Topic: Tesla Model S

[bye]

Update:

About to spend $1400 for new winter tires.

Total maintenance/upkeep spend of any kind is $3500 for tires, this will be our second set of winters, and already on 2nd set of summer tires in 100000 km driven since we bought used in 2015.

"Fuel" is cheap (overnight charging is equivalent to $2/100km), with half of our odometer supercharging (free), the other half 50000 km is $1000 in electricity.

The Tesla S has "always on" setting (you can turn that off, but we like the convenience of immediate app response) systems running even if we don't drive it, most of this is the periodic battery coolant pump, and the car computer running in a background "listening" mode for remote app commands and firmware updates.  That adds up to $300 over 5 years.

[bye]

Dec 2020 update.

Tesla app notified new firmware available, car auto downloaded and installed overnight.
I went into the car today to check the release notes (press "T" on top of screen for about box and choose release notes link).
The notes didn't show.
Decided to "reboot" the infotainment computer via press in on both steering wheel scrolls simultaneously for several seconds.
After reboot, the release notes showed up, but the user profiles (each driver has their own) reset to blank.

Opened a "case" with Tesla via the app, a few button clicks to select the choices and enter a short text blurb.
Tesla got back to me within a few hours via the app (messages section) and they checked for eMMC failure and cleaned out corrupt files on the built in flash storage.
Our eMMC (the flash storage which can fail on older cars) is in good shape, and Tesla noted they couldn't provide a date when it would need replacement, they did advise it's under an extended warranty.

So:
1.  Tesla firmware update happened automatically
2.  I rebooted to see release notes and potentially caused the flash storage corruption (my fault, should have been patient and waited for the release notes to show).
3.  Tesla repaired the issue over the air and without any cost (we are well out of warranty on the car) same day.

[EV Dan]

Grown up ppl @CR complain about the yoke for half an hour 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d15I5A7OXJU

[John Simon]

Congratulations on getting the Tesla Model S, Hope you are enjoying the ride and the Electric Torque as well. also I wish the Range Anxiety don't comes to you

[bye]

2024 spring update.

90% original battery capacity.
180,000 km
Not a squeak or rattle.
Spent thousands $ on suspension, driveshaft, brakes and other maintenance after 10 years in Jan 2023.
Handling and ride are superb.

Tesla has been supercharged hundreds of times for free in the past few years now that I'm retired and the charger is along the way to errands.  Haven't paid to charge at home, saving a few thousand $.

And in other news, this week (April 2024) added an F150 Lightning Lariat Extended Range to the stable.
Wife won't trade the Tesla, it's her "forever" car.

[rrocket]

.
Spent thousands $ on suspension, driveshaft, brakes and other maintenance after 10 years in Jan 2023.
Handling and ride are superb.

How much was spent? At dealer or independent mechanic?  And what specifically did you replace?

[bye]

Total repairs 2020 - 2024 approx $10000

Third party service (I forget, some shop in Oakville):

. Rear passenger door handle repair, replaced a plastic gear part with metal.

Tesla remote/driveway service:

.  Wind shield wiper motor/assembly.   The wipes were getting more "laboured", and given the age of the car, I choose to replace the entire assembly, done in our driveway.
.  Dozens of firmware updates, even on an OLD car, Tesla updated the software, no cost, happens when car is parked at night in garage.

Maintenance performed by Tesla north york service center in Ontario:

.  Rear passenger driveshaft.   Was "clicking" when engaging reverse.  This is what started the full suspension and brake overhaul.
.  Rear passenger control arm and air suspension strut.  Car had been curbed one too many times, rear end was wandering a bit.
.  Because of the age of the car, asked Tesla to replace ANYTHING that they felt was even remotely questionable on the suspension, brake or safety systems.
.  All 4 brakes completely redone, new rotors (first for the car in 180,000 km) and pads, etc. 

Notes : Only two brake jobs in 11 years.   First was when Tesla delivered to us in 2015 as a CPO/used car, Tesla replaced the original brakes with a new winter brake package that had been fitted to 2014 and newer cars.

One firmware update a number of years ago reduced maximum charging such that 100% is more like the former 95%, meaning, we can no longer charge the car such that regenerative braking is disabled, there is some regen even at 100%, which means Tesla modified the car after purchase for safety/longevity reasons.  When I note the car has 90% original range, that number is what we can now use, even though the battery degradation is more like 94%.   We haven't lost any battery capacity in a decade, the range loss is due to software limits.

The cabin materials have held up well, and since the suspension work, the former slight creek over speed bumps due to the control arm is now gone, the car feels new.

[Guy]

Good report! Thanks!