging into menus, you can search the option directly from Home Screen. What a life savior.

8. Gear Chimes- When shifting from “P” to “D” or “R’- there is a nice soft chime that comes on- Similar to when standing at a traffic signal and the light turns ‘GREEN”

9. If a phone is used as the key (99% of Tesla users do that), now the name of the car shows up in the bluetooth section of the iPhone. (Previously it was some random gibberish).

10. Set PIN to Drive- Nice feature of curbing someone from using your car. It requires the driver to input a pin before the car can be driven.

11. Passenger Climate Temperature- Screen will now only display the driver's climate setting if there is no one sitting in the passenger seat. If someone sits in the passenger seat, the passenger temperature setting will automatically appear.

Finally, the most important one…LOL

I haven’t tracked the car yet but, this is good to know.

Track Mode

With Track Mode, changes implemented are :

- Reach a top speed of 200 mph.

- Monitor vehicle health at a glance with updated visuals on the instrument panel and touchscreen.

- Extract maximum track performance using adaptive suspension, torque vectoring and traction control systems, which have been updated to improve

A bunch of new improvements to the car.



Park Assist Improvement.



Click the left scroll wheel, a bunch of options come up to change on the fly. No more digging into the screen while driving. Superb. !!!



Darn. Asking to become a test mule. But, then that's how Tesla will improve.

I accepted a few...

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by mobike008

10. Set PIN to Drive- Nice feature of curbing someone from using your car. It requires the driver to input a pin before the car can be driven.

That reminds me of a very famous car.

[mobike008]

Completed 8000 miles (13,000 kms) in exactly 9-months of ownership.

The past 9-months has been a revelation living with the Tesla. It's an absolute joy to drive.

Flawless, Silent, Powerful, Geeky, Breathtaking. Enough of the adjectives, I can go on and on but, I guess you get the drift. It's been an amazing journey with zero issues and just munches miles like they don't exist.

Ridiculously Fast (Yeah, a lot faster than my Bimmer) and handles like a sportscar and all of this at costs as described below.

8000 Miles completed and Tesla Screen Shows total energy consumed is 2428 KWH.



Tesla App shows a different number- 2912 KWH.



Why is there a delta between both screens? It puzzled me and I asked this question on Tesla Forum.

2428 KWH : This is the total energy consumed for driving 8000 miles.

484 KWH (2912 KWH- 2428 KWH) : Energy consumed for Aircondition, Entertainment, Keeping the Car at Desired Temperature on a daily basis.

Pretty neat numbers. eh?

Let's do the financial math now.

Cost of Electricity in area where I live : $0.10/KWH

Cost for Driving 8000 miles : $243

Total Cost of Driving the Tesla with other parameters included for 8000 miles : $291

Savings

If I had driven the BMW X3M40i for same amount of miles the cost would be approximately as below

Per Tankful : 350 Miles
Cost Per Tankful : 15 Gallons X $5/Gallon : $75

Approximate Cost : $1800

So you can save $1500 in gas by driving a Tesla. It's an eye-opening fact.

[ramki.grandhi]

Originally Posted by mobike008

So you can save $1500 in gas by driving a Tesla. It's an eye-opening fact.

Glad that you are happy about this savings. I do not want to sound judgemental but isn't this one of the important reasons for buying Tesla, in the first place? There are decent number of videos on savings by Tesla users/fanboys. If fact you should even consider your savings on oil changes, oil filters as well, etc on petrol/diesel cars.

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by ramki.grandhi

Glad that you are happy about this savings. I do not want to sound judgemental but isn't this one of the important reasons for buying Tesla, in the first place? There are decent number of videos on savings by Tesla users/fanboys. If fact you should even consider your savings on oil changes, oil filters as well, etc on petrol/diesel cars.

Thanks for the comment. Let me share some thoughts, sorry for the long post but, need to give a little background as it’s my story and not in general.

People in general are ditching ICE cars and moving big time into Tesla as folks in the US drive just too much. I read on forums some people drive as much as 40,000 miles (64,000 kms) a year or sometime more. For such people, it’s a no brainer to move to a Tesla.

Coming back to my story.. Firstly, I did not buy a Tesla to save money as I work 100% from home and I travel quite a bit on work so gas money savings was not a priority.

Comparatively, I drive a measly 15,000 miles/24,000kms (all pleasure miles) per year.

I bought it to be part of the EV revolution and after test driving all similar priced and type of vehicles in the market, I realized there is literally nobody who is even close to a TESLA.

I bought it purely for :

1. Performance (3.5 seconds to a ton is no joke !)

2. Technology (I love technology and like to buy myself into latest and greatest)

3. Prestige (Yeah, Yeah I know there are lot of Teslas but, it still gets a lot of admiration from people)

4. I never buy pre-owned nor I keep cars beyond 3-4 years and the expense of oil and other basic consumable never come into picture as it’s already negotiated when car is bought new.

5. Finally, I wanted to change this frequent car changing phenomena. Therefore, I bought the best of the Tesla (in my budget) which is an M3P and hopefully will keep this car for 5-7 years till I recover the huge money that I spent to get it.

In the above equation, if I am saving money on gas. That’s purely incidental and I'm elated about it.

But, I have another premium fuel guzzling performance car to compensate when I get too excited about these savings.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by mobike008

So you can save $1500 in gas by driving a Tesla. It's an eye-opening fact.

Nice knowing this mobike008! Though I don’t like EV’s as such the performance figures make it seem so interesting.

Originally Posted by mobike008

But, I have another premium fuel guzzling performance car to compensate when I get too excited about these savings.

This is the best
I think you have a lovely mix of vehicles in your garage.

This is so much fun and like our serious discussion on iPhone battery percentage and finally selling the thing almost year on year for a new phone

Please keep updating us on both your steeds.

Cheers

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

Nice knowing this mobike008! Though I don’t like EV’s as such the performance figures make it seem so interesting.

Please don’t compare a Tesla with any EV you may have experienced in India.

In fact, a Tesla cannot be compared with many EV’s here in the US from mainstream OEM’s like a Polestar, BMW, Kia, Hyundai etc. who have built it on their ICE platforms.

Tesla is unique and has built the EV grounds up so the overall experience is totally different.

Originally Posted by Cyborg

This is the best
I think you have a lovely mix of vehicles in your garage.

This is so much fun and like our serious discussion on iPhone battery percentage and finally selling the thing almost year on year for a new phone.

Haha! Yeah, totally agree. I keep track of all these tidbits like odometer reading, fuel average for the fun of it. And, yeah when the time comes to upgrade nothing can stop us from doing so as we beg, borrow or steal for it.

While I was away in California entire last week, I got a pop up message on my phone. New update available.

It's almost like a candy is being offered each week by Elon Musk. LOL!

I promptly pressed- UPDATE

And, when I got home I see these updates were made to the car.

Just highlighting a few key ones :

Now we can charge the car on Solar- Musk is tempting me to go SOLAR.

Post that this car will become truly FREE to drive.



Headlights will come up automatically when you start your wipers.



This is an amazing update- 9 Cameras can be viewed at once via. phone app.


Warmer Display colors- Soothing to the eyes.



Again a nice feature- It will prompt if the destination you are driving to is "Closing Soon".



A few other insignificant updates.

[mobike008]

Last weekend, we were out at an outlet mall and I spotted my "Big Brother" the gorgeous Tesla Model S.

I'm not sure if you are aware about a weird quirk of most owners.

BMW Owners will park next to a BMW if they find one in the parking area.

Tesla Owners normally park next to a Tesla.

It's an unexplainable thing but, it's real and happens a lot.

Well, I did the same. Since the lot was empty, I parked at a vantage point to click a few pictures of them next to each other.

Don't they look pretty side-by-side?









On a separate note, I got this email today from Tesla.

Tesla today reached a milestone of 50,000 Supercharger Network globally. An amazing feat in just 10 years.

[mobike008]

The dreaded thing finally happened to Rosso Diablo.

These Uberturbine wheels are susceptible to "Curb Rashes" quite often and is most discussed in every Tesla forum.

This is a new phenomena for me as it never happened with any vehicles that I owned till date and I am also careful how I park the vehicle. If there is a space, I park where there is nobody right next to me.

The reason is these rims come out of the tyre (unique design by Tesla for better rolling resistance and performance) which is behind the rim. Due to them protruding, it's easy to scrape the rims on curbs (especially in tight drive in places of fast food chains).

This happened one late night last weekend when I was tired and reversed in a hurry while parking and scraped them against the curb.

It doesn't look that bad from a distance (this is a close up picture) but, need to be careful in future.



Solutions :

1. Get a RIM protector ( $300 for 4 wheels)
2. Get sandpaper and scrub and spray paint it.
3. Get a professional repair done and it costs $100/wheel.