My Little Tesla Blog

I decided to try ceramic coating my new Tesla Model 3 myself.  I investigated various choices for DIY ceramic coating and decided to try  Feynlab's Ceramic Lite .  It didn't sound like a very complicated process.  And I like to think that I'm a do-it-yourself kind of guy.   Despite my best efforts to educate myself on the process, it took a few tries before I was successful.  Hopefully by describing all of the pitfalls I encountered, I can prevent you from having to go through the same issues. My Failed Attempt I prepared my car.  I washed it with Dawn to remove any wax and oils.  Followed that with a clay bar.  Wiped each panel with a diluted isopropyl alcohol solution.  Then I was ready for the ceramic. I wiped it on as directed, using a cross-hatch pattern on each panel.  I wiped it off the same way, using a microfiber towel.  I had plenty of light in my garage, and all seemed to go well. The next morning I pulled the car out of the garage, and I was heartbroke

Tesla has updated their referral program.  They used to offer free supercharging when you use somebody's referral link to order a Model S, Model X, or the Performance version of the Model 3. The new referral program offers 1000 miles of free supercharging when you use a referral link to order a new Tesla.  It's applicable when you order a Model S, Model X, or *any* version of the Model 3.  So if you've decided to order a Model 3, you too can now get this little perk. Feel free to use my referral link when ordering your Tesla Model 3: Design a Model 3 with 1000 Miles of Free Supercharging Here are my referral links for the other Tesla Models: Design a Model X with 1000 Miles of Free Supercharging Design a Model S with 1000 Miles of Free Supercharging

Free Supercharging is Back Originally, Tesla had set a deadline of Sept 16, 2018.  Orders on or before that date using a referral code would get free, unlimited supercharging for their Tesla Model S, Model X, or Model 3 Performance. Well, they have now brought back the referral program!  There's still time to order your new Tesla and obtain 1000 miles of free supercharging with it.  You can use one of my referral links: Design a Model X with 1000 Miles of Free Supercharging Design a Model S with 1000 Miles of Free Supercharging Design a Model 3 with 1000 Miles of Free Supercharging

I Finally Got My Tesla I originally reserved a Tesla Model 3 on March 31, 2016.  Finally, on September 8, 2018 - 891 days later - I took delivery of my new car!  Unfortunately, Tesla is in the middle of their huge production ramp-up.  The delivery centers are not yet staffed well enough to handle the huge increase in deliveries.  So I didn't get the five-star experience that S and X owners received in years past.  All of the delivery bays were already occupied, so I got to look my car over outside in the rain.  But that's OK - I was expecting this.  I had read of these experiences and knew that this was a possibility.  Elon had tweeted that they were trying to change over to a "30-minute delivery experience" to help handle the load, and that's what I got.  So, not a big deal - but it helps to know what to expect. So here we are with the brand new car, in the extremely wet aftermath of tropical storm Gordon. This Model 3 Comes With Free Supercharging

Once you've bought a new Tesla Model 3, you're going to have all sorts of questions.  How does everything work?  How can I personalize my car?  Can I meet up with some fellow owners who are as excited as I am?  No worries - there are plenty of useful resources available on line to get you started.  Here are a few of my favorites. A Place for Owners to Discuss their Tesla cars. The Tesla Global Owner's Club   is an online forum that's completely dedicated to Tesla ownership.  You don't have to be a current owner to join.  It has an amazingly friendly atmosphere, which is really nice when you're visiting for the first time and feel overwhelmed with the amount of information available there.  Introduce yourself in the Introductions subforum.  Scroll through the various add-ons and modifications that others have performed to their cars.  And prepare to learn more than you thought possible about the Tesla ownership experience. Twitter: Finding the Signal Am

Tesla Model 3 Performance The Model 3 Performance is the top-end version of Tesla's "entry-level luxury car" offering.  The price for this top-level offering starts at $64,000, with a fully-loaded version coming in at $80,500.  The specs for the Model 3 Performance are amazing.  It's advertised to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3.5s.  Top speed is 155 mph.  And yet, it still has a 310 mile range, which you just can't find in any other EV (save for other, more expensive Teslas). Order a Tesla Model 3 using the following link, and you'll also receive 1000 miles of free Supercharging !   Use a referral link like the one below when placing your Model 3 order in order to receive this extra benefit: https://www.tesla.com/model3/design?referral=brad26669&redirect=no Tesla Model 3 Performance: Real World Acceleration Tesla advertises 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds.  But what does it do in the real world?  How does 3.12 seconds sound to you? (NOTE: aft

What is the Tesla Semi? The Tesla Semi is an all-electric, battery-powered Class 8 semi-trailer truck.  Tesla unveiled two working prototypes in November 2017.  They plan on starting production in 2019.  With this truck, Tesla hopes to convince shipping companies to convert to a more-efficient and environmentally friendly way to transport goods across the country. Why would I want to race one? The Tesla Semi is powered by four motors taken from a Model 3 car.  That gives it great power, including an incredible amount of torque when starting from a standstill.  With no trailer, it will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5 seconds.  That's faster than a base Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, or Dodge Challenger.  It's a full-size, load-rated truck that can run with sports cars. And it's incredibly easy to drive.  No special training is required.  The electric drivetrain means that no transmission is required.  No shifting is involved.  Driving one is just as

Upgrade Tesla Solar's Standard 20 Year Warranty to 25 Years When you purchase a new Tesla Solar installation, it comes with a 20 year limited warranty. However, the system is expected to last for 35 years or more. It's now possible to get an additional 5 years of warranty at time of purchase, at no additional cost.  All you need to do is use a referral link provided by an existing owner of a Tesla car or solar system.  Please feel free to use mine: https://www.tesla.com/solarpanels/referral/brad26669 This will take you to a page which says "Save with Brad's Referral.  Request a custom quote below and receive a 5-year extended warranty."  Fill out the form to receive a quote from Tesla, and you're all set!

1000 Miles of Free Supercharging If you go directly to Tesla's website and place an order for a Model 3,  you will have to pay for supercharging.  But if you use a current Tesla owner's  referral link  in order to place your Model 3 order, you will be given 1000 miles of free supercharging.  It's a nice little perk. What is Supercharging? The most convenient feature of owning an electric car like the Tesla Model 3 is that you usually just charge it overnight when you get home.  You then get to start each and every day with a full battery.  And it's every bit as convenient as plugging in your cellphone.  You no longer have to make stops at gas stations. But what happens when you need to drive a long distance?  This is where Tesla's Supercharger network comes in.  They exist along most major routes.  They allow you to charge up to 80% in roughly 20 minutes, giving you another 200-250 miles of range to continue your journey.  So you don't need to use them fo

1000 Miles of Free Supercharging If you go directly to Tesla's website and place an order for a Model X , you will have to pay for supercharging.  But if you use a current Tesla owner's  referral link   in order to place your Model X order, you will be given 1000 miles of supercharging for free.  It's a nice little perk. What is Supercharging? The most convenient feature of owning an electric car like the Tesla Model X is that you usually just charge it overnight when you get home.  You then get to start each and every day with a full battery.  And it's every bit as convenient as plugging in your cellphone.  You no longer have to make stops at gas stations. But what happens when you need to drive a long distance?  This is where Tesla's Supercharger network comes in.  They exist along most major routes.  They allow you to charge up to 80% in roughly 20 minutes, giving you another 200-250 miles of range to continue your journey.  So you don't need to use t

1000 Miles of Free Supercharging If you go directly to Tesla's website and place an order for a Model S, you will have to pay for supercharging.  But if you use a current Tesla owner's referral link in order to place your Model S order,  you will be given 1000 miles of supercharging for free.  It's a nice little perk. What is Supercharging? The most convenient feature of owning an electric car like the Tesla Model S is that you usually just charge it overnight when you get home.  You then get to start each and every day with a full battery.  And it's every bit as convenient as plugging in your cellphone.  You no longer have to make stops at gas stations. But what happens when you need to drive a long distance?  This is where Tesla's Supercharger network comes in.  They exist along most major routes.  They allow you to charge up to 80% in roughly 20 minutes, giving you another 200-250 miles of range to continue your journey.  So you don't need to use the