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Tips and tricks for Tesla owners by Kman [Video]

Source: KmanAuto

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Kman has been producing videos about Tesla since 2013, when he took delivery of a 60 kWh Model S. His latest opus is a four-part collection of handy tips and tricks for Tesla drivers.

Kman includes a raft of recommendations for increasing range. Most of these will be familiar to any energy-conscious driver, but the analytically-minded Kman has tested the techniques, and offers a pretty precise assessment of exactly how much juice each suggestion will save.

Obviously, it’s good to keep the total vehicle weight down – consider taking that bowling ball out of the trunk if you don’t use it much. However, Kman has found that the additional weight of passengers and cargo affects range far less than other things, such as tire pressure.

Like most cars, Model S has a sticker on the door jamb listing the recommended tire pressure. However, Kman has found that using the recommended pressure increases his energy consumption (and feels “squishy”), so he uses 50 psi on the rear and 48 on the front, instead of Tesla’s recommended 45.

We all know that Tesla’s Range Mode increases range. Kman explains exactly how it works, and what the trade-offs are (mostly stuff you can do without).

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Slow down! Everyone knows that vehicles (electric or fossil) are more efficient at slower speeds. Kman has calculated that the optimum speed for Model S is 24 mph. If you could somehow manage to drive around at a constant 24 mph, you should get as much as 550 miles of range.

Auto racing fans know that drafting – the practice of following closely behind another vehicle to cut down wind resistance – saves energy. Tesla’s adaptive cruise control makes this easy – just set the desired distance from the vehicle ahead of you. Kman claims he has seen a 40% increase in range drafting a semi truck.

Climate control is another well-known energy hog, but in an EV, heating uses much more power than cooling (gas cars use waste heat from the engine for cabin heating). If you can get by with the Tesla’s seat heaters, you’ll save some range, as using them is much more efficient than heating the whole cabin.

Above: Tesla CEO Elon Musk talks shop with Kman (Facebook: KmanAuto)

There seems to be a bit of controversy when it comes to ride height. Theoretically the lowest suspension setting saves range on the highway, but some Tesla drivers claim that it increases tire wear, and that medium ride height is best. Your mileage may vary.

Model X is rated to tow a trailer of up to 5,000 pounds, but it will cost you in terms of range. Figure on at least a 50% reduction in range when towing. Kman points out that the aerodynamics of a trailer are much more important than weight. Officially, Model S can’t tow at all, but Kman claims it can tow up to 2,000 pounds (sounds like something that could void the warranty if anything goes wrong – be careful).

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Next, Kman debunks the common belief that charging to 100% reduces battery life. In fact, the big no-no is charging to 100% and then leaving the car sitting around in high temperatures. But topping up is fine if you’re going to be driving right away, and it’s the easiest and most obvious way to maximize your range.

No matter how careful you are, you’re going to run out of energy eventually, so it’s best to be prepared for various charging scenarios, especially when taking road trips. It’s handy to have a collection of charging adapters in the car, including a CHAdeMO adapter and a couple of adapters for different types of 240-volt receptacles (even if you have to spend some time searching for them, as Kman does). And keep a heavy-duty extension cord in the car in case you ever need to plug into a regular outlet somewhere on the road.

Another handy accessory is a ChargePoint account, which gives access to thousands of public chargers. Theoretically you can initiate charging just with the smartphone app, but that won’t work if there’s a dodgy internet connection, so order the free card and keep it in your vehicle (there are various other regional charging networks, some of which require their own cards).

Tesla Tips: Part 1

Tesla Tips: Part 2

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Tesla Tips: Part 3

Tesla Tips: Part 4

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Note: Article originally published on evannex.com, by Charles Morris

Source: KmanAuto

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Lifestyle

Tesla Semi futuristic sci-fi acceleration sound will never get old

Videos that capture the Semi moving at speed are most notable due to their sheer cool factor.

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Credit: Tesla Owners Silicon Valley/X

The Tesla Semi is not yet in mass production, but the company has accumulated over 7.9 million miles across its test fleet. With Tesla using the Semi for its operations, it is no surprise that sightings of the Class 8 all-electric truck have been abounding. 

These sightings from Tesla enthusiasts vary, but those that capture the the Class 8 all-electric truck moving at speed are most notable, possibly due to their sheer cool factor.

Tesla Semi’s Roar

There is something that just stands out with the Semi, particularly on the road. While the Semi does not have the Cybertruck’s brutalist, angular design, it is still very striking because it’s such a massive machine that moves far too quietly for its size. This is, of course, one of the reasons why the vehicle also becomes extra noteworthy when it fires up its electric motors and accelerates.

Take this video from Tesla Owners Silicon Valley, for example, which shows the all-electric hauler accelerating while pulling what appears to be a full load. In these situations, the Tesla Semi actually becomes audible, but unlike traditional diesel-powered truck, the Class 8 all-electric truck “roars” with its own, unique futuristic, sci-fi sound. In such situations, one could feel the Semi’s raw power, which comes from its three independent motors on its rear axles.

Tesla Semi Ramp

Tesla has been promoting the Semi quite a bit as of late, and recent reports have suggested that the company is putting in a lot of effort to prepare the vehicle for its production in Nevada. Tesla’s Careers website has gone live with over 80 Semi-related job openings recently as well, and a recent report has suggested that Tesla has ramped the Semi’s factory workers in Nevada to over 1,000 employees.

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The company has even shared an update video of the Semi factory’s progress near Giga Nevada, as well as the design of the vehicle’s new logo. The Semi’s updated logo is quite interesting as it features elements from the Tesla Model 3’s first logo, which was unveiled way back in 2016.

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Elon Musk jokes he will join Mr Beast’s “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla” challenge

It’s a good sign, if any, that the overworked Musk is becoming a bit more lighthearted again.

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Credit: Elon Musk/X

Following the first quarter Tesla earnings call, CEO Elon Musk seems to have become a bit more relaxed—relaxed enough to joke about fighting a gorilla with 99 other people, at least.

It’s a good sign, if any, that the overworked Musk is becoming a bit more lighthearted again and not too busy picking fights with politicians on social media.

The Viral 100 Men vs 1 Gorilla Challenge

Over the weekend, a post on social media platform X went viral. The post itself was quite simple, with user @DreamChasnMike stating that he thinks 100 men could beat one gorilla. “Everybody just gotta be dedicated to the sh*t,” the X user joked. The post exploded on the platform, garnering 284 million impressions as of writing.

The silly question also triggered a massive debate about whether 100 men would really stand a chance against a literal gorilla. Some users even lamented that the premise was a sign of male hubris. Nevertheless, the question proved to be a fun topic on X, with some more dedicated users even posting simulated videos of what the “100 Men vs 1 Gorilla Challenge” could look like. 

Mr. Beast and Elon Musk Join In

The premise is quite similar to other viral videos from noted YouTube creator Mr. Beast, so it was no surprise that edited images of Mr. Beast YouTube thumbnails with “100 Men vs a Gorilla” also started spreading on the social media platform. Mr. Beast, who tends to be game to such silly ideas, actually reposted the edited image, joking “Need 100 men to test this, any volunteers?”

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In true Elon Musk fashion, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO noted that he would join the challenge. “Sure, what’s the worst that could happen” Musk wrote in his post on X. Musk’s reply triggered quite a few laughs on X, with some stating that the world probably still needs the CEO.

While silly, Musk’s comment and his recent, more frequent posts about his companies’ products like Starlink and Grok have been received well by his supporters. Over the past months, after all, Musk has been very political and quite confrontational on social media. With Musk soon taking a step back from the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) daily operations, however, it seems like X will soon get a more tempered and lighthearted Elon Musk once more.

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Possible first glimpse of Tesla “Model 2” affordable car in Fremont Factory

The models that Tesla will release in the coming months will resemble the company’s current lineup.

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Image Credit: @metgodinwilderness7130/YouTube

During the Q1 earnings call, Tesla VP of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy set expectations on the design of the affordable models that the company is expected to launch this 2025. As per the Tesla executive, the models that Tesla will release in the coming months will resemble the company’s current lineup.

Drone footage from the Fremont Factory earlier this month might have provided the EV community its first potential glimpse at Tesla’s affordable cars–fondly dubbed by EV fans and analysts as the “Model 2” or even “Model Q”–or at least their components and overall shape.

The Sighting

Tesla watcher and drone operator Met God in Wilderness, who has been posting aerial videos of the Fremont Factory for years now, recently shared some footage from his drone flyovers this month. While the Fremont Factory was abuzz with activity as usual, a couple of rather strange vehicles were quickly spotted by EV watchers on social media.

During the drone operator’s flyover on the 17th, for example, an unfinished vehicle could be seen parked next to what appeared to be fully-built Model S and Model Y units. What was especially interesting was the vehicle’s roof, which seemed to be slightly narrower than the Model Ys around it. Based on the video, at least, the vehicle seemed to be shaped like a crossover as well.

Footage from the 24th of April also proved quite interesting, with the drone operator capturing footage of another cryptic vehicle. Unlike the mysterious, unfinished, crossover-esque car spotted on the 17th, this particular unit seemed to have a more sloping rear, at least based on the shape of its covering.

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What Lars Moravy Said

In Tesla’s Q1 2025 Update Letter, Tesla noted that “plans for new vehicles, including more affordable models, remain on track for start of production in the first half of 2025.” Tesla also noted that the new vehicles will utilize aspects of its next generation and its current platforms. They will also be produced on the same manufacturing lines as its present vehicle lineup, likely the Model Y and Model 3. 

During the earnings call itself, Moravy specifically stated that the new models that would come out in the next months would resemble the company’s current vehicles. They will, however, be affordable. “Models that come out in next months will be built on our lines and will resemble, in form and shape, the cars we currently make. And the key is that they’ll be affordable, and you’ll be able to buy one,” Moravy stated.

Watch the drone operator’s footage from April 17 below.

The drone operator’s footage from April 24 can be viewed below.

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