TESLA ROADTRIP AND THE MISTAKES I MADE

EV Channels Review

Joel recounts his recent road trip to Houston in his Tesla Model Y, highlighting both the successes and the personal mistakes that impacted his journey. The primary lesson learned was the critical importance of charging to 100% before departure, a mistake that led to an extra charging stop on the outbound leg and increased travel time. Despite this, the Supercharger experience was generally positive, with most V3 stops performing well, though one station experienced derating due to high occupancy. The return trip, with better planning and charging strategy, was more efficient and cost-effective. Joel also detailed his experience using Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, noting its 90% effectiveness but expressing frustration with its inconsistent speed maintenance on Texas highways and an unnerving, unprompted lane change. A significant incident involved running over a trailer hitch, which FSD did not avoid, resulting in a ripped mud flap but thankfully no tire damage. Overall, the trip provided valuable real-world insights into EV charging logistics and the current capabilities and limitations of FSD.