Tesla Talk

Noticed yesterday I think one of my headlight bulbs might be gone.

I only picked up the car on Tuesday. Would I be able to get this fixed for free or is it my own fault for not inspecting it at delivery?

go into the service menu (while parked on level ground), and select the adjust headlights option.. It will auto level the headlights, and then give you the option to manually adjust each sides height... auto levelling is enough and you usually don't need to manually adjust any sides height.

I'd give that a try first, as it might just knock it back into life, and failing that try a 2 button reset.

If still no joy log a service request in the app. It would be 100% covered by warranty as its a new car. If it needs to be replaced they'll replace it, but parts might take some time, but at least its summertime and the days are long...

Your traditional VW punter wont care about things like Netflix, app, efficiency etc. They want to sit in, point the car and go and not have to read online forums for tips/tricks on how to reset infotainments and adjust setting etc.

The VW dealer network is also a big benefit (perceived or not) or maybe put better.... the lack of a Tesla dealer network is a problem. I know I know, you'll tell me about rangers but if you do have to go to the service centre its not much good if you live in Cork and you've effectively to take 2 days off work to do that!

Tesla need more service centres. Looks like we may get one shortly in Cork.

I think these points are why VW is doing so well. They keep it simple and the cars are very good (although their pricing is gone a bit crazy). That "simple" aspect wont appeal to early adaptors and tech geeks but its what John and Mary down the road want!

I find the Model 3 takes no heed of sharp corners when in EAP. It just tries to drive wrecklessly around the corner at the set speed, also doesn't slow for round abouts. It's fantastic for motorway journeys and traffic but for anything it's useless and dangerous. It has no real intelligence to it as far as I can see, doesn't take the map data into account like Travel assist, maybe it will come eventually via update. There's no way I would have paid for it if it wasn't already included in the CPO car.

Yeah, same here.. I don’t use Sentry at home as I have an IP camera that covers my driveway, so the car always gets a good sleep all the time

Indeed. It amazes me how some posters here rarely get phantom braking. I've had 1 Tesla rental recently while on Continental Europe, 1 in Ireland. Both had about 3-4 phantom braking events. I had a polestar 2 rental which was lovely to drive although the drivers cockpit was a bit tight, no instances whatsoever. I've driven Volvos, Bmws and VW group cars with radar cruise rather extensively throughout the past decade, I never had phantom braking from them either. The only time they would suddenly brake was if someone veered into my lane close to me.

So based on my experience with newish Teslas, my conclusion is camera-only advanced drivers assistance systems are unreliable, unsafe, lack redundancy, are sensitive to environmental conditions(dirt, glare), and lack of depth perception capabilities of radar. I believe no amount of machine learning will fix this.

Oh aye not just the lack of dealer network but also parts supply is a big problem with Tesla. They do give nice loaner cars if your car is off the road, but that's an utter pain if you have to go to Sandyford for one if you don't live in the greater Dublin area. And VW is still I think the biggest car maker in the world and has been around literally for over 100 years.

But I don't see why a VW punter won't care about efficiency? Of course they care. The motors forum used to be full of VAG diesel owners proudly boasting that their TDI did more MPG than any other car. But I guess the spend on electricity is a fraction of what they used to spend on diesel, so far less relevant. Personally I don't care about efficiency either, but range is kinda important in an EV, surely you agree 😁

The Tesla interface is actually very easy to use. People call it the iPad of the automotive world for a reason.

Personally I don't care for the app or Netflix or any other gimmick either but the sat nav is on a level of its own, combined with the supercharger network

That has been my experience so far too, albeit with only 5,600 kms on the clock. Mine slows for lower speed limits on autopilot and I don't have the issues others seem to have with the wipers. FWIW no sentry on at home.

I don't use Sentry that much, never at home. Wipers not too bad either, sometimes have to start them in light rain, but a quick press is not too much hardship. A few times they have been reluctant to turn off, or turn on when no rain, but usually when a lot of flies and bugs on the sensor. At least they are now easier to turn off from left scroll wheel.

On the phantom breaking, haven't had one yet in the Y, 3months in.

On the 3 before that I hadn't had one for over a year, and maybe 4 in 3 years, all were when passing trucks that were close to lane edge. There was an update during that time where the car moves to the right of the overtaking lane when passing trucks and recenters afterwards, might be the reason for the reduction.