Lifestyle
Where to place your hands when Tesla Autopilot is engaged


A sure way to get other car occupants to do a double take, but it gets exceptionally tiring in a matter of seconds.
By now, we’ve seen plenty of videos and pictures of Autopilot-enabled Teslas cruising around. In some cases, drivers are experiencing the shock and awe of trying it for the first time while trying to pretend to play it cool. In others, drivers are not afraid to admit they are more than just a little freaked out.
Now that the initial Autopilot reactions are well documented, let’s discuss using it in real world situations.
When to use it – TACC
The Traffic Aware Cruise Control (“TACC”) portion of the software has been live for several months on cars that have the requisite hardware. It is appropriate for use in any situation you would normally use cruise control, but with the added benefit of automatically increasing or decreasing speed based on the car in front of you. You are able to set a space tolerance relative to the car in front of you as well as your maximum speed.
When to use it – Autosteer
Arguably the most anticipated part of the new Autopilot suite of driver’s assistance features is Autosteer. This feature uses ultrasonic sensors, radar and a front-facing camera together to track and follow lane markings and other vehicles. It is appropriate for use on divided highways with clear lane markings. Let me say it again: divided highways. This means a barrier between you and oncoming traffic, no pedestrians and no parked cars.
When to use it – Auto Lane Change
While using the Autosteer feature in an appropriate setting, Model S will also change lanes for you. Simply check your surroundings, see if there is an opportunity to change lanes and activate the turn signal on the side of the lane you wish to enter. The car will also look out for obstructions and change lanes when safe. As always, keep a close watch and enjoy the assistance. One situation where TACC and Autosteer really shine is stop-and-go highway traffic. I’ve had an especially flawless experience when traffic was moving between 20-35 mph during rush hour. Lane changes, however, are not good candidates for this type of traffic volume. In my attempts, the car was wholly uninterested in changing lanes even when there was an amount of space that any regular city driver would consider enough.
When to use it – Autopark
For those with a fear of parallel parking, Autopark is for you. For everyone else, it’s really fun to play with. A parking spot between two parked vehicles with a curb on one side is a candidate for Autopark. Simply drive your car slower than 15 mph and pass the spot. The car will recognize the spot and invite you to let it do all the work. If the car determines the space is not large enough, the option will not present itself. In my experiences, the car does a masterful job getting into spaces. It requires few backups and would easily pass the driver’s test in Philadelphia which, by the way, starts with parallel parking. The wheel moves quickly and the whole parking job is done efficiently.
So what do you do with your hands?
This question comes up a lot and the options are plentiful.
For one, you can rest your hands on the wheel in the same position you find yourself most comfortable with when you drive normally. If you’re a “ten and two” driver, it will look like this. My model here is using a light grip but did not disengage the Autosteer, which can be accomplished by tugging the wheel a bit.
If you like to get low, it may look like this.
Or this.
Just don’t get lazy and do this for too long, the car will warn you both audibly and with a screen message to put your hands back on the wheel.
Elon Musk
X account with 184 followers inadvertently saves US space program amid Musk-Trump row
Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.

An X user with 184 followers has become the unlikely hero of the United States’ space program by effectively de-escalating a row between SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump on social media.
Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.
A Near Fall
During Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s fallout last week, the U.S. President stated in a post on Truth Social that a good way for the United States government to save money would be to terminate subsidies and contracts from the CEO’s companies. Musk responded to Trump’s post by stating that SpaceX will start decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.
Musk’s comment was received with shock among the space community, partly because the U.S. space program is currently reliant on SpaceX to send supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Without Dragon, the United States will likely have to utilize Russia’s Soyuz for the same services—at a significantly higher price.
X User to the Rescue
It was evident among X users that Musk’s comments about Dragon being decommissioned were posted while emotions were high. It was then no surprise that an X account with 184 followers, @Fab25june, commented on Musk’s post, urging the CEO to rethink his decision. “This is a shame this back and forth. You are both better than this. Cool off and take a step back for a couple days,” the X user wrote in a reply.
Much to the social media platform’s surprise, Musk responded to the user. Even more surprising, the CEO stated that SpaceX would not be decommissioning Dragon after all. “Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon,” Musk wrote in a post on X.
Not Planned, But Welcomed
The X user’s comment and Musk’s response were received extremely well by social media users, many of whom noted that @Fab25june’s X comment effectively saved the U.S. space program. In a follow-up comment, the X user, who has over 9,100 followers as of writing, stated that he did not really plan on being a mediator between Musk and Trump.
“Elon Musk replied to me. Somehow, I became the accidental peace broker between two billionaires. I didn’t plan this. I was just being me. Two great minds can do wonders. Sometimes, all it takes is a breather. Grateful for every like, DM, and new follow. Life’s weird. The internet’s weirder. Let’s ride. (Manifesting peace… and maybe a Model Y.)” the X user wrote.
Lifestyle
Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger
The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

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.
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.
Lifestyle
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.

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.
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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