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Tesla power limiting may also occur on extreme G-forces

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Streets of Willow 2

New racetrack discovery indicates Tesla power limiting may go beyond just temperature sensing.

We recently set out to conquer (once more) the Streets of Willow Springs racetrack, a technical, 1.6 miles long, with 13 turns, located approximately an hour north of Los Angeles. Being a short track with a lot of turns (most tracks are 2 to 3 miles long), it’s considered  a relatively low speed track. There’s opportunity to briefly reach 100+ mph on straightaways, but most of the time is spent within the 40mph to 80mph range.

Streets of Willow Springs is an excellent track for practicing turns at lower speeds. Unlike our race at Laguna Seca which proved to be one of the more difficult and dangerous tracks we’ve driven, this track had no retaining walls, smooth shoulders and overall a much less dangerous track to race on.

sow_map    _Streets of Willow

Tesla Model S Configuration

Tesla’s infamous power limiting feature to prevent overheating was not nearly as pronounced this time around because of the short bursty nature of the track. We could easily achieve a full five timed-laps without the dotted power limit line dropping below 160kw mark.

We used a set of new Toyo R888 racing tires (19″, 265 width) this time around as opposed to our usual BFGs. The Toyo’s held up exceptionally well in terms of wear and durability while also providing great traction. It was a cold day (temperature in the 50s) so we kept tire pressure higher than usual, aiming for 36 psi hot.

The Model S experienced a bit of  steering wheel lockup through turn 1 (known issue), but it was very short lived.

New Tesla Power Limiting Feature?

A new phenomenon was discovered on the Model S where the vehicle appears to cut power when experiencing high lateral G-forces along, and when the car is angled from flat level ground.

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Case in point is the track’s #8 bowl turn which sports a 20 degree bank. This is where we experienced losing power for a brief second or two as we into the bank pushing nearly 1.2 Gs. The behavior can be seen in the video (2:20 min mark) where we were unable to accelerate past 40mph. We speculate that the combination of G-forces and angle from level ground (measured by the vehicle’s internal gyro) might be simulating an accident scenario, hence Tesla’s onboard system disables any additional use of power.

Performance

Best lap time was 1:31, which was a nice improvement over last year’s 1:39. Our Teslarati 48 ran within the Green (Advanced) group with Speed Ventures. The fastest time in the class came in at 1:26 (Formula Mazda) while the slowest was 1:36. We felt that there was still a lot of room for improvement and with a little more practice, we should easily break below 1:30 next time. If not for the power limiting features of the Model S our lap times could be at minimum five seconds faster.

The max lateral G came in at 1.2 G which is on par with what we experienced in the past (using G-Force Rival tires).

Green Group Entering Skidpad CDE_2786-110114 Green Group Exiting Skidpad CDE_2867-110114 Green Group Skidpad CDE_2893-110114 Green Group Skidpad CDE_2923-110114 Green Group Turn 2 CDE_4632-110114 Green Group Turn 4 CDE_4571-110114

Charging and Power Consumption

Track Avg Energy

Power consumption came in at 1.2 kw / mile which translates to approximately 4 rated miles used per 1 actual mile of distance travelled.

There is a set of RV stalls within a 5 minute walk from the Streets. Unfortunately, there was only one stall with a 50 amp outlet which happened to be taken. We ended up pitting one mile away by the garage at Big Willow which had a couple of 240v 50amp outlets.

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Travel

There are several possibilities of getting to and from the track.

ALSO SEE: Interactive Tesla Supercharger Map

Superchargers WSFrom the South / East

  • Hawthorne Supercharger has been the charger of choice for us thus far. It’s 95 miles away, but because of significant elevation changes, coming to Willow Springs will consume over 110 miles of range, even when driving super conservatively. Coming back it will take only 90 rated miles.
  • Oxnard Supercharger just opened which is a little closer to the track at 87 miles away. Coming back will require only 66 rated miles making it a very attractive option.
  • Barstow Supercharger is 103 miles away from the track (EV Trip Planner estimated 105). The shortest route seems to be through Victorville, however it used 120 miles of range even while driving very conservatively likely due to the strong winds and elevation changes.
  • The Rancho Cucamonga Supercharger that’s currently under construction, appears to be a good option at 93 miles away.

From the North or West

And traveling from the North or West, Tejon Ranch Supercharger is the best option. 60 miles away, requiring 73 rated miles to get there but only 55 back.

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Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger

The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

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Credit: Hammer_of_something/Reddit

There comes a time in a driver’s life when one is faced with one’s limitations. For the driver of a Dodge Charger, this time came when he lost control and crashed into a Tesla Cybertruck–an absolute epic fail. 

A video of the rather unfortunate incident was shared on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit.

Charging Charger Fails

As could be seen in the video, which was posted on the subreddit by Model Y owner u/Hammer_of_something, a group of teens in a Dodge Charger decided to do some burnouts at a Tesla Supercharger. Unfortunately, the driver of the Charger failed in his burnout or donut attempt, resulting in the mopar sedan going over a curb and bumping a charging Cybertruck.

Ironically, the Dodge Charger seemed to have been parked at a Supercharger stall before its driver decided to perform the failed stunt. This suggests that the vehicle was likely ICE-ing a charging stall before it had its epic fail moment. Amusingly enough, the subreddit member noted that the Cybertruck did not seem like it took any damage at all despite its bump. The Charger, however, seemed like it ran into some trouble after crashing into the truck.

Alleged Aftermath

As per the the r/TeslaLounge subreddit member, the Cybertruck owner came rushing out to his vehicle after the Dodge Charger crashed into it. The Model Y owner then sent over the full video of the incident, which clearly showed the Charger attempting a burnout, failing, and bumping into the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck owner likely appreciated the video, in part because it showed the driver of the Dodge Charger absolutely freaking out after the incident.

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The Cybertruck is not an impregnable vehicle, but it can take bumps pretty well thanks to its thick stainless steel body. Based on this video, it appears that the Cybertruck can even take bumps from a charging Charger, all while chilling and charging at a Supercharger. As for the teens in the Dodge, they likely had to provide a long explanation to authorities after the incident, since the cops were called to the location.

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Anti-Elon Musk group crushes Tesla Model 3 with Sherman tank–with unexpected results

Ironically enough, the group’s video ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

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Credit: Led By Donkeys/X

Anti-Elon Musk protesters and critics tend to show their disdain for the CEO in various ways, but a recent video from political action group Led By Donkeys definitely takes the cake when it comes to creativity.

Ironially enough, the group’s video also ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

Tank vs. Tesla

In its video, Led By Donkeys featured Ken Turner, a 98-year-old veteran who served in the British army during World War II. The veteran stated that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is “using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars.” 

He also noted that he had a message for the Tesla CEO: “We’ve crushed fascism before and we’ll crush it again.” To emphasize his point, the veteran proceeded to drive a Sherman tank over a blue Tesla Model 3 sedan, which, of course, had a plate that read “Fascism.” 

The heavy tank crushed the Model 3’s glass roof and windows, much to the delight of Led By Donkeys’ commenters on its official YouTube channel. But at the end of it all, the aftermath of the anti-Elon Musk demonstration ended up showcasing something positive for the electric vehicle maker.

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Tesla Model 3 Tanks the Tank?

As could be seen from the wreckage of the Tesla Model 3 after its Sherman encounter, only the glass roof and windows of the all-electric sedan were crushed. Looking at the wreckage of the Model 3, it seemed like its doors could still be opened, and everything on its lower section looked intact.

Considering that a standard M4 Sherman weighs about 66,800 to 84,000 pounds, the Model 3 actually weathered the tank’s assault really well. Granted, the vehicle’s suspension height before the political action group’s demonstration suggests that the Model 3’s high voltage battery had been removed beforehand. But even if it hadn’t been taken off, it seemed like the vehicle’s battery would have survived the heavy ordeal without much incident.

This was highlighted in comments from users on social media platform X, many of whom noted that a person in the Model 3 could very well have survived the ordeal with the Sherman. And that, ultimately, just speaks to the safety of Tesla’s vehicles. There is a reason why Teslas consistently rank among the safest cars on the road, after all.

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Tesla Model 3 driver is using FSD to travel to Mt. Everest Base Camp

The ambitious, nearly 4,000-kilometer (2,485-mile) Tesla FSD journey is being livestreamed on Chinese social media.

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Credit: Douyin 老高懂电车

Count on Tesla drivers in China to push Full Self Driving (FSD) as far as it could go. As could be seen in videos posted on Chinese social media, a brave Model 3 owner is currently going on an epic journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest on FSD.

Recent posts from the Model 3 driver suggest that the ambitious destination may be within reach.

Epic FSD Journey

As noted by Tesla owner-enthusiast Aaron Li, the journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest spans almost 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles). The journey itself is epic, with stunning vistas and roads that require some drivers to bring oxygen canisters with them. The fact that it is being done using FSD makes it extra impressive. 

Based on the videos that have been recently shared, the Model 3 running FSD seems to be nearing the Everest Base Camp. There seems to be a good chance that the Tesla Model 3 may reach its destination this Friday.

Previous Everest Trips

This is not the first time that a Tesla has driven to Mt. Everest’s base camp.  That would be a Model 3 that was driven in September 2020. That vehicle, which went on a long 5,500 km (3,400-mile) journey, was manually driven to its destination. 

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In April 2021, Tesla China announced that it has completed the buildout of 11 Supercharger stations in the picturesque route from Chengdu to Tingri. This route would allow drivers to reach the base camp of Mt. Everest. Sure enough, in July 2022, Tesla China shared a video of two Teslas—a Model X and Model Y—reaching the Everest base camp without any issues. Numerous other Tesla drivers have since taken on the long, picturesque journey.

Check out this Tesla Model Y’s journey to the Mt. Everest base camp in the video below.

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