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

[garwood]

When you get the bumper repainted, have them realign the car. The car may be in perfect alignment but the steering wheel was off a few degrees when it was done. I get annoyed when my car's steering wheel is not straight and I am on a straight road with no significant crown to compensate for.

 

[jerry33]

It's common for all cars to have the alignment thrown out during transit from the factory. The SC will fix it up. I believe they are better now, but when I first picked up my car (early 2013) it took them four or five tries to get the alignment correct.

 

[tinm]

I work in a home office right off the garage so I hear my S85 making sounds. Clicks, clacks, snips, snaps... you never know what it'll do, at random times, day or night. I suspect some of the sounds are related to the Tesla mothership contacting the car to make inquiries. I get similar sounds if I fire up the Tesla app on iPhone and it makes a connection to the car... car makes noises as it starts communicating. The most impressive sounds are when the car is downloading and installing new firmware: clicks, clacks, snips, snaps galore.

 

[Old Man Mike]

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?

Yes, I hear the same whine in my P90D. It occurs between about 40 and 55 mph and also around 85 mph. The frequency of the whine is approximately 2700 Hz +/- 200 Hz. I've asked several P100D owners if they hear the whine and had not received a positive response until seeing your note. It may be something that many will not notice or chooses to ignore but I suspect it is present to some degree in all P90D and P100D cars. I've often heard the response about just cutting up the music to cover up the whine.

I am one of those that find even a low level intermittent single frequency tone very annoying. It is, in fact, my number 1 complaint with the car. I know I am hypersensitive to it and can understand why many feel it is not an issue at all.

 

[st50maint]

Yes, I hear the same whine in my P90D. It occurs between about 40 and 55 mph and also around 85 mph. The frequency of the whine is approximately 2700 Hz +/- 200 Hz. I've asked several P100D owners if they hear the whine and had not received a positive response until seeing your note. It may be something that many will not notice or chooses to ignore but I suspect it is present to some degree in all P90D and P100D cars. I've often heard the response about just cutting up the music to cover up the whine.

I am one of those that find even a low level intermittent single frequency tone very annoying. It is, in fact, my number 1 complaint with the car. I know I am hypersensitive to it and can understand why many feel it is not an issue at all.

I complained about this whine the day I took delivery of my 70D, 17 months ago.
I also mention it every time I am at the service center.
They always say it is normal.

To prove to myself that it is normal, I went for a test drive in a 90D.
Same exact noise in that car so I assume I am stuck with it.
I rarely use the sound system so I always hear it.
Fortunately, at highway speeds it is inaudible so not that big a deal.

 

[Vitaman]

The whine in the P100D is almost non existent compared to the one in the P85D.
It was the one thing that bothered me about that car.
Big improvement! More stealthy and more luxurious.

 

[sdorn]

I've done a little bit of interstate driving over the past few days, and the road noise is very loud in my car. So much so that you have to turn the radio volume up significantly even to hear the music. I've read other threads mentioning this, but is there anything people are doing to deal with this short of ripping out the interior and installing sound deadening material?

 

[hmmm]

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!

I too needed some paint work similar to yours at/post delivery and the car was sent to a paint shop. To the best of my knowledge, Tesla outsources anything that is beyond "touch up material", so I would push for that approach. Mine was done properly and it's impossible to tell that the car "had some work done".

 

[A2Sirbill]

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

Don't laugh but they actually took it out of Ludicrous mode just before I pulled out of the downtown Chicago location. This was my first time driving a Tesla and the road I was pulling out on is very busy. I think they thought I may give it to much on the way out. I used to race cars as a hobby and I can truly say the P1000D is truly a fast car. My 650hp Camaro couldn't come close to the performance of my P100D. I have kept it in sport mode to keep my wife happy. She doesn't like the speed like I do. I plan on taking the car out next week when the weather is clear and testing it out. I heard the speed upgrade for P100D is coming out in the next 10 days.

 

[A2Sirbill]

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.

I was wondering if you get on it while cornering if it will drift with all wheel drive? I used to slide my 650hp Camaro all the time but that was rear wheel drive. It would be interesting to take it to an open parking lot and test it out.

 

[A2Sirbill]

I've done a little bit of interstate driving over the past few days, and the road noise is very loud in my car. So much so that you have to turn the radio volume up significantly even to hear the music. I've read other threads mentioning this, but is there anything people are doing to deal with this short of ripping out the interior and installing sound deadening material?

What wheel/ tire combo do you have? I have only had my car since last Friday. Most of my miles have been highway. I agree the noise is loud. Although I think it is the tires, not the car. I have the standard wheels, not the upgraded. The tires are more of a all weather tire. The upgraded wheels are much more sport with a wider road contact. I would think the upgraded wheels/tires would be less noisey. They are typically made out of softer rubber and ride nicer.

Who has what and how loud?

 

[andrewket]

Tire choice does make a big difference in road noise on the S. The S is generally a very quiet car, which makes tire noise that much more noticeable. I solve this by turning up the stereo

 

[andrewket]

I was wondering if you get on it while cornering if it will drift with all wheel drive? I used to slide my 650hp Camaro all the time but that was rear wheel drive. It would be interesting to take it to an open parking lot and test it out.

Very difficult. Take it to a parking lot and have some fun.

 

[sdorn]

What wheel/ tire combo do you have? I have only had my car since last Friday. Most of my miles have been highway. I agree the noise is loud. Although I think it is the tires, not the car. I have the standard wheels, not the upgraded. The tires are more of a all weather tire. The upgraded wheels are much more sport with a wider road contact. I would think the upgraded wheels/tires would be less noisey. They are typically made out of softer rubber and ride nicer.

Who has what and how loud?

I have the 21" OEM wheels and tires.

 

[Btrflyl8e]

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,

I also hear that really high pitched noise at times, it's normal. I just turn on music and it goes away like magic! That sound is not the same as the usual motor whine under acceleration, it is a higher pitched sound when you are sitting at certain speeds. And that speed varies, I hear it sometimes at low speed, sometimes at 70, etc.

I typically hear the air suspension leveling the car shortly after I exit. I try to think of it as diet motivation.

 

[A2Sirbill]

I also hear that really high pitched noise at times, it's normal. I just turn on music and it goes away like magic! That sound is not the same as the usual motor whine under acceleration, it is a higher pitched sound when you are sitting at certain speeds. And that speed varies, I hear it sometimes at low speed, sometimes at 70, etc.

I typically hear the air suspension leveling the car shortly after I exit. I try to think of it as diet motivation.

LOL, I agree I hear what you are describing too. Sometimes at constant speed, slow and fast. I also agree that you hit the volume button and it magically goes away.

 

[John1969]

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!!!

Tesla has some very advanced diagnostics onboard. Generally if there is a problem the car will tell you.
That sound after you exit the car sounds like the cut off switch or e brake engaging. Congrats on the P100D.

 

[TSLA Pilot]

I have the 21" OEM wheels and tires.

The non-P's with the 21" wheels are getting these now, AFAIK:

ContiSilent™

From my experience, they are MUCH less noisy than the Michelins and Hankooks, FWIW.

Have fun, wear out the OEM tires, and replace with the ContiSilents . . . but watch out for the pesky "Countergate" issue.

 

[NOLA_Mike]

What wheel/ tire combo do you have? I have only had my car since last Friday. Most of my miles have been highway. I agree the noise is loud. Although I think it is the tires, not the car. I have the standard wheels, not the upgraded. The tires are more of a all weather tire. The upgraded wheels are much more sport with a wider road contact. I would think the upgraded wheels/tires would be less noisey. They are typically made out of softer rubber and ride nicer.

Who has what and how loud?

I believe all Teslas come from the factory with foam lined tires now (Continental Conti-Silent 21" were the first but now the Michelin and Goodyears have it too). Having just switched from a P85D w/21" Michelin PS2s (not lined) to a 90D w/21" Continentals I can tell the foam is helping - especially on expansion joints.

Also, I believe some of the "whine" people are hearing is inverter whine and not motor whine.

Mike

 

[A2Sirbill]

I believe all Teslas come from the factory with foam lined tires now (Continental Conti-Silent 21" were the first but now the Michelin and Goodyears have it too). Having just switched from a P85D w/21" Michelin PS2s (not lined) to a 90D w/21" Continentals I can tell the foam is helping - especially on expansion joints.

Also, I believe some of the "whine" people are hearing is inverter whine and not motor whine.

Mike

Thanks for your input.....I can see how the noise could be an inverter. I can't imagine being able to make an all electric car without having some sort of electrical noise. It is just part of having an all electric vehicle I guess.

I never knew about the foam lined tires. I wonder if it would be possible to get the stuff over the counter and adding some extra foam? I have the Michelin tires, 19" and the rubber is extremely hard. Compared to a sport tires which typically have a much softer compound. The softer compound comes at the expense of mileage. Typically about 50% less tread life when using a true spot tire.

Does anyone know what model tires come on the upgraded $4,500 wheel package. I would like to compare the rubber compounds used on standard vs sport.

Thanks,