EV reviews after 112,000 miles may be inaccurate

Running a day trip errand to Nashville, I foolishly went directly to the office to pickup some papers instead of a Supercharger juice up. Parked, it showed 8 miles range for a 5 mile trip. But when I got back, it showed 5 miles.

I tried to reach the Supercharger and came within less than a mile when I got the dreaded 'Park now' message and had to get a tow. Lessons learned:

• AARP has a multi-year discount card that is separate from road service, no tow - Years ago, I looked at AARP versus AAA and missed the annual 'road side' option. I'll contact my insurance company Friday and see what they have. I'd rather get a tow from my insurance company than AAA or AARP. Regardless, $160 credit card charge after an interesting phone conversation about 'where are you.'
• Minimize 12 V drains - turn off all lights and dim the display and if possible, the flashing hazards. The small lead acid battery has very little stored energy which will be needed to enter "Tow Mode."
• Tow Mode - required some fiddling but with the tow truck cable attached and me in the car, we got the car in tow ... neutral so it could be wrenched onto the platform.
• Less than a mile - to the Supercharger, he let the car into the charging lane perfectly. Plugged in, piece of cake ... almost.
• "Replace 12 V battery" - so driving home, I got the "replace 12 V battery" alert. I'll try to clear it with the brake, double button reset. But if not, I may let Tesla mobile service replace the battery and give me a second keycard.

I had foolishly believed the reviewers who ran their Model 3 to 'dead' and claimed there was a battery reserve of a mile or two. But they had a nice, fresh Model 3. After 112,000 miles and battery capacity measured at ~48.3 kWh, there ain't no reserve. MY FAULT!

While waiting on the tow truck, I set "Silence Unknown Callers" OFF so the tow truck driver could reach me. I had two solicitations call which went like this:

• "This is a recorded call ..." initial pitch.
• "I am standing by my broken car being wrenched onto a tow truck in 95 degree heat. Do you really want to talk to me?"
• CLICK!

Bob Wilson

 

The current hypothesis is the 95 F (35 C) weather triggered cooling the battery when I got out to fetch the papers.

Bob Wilson

 

"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything." Mark Twain​

Bob Wilson

 

Some may not know my history:

• +30 out of gas events in 2003 Prius for gasoline studies.
• +5 out of gas studies and 1,000 mile tank
• +3 out of gas and charge in Prius Prime … AVIOID!!!
• 1 out of charge Tesla Model 3

If anything good comes out, it is to let the community know how to handle these rare events.

Bob Wilson