Tesla rolled out version 9.0 of its in-car firmware a few days ago, which included the new Dashcam feature. Dashcam takes advantage of the built-in cameras that come with the car to allow drivers to actively record video onto a properly configured USB drive. As it’s not just plug and play, we will take you through the process of getting the new DashCam setup. Let’s get started!
My wife noticed a notification on her phone that a software update was available. Why was Henry letting her know before me? Was it because she washed him last week? But I digress.
I ran out to our car and clicked the “Install Now” button like a kid running downstairs to look for presents on Christmas morning.
Like many of you, I reserved my Tesla Model 3 on March 31st, 2016 (online, as I wasn’t into Tesla enough to take off work to drive to the dealer). I received my Model 3 about 3 months ago and since then I’ve given about 50 test rides.
For another article I am writing, I needed a good tool for estimating vehicle total cost of ownership (TCO), something that I could easily use to compare any cars out there. I didn’t want to develop all my numbers from my experience, since then I would have to research every other car that someone wanted to compare it to. I tried to find a TCO calculation for the Tesla Model 3 at both Kelly Blue Book and Edmunds.
The top-of-the-line Tesla Model S is quicker than the top-of-the-line Tesla Model 3, zipping from 0–60 mph in a cool & easy 2.5 seconds rather than the Model 3 Performance’s 3.5 seconds. However, as I’ve emphasized many times when comparing various cars, numbers on a screen only tell you so much.
The first time I went through the carwash with my Tesla Model 3, I couldn’t figure out how to put the car in neutral, so I had to suffer through an embarrassing ordeal of stopping the machine and starting it again several times before they just told me to put it in drive and walked me through it. Intent on not doing that again, I went out and figured out how to wash the Model 3 properly.
Tesla opened up its 14-day Enhanced Autopilot (EAP) trial for some Model 3 owners over the weekend and we were included in the update. We wanted to share our learnings from the first few days of using the solution around town and on the highway.
Tesla has updated its Android app in an attempt to improve the connectivity and functionality of the Phone Key for the Model 3. To date, Tesla’s Phone Key has proven to be underwhelming, relegating owners to using the keycard to get into the car. A new FCC application even hinted that Tesla heard the message loud and clear and was working on a bluetooth Key Fob for the Model 3.
The Tesla Model 3 is the most expensive new car that I’ve ever purchased and seeing as how the top vehicles being traded in for a Model 3 include the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, and Honda Accord, I’m not alone. Having such an expensive vehicle has made me more cautious of curbs, other vehicles, and the elements, so one of my first inclinations after taking delivery was to seek out some protection for the car.
More than any car I’ve seen or driven, the Tesla Model 3 is unusually susceptible to curb rash on both passenger side rims. This can be attributed to the fact that the metal rims stick out farther than the rubber and also to the important subtlety that the design of the Model 3 makes it feel like a much smaller, sportier car.
