# Tesla's Model S electric car "insane mode" button. Is this a good idea? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 29, 2015, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212 "2015-01-29T07:51:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/21 "2015-01-30T01:06:51Z")
In fairness, some financial analysts recently reported estimates that even with the gigafactory, the Tesla III will likely cost around $45,000, not $30,000. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/22 "2015-01-30T01:16:01Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Just be glad Billy Jack wasn’t Marketing Manager lest it be a “Berserk” button. > > “Insane”, eh? I think I’d take my Label Baby Label Maker and cover it up with “Batshit Crazy Mode.” So, the Tesla would have a flat, robotic voice and speak with the following catchphrases then? Get-the-humanoid-get-the-intruder The-humanoid-must-not-escape Coin-detected-in-pocket And when the passengers and driver get out… CHICKEN–FIGHT-LIKE-A-ROBOT! Personally, if I had one, I’d put it in InsaneMode and leave it there ---
**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:** [January 30, 2015, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/23 "2015-01-30T01:19:25Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > In fairness, some financial analysts recently reported estimates that even with the gigafactory, the Tesla III will likely cost around $45,000, not $30,000. Maybe, though I doubt that analysts have any special insight here. I certainly wouldn’t bet on the exact numbers, high-ball or low-ball. It also depends on demand. Tesla cancelled their 40 kWh model due to approximately zero demand. The same could be true for a $30k model if people decide that spending more on increased range is worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/24 "2015-01-30T01:30:09Z")
The same analysts expect lesser demand than what Elon has projected. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/25 "2015-01-30T02:18:47Z")
At the lower end, consumers have some options, including the Nissan Leaf or the Chevy Bolt. But the Model S is about the only pure electric luxury sedan out there. And actually, the price of about $90-100,000 is in line with other luxury sedans such as those from Lexus and less than a Mercedes S-class. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/26 "2015-01-30T02:30:15Z")
> [@Tully\_Mars](#): > > I think Tesla should have labeled the button “Ludicrous Speed”. > [@Smapti](#): > > The problem was they were only available in plaid. Tesla Driver: MY BRAINS ARE GOING INTO MY FEET! Mawg in Winnebago they just passed: What the hell was that? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/27 "2015-01-30T03:30:26Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > No worse an idea than Dodge selling a 707 horsepower Charger. You gotta be shit’in me jz78817. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/28 "2015-01-30T04:18:31Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Mine has a button that when pressed, the car tries to kill you. > > I pressed it once, and just barely got away with it. Exactly. A real “insane mode” button should rapidly accelerate the car to 60mph _in reverse_, while spraying tomato ketchup on to the passengers. “Well, what did you _expect_ to happen when you put the car into insane mode?” “…I don’t know. I probably should have asked what it does first” ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/29 "2015-01-30T04:24:46Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Exactly. A real “insane mode” button should rapidly accelerate the car to 60mph _in reverse_, while spraying tomato ketchup on to the passengers. > > “Well, what did you _expect_ to happen when you put the car into insane mode?” > “…I don’t know. I probably should have asked what it does first” I like confusing the passengers in my car. When I got my last car, it had voice control for a lot of the features. So, my sister was taking it for a test drive and I was showing her the voice control. I hit the button and said ‘Temperature 60 degrees’ and the car responded (vocally) and changed the AC to 60. Then I hit the button and said “Radio 96.5” and it responded and changed the radio. Then, when she was going about 30, I hit the button and said ‘put the car in Park’ and my sister quickly braced herself like she was about to go through the windshield. _I_ thought it was funny. Just the other day I convinced my 9 year old that this strange button (the climate control button to recirculate the air) made the car flip over. “Look, it’s got a arrow flipping over on a picture of a car, that must be what it does, right?” She _really_ didn’t want me to push it to see if that’s actually what it did. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2015, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/30 "2015-01-30T04:27:55Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Exactly. A real “insane mode” button should rapidly accelerate the car to 60mph _in reverse_, while spraying tomato ketchup on to the passengers. I don’t know about the ketchup dispenser, but in principle the Model S can accelerate just as quickly in reverse as forward. It has a single-speed direct-drive gearbox and the motor just turns in whatever direction the windings are energized in. In fact, any three phase motor can be reversed by simply swapping any two of the phases. It would not surprise me if one day someone “hacks” their car to accomplish this. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/31 "2015-01-30T04:41:15Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > It has a single-speed direct-drive gearbox and the motor just turns in whatever direction the windings are energized in. > > In fact, any three phase motor can be reversed by simply swapping any two of the phases. It would not surprise me if one day someone “hacks” their car to accomplish this. So what you’re saying is that it doesn’t really have a transmission. Going 0-60 in 3 seconds, in reverse sounds like a terrible idea. On the one hand, people will hack anything, OTOH, I’d think even the hackers would know that’s a bad idea and the people who can afford a car that expensive will hopefully know that as well. Even if you know nothing’s behind you, the slightest turn of the wheel will make you spin out and possible flip. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2015, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/32 "2015-01-30T04:59:07Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > So what you’re saying is that it doesn’t really have a transmission. Correct. Reverse already works by energizing the windings in reverse, but there is an artificial cap on speed (and possibly acceleration). And yes, travelling 60 MPH in reverse is highly inadvisable :). However, it could be a fun experiment in a place like the Bonneville Salt Flats, with miles and miles of flat surface in every direction and not too much grip. The Tesla won’t flip in any case; it has an insanely low center of gravity due to the floorpan-mounted battery pack. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/33 "2015-01-30T05:07:58Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Correct. Reverse already works by energizing the windings in reverse, but there is an artificial cap on speed (and possibly acceleration). > > And yes, travelling 60 MPH in reverse is highly inadvisable :). However, it could be a fun experiment in a place like the Bonneville Salt Flats, with miles and miles of flat surface in every direction and not too much grip. The Tesla won’t flip in any case; it has an insanely low center of gravity due to the floorpan-mounted battery pack. You say that now, but go 60 in reverse, nudge the wheel a bit and let the grip of the asphalt slam it the rest of the way to the left/right…then see if you’ll flip. I mean, I’m not going to try it in my 90,000 dollar car, but you go right ahead. ---
**Author:** ![Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ac8455/32.png) [@Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Your_Great_Darsh_Face)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/34 "2015-01-30T13:01:33Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Mine has a button that when pressed, the car tries to kill you. > > I pressed it once, and just barely got away with it. That’s strange. My _computer_ has a button that says it does that, but I don’t think it actually d ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/35 "2015-01-30T14:21:30Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > Elon Musk crunched the numbers and realized what literally every other automaker has figured out: You can’t make money on an “affordable” electric car. This is why the launch date for the upcoming cheaper Tesla keeps getting pushed back. If he sells an electric car at under $30,000, and if people actually buy it, it will put Tesla out of business. That’s about what the Nissan Leaf costs. Musk was a newcomer to the auto industry, and it’s taking his company a long time to overcome various engineering hurdles as well as to build infrastructure. The Leaf is a huge project for _Nissan._ Musk wasn’t able to compete with that, he just didn’t have the production capacity. The heads of development at GM & Nissan seem to agree with Musk that electric cars are the big wave of the near future, and in the foreseeable future, most of the cars on the road will probably be electric; some will probably have fuel-burning backups, like the Volt. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/36 "2015-01-30T17:48:45Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > So, the Tesla would have a flat, robotic voice and speak with the following catchphrases then? > > Get-the-humanoid-get-the-intruder > The-humanoid-must-not-escape > Coin-detected-in-pocket > > And when the passengers and driver get out… > CHICKEN–FIGHT-LIKE-A-ROBOT! I _loved_ that game, back in the early 1980s. 🙂 ---
**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:** [January 30, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/37 "2015-01-30T18:45:27Z")
Every car I own has an “Insane Mode” button. It’s located on the floor under the gas pedal. 😃 > [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > You don’t know what you’re talking about. > > That’s why Tesla is building a kilometer-long battery factory in the Nevada desert that will double world battery production when fully online. Not in the desert. Its in the dry, rocky hills (mountains, to many) east of Reno. And I won’t believe it till I see trucks rolling out filled with batteries. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/38 "2015-01-30T21:15:23Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Its in the dry, rocky hills (mountains, to many) east of Reno. Also known as “high desert.” Reno itself is considered to be high desert. Panasonic is also in on the deal, so I see very little reason for skepticism. That said, it’s still going to be a few years before they’re ready for production. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2015, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/39 "2015-01-30T23:24:38Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > That said, it’s still going to be a few years before they’re ready for production. Yeah. Plenty of time for the deal to go to shit. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2015, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212/40 "2015-01-31T00:57:33Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > The cars have always-on traction control. They have to because electric motors produce absurd amounts of torque at a standstill No. electric induction motors (generally speaking) produce the _peak_ torque they’re capable of at stall (0 rpm) because that is where the slip is maximum. This does not mean they produce infinite torque at stall. They’re not some magic thing. Besides, when it comes to accelerating the vehicle, what matters is _torque at the drive wheels._ See, the underdrive gear ratios of the transmission behind a conventional gas or diesel engine multiply its torque as delivered to the wheels. The final drive (axle) gear further multiplies torque. so consider a car with a gas engine which can deliver 400 lb-ft of peak torque. it’s not going to make that torque at low engine speeds, but at typical launch RPMs it’s going to put out around 200 lb-ft. So if the transmission has- say- a 3.5:1 first gear ratio, the torque at the output shaft of the transmission is going to be 200 x 3.5 = 700 lb-ft. Then that torque is delivered to the rear axle which has a 3.55:1 gear ratio, the torque delivered to the axle shafts is 700 x 3.55 = 2485 lb-ft. Electric vehicles “feel” faster because of the motor’s relatively linear torque fall-off after stall, and the fact that there are no power interruptions from gear changes. > [@](#): > > Given these electronic control systems, I see no reason to believe that high accelerations are in any way dangerous. If anything, the opposite–I have a reasonably fast car but I still occasionally encounter a freeway on-ramp that requires absurd acceleration to get to traffic speeds by the time it merges. the only way it’s “dangerous” is if you give it to some dimp who’s never driven a high powered car before, and they stomp on the accelerator when the car isn’t pointed straight. with enough power/torque, even traction control might not be able to save them. I’ve had the ass end of my Mustang dancing around at wide-open-throttle while having the car pointed straight ahead. > [@](#): > > Also, the Model S is pretty much the safest car on the road in terms of crash-worthiness. It outright _broke_ the test apparatus used for roof strength load testing. I know St. Elon was talking this up like crazy, but so what? The Model S is not a high COG SUV. the likelihood of it rolling over is not that great. that the pillars are stronger than NHTSA regulations require (need to endure 2.5x the car’s curb weight without buckling more than a defined amount) but it’s not the Second Coming. > [@Little\_Pig](#): > > You gotta be shit’in me jz78817. shittin’ you how? The Challenger and Charger Hellcats have 707 horsepower. > **[Dodge Official Site – Muscle Cars & Sports Cars](https://www.dodge.com)** > > Domestic. Not Domesticated. Dodge vehicles are bred for performance. Explore the full Dodge lineup, inventory, incentives, dealership information & more. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-model-s-electric-car-insane-mode-button-is-this-a-good-idea/711212.md?page=3)