Featured Model 3 doesn't get CU recomendation

Christmas 2009 we had the first report of a Gen-3 Prius brake problem. It was intermittent so we started gathering facts and data in January 1, 2010:
Poll: Are Prius brakes a problem? | PriusChat

The question about Prius braking has occupied 2-3 threads with variable degrees of opinions and little or no metrics. This poll is to count, to get a metric, of who and how many have any experience with it. This is not to change impressions but just to measure how the community sees the problem.

Please, only those who have or have owned a Prius should vote. It is an open poll. Pick either "no experience" or two answers for either the 2010 or 2004-09 Prius.

I picked "no experience" for our 2010 Prius because I've only seen something like it once and I had to steer for a pot hole. This is less than once per month, in fact, only once since May 27, 2009. I can't complain about something that isn't happening in my observation.
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Within 2-3 months, the Gen-3 Prius community had figured out how to quantify and replicate the problem. At that point, Toyota had announced a fix that required spending time at the local Toyota Service center. Knowing how to replicate the problem, we quickly verified this obscure problem was fixed:


This problem took ~12 weeks of user initiated problem analysis until Toyota came up with a brake controller, software patch. In contrast, the Tesla problem was well documented by Consumer Reports and fixed in 1-2 weeks.

If others unfamiliar with problem diagnosis and fixes thinks this is outrageous, don't buy a Model 3. But to me, a life-long operating system and network engineer, this is like breaking the sound barrier.

Well done Tesla and Elon's team!

Bob Wilson

 

Your talking about an issue that is almost a decade ago. Technology has change, where Tesla can do computer updates via the air.

 

When you work on any computer it is either software or hardware. Software updates cannot make up for hardware design problems.
In the case of the Tesla 3 it looks like they were able to do it.

 

it is puzzling. again, makes tesla look bad, and cr look good. i'm not saying that of either, but sometimes, perception can be reality.

 

You're suggesting that when the job is of a certain importance or higher, there should be a button for it? Why, I couldn't agree more...

 

My understanding is that Tesla's regenerative braking is all on the accelerator pedal, and there is no blending of regen and friction control on the brake pedal. That purely controls the friction brakes. Diesel-electric locomotives operate their brake systems.

Musk's statement was that the issue was in the ABS algorithms. ABS automatically pumps the brakes to prevent lock up and let the driver maintain control of the car. When the brakes are pumped, you aren't applying full braking force. It trades control for some stopping distance. So you don't want it engaging too soon, which may have been the case here.

Why didn't Tesla catch this? Testing for all possible parameters isn't possible, and their testing, which is likely the same as others, missed the exact conditions under which CR caught the issue.

This isn't the first time CR caught something a manufacturer missed.
Don't Buy: Safety Risk--2010 Lexus GX 460
"When pushed to its limits on our track’s handling course, the rear of the GX we bought slid out until the vehicle was almost sideways before the electronic stability control system was able to regain control. We believe that in real-world driving, that situation could lead to a rollover accident, which could cause serious injury or death."
Toyota did the right thing and stopped sales until the problem could be fixed.

 

I've upraded many machines remotely. I've also sent out parts for customers to install.

It doesn't have to be 'A' exclusive or 'B'. Many things can be improved by software updates, while others require hardware. In the case of the model 3 there appears to be an inclusive or 'A' and 'B'

If you look at the Edmund's review update, it looks like perhaps the car was initially tuned and tested with the Continental 19" tires, which perform better on cornering and braking than the Michelin 18" tires. The 18" tires appear to have better rolling resistance (that is range) and longevity (last more miles) but at the expense of grip (0.85g (or 0.84 in c&d review) versus 0.93g) and road noise. The lower grip may have made stopping distance inconsistent with the antilock software in emergency braking.

Solutions - inflate the michelin's to 42 psi instead of 45 psi as originally placarded and update the software. 39 psi gives even better comfort, but worse range (for most trips perhaps that is best, then pump them up for long trips). Just the software provides a more consistent emergency stopping distance. In my prius, I've needed to emergency brake twice in the last 6 months (memory isn't that good on how often for longer periods), and those not emergency braking probably wouldn't notice. The active safety measures in the tesla probably reduce the need to emergency brake.

Tesla also has re-tuned the suspension for the 18" Michelin tires for better ride. Simply replacing the michelin tires though with something with better grip, would further reduce stopping distance (continentals were 7 feet shorter, or 27 feet shorter than the CR review).

Tesla also has changed the windshield on newer cars to cut down on road noise. That is a harder hardware change that has no impact on safety so tesla won't be replacing windshields on perfectly good otherwise cars. I have no idea if in a future time they will have the older 18" long range model 3s in for suspension adjustments for better ride like the new cars off the line.

 

one of the niceties of tesla vehicles is that the company seems willing to keep its original offerings relevant .... and not just better programming -
* Upgrades from 3G to 4G LTE
* longer range Roadster battery kit
* Faster MCU's for the display just released
Even some of the Model S & X traction packs are upgradable - most of the 60's can be re-programmed to open up to 75kWh .... & tesla has 90's that have been upgraded to 100's.
Also recently - tesla determined it'd be safe for many of the 75's to be safely programmed to deliver more energy to the motors - knocking nearly a second off of their 0-60mph. time. A zero cost performance upgrade. These are the things that despite things like fit & finish, keep tesla high on owner satisfaction surveys
.

 

Yup . .
500 samolians
What does samolian mean? samolian Definition. Meaning of samolian. OnlineSlangDictionary.com

 

Oh - alright
All right
Allright
Sometimes more than one way is right

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