Connect with us

Lifestyle

Thoughts on Tesla Autopilot under 8.0 vs. 7.0

Published

on

Tesla’s latest Version 8.0 of Autopilot has done a complete 180 when it comes to the core technology that powers its driving-assist features. Where the former 7.0 version relied primarily on the front-facing camera to detect obstacles, 8.0 has swapped focus to the onboard radar, making it the main source for Autopilot input. Let that sink in a moment: this very advanced suite of drivers’ assistance features that we’ve all come to trust to propel and Autosteer our cars down the highway has fundamentally changed. One part of me wanted to mentally start over again using Autopilot cautiously and not really trusting that it would do the right thing. The other part of me figured that if Tesla decided to change course, the new tech must be at least as safe and reliable as before.

My very first use of Autopilot features after the 8.0 update was on my usual stop-and-go traffic commute, on the same highway I always take. The car performed as expected and I really had nothing to note. But as luck would have it, we got the update mere days before embarking on our longest Tesla road trip to date. 8 days, 21 Superchargers and 2100 miles. I estimate that 1,750 of those miles were done using Autopilot, with my husband using it for 90% of his drive, and me using it for 60% of the time while I was behind the wheel of our Model S.

Here is what I’ve noticed:

  • Autosteer: The same dark, rainy conditions where I’ve previously experienced Autosteer to be unavailable are still present. I agree, these aren’t ideal for use, so no harm in being unavailable.
  • Car offsets in lane: Exactly as described in Tesla’s 8.0 blog update, the car would move over to hug the far side of its lane when approaching another vehicle in the opposite adjacent lane, if that vehicle was either too close to your side or so large as to take up a lot of space. We saw this several times on our trip, mostly with tractor trailers.
  • Wheel nag more prominent. Very true. The wheel nag now includes a pretty white frame around the entire instrument panel and the ‘red hands of death‘. I went two whole days of driving without the nag even once. The other driver, not so much.
  • Approximately 200 small enhancements that aren’t worth a bullet point. This was the ending bullet on Tesla’s blog update and it sort of tickled me when I first read it. Thinking more now, I see the point. Autopilot technology is so extremely complex and intelligent, with so many moving parts and algorithms that it’s needless for an owner such as myself to even be concerned with knowing it all.

Though a recent poll suggests that Americans still aren’t sure if they’re ready for self-driving technology, hopping behind the wheel of a Tesla with driver-assist features is a good starting point. Autopilot continues to improve and the company’s latest 8.0 is no different. It’s smooth and makes long distance driving a heck of a lot more enjoyable.

Again, everything has changed, while nothing really has. The whole way it works was turned on it’s ear, yet the outcome of using the system is about the same. The car sees two cars ahead and sometimes even three, instead of one in 7.0, and the instrument panel shows as much. That visual change took exactly zero getting used to. I thought the whole system would take some getting used to, some learning curve or at the very least, some trust curve. Nope. What I’ve actually found is that the system is just as reliable as before so keep on using your Autopilot, keep on logging miles, keep on contributing to fleet learning, and keep on helping Tesla to refine the most technologically advanced car ever.

The below video was intended to describe the differences in using Autopilot before and after the 8.0 upgrade.

Advertisement

Lifestyle

Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger

The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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.

Continue Reading

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.

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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.

Continue Reading

Lifestyle

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.

Published

on

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. 

Advertisement

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.

Continue Reading

Trending