Should I take my X to SF?

[K-MTG]

I have a road trip scheduled from Orange County, CA to SF (San Francisco). I am aware that many have taken this trip without an issue but I just want some questions answered as this will be my first Tesla road trip.

This is my supercharger plan:
Home to Buttonwillow, CA (165 miles) = 30 minutes
Buttonwillow, CA to Harris Ranch (Collina), CA = 12 minutes
Harris Ranch (Collina), CA to San Francisco, CA (Union Square).

(Opposite for the return trip...)

My hotel will have a single 40 AMP destination charger so I will do my destination charging at the hotel.

From my understanding the only steps I have to take prior to the trip is:
1) Set charging to 100%
2) Enable range mode

Anything else??

Lastly, should I even take the X to SF?? Previously had a smash n grab with over $10k in damages/lost when I took the car to SF. Prior to that the car got towed. Also the hotel parking garage has a very low ceiling.

 

[ecarfan]

Should be an easy trip. Do it!

My only comments are; you don't need to enable Range Mode (but feel free if it will make you feel more confident) and tell your hotel destination that you need guaranteed availability to their EV plug, or alternatively stop at one of the two Superchargers on the SF Peninsula that are on the way to your destination, meaning either Mountain View or San Mateo. Be aware that those Superchargers can be crowded, so do not assume that you will be able to plug in immediately and/or get the maximum charge rate, since someone else may be plugged into the same charger you are paired with.

Lastly, when you open your Falcon Wings in the hotel garage just be ready to physically stop the door with your hand if you think it is going to hit something. As to the risk of a "smash and grab" break in, don't leave any possessions visible inside the car, put them in the frunk. Which I think is good practice everywhere.

Other than that, enjoy the trip!

 

[K-MTG]

Should be an easy trip. Do it!

My only comments are; you don't need to enable Range Mode (but feel free if it will make you feel more confident) and tell your hotel destination that you need guaranteed availability to their EV plug, or alternatively stop at one of the two Superchargers on the SF Peninsula that are on the way to your destination, meaning either Mountain View or San Mateo. Be aware that those Superchargers can be crowded, so do not assume that you will be able to plug in immediately and/or get the maximum charge rate, since someone else may be plugged into the same charger you are paired with.

Lastly, when you open your Falcon Wings in the hotel garage just be ready to physically stop the door with your hand if you think it is going to hit something. As to the risk of a "smash and grab" break in, don't leave any possessions visible inside the car, put them in the frunk. Which I think is good practice everywhere.

Other than that, enjoy the trip!

Appreciate it! From my understanding the Buttonwillow Supercharge is fairly empty while Harris Ranch can become busy. Any off-peak times to travel?? Don't want to wait in line. Also, are Superchargers relatively safe so I can leave everything in the car while I go for a bite inside? (After the break-in I am totally paranoid).

Should I get a Chademo adapter or upgrade to the high amperage charging...just in case? I don't plan on using either. Also, is the factory tour worth going to?

 

[ecarfan]

Harris Ranch can be busy on weekends mid-day and holidays.

Regarding the safety of Superchargers, again I think it is poor practice to leave tempting items visible inside the car any time it is unoccupied. If the Supercharger is in a busy parking lot, like Harris Ranch, I think the concern is much less.

In a region with a lot of Superchargers, like California and some other parts of the US, I see no point in buying the expensive Chademo adaptor. The desirability of the higher amperage onboard AC charger is an oft debated topic on TMC, search and you will find threads about it.

The factory tour is an awesome experience. Contact your Tesla delivery specialist to see if they can get you on a tour.

 

[xkwizit]

@K-MTG - definitely the Tesla factory tour is worth it. I just did the Boeing factory tour and I think Tesla factory is awesome from a technology perspective.
We also do trips to SF pretty often and coming in from Sacramento area the Vacaville SpC is the only one on my way. A couple of times after driving through the city all day I didn't have enough to reach Vacaville and so I have to deviate to San Mateo which I have always found pretty busy..often with lines. So I bought a ChadeMo adapter as there are plenty of DC charging spots in SF by Whole Foods or Walgreens.
Car break-ins are an issue with any car more so with expensive cars so just avoid leaving anything even a jacket in plain sight. Usually the break-ins shouldn't occur in monitored parking lots.

And remember to bring your sunshade, Captain

 

[K-MTG]

@K-MTG
And remember to bring your sunshade, Captain

I hope my sunshade doesn't gauge the interest of thieves

 

[xkwizit]

Pretty sure it won't as it's not visible from the outside.

 

[Lump]

Just display the Trip Energy Graph\Predictor on the lower portion of the 17" & if you you get below 10% slow down, probably won't need Energy Mode unless you drive +90mph, run into head winds or don't charge enough.

A Closer Look at Tesla Firmware 6.1 Trip Energy Prediction

EV Trip Planner using speed multiplier of 1.15 from Irvine Spectrum Model S P90D

View attachment 184824

 

[xkwizit]

Just display the Trip Energy Graph\Predictor on the lower portion of the 17" & if you you get below 10% slow down, probably won't need Energy Mode unless you drive +90mph, run into head winds or don't charge enough.

A Closer Look at Tesla Firmware 6.1 Trip Energy Prediction

EV Trip Planner using speed multiplier of 1.15 from Irvine Spectrum Model S P90D

View attachment 184824

I would recommend charging up to 20-25% and not rely on the car's trip planner recommendation if 10%. With headwinds of 6-12 mph that 10% dissipates very fast.

 

[K-MTG]

My mileage currently isn't that good. Roughly 412

 

[thimel]

Appreciate it! From my understanding the Buttonwillow Supercharge is fairly empty while Harris Ranch can become busy. Any off-peak times to travel?? Don't want to wait in line. Also, are Superchargers relatively safe so I can leave everything in the car while I go for a bite inside? (After the break-in I am totally paranoid).

Should I get a Chademo adapter or upgrade to the high amperage charging...just in case? I don't plan on using either. Also, is the factory tour worth going to?

Harris ranch SC has been greatly spandex recently. Should not be busy anymore.

 

[DOCAL]

I would recommend charging up to 20-25% and not rely on the car's trip planner recommendation if 10%. With headwinds of 6-12 mph that 10% dissipates very fast.

I second that - the head winds when you're heading north can be brutal this time of year.

 

[CHG-ON]

Trip is easy peasy. But frankly, I don't take my Miss into the city. Just can't do it. I use zipcar when I need to.

 

[pth28]

I have heard in San Francisco with street parking you may get a ticket for not having a front plate.

 

[xkwizit]

I have heard in San Francisco with street parking you may get a ticket for not having a front plate.

Heard that too though in last 10-15years that has not happened with us. There have been just two fixit tickets once in Dublin area as an add-on to a speeding ticket and another was closer to home but the cop didn't submit the ticket so the payment got sent back to us by the court.

 

[DuplexDianne]

Should be an easy trip. Do it!

My only comments are; you don't need to enable Range Mode (but feel free if it will make you feel more confident) and tell your hotel destination that you need guaranteed availability to their EV plug, or alternatively stop at one of the two Superchargers on the SF Peninsula that are on the way to your destination, meaning either Mountain View or San Mateo. Be aware that those Superchargers can be crowded, so do not assume that you will be able to plug in immediately and/or get the maximum charge rate, since someone else may be plugged into the same charger you are paired with.

Lastly, when you open your Falcon Wings in the hotel garage just be ready to physically stop the door with your hand if you think it is going to hit something. As to the risk of a "smash and grab" break in, don't leave any possessions visible inside the car, put them in the frunk. Which I think is good practice everywhere.

Other than that, enjoy the trip!

The video that came out recently about the first responders cutting into the Model X...shows the general public how to access the frunk from the outside of the car (without key fob)...that was a bit concerning...not so secure.

 

[K-MTG]

I don't have any plates on the car yet, I got 3 months right? So until August.

 

[ecarfan]

Harris ranch SC has been greatly spandex recently.

I love Auto Correct...

 

[K-MTG]

How does my efficiency look, good/bad?

 

[Owner]

Heard that too though in last 10-15years that has not happened with us. There have been just two fixit tickets once in Dublin area as an add-on to a speeding ticket and another was closer to home but the cop didn't submit the ticket so the payment got sent back to us by the court.

It is only San Francisco proper that will might give you a ticket for no front plate. The rest of the Bay Area does not care.