Lifestyle
Book Review of ‘Owning Model S’ 2nd Edition
Owning Model S is exactly what it sounds like: a complete book that breaks down everything a potential Tesla owner should know. It is, in my opinion, a must have book for those considering buying a Model S and a should have book for those awaiting delivery. (Or Model X, really, because this book does a great job of explaining the overall points of the vehicle.) It will explain, in clear and concise terms, everything you need to know to make an educated and informed decision about whether or not to buy, what to expect, which options to order and how to feel confidant getting ready for that first drive home. I also really liked it as an experienced owner, even already knowing the majority of what is covered because it goes into some really great detail, providing data or graphics where required, to provide clear explanations. I still recommend it if you’ve been enjoying your car a while as the book will remind you how exciting the car is.
The book is easy and quick to read yet comprehensive. It is intelligently written yet still accessible. It does not shy away from complexities where needed yet does not require an engineering degree to decipher. It is also a very pleasing physical size that lends itself to ease of packing as a travel read and storing in your Tesla once you own one.
Things I learned or re-learned as an owner
No matter how many times I read things like the following statement, I am amazed by it. I tend to shake my head and my eyes widen as I vaguely grasp how massively huge this car company is:
The goal (at least for Elon) was not to build a successful car company per se, but to prove to the large auto makers that it was possible to create a successful, sustainable, electric car company, thereby spurring them to enter the market more aggressively than they would otherwise do.
Starting on Page 19, the book also does an excellent job of explaining drag in a way that is easily understood. To summarize, a car’s mass has to push the air’s mass out of the way as it moves. That’s no easy task but every inch of the Model S is intended to help with it.
Regenerative braking is carefully discussed early in the book. The description definitely reaffirmed how awesome the technology is and reminded me of the science behind it. (Spoiler alert: magnetism!)
A bit later in the book, on page 53, there is a fantastic explanation of full torque at 0 revolutions per minute (rpm) and why Tesla acceleration is so awe-inspiring. I often tout this feature to folks who ask about the car but never really have an explanation. Now I do! Plus, this section includes a really great comparison of the Ferrari Tom Selleck drove in Magnum, P.I. (Second spoiler: the slowest MS in the current lineup is 2 seconds faster to 60 mph.) This section also reminds us that published 0-60 times for other vehicles include professional drivers manipulating a clutch with expert care. The Model S just requires you to stomp your foot and hold on to the wheel. I won’t talk about how this section’s discussion of the complicated internal combustion engine reminded me that the entire auto industry is a sham.
Things that would have been helpful before ordering
This book gives a very straightforward description of available options as well as the author’s opinion on each. It is comprehensive, if a little biased, but I still appreciate each part. For me, the panoramic moon roof is the must have and air suspension unnecessary. As the book will tell you, each option is very personal and you will be able to customize to your unique preferences.
The delivery checklist is arguably the most important part of this book. In fact, the book evolved from it. If nothing else, get the book for the checklist. It will prepare you for a delivery that will almost certainly be completely unlike any other car buying experience you’ve had.
Things that are helpful to new owners
Along with the delivery checklist there is a great guide on setting up preferences ahead of your first drive. Little tidbits like not programming your Homelink while at work are much needed, as your delivery will include so much information and excitement, some things will undoubtedly be lost.
Things I see a little differently
The beauty of a review is that it is an honest opinion. As I mentioned before, I think the options recommendations are a bit biased. But they should be! Nick J. Howe is an extremely knowledgable owner and his opinions on which options to order are as good as they get. Mine differ; some driven by cost, others by personal preference. To me, premium sound and air suspension are things you can leave behind. Yet as mentioned above, I find the pano roof to be one of the most beautiful parts of the Model S and an absolute must-have, only second to Autopilot.
I also happen to disagree with his directives on care. Nothing he says is wrong and his wash methods are perfect. What I can’t get behind is the recommendation to wash the car weekly. Our Model S is our daily workhorse and since there are only 24 hours in a day, washing the car only rarely makes the cut. If you enjoy and have time to wash your car weekly, go for it!
Conclusion
Buy the book if you are considering getting a Model S and want to be informed. The 2nd edition has been nicely updated to include discussions on Autopilot and current offerings. While you wait for it to ship, go ahead and request a free chapter of the book, available for a limited time. I’d also recommend buying the book (or naming it the next time someone asks for gift ideas) if you are awaiting delivery or are already an owner but have not otherwise studied up on some of the more intricate details of how the car works.
Lifestyle
Tesla brings perhaps the coolest interior feature to cars in latest update
Tesla adds on to the “fun” aspect of its vehicles.
Tesla has brought perhaps the coolest interior feature to its cars in a new update that is rolling out to vehicles now.
The feature will require a newer vehicle that has interior ambient lighting, which is present on the new Model S, Model X, Model 3 “Highland,” and Model Y “Juniper.” The Cybertruck also has ambient lighting strips throughout.
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With the Version 2025.26+ Software Update, Tesla is rolling out a new “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music” feature, which is available on the Tesla Toybox:
Turn your Tesla into a rave cave with the new Light Sync feature 🎶
Rolling out now in software update 2025.26+ pic.twitter.com/IIsQxZ9jDP
— Tesla (@Tesla) July 29, 2025
To enable the feature, you’ll access the Toybox, choose “Light Sync,” and then choose “Sync Accent Lights w/ Music.”
Although it does not improve the performance of the vehicle, it is yet another example of Tesla making one of the coolest cars out there. This is truly a cool add-on that can be used to impress your friends and family.
Elon Musk
xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site
Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area.
Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.
xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs
Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.
In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.
“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.
Musk Foundation donation
Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students.
The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”
“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.
The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”
Lifestyle
EV fans urge Tesla to acquire Unplugged Performance for edge in fleet and security industry
Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles.
A growing number of Tesla enthusiasts and longtime community voices are calling on the electric vehicle maker to acquire Unplugged Performance, a California-based aftermarket company best known for tuning Tesla vehicles and developing specialized government fleet solutions under its UP.FIT division.
The idea was once considered a niche proposal among EV fans, but it is now gaining serious attention not just as a performance play but as a strategic move to deepen Tesla’s roots in the fleet and security industry.
A strategic fit
Unplugged Performance has built a name for itself by producing performance upgrades for Tesla vehicles, from track-optimized components to visual and aerodynamic upgrades. But in recent years, its UP.FIT division has pivoted toward a more functional future by outfitting Tesla vehicles like Model Ys for police, military, and government use.
That work has sparked growing calls for closer collaboration with Tesla, especially as the EV maker increasingly leans into autonomy, AI, and fleet services as core components of its next chapter.
“I posted this four years ago, but I think it’s more true now than ever,” wrote Whole Mars Catalog, a well-known Tesla investor and FSD Beta tester, on X. “Tesla should buy Unplugged. But not just as a Performance division. What they are doing with UP.FIT unlocks large government and commercial fleet purchases that can improve utilization.”
Tesla fans such as shareholder Sawyer Merritt echoed the sentiment, calling Unplugged a “great fit within Tesla.” adding, “They are literally located directly next to Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne.”
Enabling the next wave
Supporters of the idea noted that integrating Unplugged into Tesla’s corporate structure could help accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies in government sectors. With UP.FIT patrol cars already in use across some U.S. police departments, Tesla fans envisioned a future where self-driving Teslas could potentially revolutionize law enforcement, search-and-rescue, and public service logistics.
“Just imagine how autonomous patrol cars could transform policing and bring us into a safer future,” the veteran FSD tester wrote.
The benefits could also extend to Tesla’s existing consumer base. “They also have some incredible products in the works that I think will appeal to many ordinary Tesla drivers — not just those looking for performance or mods. Stuff that’s so good it should have come straight from the design studio next door,” Whole Mars Catalog noted.
Unplugged Performance, founded in 2013, shares not just a product vision with Tesla, but also geography. Its Hawthorne headquarters sits directly adjacent to Tesla’s design studio, and the two companies have maintained a close working relationship over the years. The aftermarket firm has long positioned itself as a “mission-aligned” partner to Tesla.
In response to the recent calls for acquisition, Unplugged Performance acknowledged the support from the community. “Our very existence is to support the Tesla mission with @UpfitTesla and @UnpluggedTesla,” Unplugged CEO Ben Schaffer posted on X. “We love working with Tesla and are grateful for the community’s support since 2013!”
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