Teslas are great cars with a lot of awesome options to make them even more exciting. If you are looking at getting a Tesla it is a good idea to know which aspects of the technology will be most helpful to you, and what things you don’t need as a driver. The more you know in advance, the better you can do in deciding which Tesla technology you need in your vehicle.
Software Updates
If you’re getting a Tesla, there is likely to be a lot of software and with that software will come updates in the future. While updates may be unavoidable, it is a good idea to know in advance what some of the benefits and problems with those updates may be.
While automatic updates are pretty common for phones and laptops, they are still a pretty rare thing for vehicles. As with any other software update, there can be difficulties if the hardware isn’t updated as well. Software updates can also sometimes miss bugs or cause small problems that a later update will need to take care of. It is a good idea to stay informed about any updates so you can be aware of what they are doing and how that may affect the performance of your car.
Cabin Overheat Protection
One of the interesting features of the Tesla is the cabin overheat protection it offers. This can be a great tool, especially if you have an animal in your car or another safety issue, but it can also lead to problems of efficiency. It can be super annoying and inefficient for this feature to kick in unnecessarily. While this can be overcome with things like window tinting your Tesla, it isn’t great that it will turn on while your car is just parked. By investing in other more efficient tools to keep your car cool when it is empty and parked, you can keep things safe and cool without having to risk running down your battery or causing other efficiency issues.
Battery Life
The most exciting thing about Tesla is that it has the technology to run a car completely on battery, but that also means that you need to be careful of battery life. For the most part, just remembering to charge your Tesla when you are at home overnight will be enough to ensure that you always have enough battery life, but there are a few things that can become a problem.
Phantom battery loss and degradation can be a big problem for electric cars like Teslas. This phenomenon is when power is lost when the vehicle is not in use. Generally speaking, if you can find the cause of the battery loss, you can avoid the problem and keep things running smoothly. It generally occurs when the car is prevented from going into its sleep state which allows energy to continue draining slowly.
Autopilot
The autopilot feature on Tesla cars is incredibly popular. While autopilot can be convenient, some downsides need to be addressed. The main downside to autopilot tends to be user error. When users misunderstand their role when their car is on autopilot, they can create dangerous situations. Although autopilot can help with many common driving tasks, it is not a completely autonomous driver. Â It is essential that the driver be present and actively paying attention, even when the car is in autopilot mode. Being on autopilot is not a good time to take a nap or play around on your phone. Instead, it is just a little bit simpler a way to drive a car.
In-Dash Web Browser
Another cool tech feature in Teslas is the in-dash web browser. This is pretty great because it gives drivers access to important information that can help them along their drive and make travel much simpler and more straightforward. That said, having a web browser at your fingertips while driving can also be a bit distracting and cause problems down the road. The main thing to keep in mind with the web browser on your dash is that it is your responsibility as a driver to ensure that you are using it carefully and appropriately and not putting yourself or others into dangerous situations.
Streaming Services
Tesla also offers the ability to stream both music and video through your vehicle. This is a pretty interesting addition that has both benefits and problems. The ease of being able to stream video directly from your car is pretty awesome, especially for parents of children who could use a little distraction when they are on road trips or even just spending a little time in the car while running errands. This feature can also be distracting for drivers though, which may cause some problems and raises some safety issues. Also, Tesla plans to charge a monthly fee for premium streaming capability. This can seem like a lot of extra spending when you already pay for the streaming services themselves.
Advanced Parking Sensors
If you struggle with parallel parking or simply dislike parking in general, the parking sensors from Tesla can be incredibly helpful. These sensors give you a better idea of the space around your car and can give you the guidance you need to park effectively. You can even use the parking assist feature to make the parking job that much simpler and less stressful. Even with the sensors and assistance, you should pay attention and actively participate in the process so you can maintain your safety and keep things running well for you and your vehicle.
Understanding the technology you have available through a Tesla vehicle can help you to make smart choices that will inform your future as a driver and a car owner. No matter what technology you decide to include, you are sure to have a great vehicle that can perform in exciting ways.
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