Ski rack / Skistativ

In USA there are several ski racks to choose from. Even Thule has a ski rack in the states, but that is not CE approved in Europe. In Norway I can (currently) find two ski racks that can be used on Tesla Model X (I think).

The two different Ski racks that are possible to buy in Norway:

YAKIMA
www.NTS.no

Tesla Wall connector

Today, my Tesla Wall connector was installed. Using my normal charging cable, the car can extract 13A from the 16A avalable from the socket. With my Wall connector I get 20A from the 20A available. This results in an increase in charging ratio from 11 km/h to 19 km/h. 72% increase. Worth it I think.

Bjørn does a PR stunt

Last week Bjørn Nyland drove to Aker Brygge (in Oslo), opened the falcon wing doors and walked away a few meters to see what happened. After 2 minutes, the car was a people magnet. People were swarming the TMX. Bjørn started to regret a bit what he started but he say in the video on YouTube that he "...asked for it" :) There are coming more and more TMXs in the streets in Oslo but still to few to make people used to them yet :) Talking to Tesla service at Skøyen, they believe that TMX will not be as common as the Tesla S is today in Oslo.

Driving economical

Driving home again from the mountain, I decided to drive economical. Again 160 km to drive. Starting with TMX at 297 km on the battery. The first 11 km was downhill, so it actually charged the TMX with 10 km more, ending up at 307 km when coming down to Veggli. Really tried to drive economically. Not easy :) But coming home at 149 km on the remaining distance. 297-149 km = 148 km, that is a huge difference than 200 km. Mainly due to the 11 km downhill versus 11 km uphill :) 148 km compared to 200 km is quite a difference. Going to the mountains in Norway or else in the world with a Tesla, remember the battery will use 3-4 times the distance on the battery than the true distance, when driving uphill.

First "long" drive with the X

Going to the mountain cabin this weekend. My wife, my two boys, baggage and me. The battery was charged to 283 km when we started. Had forgotten to charge it to the full 374 km (Typical setting, and not Rated which is 462 km. Rated used for totally flat terrain- ex. in Denmark). To Veggli it is 149 km. Veggli is situated at 233 meters above sea level, so not a big climb. From Veggli to the cabin at Veggli mountain at 850 moh (meters above sea level), it is then a 620 meters climb in just 11 km. This last part is the big question in battery drainage. I did not drive economic. Really used the acceleration several times :) At Veggli before the last climb, the battery had been reduced to 117 km. That's 166 km for the X during 149 km. The last climb is only 11 km, but arriving at the cabin, the battery ended on 80 km. That's 37 km for the X during 11 km. The battery using approximately four times the real distance. So for the total of 160 km to the cabin, I used 200 km of battery. Next time I will try economic driving to see how much I save :)

TMX and Carport

I park my Tesla X in a carport. To be sure it doesn't hit the 2-by-4's 226 cm above the floor, I put up a white panel zone where I am sure the sensors will see where to stop. Default when the doors see obstacles, it open half way if the obstacles is not to close. Extending the doors closer to the panel-sealing, the control panel will after a few times ask if the door height should be extended as for this particular location - GPS location. It will then override the default safety distance for the doors and extend to the wanted height. But remember to also set the same suspension as well, to ex. Low or Very Low.

Finally - TMX 90D Pearl White

Yesterday I received My Tesla Model X at Tesla Rud outside Oslo city in Norway. So after 1033 days since my reservation, I could finally feel and sit in the electric SUV. My contact welcomed me and took me through the exterior, interior and the software. A little bit nervous about remembering everything, but after 2 hours in the car, I knew everything. Handling the car through the control panel, through all the buttons and the APP on my phone, is very easy and intuitive!!! My TMX is a 90D with all packages except surround speakers. It is pearl white, multi coated, with black interior. It has 20" wheels. Decided to go for 20" since this gives less noise than 22" wheels. Winter tires have been ordered, and ski rack.

Autopilot update coming soon

With v8.0, Autopilot will be able to automatically (always under the driver’s supervision) drive from one highway to another with the simple activation of the turn signal. When the Autosteer feature of the Autopilot is engaged, the driver will be able to activate the turn signal to exit the freeway and Autosteer will follow the interchange into the next highway.

Read more: www.electrek.com

Tesla Model X - Wheel size impact

Teslas Model X Design Studio reveals a rather significant loss of range if one were to select the 22″ wheels, compared to 20". According to the Tesla, choosing the Model X 22″ Onyx Black Wheels or 22″ Silver Turbine Wheels will result in a massive 10-15% loss of range, or approximately 40 miles (64 km). That's a huge difference. Have myself chosen the 20" for my Tesla, merely because the noise level of the 20" is lower than the 22". And you get a softer driving experience.

Read more: Teslarati - Wheel size impact

Yet another wing door firmware upgrade

Tesla has released yet another update to improve upon the Model X, this time refining sensitivity of the pinch sensors on the Falcon Wing doors. Previously, there were reports of owners accidentally triggering the doors to close onto unsuspecting objects in its path of travel, including fingers. Tesla addressed the issue of accidental closure by releasing an update that would allow owners to set the behavior of their key fob: turning on and off the ability to close all doors via a single press of the key fob.

Read more: Teslarati - Firmware upgrade

Fastest production car in the world

The electric vehicle company headed by CEO Elon Musk called the Model S P100D the "quickest production car in the world," noting that only two cars are faster—the LaFerrari and the Porsche 918 Spyder, both cars that were limited-run two-seaters. With the "Ludicrous Mode" option (which customers must pay extra for), the Model S P100D will go 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds. (That's 0 to 100km/h in 2.7 seconds.)

Read more: Arstechnica.com - P1000D

Tesla protection in practice

I waited 4 years for this one and would wait 4 more if that is what it took to protect my family like this" are the words that resonate in orthopaedic surgeon Jonathan Braman's head after he and five passengers, plus their family pet, survived a horrific crash in their Tesla Model X.

Read more: Teslarati - X-crash

A nice review

Read this nice review about the Tesla Model X.

Read the review: Futurism.com

Rumors about 100 kWh Battery

Rumors that the blog Kenteken.TV has found entries in the database of the Dutch Vehicle Registration RDW which strongly suggests that 100 kWh versions of the Model S and Model X are heading towards 100 kWh. The database list up approvals for Tesla 100D and 100X, and 100D have even a stated NEDC range of 613 km , from 557 km at the current 90D model and 509 km on the P90D. Something to look forward to.

X doors with new firmware

The latest v7.1 (2.30.61) software update addresses the issue with a new setting that allows owners to either enable or disable the key fob control. With the CLOSE ALL WITH KEY FOB setting in the OFF position, pressing the key fob will no longer initiate simultaneous door closures.

Read more: Teslarati.com

Bigger Battery

An electric car is only as good as its battery since that crucial component is what sustains the car on the road. Tesla’s electric cars already provide more than 250 miles of range on a single charge but it appears that the company will soon be offering even bigger batteries with the Model S and the Model X, making them capable of going as much as 380 miles on a single charge. That, coupled with Tesla’s robust supercharger network should take care of range anxiety for Tesla owners who want to travel long distances in their all-electric car.

Read more: Ubergizmo.com

Tesla S for kids

Tesla has together with Radio Flyer started making small Tesla S cars for kids. These are now also available for Norwegians :) You can spec the car up from 5800 kr to approx 9000 kr. First orders to be sent in November.

Order now:
Radio Flyer

Falcon wing doors and obstructions - testing

Autopilot helps man to hospital

Joshua Neally, an attorney in Springfield, Missouri, credits the Autopilot of his Model X for helping him drive himself to the hospital while suffering from a pulmonary embolism, which made him temporarily blind at times, while on his drive home from work on July 26.

Read more: Electrek.co

Tesla X very popular in China

The gray market for the Model X is reportedly popular and some are willing to pay a premium. The Model X P90D costs 1.15 million yuan or $170,000 USD in China, yet Forbes talked to a gray market dealer selling them for as much as 1.58 million yuan or $240,000 USD – a 40% premium.

The dealer said that he already sold several units, adding that all his red units are sold out and that he only has a few white ones left.

Read more: Electrek.co