What to get and get done before the car comes?

Just go see your dentist about a week before delivery.

You will want to make sure your smile is in tip top condition.

Sasmania said:

Just go see your dentist about a week before delivery.

You will want to make sure your smile is in tip top condition.

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Lmao too funny

Things to keep you busy -- off the top of my head:

• (You've got this one, but just to be sure) Getting your home charging situation decided, including what type amperage you want, electrician lined-up, work completed, and inspection done
  
• Decide on MS options and colors; Keep up with any changes introduced in Design Studio while you wait to order
• Decide on your initial detailing regime and have all the supplies ready
• Deciding on a coating or some other paint protectant like XPEL -- and then who is going to apply/install and setting up an appointment (good ones here are several weeks out)
• Deciding if you are going to tint the windows, and if so, what kind, what shade, which windows, and who installs it, then setting up the appointment
  
• Getting your accessories determined, ordered and on their way -- Including perhaps: Key FOB Covers and/or a special keychain that will work with the MS FOB, Windshield Sun Shade, different floor mats (do you need all-weather types?), custom license, custom license plate frame, front console, back console, rear cup holders, door hooks, wheel locks, Abstract Ocean Parcel Shelf Auto-lift Kit, 17" Display Screen Protector, Spare CR2032 Battery for your FOB (keep one in your MS and one at home so you have it when you need it), Canine Protector for the rear seat if you have a buddy that will ride with you
• Figure out the whole child seat situation if that applies to you
• Decide what you're going to do about mounting the front license plate if your State requires it, and if you do put it on, are you gonna screw it into the nose (oh no!), or go with another method?
  
• Re-reading the Owners Manual at least twice, and watching every video you can find on YouTube
• Play with EVTripPlanner.com (and PlugShare) with all your normal routes, including possible long trips you have taken and may take. Study effects of speed and note where interim charging will be required. You can get a feel for if SuperChargers are gonna do it for you, or if you need any other adapters such as CHAdeMO. Double-check if the battery size you're ordering is THEN best suited to your needs.
• Based on above, research 3rd party companies and subscribe so you have the charging cards you may need, e.g. Blink, ChargePoint, eVgo, etc.
• If you're into music, research Slacker and TuneIn on the WWW and figure out some channels you may want to start with once you take delivery of your car. If you have your own music you want to listen to, decide what you're gonna do and build a USB Stick with an organized set of tunes. Go out to your existing vehicle and write down your favorite AM/FM/XM presets so you have them for your new MS.
• Download the Tesla App to your iPhone or Android phone -- You won't be able to use it until after your car is connected to your My Tesla account at delivery, but you might as well have it ready-to-go
• Deciding what you're gonna do about financing -- cash, loan, lease and those details
• ​Research process for any State rebates; Research process for any State HOV lane stickers like we have here in CA; Research Federal Return implications and start a file for copies of the backup paperwork you'll need for each thing.
• If you are going to trade-in or sell a vehicle, get your comp research done and any preparation done to that car now
  
• Call your insurance agent and get a quote on what your MS will be -- so you won't have sticker shock later, or will know you want to do some insurance shopping in advance of taking delivery
• Maybe painting a garage wall Tesla Red and decorating your future cave with a big bold aluminum Tesla logo (like I did -- ah ha)
• Maybe order yourself a Tesla Hat, Shirt, Jacket or some other swag to keep you in the right state of mind
• Beginning a list of things you want to check for yourself on day of delivery before you sign on the dotted lines, as well as any specific questions you have not been able to determine from all your research but want answers
• Start your own list of MS settings and options you think you may want to start with based on your reading... Your Delivery Specialist will go over each setting with you on day of delivery, but I'm personally an organized sorta guy and had my own list so I knew at least a couple of things I wanted to immediately change from Tesla defaults -- or ones I wanted to explore the physical differences of once I took delivery. Make a list of both now and add to it over time.
• ...and then check in with TMC at least once a day to stay informed

...that should keep you busy. Search on each subject for a whole bunch of hits and threads here and elsewhere for more detail. (My personal website below has some articles on my S90D and Charging that may help too). Good luck!

One thing I wish I had *not* done before delivery was having the electrical outlet installed in my garage.

I did have the outlet installed before delivery only to find after delivery that I wish I'd had it installed it in a slightly different location.

So maybe wait until the car arrives to decide where to put the outlet.

Patrick W said:

One thing I wish I had *not* done before delivery was having the electrical outlet installed in my garage.

I did have the outlet installed before delivery only to find after delivery that I wish I'd had it installed it in a slightly different location.

So maybe wait until the car arrives to decide where to put the outlet.

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This doesn't matter much because, assuming you have an S.O., pretty soon you'll be getting another one (or at least another BEV) and you can rectify it then when you add the additional charging location.

BertL said:

Things to keep you busy -- off the top of my head:

• Deciding what you're gonna do about financing -- cash, loan, lease and those details

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It is funny this was the 14th item on your list!

Thundalicious said:

[/LIST]

It is funny this was the 14th item on your list!

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Agreed, especially as I was doing sort of a brain dump with my initial response, from things I did the last few months myself...

For me personally, the financials were near the top of my own list, when my generally risk-adverse-self finally determined selling both my paid-for Lexus hybrid SUV and MBZ ICE hardtop convertible would be OK, so I could consolidate to a single MS -- if I could figure out the cash flow. Hopefully for someone like the OP that gave me the impression from their post they have already decided to buy when some milestone or event occurs next year, financials become more of just "get the details in order" for them, than it was for me.

jerry33 said:

This doesn't matter much because, assuming you have an S.O., pretty soon you'll be getting another one (or at least another BEV) and you can rectify it then when you add the additional charging location.

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What is an "S.O.". And I'm guessing the "EV" in "BEV" is some sort of an electric vehicle but I don't know what BEW is. Please enlighten me.

Patrick W said:

What is an "S.O.". And I'm guessing the "EV" in "BEV" is some sort of an electric vehicle but I don't know what BEW is. Please enlighten me.

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S.O. = Significant Other

"BEV" - Battery Electric Vehicle

Andyw2100 said:

S.O. = Significant Other

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Ah, thanks for the translation. This forum sure is heavy on acronyms.

As for S. O. my only S. O. is my Model S (well, unless you count my cat).

If you require a toll transponder or sticker, make sure you investigate whether it's compatible with the Tesla windshield. In Florida, I had to contact the Sunpass people to get a special transponder.

Read the Ultimate Guide to EV Charging and download the following apps and sign up so you can get their RFID's:

Tesla
Plugshare
Greenlots
Chargepoint
NRG EVGO

NSXROX said:

If you require a toll transponder or sticker, make sure you investigate whether it's compatible with the Tesla windshield. In Florida, I had to contact the Sunpass people to get a special transponder.

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What is different about a Tesla windshield? I'm in central Florida and use a transponder occasionally.

FloridaGary said:

What is different about a Tesla windshield? I'm in central Florida and use a transponder occasionally.

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Tesla's UV-filtered windshields have proven to be less-than-ideal when using a windshield mounted EZ-Pass transponders. A more reliable solution for the Model S is to get the front plate transponder. If a front plate is not required in your state, velcro the transponder to the horizontal cross member located behind the nose cone. Your Tesla service center can do this for you in minutes. Just bring some 3/4-inch self-adhesive velcro with you. Two 6-inch strips should do it. If a front plate is required in your state, then attach the transponder to the top of your license plate. This will be much more reliable than the windshield transponder.

Todd's right. Here's the Sunpass link (Tesla is at the bottom) https://www.sunpass.com/specialWindshields

The front license plate transponder get be mounted behind the nose cone. There's a number of people on the forum that have had success with it.

NSXROX said:

Todd's right. Here's the Sunpass link (Tesla is at the bottom) https://www.sunpass.com/specialWindshields

The front license plate transponder get be mounted behind the nose cone. There's a number of people on the forum that have had success with it.

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Thank you Todd and NSXROX. It's much appreciated.

McHoffa said:

As I plan ahead for my purchase sometime next year, I want to make sure I have other things lined up or in place. Besides the wall charger and the associated electrical work, and maybe the CHAdeMO adapter, what are some other things I could or should prepare for in advance of actually receiving the car?

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I would highly recommend getting a Magneplate front license plate holder for your Model S. This is by far the most elegant way to mount your front plate. There are versions for pre-autopilot cars, and cars with autopilot. What is particularly nice about the Magneplate system is that you can easily remove and reinstall the plate without any tools—great if you want to take photos without the front plate or drive without it on occasion. It uses magnetic receivers to hold the plate in place. All of the hardware is remarkably high quality. Here's the web site...

http://www.magneplate.com


Another item I would highly recommend is a 1/2-inch click-type torque wrench with a range up to 150 or 200 lb/ft. Here's a basic model...

Craftsman 9-31425 Micro-Clicker Torque Wrench 1/2 Drive - - Amazon.com

You will also need a 21mm 1/2-inch-drive impact socket. You can get this from any auto parts store.

The wrench and socket are used to periodically re-torque the lug nuts on the Tesla's wheels. Given the weight of the Model S and its high motor torque, I find that the lug nuts will loosen up sooner than on other cars. The correct torque spec is 130 lb/ft which is considerably higher than on most cars. Tesla's service centers will re-torque your wheels whenever your car goes in for service, but I prefer to check them every 2 to 3 months myself. If the lug nuts are below spec, I can feel a slight improvement in handling after re-torquing them. It is very important to re-torque about 50 miles after a tire or wheel change. It takes only a few minutes to do all four wheels.


The best winter floor mats for your Model S are the ones sold on Tesla's web site, under Accessories. They are made by WeatherTech, but must be purchased through Tesla. The summer floor mats sold on Tesla's site are also very well made, considerably higher quality than those delivered with the car.

Just one more reason to love living in Florida - no front license plate!