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Issue 141 - Heat Pump vs. Electric Heater

Community

Elon Musk: A Kid's Book About Inventions

This is what happens when a children’s book author gets a Tesla, you end up with a children’s book about Elon. The illustrations are too cute, we are definitely getting this for our daughters! 💕

Support Tesletter on Patreon

As you may or may not know, Tesletter is a small family business run by Ignacio (@plunchete) and Vanessa (@deepbane). We love putting together this letter every week and if you like it too and feel like supporting us, you can do that through our Patreon page. We’re beyond grateful for our subscribers and we are humbled that people read this newsletter, just thank you! 🙏

Software Updates

Waypoints please? Sure thing!

Remember when Elon Musk finally said ‘yes’ to waypoints? Waypoints- or the ability to add multiple destinations to the map at once- @greentheonly just found the in one of the development versions of the software.

Software Update 2020.48.10 in China

New map visualizations spotted after Tesla’s latest software update in China (2020.48.10). The exit visualization looks really similar to the navigation when I got my Model S, before Tesla decided to implement their own. I wonder if this is going to be China-only or rollout to the rest. What do you think, yay or nay?

Seamless flow of car alerts highlighted in the app and ready to be addressed

Tesla keeps adding convenience when it comes down to warn owners about problems with their car and scheduling service. This one is a clear example of it. This Reddit user u/TMahlman/ got a system fault alert on his car and when he opened the mobile app, it was right there at the top ready for him to address without any action on his part. It’s also the first time that I’ve seen this flow of car alert + highlighting in the app.

Power & Charging

Tesla Powerwall 40kWh DIY project

Because Tesla Powerwall is not available in Romania, this Reddit user decided to build their own, custom made and based on Model S modules. Here are two time-lapse videos (part 1, part 2) showing the installation of this ‘Tesla Powerwalls’ 40kWh DIY project. Part 2 is the one showing how the Model S batteries are mounted and wired to a 48V system.

Tesla removes the daily/trip charging recommendation to 80% in the Model 3 MIC

The first Model 3 MIC has been delivered in Europe and, since you can always charge it to 100%, Tesla removed the daily/trip recommendation.

Under the hood & DIY

Heat pump test of 2021 Model 3 vs. 2019 Model 3

TL;DW. At 3°C (37.4°F) outside, the 2021 Model 3 heat pump uses 1% per hour on a LR (730ish watts). The heater that used to come with the Moded 3 uses 3% per hour (2,150ish watts), 15Wh/km, or 24Wh/mi. This is a big difference in cold climates.

Many levers to change the FSD features

Greentheonly - as always - found a menu with a bunch of settings to tweak the FSD experience. Just reading the options would take several minutes. It’s kind of cool to see what can be adjusted, maybe one day Tesla will expose some advanced settings to the drivers 😉

Is the 2021 Model 3 that much quieter?

Noise test to compare the refreshed 2021 Model 3 with double pane front windows with the current Model without them. After driving both on a couple of different surfaces, @rsymonsltd concludes that the difference is not too big and it also doesn’t feel like that. Interesting comparison nonetheless.

Tesla CyberTruck custom 6x6 and vinyl wrap

For the Cybertruck lovers… Check out this 3D printed model being wrapped in just two minutes. Very cool.

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What the acronym?

As Tesla fan I find myself sometimes having to remember what are all those acronyms, here is a list of the ones you can find in this issue.

  • kWh - Kilowatt an hour (kilo=1,000; 1kWh = 3-4 mile range)
  • MIC - Made in China
  • LR - Long Range
  • FSD - Full Self-Driving

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