Quick update on my situation. My car began throwing errors as I approached Gila Bend, AZ earlier this week. It supercharged fine but when I tried to go to drive, it failed to do so and a litany of errors presented themselves. Roadside service said it would have to be towed. Then began a painful day. AAA agreed to get me a tow. 3 1/2 hours later they called and said we can't find anyone and that I was on my own. Called Tesla Roadside service again and they found someone from Phoenix who could take me to Glendale. Almost two hours for them to get there. Thankfully I could get the car into tow mode. He got the car loaded up without problem and back to Phoenix we went. As I am handicapped, it was an ordeal to get me into the truck. The driver was really considerate and helpful, so we were able to get it done. I now need to work with AAA to try and get reimbursed for the tow.
Glendale got me into a loaner (a Model 3) and expedited a diagnostic, which they did this morning (Friday). Unfortunately, Gracie needs a new battery pack. Thankfully it will be covered under warranty. They said this could take two to four months as Tesla doesn't make this pack anymore and will probably have to get me a remanufactured pack. They will give me a loaner for the time, but if it is a Tesla, it cannot leave the state of AZ. I can switch to an Enterprise, which I could drive back to DC. They said I could also fly back to DC and get an Enterprise rental via a local Service Center. All of these approaches have significant drawbacks. I'm staying with my niece in Tucson, which affords me some time to think through what we want to do. This is going to be a major headache until resolved because I'll basically have to drop everything to get back to Arizona when they call and say the car is ready. Hopefully, I'll have some warning.
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What a weird set of twists and turns the last two weeks have been. After thinking through my options, we decided to fly back to Virginia and then have the car shipped back once fixed. With the plan set, I made flight reservations, took a drive up to Glendale to get our winter gear out of the car so we could ship it home, and then bought UPS boxes and sent it on its way. We then further sorted stuff into what we could take with us on the airplane and what could just be put in the car until it came back to Virginia. So far so, so good. On Sunday, we packed up the car and headed up to Phoenix to stay at a hotel near the Glendale Service Center so we could easily return the loaner, put the unneeded stuff in the car, and grab an Uber to get to the airport for our flight. Of course, the hotel reservation was all mixed up and we had to find a different hotel because the place we had a reservation for, but which they claim never made it to them, didn't have a handicap room available.
Anyway, we solved the hotel issue and settled in. This morning (Monday), we headed over to the Service Center as planned. We drove into the lot and my car was in a different spot from last week. I was puzzled. We unloaded the loaner and went to speak with the techs. The tech I spoke with was new to me. I hadn't interacted with him before. He said: "your car is ready." Both I and the other tech who had been helping me last week just about fell over. It turned out, the battery came in and the weekend guys replaced it. I was like "are you sure? I'm supposed to be on an airplane in three hours." Yep, they were sure. I then asked: "are you confident I can take this cross country immediately?" Yep. they were sure. B and I huddled. Remember, much of my travel kit is in transit via UPS to Virginia. I only have a bare minimum of clothes that I needed to fly back to VA. We decided to put B on the airplane and get her home and I'd drive back and forfeit my seat.
We loaded everything in Gracie and I took B to the airport. I then decided to visit the superchargers outside Phoenix (West, NW, and N) while I waited to ensure B's plane got off okay and to give me confidence the battery was okay and would supercharge. All went well on both accounts and I ended up visiting Payson, AZ before stopping in Sedona for the night. I still haven't decided how I'm going to return exactly. Without any of my warmer gear and rain coat, I'm not sure I want to risk too much. I also need tires, but Glendale didn't have them in stock and I didn't want to wait. I think they'll make it back to VA. Any suggestions on how to get new tires while on the road without causing too much of a delay?
One of the things my niece took us to see while we were staying with her in Tuscon was Biosphere 2. I definitely encourage everyone to visit if you can. It is very cool.
Check-ins for 2022-09-14
- Gila Bend, AZ (#976)
- Glendale, AZ (#977) (Comment: Loaner car)
Check-ins for 2022-09-17
- Casa Grande, AZ (#978)
- Tempe, AZ (#979)
- Phoenix - E Camelback Rd, AZ (#980)
- Phoenix - Agua Fria Fwy, AZ (#981)
- Scottsdale - N Kierland Blvd, AZ (#982)
- Scottsdale, AZ (#983)
- Scottsdale - E Shea Blvd, AZ (#984)
Check-ins for 2022-09-26
- Buckeye, AZ (#985) (Comment: Back on the road)
- Wickenburg, AZ (#986)
- New River, AZ (#987)
- Cordes Lakes, AZ (#988)
- Payson, AZ (#989)
- Sedona, AZ (#990)
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