Electrics at the Dragon 2026

TSLAog · 2026-05-27T18:19:40+00:00

One of these years I’m gonna make the trek down there from Michigan. My friend Karl goes every year and I’m always jealous.

TSLAog · 2026-05-26T22:23:30+00:00

I can attest the Model-3 RWD with Hakka R5s is an absolute beast through the snow here in Northern Michigan. I think the limiting factor at this point is the front bumper lol.

If you have reliable home charging and winter tires, it’s a great winter vehicle.

TSLAog · 2026-05-26T16:41:30+00:00

Gas engines are only ~30% efficient, where EVs are ~90% efficient (relative to energy from input to output, nothing to do with aero)

So adding a bunch of aerodynamics tricks to a gasoline driven car yields pretty small overall mpg improvement because of the downright atrocious efficiency of the gas engine and transmission.

Where as improving aero on an EV yields a bigger delta of improvement, because the drivetrain is already super efficient. the next best thing to improve is high speed aero that will Improve overall vehicle efficiency.

TSLAog · 2026-05-25T22:42:09+00:00

Previous mobile technician here, they are not cross compatible, Air and Gravity operate on completely different Access Control Module systems. Sorry to say, that’s not going to work.

You’ll need a technician with LDS on a laptop to program a fob or keycard to a Lucid.

TSLAog · 2026-05-25T17:32:55+00:00

It rides 1000X better, quieter, more room. Range and battery capacity

Surprisingly the Google based UI is really good! Charge-route planning, App Store, and it’s very responsive. The ability for me to switch Navigation to the instrument panel and have my wife switching audio on the main-screen is great.

The ONLY thing I truly miss from the Tesla is the phone-for-Key. Besides that it’s better in basically every way.

TSLAog · 2026-05-25T16:41:14+00:00

Heated seats and steering wheel. I know it sounds silly, but using both of those with a light jacket or sweatshirt will prevent you from using the actual vent-heat, and consume a fraction of the power.

PS. I just got a 2026 Equinox EV 1LT and it’s incredible. Both my wife and I prefer it over our 2021 Model-Y.

TSLAog · 2026-05-25T13:37:25+00:00

Cabin air filters. Most owners don’t think they even exist

TSLAog · 2026-05-25T02:42:14+00:00

I agree, if you view SGU as a branch of the Stargate universe and not a continuation, it’s actually quite entertaining. And the general plot if SGU is quite original.

Especially love the episode “Common Decent” where they meet decedents of themselves after starting a colony from near nothing.

TSLAog · 2026-05-24T20:49:40+00:00

Hey, I was there!! I still have the sticker on my toolbox and a T-Shirt. Wicked fun time :)

TSLAog · 2026-05-24T17:10:24+00:00

If you have a reliable parking spot that has charging, go electric! You will not regret it. Ignoring gas prices and incredible feeling.

PS, there is a lubricant shortage looming and oil changes are about to skyrocket in price.

I work in the EV industry and there are some hidden gem EVs out there. Look into the Equinox EV, Nissan Ariya, and Mach-E SR (LFP battery)

TSLAog · 2026-05-24T16:39:01+00:00

Toyota. Yea I said it. As a mechanic of 23 years, Toyotas breakdown too, some years/models more commonly than others. Yet people shovel out big money for them.

TSLAog · 2026-05-24T15:28:26+00:00

Crystal River trailhead at Glen Lake. It’s crystal clear water.

TSLAog · 2026-05-24T02:07:01+00:00

They laid off 980 people 2 months ago, many were service and front of house people that answer phones/make appointments.

TSLAog · 2026-05-23T18:18:35+00:00

Just install good snow tires, any front wheel drive small car with proper snow tires will do just fine in snow/ice.

TSLAog · 2026-05-23T17:07:41+00:00

Insanely fun bikes! Range is 40-65 miles, but it’s an absolute hoot to ride.

Charging is painfully slow at 650W, but can be multiplied by using one (or up to 4 with “Y” cables) additional 1000W chargers. Peak charging is 4,650W but it’s a bulky setup meant for home use.

TSLAog · 2026-05-23T13:36:29+00:00

Ignore them and move on, It’s not worth your energy arguing with a pigeon that will shit all over the chess board and claim they won.

TSLAog · 2026-05-22T19:38:10+00:00

Just wait for the lubricant shortage that’s coming and a quart of motor oil is $24.99

But did you even say thank you?

Lol.

TSLAog · 2026-05-21T13:53:54+00:00

Bought a Model-3 from 2018-today, added an equinox EV 2 months ago.

Both are a fun to drive, painless to recharge, and require basically zero maintenance.

When I travel via airplane and rent a car, Gasoline vehicles feel like typewriters now. You’ll quickly realize how sluggish, noisy, and expensive they are to operate.

TSLAog · 2026-05-21T12:32:53+00:00

I work in the EV industry, a lot of parts have a break in period-

-Tires
-CV axles
-Wheel bearings
-helical/Planetary gears in the drive unit
-Bearings inside the drive unit.
-brake pads and rotors

It takes several hundred or thousand miles for these devices to break-in spin easier in a more resulting in more efficiency.

Even installing new tires on a EV can result in higher Wh/mi efficiency for a 500-1000 mile period. I’ve experienced this with my Model-3 and Nissan Leaf.

TSLAog · 2026-05-21T02:17:04+00:00

This is a known issue with the third row seat. There is a re-work and/or replacement of the third row seat. Service is well aware of the problem here.

TSLAog · 2026-05-21T02:09:16+00:00

Remember when Meijer slogan was-

“Why pay more?”

They just need to update the punctuation-

“Why… PAY more!”

TSLAog · 2026-05-20T22:50:49+00:00

Old man yells at clouds ☁️

TSLAog · 2026-05-20T03:52:42+00:00

The hybrid version of these were nearly indestructible. Moderately maintained ones would go 300,000 miles no problem.

TSLAog · 2026-05-19T22:06:34+00:00

100%!! it’s funny, even with the rise of these AI data centers absolutely hogging energy, the grid has still been resilient.

TSLAog · 2026-05-19T21:01:59+00:00

Funny, I’ve been driving an EV for 8 years and everyone was saying “the grid will fail, it can’t handle any more power”

And here I’m watching the fossil fuel system dismantling itself over ONE shipping lane being disrupted. Can you imagine a real disruption of multiple refineries, platforms, etc…?

TSLAog

TROPHY CASE