TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Model S Technical / Mechanical Issues

Discussion in 'Model S' started by DrComputer, Sep 27, 2012.

  1. Zextraterrestrial

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2010
    Messages:
    4,492
    Location:
    Humboldt/Los Altos
    No. that is just a hate 'article' it sounds like. You don't have to be very strong to pull out the cord and unless her plug wasn't unlocking (maybe a fuse?) All of the comments are hate comments
     
  2. Robert.Boston

    Robert.Boston Model S VIN P01536

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2011
    Messages:
    7,844
    Location:
    Portland, Maine, USA
    You should consider installing a MicroCell. I have one up in my place in Maine; works like a charm. Basically it is a little 3G cell tower that uses your internet connection to relay the call. I get perfect coverage, all with no monthly charges.
     
  3. dflye

    dflye S Sig Perf 414, VIN 814

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2011
    Messages:
    565
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Thanks for the info on microcells; I'd forgotten I had used one of those when we were with AT&T; after switching to Verizon didn't need the microcell anymore as I now get decent coverage even in my basement office. Still have the microcell HW, but now that we're not with AT&T, not sure if it could be rigged to work with the S.
     
  4. DrComputer

    DrComputer Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2009
    Messages:
    1,121
    Location:
    Sherman Oaks, CA
    To setup an AT&T MicroCell you need to add the phone number of the device to the "allowed" list of the MicroCell. To do this (currently) you'd have to go into the secret diagnostic screens that George posted he doesn't want people to go into. In these screens you can find out the actual phone number assigned to the SIM in the car. This is another reason that the diagnostic information shouldn't be hidden from the end user... or at least be visible in a read-only mode.
     
  5. MikeK

    MikeK R#129, TSLA shareholder

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2012
    Messages:
    1,133
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Has anybody had a problem with the sensitivity of the auto headlights? I noticed today that the headlights were on even though it's a bright sunny day. I switched them off manually.
     
  6. gg_got_a_tesla

    gg_got_a_tesla Model S: VIN 65513, Model 3: VIN 1913

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2010
    Messages:
    6,533
    Location:
    Redwood Shores, CA
    Mike, maybe, your Model S couldn't really believe the beautiful weather we have today after all that rain!

    Hope you get that addressed at Menlo in short order. Btw, is the light sensor up near the rear view mirror mount alongside the rain sensor?!
     
  7. ChadS

    ChadS Last tank of gas: March 2009

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2009
    Messages:
    3,316
    Location:
    Redmond, WA
    We find that ours come on sooner than we would turn them on manually.

    But that is fine; it's certainly better than them coming on later than we would turn them on. We have not noticed them come on in bright sunshine - it's only happened when it's cloudy and we're driving between buildings or under trees or something.
     
  8. DaveVa

    DaveVa Sig Perf #236 VIN #484

    Joined:
    May 31, 2011
    Messages:
    289
    Location:
    Northern Virginia
    I had this problem yesterday when I was running the 1.15.14 interim software. It worked fine today after I upgraded - might be a temporary firmware issue.
     
  9. MikeK

    MikeK R#129, TSLA shareholder

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2012
    Messages:
    1,133
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area
    I believe I'm up to date on firmware, but I'll check. I took my first drive late in the afternoon yesterday on an overcast afternoon, so the lights came on and I thought it made sense. Today, though, it's brilliant sunny weather, so it's definitely unexpected.

    One thing, though -- the displays aren't going to night mode. It's just the headlights. If it were the ambient light sensor, wouldn't the displays also go to night mode?
     
  10. Lloyd

    Lloyd Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2011
    Messages:
    6,252
    Location:
    San Luis Obispo, CA
    Check to see if the wipers are on automatic, but not wiping because it is not wet out. The lights will be on with the wipers selected. This is a law to have your lights on any time the wipers are selected in California. They designed this with the car.
     
  11. SUN-day Driver

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2012
    Messages:
    216
    Maps not preloaded?

    I thought the maps were preloaded and didn't require the data connection (like the small nav devices you put on the windshield). I thought I read that you get xx years of map updates. If that's not true I'm unhappy because I want working nav but don't know if I want to pay the monthly to have the 3G connection.

     
  12. shokunin

    shokunin P85 & M3

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
    Messages:
    1,199
    Location:
    Irvine, CA
    The navigation maps get xx years of map updates. This is the nav screen next to your speedometer, but the main display runs google maps, which currently uses the 3G connection to load the maps.

    They need to a way to download maps like you can on Android. I can pretty much download all of LA, OC, and parts of SB county on my android tablet. So I would hope the Model S would have slightly bigger map download capabilities.
     
  13. bob_p

    bob_p Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2012
    Messages:
    3,586
    Google originally didn't allow maps to be cached locally on devices - I have the same problem with the golf app on my android phone - it keeps downloading the same satellite images for my golf course - every time.

    But they changed their policy - and Tesla should be able to cache the maps locally. That should eliminate the delays in viewing the maps.

    Wish Tesla would provide a list of the features they are already considering for future software updates - so we'd have an idea of what issues they're already planning to address (assuming they are able to successfully implement each feature).
     
  14. MikeK

    MikeK R#129, TSLA shareholder

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2012
    Messages:
    1,133
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Boy, that'd be great! Just cache the maps for the Bay Area (for me) and update when they change.

    I have to say, I *LOVE* having the traffic information available while I'm driving. Last night there was an accident or breakdown on my route home. I was sitting in almost dead-stop traffic for awhile, but I could see that it was only up to the next exit. So, I just patiently enjoyed my Model S for a few extra minutes and then passed the problem area.

    The next thing they need to do with traffic is have some way to tell you that it's the left two lanes that are blocked, versus the center, or whatever. Then you could get into a favorable lane well in advance and the whole thing would flow more smoothly...
     
  15. SUN-day Driver

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2012
    Messages:
    216
    Thank you for clarifying that. It's a big relief to know there is still the small-screen nav without a data connection.
     
  16. SUN-day Driver

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2012
    Messages:
    216
    Is there any opening to this area from underneath the dash? If I want to run a power wire for an accessory to the fuse box, can I get there from below the dash or elsewhere inside the car? Or is there a wall I'd have to drill a hole through?

     
  17. MikeK

    MikeK R#129, TSLA shareholder

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2012
    Messages:
    1,133
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Great thought! But, no, the wipers were set to off.

    I figured it had to be a software issue, though, because as I pulled out of the garage this morning, my displays went from night mode to day mode, but the headlights were still on. So, I rebooted both screens, and presto! Problem solved. Now I'm going to have to try an experiment and reboot the screens at night to make sure the headlights stay on during the reboot (I'd wager that they do...)
     
  18. aviators99

    aviators99 Model S - R140

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2010
    Messages:
    1,463
    Location:
    Weston, Florida, United States
    Had some windshield fog today. Hit the front defog button, and the thing went crazy. Started cycling between the lowest and highest fan speed levels, switching about 5 times per second, and continued to do that until I manually moved the fan speed slider--but then the defog went off. When I put the defog on again, it was more normal, but it forced the highest possible temperature. Maybe this is normal, but I don't think it's required on other cars. When I lowered the temperature even 1 degree, the defog went off again.
     
  19. MikeK

    MikeK R#129, TSLA shareholder

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2012
    Messages:
    1,133
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Has anybody had persistent "Low windshield washer fluid" warnings? I got these several times yesterday on starting the car, and got it again this morning. I opened the cap on the reservoir, and there was no fluid visible, so I filled it up and closed the cap. It took very little fluid to fill to the point of being visible, so I figured that it had plenty of fluid and I had just topped it up a bit.

    No warning for awhile, but I got one again this evening. I opened the cap, and there's no fluid visible again. I'm a bit baffled. I certainly don't think I put in enough fluid to fill a typical washer fluid reservoir (maybe a cup or two). But, where did that fluid go? I haven't run the wipers at all.
     
  20. contaygious

    contaygious Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2012
    Messages:
    1,102
    Location:
    Marina, San Francisco
    Could someone help me turn off the car? I can't get it to turn off or lock the doors. It lets me get in without the key but says no key inside. It has been on for hours. When I press once in the key fob it just beeps. It will even play music the whole time.
     

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC