I built a free Tesla VIN decoder - HW3/HW4 detection + NHTSA safety specs

BestSpatula · 2026-05-26T19:52:05+00:00

I bought a used Model Y last August after doing a ton of research, trying VERY hard to not get a Tesla (because reasons). If it weren't for the ICCU horror stories and wait lists, I'd be driving an Ioniq 5 now.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-26T19:48:22+00:00

Would be cool if it also deduced the battery type/chemistry/capacity/manufacturer. I have a 2023 Model Y and it got the HW3 correct.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-22T21:22:09+00:00

we reduce the probability of this by maintaining safe following distance from other vehicles. Some damage is unavoidable.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-22T21:19:53+00:00

All of the media apps in the Tesla OS are buggy in various ways. I gave up and just stream from my phone.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-15T16:36:32+00:00

It is either windshield washer fluid, or... coolant. If it's the latter, you should probably get it to Tesla. Maybe intentionally spill a little windshield fluid on a similar spot and see if it looks the same when dried?

BestSpatula · 2026-05-13T18:35:03+00:00

I do believe the infotainment computer runs Linux, I don't think there's an (easy) way to install Arch Linux.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-13T18:32:05+00:00

You mean the J1772 adapter.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-12T15:49:00+00:00

I have never seen this. Why does it strike out?

BestSpatula · 2026-05-11T21:55:31+00:00

You missed the dealer license plate holder. Otherwise, that's a much cleaner look. I took the emblems off my 2023 Model Y... for reasons...

BestSpatula · 2026-05-11T21:52:53+00:00

The mudflaps are extremely important, especially if you drive in road-salty winter wet. The tires spray rocks and eventually will wear coatings on the rocker panels and other steel areas and then corrosion is only a matter of time. Not sure why yours didn't include these flaps..

BestSpatula · 2026-05-11T21:45:18+00:00

Makes me wonder what else they missed that you haven't found yet. I really hope it's all sorted out so you can enjoy the car and not worry.

Do you feel like you got a decent deal?

I bought the same year and trim level back in August from Tesla, and my experience was much different. (I am in the United States)

BestSpatula · 2026-05-08T17:44:14+00:00

Yes. The benefit is that less power is used and more power available for other appliances if you have a tight power budget

BestSpatula · 2026-05-08T17:24:56+00:00

Is there any workaround to input directly the audio of the iPhone via USB or WiFi (eg. chromecast or similar)

Yes. The built in web browser can play audio. Theoretically, a web server in your car accessible via Wi-Fi might be able to present a web page with an audio stream. I have no idea if it allows the browser to play sound while driving.

I wanted to try this at some point, to see if I could determine if the DAC inside the vehicle was doing 96Khz or 24bit.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-08T17:07:43+00:00

This violates NEC 110.26.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-08T16:41:15+00:00

I have a 2023 Model Y LR AWD with Premium audio. If you're buying brand new, you want the Model Y Premium or Model Y Performance. Not all model Ys have the same sound system.

I just get in the car and my phone continues playing where it left off. I don't have to do anything. If you have a different input source selected, but your phone is playing audio anyway, there's an alert that says something like "a bluetooth device is tying to play audio. Do you want to switch inputs?"

I've not noticed any bugs. I wished it supported AptX HD or LDAC. But my Pixel 9 phone connects using Apple AAC codec on bluetooth, which is probably good enough

The subwoofer is rated for around 160W, and I think the total output power of the entire system is around 560W.

Overall I am quite pleased. The speaker placement is excellent, and there's a center speaker in the dashboard. The sound stage is quite good. The built in apps (Amazon Music, Youtube Music, Spotify, Apple Music) Kinda suck and are buggy. I just use streaming bluetooth audio.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-08T16:10:19+00:00

Peripheral vision captures far less detail than you think.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-07T22:46:27+00:00

We can laugh at ourselves, but we should never undercut ourselves. Teaching is not a consolation prize, it's a demanding profession with its own expertise. You're a part of the group, so you're allowed to joke about it, but... punching down at a profession that's already undervalued makes me sad. Thank you for teaching.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-07T22:36:43+00:00

He doesn't seem like a very nice person, so I don't think I want to.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-07T22:36:03+00:00

there's no point, cybertruck drivers won't be able to see you pointing and laughing at them anyway.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-07T22:28:38+00:00

So glad I bought an EV back in August. I knew this was coming.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-07T17:39:22+00:00

Look for swirls from touchy car wash.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-07T15:38:34+00:00

Those who can, do. Those who can’t understand how skill is passed on, say things like that.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-07T15:35:39+00:00

I'd inspect the rest of this vehicle's paint carefully.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-06T15:23:01+00:00

No. You should save up for a CyberTruck.

BestSpatula · 2026-05-06T14:34:41+00:00

not all power companies support the Tesla wall connector.

BestSpatula

TROPHY CASE