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USB Storage Full Question

Discussion in 'Model 3' started by AKinDC, Feb 11, 2021.

  1. AKinDC

    AKinDC Member

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    So I just got a message that my thumb drive is almost full, and that I should delete some files.
    What happens if I don't? Will it automatically write over older files, or stop recording completely?
    thanks
     
  2. MikeyMikeD

    MikeyMikeD Member

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    Your device will self-destruct into a cloud of dust... 3... 2... 1... POOF!!
     
    • Funny x 4
  3. Knightshade

    Knightshade Well-Known Member

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    It will overwrite, but flash storage in general tends to get slower as it gets near full which might cause it to stop or miss recording some things.

    Really no good reason not to clean it out regularly.... I'm running a 128GB stick and clean it out about once a quarter (it's usually 1/2-3/4 full at that point)
     
  4. boaterva

    boaterva Supporting Member

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    It will also probably fail at some point, I never had one last more than a few months. Recommend getting an SSD drive, works so much better.
     
  5. Knightshade

    Knightshade Well-Known Member

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    Mines been working fine for over 2 years now long as I clean it out every 3-4 months.... 128GB version of the Samsung USB stick Tesla recommends in the owners manual.

    SSDs draw more power, have narrower rated environmental temps, and take up significantly more space-- all to provide a bunch of extra speed the system doesn't need (and being USB2.0 can't even use)

    The one time they really make any sense is if you have a MASSIVE music collection since the price on USB sticks spikes a ton after 256 MB
     
    • Like x 1
  6. Need

    Need Active Member

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    I have 16GB thumb drives in my 2 Tesla. One of them lasted about 1.5 years (replaced with another 16GB), the other 2 years so far. They seem to be working fine for dash cam. When I get back to the car if the car looks alright, I just delete the sentry mode clips so it never gets full. Recently both Tesla got the "warning" saying that the drive is too small. I just kind of ignore it. When they fail, I will get a bigger drive.
     
  7. KerryOH

    KerryOH Member

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    And the secretary will disavow all knowledge of your mission.
     
    • Like x 3
  8. jrweiss98020

    jrweiss98020 Tessa's Tesla

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    It will overwrite old dashcam files, but may not overwrite stored Sentry files or manually saved files. Delete them.
     
  9. beachsideev

    beachsideev Member

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    I wish it would automatically overwrite sentry files. I just got the warning too. I just usually just format it and move on.

    Although you should double check that dashcam is working again you format it. I had to remove and reinsert the drive and reformat it again to get the dashcam to come back.
     
  10. Knightshade

    Knightshade Well-Known Member

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    It DOES automatically overwrite sentry files as it fills up.

    It does NOT overwrite saved files.


    Either way one should clean the drive out regularly, as it won't even delete sentry ones until it's close enough to full to potentially impact performance.
     
  11. beachsideev

    beachsideev Member

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    I don't believe that is the case. I don't save files so I shouldn't be getting that warning, but I have a few times. It would be nice if they provided a way to delete all sentry files without having to format it periodically.
     
  12. Knightshade

    Knightshade Well-Known Member

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    It is.

    It's in the owners manual- page 74 I believe.



    It only deletes sentry files when it gets close to full- but it will then do so to avoid filling to the point it can't be used at all- still bad for performance (and likely life of the drive) to leave it that full though.

    Also- if you don't save files- why would you care about formatting it periodically? Doing so would appear to do exactly the thing you want.
     
  13. Bart RedVelvet

    Bart RedVelvet New Member

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    Utrecht
    Hi, I drive a model 3 since 2 months. I'm wondering HOW to select and remove all the recordings. Is that possible in the car or do I have to remove the stick and put it in a computer?
     
  14. JulienW

    JulienW Active Member

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    You can't at this time do a global delete of files/events except to reformat or use a PC/Mac. It only does 1 file/event at a time.
     
  15. Knightshade

    Knightshade Well-Known Member

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    Yeah if you want to delete EVERYTHING just format it
     
  16. AKinDC

    AKinDC Member

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    I didn't realize until today that you can re-format it right from the car now. Don't know when they added that feature...I imagine everyone else already knew, but I figured I'd post just in case anyone was in the same boat I was.
    I think it was in the settings under Safety and Security, then scroll all the way down.
     

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