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Not sure if you're trying to compare the Raven 2020 and the Pladium? Here's my extensive comparison of the prior major version and what we have today: https://teslatap.com/model-s-comparison-for-2021/

If either car had FSD, it might be included, but unlikely. Normally when a car goes through Tesla (i.e. trade-in, etc.) they strip FSD from the car, and it allows them to sell it for a bit less. Once you have the Tesla app, you can see if buying FSD is an option. At least now it's quite a bit...

It's caused by the thermal rejection layer used between the laminated glass. I don't think it has anything to do with cost. Here's a model 3 roof that shows it well

Another option is to use a USB hub, so you connect two drives. One for the dashcam with the folder "TeslaCam" and the other for your music. Because of the continuous video writing, the dashcam drive may only last 1-2 years depending on the drive quality and write frequency. The music drive...

You'll get updates sooner and more frequently if you're connected via WiFi. Still, there is a randomness to updates that some arrive earlier than others or may even skip an update. It usually takes about 4 weeks for everyone (that are connected via WiFi) to get a specific update. Don't worry...

Good find, but I thought the Cybertruck uses a Gbps ethernet data loop and got rid of CAN. I never heard a confirmation that CAN is totally gone or if CAN is available, how many CAN buses still exist?

While it won't help older cars, Tesla has ditched the PTC battery heater on all new cars. The heat is now generated by the heat pump and/or running the motors in a way that generates more heat than normal (which can be done even if the motor is not turning). It appears to be a more reliable...

Another way one could go is to monitor the CAN bus rather than tapping into the existing ambient lighting. I used a Teensy 3.6, which is another tiny Arduino processor, but it has two CAN bus ports (they have a newer version available now). With this, I watched the drive signals...

Automotive grade electronics are rated for -40C to 105C (or -40F to 221F). If your car gets to 105C/221F you're going to have other problems than the electronics. Things may start to melt! Here's a Jaguar being melted by sun reflection in London (from a concave mirror effect)...

There are two "frames" of memory - one for the current active release and one for the downloaded version. When installing, it switches to the new download copy and installs it. If it fails, it is supposed to switch back to the current active release. It sounds like when the first one failed...

Isn't there a 1-year warranty on the replacement? You might be within that period and have Tesla pay for it. These really should last the life of the car, so having to replace it 3 times is crazy. Sorry you're running into so much trouble.

1) Try a reboot (hold both scroll wheels in until the main display goes black). It will resume in 60 seconds or so. That often fixes oddities. 2) In this case, I doubt the reboot will fix it. To me, it sounds like a shorted LED driver (in the headlight assembly). 3) No problem letting it run...

Zero distortions on our 2022 Model S or 2022 Model Y (I use progressive glasses). I wonder if those who are seeing distortions are using polarized glasses or glasses with special coatings. They tend to make invisible distortions visible and magnified. It might explain why many have zero...

Remembering to start USB has been a bug for years (it used to work fine in the 2012-2014 era). Ok, what is happening is if the car remains powered up, the USB will automatically start where it left off when you get in. For example, you likely have Sentry mode on, but perhaps set off when at...

I'm sure only the DMV can change a title to Salvage. Only the vehicle owner can ask the DMV to switch the title to Salvage. Typically this occurs by the insurer when they total the car, they become the owner, and they retitle it salvage and then sell it. Tesla (or any other manufacturer) cannot...

The ODB port CAN connections are worthless. There is no data worth looking at. You need to connect to the diagnostics connector (white). It's in the center console area on the S/X (varies a little depending on the vehicle variant). I'm fairly sure 120 ohms is the normal termination resistance...

Not really. I suspect you could design a BMS to handle larger discrepancies, but you'd also be reducing the pack capacity by doing it. The worse/bad module reduces the life of the remaining modules as they are constantly compensated to try and adjust to match the bad module. Efficiency also goes...

I made a comprehensive comparison between any Tesla model and its variants. It is best to view on a PC/Mac as it can be a lot of data to view on a phone! https://teslatap.com/vehicle-comparison-selector/

If you have a little money to burn, also consider an MCU2 upgrade. It replaces MCU1 (the main computer and main display) along with a new Instrument cluster (another computer and display). It improves the display, is more responsive, and offers some additional features. It also includes the...

Likely a polyurethane (a plastic). My December 2016 was one of the very last Leather seat Model S vehicles made. Two days later the factory switched to the current seat material and has been using it ever since.

Glad I could help. On the OBD port - Tesla has it in all Model S/X/Y. The early Model 3 didn't have it, but it was added back I think around 2020. The OBD port is not much use other than power. On the S/X before 2022 Plaid/LR, the OBD power is always on. Don't bother with any OBD scan tools...

I don't have any cleaning advice, but Tesla offered white leather in the early years (2012-2013). I think it was discontinued until 2017 when Tesla switched to synthetic leather. The synthetic leather is quite resistant to stains, far more than leather. You do want a cleaner specific to the seat...

I was thinking a bit more about what might be required. If a center camera is required, there isn't an extra camera input in the V3 AP processor. So Tesla could need a new 3.1 AP processor with a ninth camera input. It would also need new wiring from the headliner to the AP processor for the...

My understanding is those with FSD beta do not get the latest general releases and are often 4-5 months behind. With 12.3 FSD, the related main version is going to be near 2023.44.30 (I got 2023.44.30.25 about a week ago).

It may be more about the NTHSA and/or other safety issues. I thought NTHSA was unhappy with automakers using the steering wheel torque as a confirmation of paying attention, whereas a cabin camera is presumed to do a better job. I don't agree with this myself, but that may be what is behind...

The rear center console connector on the 3/Y is the diagnostics connector! The ODB wasn't on the early Model 3, but is now, and has always been on the Model Y. It is under the dash on the driver's side (at least with RHD vehicles). I think it is always been a black connector. It has no useful...

OBD does not have the CAN bus access needed. It seems they are installed on the Diagnostic connector (which is a bit more hidden too). There are legitimate third-party connections to the diagnostics connector, such as S3XY Buttons and some monitoring devices - so you sort of have to know a bit...

This is one of the best places to tap into power, as it is easily accessible and a reasonable amount of power is available. It does remain on if sentry mode is on, but for some projects, that's a good thing. I sort of like having the lights on with Sentry mode on. The amount of power is not...

On the pedestrian safety argument - I looked at the EU regulations. They specifically allow vehicles with any front design you want so long as you have pedestrian avoidance technology. So much better to avoid hitting pedestrians, than running them over, no matter how "soft" the front hood and...

Yep, not sure how I screwed that up! Thanks for checking my awful math.

So far no third party has made drop-in replacements (and I've been looking too). Seems most third-party products are being made for the high-volume 3 and Y nowadays and the 2022+ S and X are not getting as much love :(

When you sell assets, the website can be included. The fact the new company didn't bother to update the site could be nefarious, or more likely with a small company, they may not have had a clue. A lot of small business owners are not web developers and barely understand web development...

Sorry if a stupid question, but what fluid are you talking about? The differential? So far my 2022 LR (with the original 19" tires) has zero start vibrations or at speed. It seems like tires or rims would be a major suspect for speed vibrations (with either balance or the inside tire foam loose).

I can think of a few reasons for 4K miles in 11 years: 1) Only used to drive to work 5 miles away, so at 250 work days, that's about 4K miles in 11 years. 2) The owner believed Tesla would go out of business in late 2013 and the car would be a rare valuable car and parked it in a garage. 3)...

Note that the original Pladium (2021+) Model S and X were supposed to have RGB ambient lighting, very similar to the Highland Model 3. This was supposed to appear in the silver trim on the dash and doors. The first hundred or so Model S had the LEDs and wiring, but after that batch, Tesla...

Congrats on your new S! My first S was a 2013 - great car! One thing to check is the tires. The rubber degrades over time. If these are the original tires (i.e. 11 years old), they should be replaced. Generally, tires last 5-7 years, even if you are not using them. Enjoy your new cool ride...

You will need multiple resistors as each LED (red/green/blue) has different voltages. Figure the red is 1.8v, green 2v, and blue 3.3v. Assuming 20 mA (perhaps more?) so the resistor has to be the difference from 5V to the LED voltage. For red (5-1.8v)/0.02 = 160 ohms. For green (5-2v)/0.02...

The buttons on the steering wheel are considered a switch, so Tesla still meets the 5-star safety rating. There is nothing about requiring stalks.

Not a great idea to directly connect LEDs to a battery. LEDs need to be current-limited or they will suffer an early death. The different colors also have different voltages typically between 1.8 and 3.3 volts. So using 3V battery might not even light up the blue LEDs. Controllers use PCM to...

I and many others prefer the Yoke. A lot of people who never drove the car for some reason hated the yoke. Maybe those people liked to put their hands in the unsafe position above the center line where it could break their wrists or worse if the airbag deploys. The Yoke is a safer design. I...

In 2016 Tesla went all LED, and there are no replaceable bulbs. The headlights are now sealed assemblies. If an LED dies, the entire headlight must be replaced. The original S came with Halogen bulbs as standard for a year or two, but most cars had the Tech package option that included HID...

Nice review with a bit more technical bent:

Those issues are the Model 3, not the S. The current S includes an Alcantara headliner and full front passenger seat adjustments including lumbar. The ventilated seats work far better and are now cooled, not just a fan, and you can set the seats to adjust the heat/cooling automatically...

The battery is monitored, and if low, the DC-DC charger will be turned on to charge the battery (and provide power to other items you may have connected). As this is all driven by software, if it sees the need to charge the 16v battery more frequently than it expects, due to a significant...

One minor plus for no stalks is those stalks are dust collectors that are not the easiest to clean. The fewer stalks the less to clean. Ok, doubt this is going to sway anyone's mind either way! Given the option of Stalks/No Stalks, I'm in the no Stalks camp. I only drive one car so, there...

There is a strong rumor (maybe a fact from Tesla) that one of the next updates will have dramatically lower vampire drain when Sentry mode is on. I suspect that means more things will be turned off in sentry mode. Since every power bus is software-controlled, it would seem easy for Tesla to turn...

It is the subwoofer. I suspect your 2015 didn't have the premium audio package that included a subwoofer. The Subwoofer is now standard.

ODB power and the Power Outlet are not powered on in Sentry mode (on a 2021+ Model S/X). This is different than the prior years. I also question the power available at the ODB on the 2021+ S/X. I did test it to 1 amp, but 9 amps seems like a lot to pull. You'd have to try it out and see if...

I wasn't aware of the free upgrade option. What upgrades are they including with EAP to FSD?

Keep in mind multiple LV power rails are powered on/off for different reasons. I tested out several conditions with meters tied to different power points. It also varies by model and variant, which I've covered quite a few (but not all). It took quite a bit of effort to collect the info, with...