# Tell me what you like and dislike about driving a Tesla automobile **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 28, 2022, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054 "2022-06-28T16:26:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2022, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/21 "2022-06-29T03:41:06Z")
> [@Heracles](#): > > - Backing up with a bike rack attached to the rear is a cacophony of beeps and boops. I guess this would happen on other cars with proximity warnings. You can disable this. I don’t remember how, but know that it can be done and you can probably find it on YouTube or something. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2022, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/22 "2022-06-29T13:14:33Z")
Anyone have experience with being in a collision or breaking down? ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/23 "2022-06-30T10:31:56Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > One foot driving. Hard to describe how this is better, but it goes back to the smooth and effortless comment. For those of us unfamiliar and lurking, what does this mean? Is there just one pedal on the floor? I can’t figure how that would work. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/24 "2022-06-30T15:01:34Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > For those of us unfamiliar and lurking, what does this mean? Is there just one pedal on the floor? I can’t figure how that would work . You have an accelerator and a brake. However, you can adjust the settings so you can go from accelerating to coasting to “braking” by how hard or light you are pushing on the “gas.” Take you foot all the way off, and you’re regenerating electricity and slowing down t he car. A little pressure and you’re regenerating less. A little more and you’re coasting. A little mroe and you’re speeding up. So, that one pedal can give you a lot of control. I actually haven’t gone full “one pedal driving,” and have adjusted our cars to be more traditional. You still get some of the same effect, and that’s what I like. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/25 "2022-06-30T16:20:05Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > For those of us unfamiliar and lurking, what does this mean? Is there just one pedal on the floor? I can’t figure how that would work Like what @Procrustus describes with the accelerator pedal, but then there is also “brake hold.” When the car comes to a complete stop, the brakes come on and hold the car in place until the accelerator pedal is pressed. This means you don’t have to keep your foot on the brake when stopped. It also means that when you take your foot completely off the accelerator the car will slow, due to regenerative braking, and then stop and stay stopped until you are ready to go again. With a bit of practice, you can learn to feather the accelerator pedal so the car stops where you intend it to stop without ever having to touch the brake. In normal driving, I might only use the brake in “surprise” conditions, such as when a light changes as I’m approaching, somebody pulls in front of me, etc. For predicted stops, like when coming up to a red light, a stop sign, slowing traffic ahead, etc. there’s no need to use the brakes. So, I should have added “brake hold” to the things I like about driving a Tesla. Even without one pedal driving, it’s a convenient feature. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/26 "2022-06-30T22:03:04Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > It’s not really looking any farther away from the road than looking down to see your speed. It’s just a different spot. I think it’s different. And we are all going to have to get used to it. I see no reason that these cars don’t have a small HUD or a simple display in front of the driver to show current speed. While I do have a touch screen in my Toyota 4-Runner, I sure as hell don’t adjust it while I’m driving. Heat/cool controls are tactile, and I can feel them click. No need to look where they are. Very few can operate their smart phones with out looking at it. There are plenty of videos of people walking into traffic or trees or whatever because they had their eyes off what they where supposed to be doing - Paying attention. But I guess the car is now going to pay attention for us. Not sure what to say about that. It’s sure not going to make better drivers out of people. We are going towards not needing a driver at all. That’s Ok. But for some, it may not work so well. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/27 "2022-06-30T22:08:18Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > But I guess the car is now going to pay attention for us. My car occasionally beeps at me and suggests I take a break. It only does that when I’m tired and been driving for awhile. I have no idea how it knows I’m getting tired, but it does. > [@enipla](#): > > I see no reason that these cars don’t have a small HUD or a simple display in front of the driver to show current speed. Our Tesla X has HUD for speed. (we have it turned off – too distracting for me) Also it has a traditional speedometer in the usual place. I don’t think I’d like how the Model 3 is laid out, but perhaps I’d get used to it. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/28 "2022-06-30T22:53:38Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Our Tesla X has HUD for speed. (we have it turned off – too distracting for me) Also it has a traditional speedometer in the usual place. I don’t think I’d like how the Model 3 is laid out, but perhaps I’d get used to it. That’s cool, and I think I would get used to it too. I will need to of course. My Wife and I typically drive our cars into the ground. And we both have new cars. So it will be a few years. I suppose I should try to set up a charging station at our house, at least for guests, but it’s going to be rough. We get 20-30 feet of snow a year. I don’t know where the heck I would put it. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/29 "2022-06-30T23:00:32Z")
There’s no need for anything special. Just install a 14-50 outlet somewhere protected–it can even be many feet off the ground. Just about all EVs support charging from an outlet like that, and it’s a solid Level 2 charge. The charging cables themselves are weatherproof. The outlet could be outside in a weatherproof box, or inside with a small door to the outside (like a cat door). At my parent’s place, I charge via an outlet from their shop. It’s a ways off from where I usually park, but I got a super beefy extension cord designed for RVs. I just leave it there, coiled up when not in use. Works great. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/30 "2022-06-30T23:35:27Z")
Yeah. My breaker box is full, way to full. I run 220v heat tape. It’s taped out. It’s not going to be plug and play. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/31 "2022-07-01T01:05:35Z")
Any Canadian drivers? When I looked into it years ago, charging stations were too few and far between. Has that much changed? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/32 "2022-07-01T04:29:41Z")
There’s a map of Superchargers here: > **[Find Us | Tesla](https://www.tesla.com/en_ca/findus?v=2&bounds=59.795055187446174%2C-61.433448641079124%2C27.906966365706342%2C-127.43930801607912&zoom=5&filters=supercharger%2Cparty)** > > Use the interactive Find Us map to locate Tesla charging stations, service centers, galleries and stores on the go. There are zillions of stations in the major cities. Even Edmonton has one! But more importantly, the Trans-Canada Highway has a station spaced every 60-80 miles along its length. Other highways too, but if your goal is to drive from Vancouver to Halifax, you can do it comfortably. There are still some uncovered routes, like 11 in Ontario. And there’s not a one in the Northwest Territories, if that’s important. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/33 "2022-07-01T13:11:04Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > It also means that when you take your foot completely off the accelerator the car will slow, due to regenerative braking, and then stop and stay stopped until you are ready to go again I’m guessing that there’s a point at which the brake lights are activated? I think I remember reading a while back, not Tesla related, that “they” were experimenting with Yellow/Red brake lights. If you were coasting to a stop they’d illuminate Yellow. If you, or the car, actually applied the brakes, Red. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/34 "2022-07-01T14:48:48Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > I’m guessing that there’s a point at which the brake lights are activated? When not pressing the brake pedal, the brake lights activate based on how strongly you’re decelerating. I don’t know where the exact trigger point is, though. As a passenger who didn’t know otherwise, you’d think I hit the brakes when I only completely let off the accelerator (with “normal” regen set). That will definitely turn on the brake lights. > [@enipla](#): > > Yeah. My breaker box is full, way to full. I run 220v heat tape. It’s taped out. Even a 120 outlet and charging overnight is probably going to be enough to comfortably get people back to a DC fast charger. There are Tesla Superchargers in Silverthorne, Idaho Springs, and Conifer. I’m not sure where the nearest to you non-Tesla fast chargers are, but they’re certainly downhill. To put the importance of that in perspective, driving from the top of Loveland Pass via I-70 to the east side of Arvada used 5 miles of range. For guests, if you have a dryer plug or other 220 outlet that is within 30 feet or so where a car can be parked, then it’s usable with a beefy extension cord. If you’re planning to buy a 4 Runner Xtricity EV (made up car) when they come out, then you’d have to do some real electrical work. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/35 "2022-07-01T16:25:48Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > Even a 120 outlet and charging overnight is probably going to be enough to comfortably get people back to a DC fast charger. There are Tesla Superchargers in Silverthorne, Idaho Springs, and Conifer. Yeah I’ve got 110 close enough. I could probably tap into the 220 that goes to our well. The dryer plug in is too far away. It’s really kind of a moot point though. My Wife and I have new cars and will be retiring in about 5 years. We know we can’t live up here in our ‘golden’ years, so we will be moving. That breaks my heart, but it makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/36 "2022-07-01T18:00:37Z")
Thanks for your post. Maybe. If driving from one medium Canadian city to another, very far from cross-country highways, it used to be there was nothing between them. I assume that has improved, it had to. It is now pretty common to see Teslas in the city. Driving across the country is fine, but not what people actually do with their car. If you drive from Vancouver to Yellowknife, you don’t even have phone service most of the time (so I have been told, this might have improved). ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/37 "2022-07-01T18:12:10Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Pet Mode (keeps dog cool and/or warm when left in car) Huh. I wonder how many shattered windows this has led to? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/38 "2022-07-01T18:12:44Z")
The main dislike I have with my Tesla is that it’s imaginary. I can’t think of a reason I’d want one now except that it’s cool, which is good enough reason for things costing about 10% of the price of a Tesla, but I cheap out when cool things cost over $60 grand. If I were younger I’d probably be working out a way to spend that money. As it is I need a garage for a car like that, I should be getting that started next year, and it probably will cost less than a Tesla. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/39 "2022-07-01T18:19:26Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Huh. I wonder how many shattered windows this has led to? That’s the cool thing. There is a great big display on the dash that says something like “Don’t worry, my owner will be back soon, it’s 68 degrees in here.” ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054/40 "2022-07-02T13:48:16Z")
I don’t drive a Tesla, but a lot of my friends do, and something about owning a Tesla inspires people to talk about it. 1. it’s like driving your PC. One friend loves this, and revels in the bells and whistles. Another gripes about it. 2. the range is great. Everyone is satisfied that they never run out of charge, and can drive wherever they want. (I used to own a hybrid electric, by the way, and the thing i lived was that you always start the morning with a full battery. Now i have a gas vehicle again, and i worry about running out of gas. You never have that worry with an electric, there ALWAYS enough charge when you leave the garage to get to a gas station/charger. And you almost never need to do that.) 3. some of my friends were really adopters, and ran into a lot of bugs that have been resolved. The early ones didn’t work well with snow on the windshield. 4. it has lots of thoughtful touches. Like instead of mucking with folding things to keep the sun out of your eyes, the car selectively darkens parts of the windshield to do that. 5. you need to keep interacting with Tesla, it’s not just a thing you own. Some friends enjoy seeing what’s new. Others find it frustrating that they are constantly negotiating with Tesla over repairs, updates, etc. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-what-you-like-and-dislike-about-driving-a-tesla-automobile/967054.md?page=3)