How to maximize range? Comfort mode may not be the way ….

[Djinndjinn]

So in another post, it was suggested that the aero caps do not increase range, but the test was very short.

https://www.cybertruckownersclub.co...they-are-purely-decorative.23728/#post-403088

what was more interesting was the effect size of ride height - dramatic increase in energy utilization at higher versus lower.

I have been using a dynamic setting of ”comfort” (chill, relaxed, high). I thought that comfort would translate as better range (less aggressive?). But now I am rethinking.

Does anyone know by testing what dynamic settings yield the best range? I am thinking custom (chill, relaxed, lower) but it’s pure conjecture…Inquiring minds want to know … ?

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[Pialot]

I agree with you on those settings Chill, Relaxed, and Lower - Gradual acceleration, comfort suspension and closer to the ground for airflow dynamics.

 

[Jager]

There are some factors outside a driver's control - like route, elevation change, speed of traffic, ambient temp, and the like. But optimizing vehicle efficiency is also about a bunch of small things that are in the driver's control.

Other than the times I have taken my Cybertruck off-road, it has remained in Sport: Standard, Focused, and Lower.

Lower is always better.

The suspension setting should have little to no effect on efficiency, absent some really extreme edge cases.

And Chill simply softens and smooths out the torque curve - it doesn't really affect how much energy gets consumed. You can burn through lots of energy, or not, in both Chill and Standard.

Most everyone gets that driving fast is bad for efficiency; while driving slow is good. Beyond that, when they drive a vehicle and get a certain gas mileage, or a certain Wh/mile, they put it all on the vehicle. What most people miss is the hundred nuances of how they drive - apart from fast or slow - that affect their efficiency.

 

[TyPope]

increases in velocity and rate of change in velocity both matter. That is why chill with its slower throttle response may be more efficient if all other factors (ride height, path, temp) remain the same.

 

[CyberGus]

And Chill simply softens and smooths out the torque curve - it doesn't really affect how much energy gets consumed. You can burn through lots of energy, or not, in both Chill and Standard.

Well, sort of. In chill mode, the BMC makes no effort to keep the battery at a temperature for optimal performance.

 

[Djinndjinn]

So … to chill, or not to chill, that is the question? Whether ‘tis nobler in the truck to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous range reduction, or to make adjustments in a sea of options, and by opposing, increase range?

 

[RickJ19Zeta8]

The suspension damper solenoids for adjusting stiffness / damping / rebound are in their "off" default position on the firm ride quality. That defaults "safe" and firm if you're trailering and get a solenoid failure.

Edit:// "Off" is a relative term since they are still active. But should be less active.

But you are using energy, albeit a small amount, to have the suspension in "relaxed" / soft ride quality.

 

[JamesG]

I ride in beast and burn 360kw/mile

 

[Facedown]

Chill is 100% the best way to save your tires. Can't say much about improving efficiency, though. I've taken to driving medium height, chill, and comfort. At first it hurt a little to take away the instant torque. Now I've decided I like averaging 315 kWh/mi. Maybe I'll try the lower ride height.

 

[Tecyber1]

I have been rolling Custom/Relaxed/Higher and been enjoying that quite a bit, I like the feeling of sitting up higher, there is more soft rolling at that setting but it's all smooth!

I will try out Focused/Low soon to see the difference in feel etc.

I don't focus on efficiency, I just drive where I need and let it go.

 

[Cybergirl]

I found that tire pressures are important on road trips. Under normal loads, the recommended tire pressure is 50 psi. Keeping the tires inflated to 55 psi on a recent 425 mile road trip, I achieved 410 Wh/mi driving mostly 70 mph on relatively flat terrain, no significant wind effect, and temps between 72F and 85F. That's equivalent to 300 miles on a full battery to empty. The truck was loaded with 800 lbs of cargo plus two people. I still have the mirrors, and a CybertruckCo rack on top (no spare tire on top). I drove with suspension low, no Chill.

 

[DaBagBoy]

love to see owners of $100k+ trucks debating the cost of a few dollars in electricity per year!
Go Green!!!

 

[Djinndjinn]

Suspect that was tongue in cheek. However, this wasn't about dollars but rather about sense. I wanted to get a sense for how I could maximize range - we take frequent long trips so having to stop less often or for less time is a factor for us (aka the long range driving experience). Our comparison is our 2022 Model S - absolutely understand it will take us longer and maybe an extra stop.

So for my wife and I, we will try all season tires, chill, low, comfort, aero caps (yucky poo) and see how it goes charging to the 70-80% range and draining to the 10-20% range - our trip is about 630 miles, mostly 65-75 highway. YMMV

 

[VAF84]

love to see owners of $100k+ trucks debating the cost of a few dollars in electricity per year!
Go Green!!!

I'm assuming this is more a question of time, than money. The lost time on charging stops add up when traveling long distance.

 

[DaBagBoy]

yes it was borderline sarcasm, but I'm as guilty as anyone for trying to get "more range" even on a simple 90mi/day commute, I'm a bit OCD and the ability to constantly monitor efficiency is addictive.

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