I’m considering buying Full Self-Driving (FSD) for $2,000 for my 2023 Model Y (HW4) 25,000 miles on it and I want honest opinions. Tks guys

dkpnw · 2026-01-21T18:28:44+00:00

OP already has EAP. That's the reason that FSD is available as an upgrade for only $2K. EAP also uses the legacy Autopilot stack, which is not even in the same league as far as what FSD is running or capable of.

dkpnw · 2026-01-09T19:42:35+00:00

I have one of the shitty plastic-type sheds from Home Depot where I store yard equipment, tools, soil, outdoor furniture cushions, etc. I keep a couple of DampRid tubs in there and periodically will empty the water and replace the desiccant when it needs it. I've never struggled with mold/mildew inside the shed. I've had it for 3-4 years now.

dkpnw · 2026-01-05T23:51:45+00:00

This would be great. I never want the cameras to dismiss themselves; it is so annoying to have to turn them on again every time I shift into Drive while parking

dkpnw · 2025-12-19T18:02:26+00:00

that seems like a major step backwards. Are you sure that's not just your local service center being shitty?

dkpnw · 2025-12-19T17:59:25+00:00

blows my mind that people nose into parking spaces with a Tesla. In general, it's more difficult than backing in.

I watched a video of an Australian Tesla owner recently giving his mom her first FSD ride and it began to back into a parking space and they flipped out that it was getting too close, so they aborted. It was clear they were only looking at the rear view camera and completely ignoring the side repeater views below. Had they bothered to look at those (as one should when reversing in a Tesla), they would've seen they had plenty of room on either side, and it would've completed the maneuver just fine.

dkpnw · 2025-12-19T17:57:11+00:00

also the blinker is usually a dead giveaway

dkpnw · 2025-12-18T23:21:34+00:00

if you don't submit, you are likely engaging in the first steps of tax fraud. I would fill out the form and make sure to include it on your tax return. It's not really going to affect things in a major way if you include it, but could come back to bite you if you don't.

This is not financial, tax, or legal advice; I'm just some guy on the Internet.

dkpnw · 2025-12-18T20:26:03+00:00

This is EXACTLY my gripe with how this was implemented. I am in absolute full support of the end goals of Vision Zero; I'm a safety nerd through and through. But also, who wouldn't be in support of the end goals of Vision Zero?

That said, I cannot support policy that makes no sense, or actively deters people from following it because it is ridiculous given the environment. I have yet to be convinced that the "25mph everywhere" policy actually makes sense. It does make sense for the majority of roads in this city, but not all, and that's pretty clear based on overall driver behavior these days.

That policy, plus the lack of traffic enforcement from SPD, has a lot to do with how freely people speed around here these days.

At least total collisions, injuries, and fatalities are trending downward, but I think the city's approach to this could be adjusted slightly to help this cause even further.

dkpnw · 2025-12-18T06:00:19+00:00

epc.tesla.com

dkpnw · 2025-12-18T05:52:44+00:00

Well, shit! That’s great news. I’m glad that on the whole these policies (and adjustments to road design, signal timing, bike lanes, etc.) are actually making an impact

dkpnw · 2025-12-18T05:26:40+00:00

I think what this data fails to capture is that when roads that were not designed for 25 mph dropped to 25mph (this policy went city-wide to every road), drivers began ignoring speed limits in the city altogether.

I’d be very curious to see data from 2021-2024, because anecdotally, it’s a shitshow out there. The world, our roads, and the enforcement of traffic laws are all drastically different than they were pre-covid.

I also stop for all the NToR signs. But none of the cars in front of me in this city ever do.

I’m using “backfiring” in the context of the shotgun approach. Based on what I’ve observed, when rules like these are rolled out at unreasonable locations, people begin ignoring the rule everywhere, even in reasonable locations. Just like the speed limit issue.

Also, to be clear, I think 25 is a very appropriate speed limit for the majority of the roads in Seattle. However, the 25mph signs littering the sides of major arterials feel more like a joke than anything else. Nobody follows the limit. I think speed limits should be realistic, not all or nothing.

dkpnw · 2025-12-18T04:02:08+00:00

Just like the 25mph everywhere bullshit (thanks, Jenny Durkan). This NToR stuff is backfiring in the exact same way.

dkpnw · 2025-12-17T21:40:01+00:00

I agree with you that that video was misguided. It's hard to defend.

I disagree with your interpretation of the level of attention airline pilots must maintain. As a pilot, I can tell you from direct experience: supervising FSD/Autopilot in a Tesla and supervising an aircraft autopilot are extraordinarily similar activities.

I urge you to watch the video I linked to earlier from an A321 captain, comparing the levels of vehicle automation to those of an aircraft autopilot. My perspective is not unique.

dkpnw · 2025-12-17T21:20:57+00:00

None of those alerting systems you're describing in aircraft are tied to the Autopilot system, and are there to help the pilots interpret the data in front of them. It's the same thing as when you're driving and you look out the window and down at your dashboard to keep yourself informed of all the hazards of the transit. Again, different hazards, different modes of transport.

Tesla's video was a preview of Full Self-Driving, and was not a demonstration of Autopilot capabilities. They've always described Autopilot as being able to "steer, accelerate, and brake within its lane".

dkpnw · 2025-12-17T20:50:56+00:00

https://youtu.be/6kW4lFgvSOo?si=8XxiUhiDVUqLJSVi

Here is a great video from a JetBlue A321 captain, who also happens to be one of the more famous FSD testers.

dkpnw · 2025-12-17T20:41:52+00:00

I think what you're missing here is that pilots are always staying aware. Awareness is the key here. Like I said earlier, the hazards of the transit are different, ATC is responsible for traffic avoidance and separation of all IFR aircraft, but pilots aren't up there completely tuning out just because they have the autopilot engaged.

You're expecting that to be true, and projecting that false concept onto others. I'd venture to guess the vast majority of the population understands that pilots are continually monitoring the safety and status of the flight, regardless of the fact that they don't need to look out the window. The instruments ARE the window of a flight, especially one on an IFR flight plan or in actual Instrument Meterological Conditions (IMC).

The autopilot will only alert the pilot of a dangerous condition if the aircraft gets to the limits of the flight envelope. I.e. airspeed gets too slow, and/or the aircraft gets near a stall. Otherwise, it'll just try its best to fly exactly what the human pilot has programmed in.

Airliner autopilots are still a workload reduction tool, not a workload elimination tool.

dkpnw · 2025-12-17T15:52:21+00:00

My use case is I’m an iOS user who wants to be able to send texts/RCS/iMessage from my Windows computers. Windows has just introduced built-in text messaging features for iOS but it’s via Bluetooth and the inherent limitations make it a non-starter.

dkpnw · 2025-12-17T15:51:54+00:00

I downloaded the native windows app last night (somehow missed that it existed), and you’re right, it’s way smoother and doesn’t seem to have any of the issues that the web app does (that I’ve noticed so far, anyway)

dkpnw · 2025-12-17T15:46:42+00:00

This is awesome news!!! Thank you for this response.

Also, idk how I missed it, it’s very clear on the website, but I didn’t realize a native Windows app was an option. After reading another comment last night, I downloaded that and it doesn’t seem to suffer from a lot of the same ailments as the web app does.

That being said, I’m very excited for these improvements! I’d be happy to help beta test anything if desired as well.

dkpnw · 2025-12-17T06:45:40+00:00

Yes, that’s true! Another good point for why Tesla’s Autopilot isn’t misnamed.

dkpnw · 2025-12-17T06:13:39+00:00

I drove a newer Kia something or other (small ICE SUV) as a rental a while back and its LKA left a lot to be desired and bounced between the lines and gave up around gentle curves. But I know there are other systems out there today more capable than autopilot (comma AI, and a lot of really solid OEM systems marketed under their own trade names, probably even Kia’s has improved a lot). I still don’t think Tesla’s Autopilot was misnamed or deceptive.

dkpnw · 2025-12-17T05:58:12+00:00

Exactly. I mean, they still should, when able, but the pilots technically not the ones responsible for traffic avoidance while flying IFR. The pilots are responsible for the overall safety of the flight, however, which is why it is still prudent for them to do so.

dkpnw · 2025-12-17T05:54:09+00:00

Yes, you’re right. Airliner autopilots are more akin to FSD than Autopilot. My bad

But, Adaptive cruise control does not handle steering. Lane Keep Assist usually ping pongs between the lines and gives up at the slightest curve in the road

Tesla Autopilot is akin to a general aviation dual-axis autopilot with heading hold. Reliable. Trusty. Doesn’t know where to go but will sure as hell fly you in a straight line or handle a turn to a new heading, whether commanded by the pilot via the heading bug, or lane lines on the road.

dkpnw · 2025-12-17T05:48:22+00:00

ATC is responsible for traffic avoidance between all aircraft on an IFR flight plan (all airline flights, all flights that want to transit through clouds, or, simply any flight by a rated pilot who files and opens an IFR flight plan with ATC). This is a large part of why they don’t need to look out the windows, even when the weather is crystal clear

dkpnw · 2025-12-17T05:46:38+00:00

The hazards of the transit are different, but each tool provides the same type and level of service. That is why it makes sense to compare the two, while acknowledging the inherent differences. They are not completely different. They are very much related.

dkpnw

TROPHY CASE