Picked Up The New P100D Today....Have Some Questions

[A2Sirbill]

We picked up our P100D today in Chicago. What an incredible car!!! I didn't even put the car in Ludicrous mode, still crazy fast. Overall the delivery specialist was very nice. She seemed very knowledgeable and sat in the back seat while my wife and I sat up front. She went step by step through all the screen functions. So much info to remember.......I expect it will take a couple weeks of driving to get more comfy with everything.

There was one problem we had. There is a scratch that is about 2" long right in the middle of the rear bumper. It runs from side to side and can't be buffed out. They apologized and sent me a text as soon as they noticed it while prepping the car. I just don't know how well they will be able to touch it up. They are going to make arrangements for me to bring it back when they have a tech person that specializes in this type of work. They gave both my wife and I very nice winter jackets as an I'm very sorry gift (which was very nice). I guess I will just wait and see how good they do with touching it up.

A couple things I noticed on the car and don't know if this is normal? Anyone have any info on #1 and #2 below? Or opinions on what I should do about the scratch situation?

1) There seems to be a little bit of very high pitched noise from time to time when staying at a constant speed or slightly pressing on the gas peddle. It isn't obnoxious but noticeable from time to time with everything else turned off. Anyone else ever notice anything like this?

2) After getting out of the car in the garage and closing the door I heard a noise that kind of suprised me. After about ten seconds after the car shut down there was a fairly loud noise that sounded like plastic gears grinding? Should there be any noises with the car shutting down?

Oh, not sure if it is on the checklist for what you should be looking for when picking up your Tesla but check the steering wheel. I didn't notice because I was to wrapped up in the whole "I can't believe I am picking up a Tesla P100D" but the alignment is off. While driving straight down the road the steering wheel is tilted about 3%-5% off center to the left. I noticed because the T in the middle of the steering wheel was tilting to the left. So, make sure to check that the T is straight up and down when the front wheels are facing straight ahead.

Thanks For Any Help!!!

 

[HX_Guy]

I have heard that high pitched noise at certain speeds/certain pressure on the accelerator as well - figured its a normal byproduct of the electric drivetrain.

 

[Patrick W]

Ah yes, mysterious Tesla noises.

IIRC the first noise you mentioned is a normal noise made by the drive train. You only notice it because the car is so quiet. I can only image what noises you'd hear in an ICE car if the engine was not making so much racket.

As for sounds in the garage, yeah, Teslas make a lot of those. Something to do with conditioning the battery and a few other things that will become normal to you and nothing to worry about. Think of them as the car's way of saying "goodnight".

 

[TLej]

1) There seems to be a little bit of very high pitched noise from time to time when staying at a constant speed or slightly pressing on the gas peddle. It isn't obnoxious but noticeable from time to time with everything else turned off. Anyone else ever notice anything like this?

2) After getting out of the car in the garage and closing the door I heard a noise that kind of suprised me. After about ten seconds after the car shut down there was a fairly loud noise that sounded like plastic gears grinding? Should there be any noises with the car shutting down?

Re: #1, it sounds like you're hearing the front motor whine. You get used to it, I hardly notice it most of the time, and having the radio on covers the sound completely.

For #2, there are a number of things that happen when the car is shutting down, others more knowledgeable than me can probably explain exactly what but there are various vents, louvers, flaps, geegaws, and gizmos that make noise after shutdown. From what I understand, mainly concerned with heat management and charging depending on what the situation is exactly. Probably nothing to be concerned about but maybe someone else has more insight.

Congrats on the car, sorry to hear about the scratch but hopefully they get it taken care of quickly and painlessly for you.

 

[andrewket]

1. Accelerator pedal. No gas . The drive units do make noise, but you'll generally hear it more under hard acceleration. I'm not sure what you're hearing at a constant speed. It's probably normal. Upload a video if you're concerned.

2. Every time you get out of the car you will hear the high voltage contactor disengage. This disconnects the battery pack from the rest of the car and is perfectly normal. The other sound you're hearing is likely the baffles closing the air vents in the front grille.

 

[cwave1]

1. I have an "Classic" MS85 and when the energy usage is around 0 (no energy used but no regen either - neutral) there is a sound that we used to call the bird whistle. I'm not sure if the newer cars have this but it sounds like what you are describing.

 

[Macbest]

Repairing a scratch depending how deep can be tough. Someone backed into my car, not enough to dent but clearly scratched paint all the way down to black (vs triple coat). Going to cost $1100 as the whole bumper needs to be repainted. So don't settle for touch up paint. It needs a redo to bring to the level that you deserve with a P100D cost!

 

[A2Sirbill]

I have heard that high pitched noise at certain speeds/certain pressure on the accelerator as well - figured its a normal byproduct of the electric drivetrain.

Thanks!!!

 

[A2Sirbill]

Ah yes, mysterious Tesla noises.

IIRC the first noise you mentioned is a normal noise made by the drive train. You only notice it because the car is so quiet. I can only image what noises you'd hear in an ICE car if the engine was not making so much racket.

As for sounds in the garage, yeah, Teslas make a lot of those. Something to do with conditioning the battery and a few other things that will become normal to you and nothing to worry about. Think of them as the car's way of saying "goodnight".

LOL, thanks for the info.......someone else said it maybe the EBrake setting after I move away from the car. Nobody told us that the EBrake auto sets after leaving the car. That is a great feature.....Is that a factory setting or is it in the control panel?

 

[A2Sirbill]

Re: #1, it sounds like you're hearing the front motor whine. You get used to it, I hardly notice it most of the time, and having the radio on covers the sound completely.

For #2, there are a number of things that happen when the car is shutting down, others more knowledgeable than me can probably explain exactly what but there are various vents, louvers, flaps, geegaws, and gizmos that make noise after shutdown. From what I understand, mainly concerned with heat management and charging depending on what the situation is exactly. Probably nothing to be concerned about but maybe someone else has more insight.

Congrats on the car, sorry to hear about the scratch but hopefully they get it taken care of quickly and painlessly for you.

I saw someone else had a scratch on their front bumper and were informed the day before their second delivery date. That location is replacing the entire front bumper cover. So, I am not so sure how I feel about getting mine just touched up? After shelling out $160,000 (after taxes and doc fees) a scratch tends not to be a minor thing. If I took it someplace to get the bumper cover repainted it would run about $2,000. So, I guess I will see what it looks like with touchup paint. If it is not able to be seen then fine. If it is still noticeable I guess I will have to talk to the person that sold it to me, he was great. We wouldn't even be in this car if not for him. He was very patient and followed up with us on everything right away. I hope they do the right thing because we are thinking of getting a Model X too. Customer service is extremely important to me. I guess this is their first test .

 

[A2Sirbill]

1. I have an "Classic" MS85 and when the energy usage is around 0 (no energy used but no regen either - neutral) there is a sound that we used to call the bird whistle. I'm not sure if the newer cars have this but it sounds like what you are describing.

Thanks for your feedback......I guess I will take someone who has a Tesla for a ride and see if they notice it as much as I do. With the audio on, not noticeable. Just when driving with everything in silent mode, LOL.

 

[A2Sirbill]

Repairing a scratch depending how deep can be tough. Someone backed into my car, not enough to dent but clearly scratched paint all the way down to black (vs triple coat). Going to cost $1100 as the whole bumper needs to be repainted. So don't settle for touch up paint. It needs a redo to bring to the level that you deserve with a P100D cost!

Thank you for your post. Here in my area the cost is just about $2,000 and a week in the shop. I think you pushed me enough to make it clear to them that if it is noticeable at all with the touchup paint they will need to replace the cover or kick back enough money for me to get it done. I have been going back and forth about this. Then today I read about someone else with the same scratch issue, different Tesla store and theirs is on the front bumper. Their store said right away that they were going to replace the front bumper cover. I will send them an email this weekend....Thanks for your help!!!

 

[mediocreguy]

Congratulations on your awesome car! As for noise #2, as others have stated, it is probably ventilation louvers behind the front grill opening or closing - depending on conditions. On mine it sounds like the car is farting sometimes when I park it - it's kind of embarrassing for such an expensive vehicle...

 

[SomeJoe7777]

2) After getting out of the car in the garage and closing the door I heard a noise that kind of suprised me. After about ten seconds after the car shut down there was a fairly loud noise that sounded like plastic gears grinding? Should there be any noises with the car shutting down?

This sounds like the air compressor for the air suspension ran briefly to self-level the car. My 85D does this in the garage as well.

 

[AMPd]

On mine it sounds like the car is farting sometimes when I park it - it's kind of embarrassing for such an expensive vehicle...

Sure, it's "the car"

 

[A2Sirbill]

Congratulations on your awesome car! As for noise #2, as others have stated, it is probably ventilation louvers behind the front grill opening or closing - depending on conditions. On mine it sounds like the car is farting sometimes when I park it - it's kind of embarrassing for such an expensive vehicle...

LOL, I hear you on the embarrassing part. I tell everyone you wouldn't believe how quiet it is and now it is making all kinds of noise. Oh well, I love the car regardless of the noise it makes while shutting down.

Thanks.

 

[A2Sirbill]

This sounds like the air compressor for the air suspension ran briefly to self-level the car. My 85D does this in the garage as well.

Thanks, as long as I know it is something normal it is okay. I wish the delivery specialist would have mentioned it makes noise while shutting down. Someone could freak out hearing something like that after spending so much money.

By the way, if that is your car in your profile picture we have the same car. I love the gray, awesome color.

Thanks,

 

[sdorn]

We picked up our P100D today in Chicago. What an incredible car!!! I didn't even put the car in Ludicrous mode, still crazy fast.

My P100D was already in Ludicrous mode when it was delivered. Why would you ever take it out of Ludicrous mode?

 

[theslimshadyist]

1. Whine from the electric motor, this is normal and I never hear it because I always have the music cranked up.

2. There are "clunking" sounds the car makes when you get out of it and yes, this is normal.

 

[andrewket]

My P100D was already in Ludicrous mode when it was delivered. Why would you ever take it out of Ludicrous mode?

I leave my S in Lud and control torque with my right foot. If you can't control yourself, turning it off might be helpful - and help you increase efficiency. Imho, it's there for marketing reasons. It's a $10k receipt.