tbuck
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Just returned from a 10-day 1900+ mile road trip for a family Christmas in Estes Park, CO from Dallas, TX - mostly FSD both ways - my observations.
Picked up my Beast at the end of August - all-season tires. Took a direct route (and easy driving days of about 5-6 hours of driving) through Amarillo, TX; Clayton, NM; Trinidad, CO; Colorado Springs, CO; Boulder, CO: and Estes Park, CO. From there, went back to Denver to pick up out daughter at the airport (lives in Europe), spent a few days in the mountains, then took her back and drove back along the same route. Had some freezing rain followed by snow in Estes Park (about 15 degrees above normal this year), but just happened to occur on Christmas day.
In the end, it was a bit over 1900 miles, over 7,000 feet of elevation gain, and 411 Wh/Mile for the trip. Pretty much drove the speed limit +/- 2 all the way - mostly FSD 13.2.1 up there and then 13.2.2 on the way back.
First - this has to be one of the best road trip vehicles I have ever been in! Loved it! The dog came with us - had plenty of room. My wife and I were both super comfortable the entire way with room for quick access snacks/drinks (small plug-in cooler on the floor console), and room for everything we brought to make it a family Christmas in Estes Park.
Cybertrucks...
- Day one - Saw one at the end of our first day in Amarillo at the supercharger on the west side of town - sand/beige wrap.
- Day two from Amarillo to Colorado Springs, we stopped to charge in Clayton, NM and Trinidad, CO (and when we arrived in the Springs). Passed one on a trailer with its tow vehicle gassing up when we arrived in Clayton - another leaving the supercharger when we pulled in, and a white-wrapped one that arrived as we were about to leave. There was another one charging in Trinidad when we arrived, the white one showed up, and another unwrapped one arrived as we left. We passed another in downtown Colorado Springs as we approached the charger and saw the white one again as we were heading back to the hotel after dinner.
- Day three started with a matt-black CT that had the DLT that appeared to have been tinted red - looked pretty neat.
- Then, the drought - we did not see another CT until day 9 - our next to last day.
- Day 9 Passed a bright yellow gloss wrapped CT going the opposite direction somewhere between northern New Mexico and Amarillo (forgot exactly where).
- Day 10 - final day (Amarillo to Dallas) - stopped in Quanah, TX to charge at the supercharger behind the Sonic on the west side of town. One CT pulling out as we pulled in and another charging (Delaware plates).
Charging was never a problem. Drove about 2.5 hours between chargers on the way up and broke it up a little more on the way home. Never an issue and I charged more than I needed to on the way there while sticking to 80% on the way back.
FSD Notes:
Mostly good. However, you still must watch it as it makes some questionable options.
I was on FSD 13.2.1 on the way up there and received the 13.2.2 update when in Estes Park, so had a chance to drive back on that version. Not much difference that I saw between the two - but this was mostly freeway driving.
I would say FSD is about 80% there. It really made the drive that much easier and I was able to see more than I normally do on long trips and arrived must less tired at the end of the day.
The Good:
- As mentioned, 80% of the experience was great. The other 20% really came down to the same repeating situations for the most part (deceleration/acceleration in small towns on the freeway) with a couple of specific situations.
- Traffic circles were smooth and well executed (used on both sides of the freeway on I-25 for the supercharger in south Trinidad, CO). This was much better than I experienced in an easier traffic circle east of Dallas on FSD 12.
- Passing, slowing down for traffic, stop signs, and left turns were all better than before. Even tended to keep more-centered in the lane on the freeway (but not always). I did learn that a little pressure on the wheel made it move a bit left or right and then it tended to stay there in the lane.
- Migrating through construction areas was good.
The bad (descriptive):
- I finally experienced the phantom breaking people have talked about, but also saw why it was occurring. This is not actually FSD, but the underlying Google Maps data. When moving between Colorado Springs and Pueblo on I-25 (both directions), through one of the small towns, the truck suddenly slowed down unexpectedly. I glanced at the screen and it showed a speed limit of 45 miles an hour (in a 75 zone). The map data was telling the truck it was entering a 45 mph zone and then went back to 75. Looking at the old atlas, when I arrived home, that section of I-25 used to run through the town and a stop light. I went through a number of towns in New Mexico and west Texas that are still this way - speed drops from 70/75 to 60 to 55 to 35/45 through town. It appears the map data was never updated. The fix: if Tesla is going to rely on this data, it needs to be accurate and up-to-date. I was lucky no one was tailgating me when this occurred and became hyper-vigilant as I approach a town (yes, it happened a couple more times on the trip - always on a newer section of freeway going by a small town adjacent to it).
- There are some questionable decisions - the biggest was when I was nearly home. Hwy 114 is being extended from the six-lane divided highway in town to the northeast - where it is a four-lane rural highway. Right at a freeway overpass near the current construction, there are about six lanes on either side with two dedicated left turn lanes. I was in the third lane (next to the dedicated left turn lane) and there was traffic backed-up at the light with about five or six cars in front of me. it decided to get in the left turn lane and then wanted to get back (and there was no room). Took over and went around the block.
- As mentioned, on these rural highways, the speed limits in Texas/New Mexico will be 70-75 mph. Most of these still run through the middle of small towns, so the speed will drop down to 60/65, then 50/55, then 35/45 and then reverse back to 70/75 as you pass through - all in about a quarter mile or less. When FSD slows down, it is full regen - which is pretty abrupt for those behind you - especially on the first drop. This is very apparent for those few places that drop from 75 down to 45 in just a tenth of a mile or so. It should look ahead a bit and see the speed changes (it has the data and does not look at the actual signs) and make this adjustment more gradual. I ended up holding the accelerator down at the first sign and let it adjust to the speed changes and then gradually slowing down myself. That worked out well, but I should not need to do that.
- Accelerating out of those towns was anemic. When the speed went from 35 to 45 to 65 to 75 in a quarter mile or less, it may see the speed limit change, but not accelerate until the next change, and then not to that speed. For example, 35 was a common in-town speed that would change to 45, to 55, then to 65, and finally 75. It would slowly accelerate to 40, and then 50, and then hang around something odd, such as 61 when it hit the 75 mph zone and stay there for a while. The display showed it was 75 mph in that area, but it would sit at 61 and slowly accelerate over a few miles to 70. I found myself pressing the accelerator to get it to start accelerating and then it would pick up from there are a more reasonable rate.
- Gusty Winds...On the return trip, south of Pueblo, north of Trinidad, the winds accelerate off the mountains to the west and spread across the plains (and freeway) and can be very strong at times. We happened to experience this on the return trip. FSD was doing pretty good. However, there were times when it just could not keep in the right lane and would move into the left lane or over-correct and move toward the right shoulder. I took over once until things calmed down a bit. However, on a second instance, we were passing a large truck and FSD was correcting to the right (too much) and the truck was being blown into my lane - and no corrective action was being taken by FSD. I took over until we turned more towards the east when it became more of a tailwind.
And there you have it! Even with the current FSD and map data quirks, it was still the easiest and most comfortable road trip I have ever taken. Love this truck!
Picked up my Beast at the end of August - all-season tires. Took a direct route (and easy driving days of about 5-6 hours of driving) through Amarillo, TX; Clayton, NM; Trinidad, CO; Colorado Springs, CO; Boulder, CO: and Estes Park, CO. From there, went back to Denver to pick up out daughter at the airport (lives in Europe), spent a few days in the mountains, then took her back and drove back along the same route. Had some freezing rain followed by snow in Estes Park (about 15 degrees above normal this year), but just happened to occur on Christmas day.
In the end, it was a bit over 1900 miles, over 7,000 feet of elevation gain, and 411 Wh/Mile for the trip. Pretty much drove the speed limit +/- 2 all the way - mostly FSD 13.2.1 up there and then 13.2.2 on the way back.
First - this has to be one of the best road trip vehicles I have ever been in! Loved it! The dog came with us - had plenty of room. My wife and I were both super comfortable the entire way with room for quick access snacks/drinks (small plug-in cooler on the floor console), and room for everything we brought to make it a family Christmas in Estes Park.
Cybertrucks...
- Day one - Saw one at the end of our first day in Amarillo at the supercharger on the west side of town - sand/beige wrap.
- Day two from Amarillo to Colorado Springs, we stopped to charge in Clayton, NM and Trinidad, CO (and when we arrived in the Springs). Passed one on a trailer with its tow vehicle gassing up when we arrived in Clayton - another leaving the supercharger when we pulled in, and a white-wrapped one that arrived as we were about to leave. There was another one charging in Trinidad when we arrived, the white one showed up, and another unwrapped one arrived as we left. We passed another in downtown Colorado Springs as we approached the charger and saw the white one again as we were heading back to the hotel after dinner.
- Day three started with a matt-black CT that had the DLT that appeared to have been tinted red - looked pretty neat.
- Then, the drought - we did not see another CT until day 9 - our next to last day.
- Day 9 Passed a bright yellow gloss wrapped CT going the opposite direction somewhere between northern New Mexico and Amarillo (forgot exactly where).
- Day 10 - final day (Amarillo to Dallas) - stopped in Quanah, TX to charge at the supercharger behind the Sonic on the west side of town. One CT pulling out as we pulled in and another charging (Delaware plates).
Charging was never a problem. Drove about 2.5 hours between chargers on the way up and broke it up a little more on the way home. Never an issue and I charged more than I needed to on the way there while sticking to 80% on the way back.
FSD Notes:
Mostly good. However, you still must watch it as it makes some questionable options.
I was on FSD 13.2.1 on the way up there and received the 13.2.2 update when in Estes Park, so had a chance to drive back on that version. Not much difference that I saw between the two - but this was mostly freeway driving.
I would say FSD is about 80% there. It really made the drive that much easier and I was able to see more than I normally do on long trips and arrived must less tired at the end of the day.
The Good:
- As mentioned, 80% of the experience was great. The other 20% really came down to the same repeating situations for the most part (deceleration/acceleration in small towns on the freeway) with a couple of specific situations.
- Traffic circles were smooth and well executed (used on both sides of the freeway on I-25 for the supercharger in south Trinidad, CO). This was much better than I experienced in an easier traffic circle east of Dallas on FSD 12.
- Passing, slowing down for traffic, stop signs, and left turns were all better than before. Even tended to keep more-centered in the lane on the freeway (but not always). I did learn that a little pressure on the wheel made it move a bit left or right and then it tended to stay there in the lane.
- Migrating through construction areas was good.
The bad (descriptive):
- I finally experienced the phantom breaking people have talked about, but also saw why it was occurring. This is not actually FSD, but the underlying Google Maps data. When moving between Colorado Springs and Pueblo on I-25 (both directions), through one of the small towns, the truck suddenly slowed down unexpectedly. I glanced at the screen and it showed a speed limit of 45 miles an hour (in a 75 zone). The map data was telling the truck it was entering a 45 mph zone and then went back to 75. Looking at the old atlas, when I arrived home, that section of I-25 used to run through the town and a stop light. I went through a number of towns in New Mexico and west Texas that are still this way - speed drops from 70/75 to 60 to 55 to 35/45 through town. It appears the map data was never updated. The fix: if Tesla is going to rely on this data, it needs to be accurate and up-to-date. I was lucky no one was tailgating me when this occurred and became hyper-vigilant as I approach a town (yes, it happened a couple more times on the trip - always on a newer section of freeway going by a small town adjacent to it).
- There are some questionable decisions - the biggest was when I was nearly home. Hwy 114 is being extended from the six-lane divided highway in town to the northeast - where it is a four-lane rural highway. Right at a freeway overpass near the current construction, there are about six lanes on either side with two dedicated left turn lanes. I was in the third lane (next to the dedicated left turn lane) and there was traffic backed-up at the light with about five or six cars in front of me. it decided to get in the left turn lane and then wanted to get back (and there was no room). Took over and went around the block.
- As mentioned, on these rural highways, the speed limits in Texas/New Mexico will be 70-75 mph. Most of these still run through the middle of small towns, so the speed will drop down to 60/65, then 50/55, then 35/45 and then reverse back to 70/75 as you pass through - all in about a quarter mile or less. When FSD slows down, it is full regen - which is pretty abrupt for those behind you - especially on the first drop. This is very apparent for those few places that drop from 75 down to 45 in just a tenth of a mile or so. It should look ahead a bit and see the speed changes (it has the data and does not look at the actual signs) and make this adjustment more gradual. I ended up holding the accelerator down at the first sign and let it adjust to the speed changes and then gradually slowing down myself. That worked out well, but I should not need to do that.
- Accelerating out of those towns was anemic. When the speed went from 35 to 45 to 65 to 75 in a quarter mile or less, it may see the speed limit change, but not accelerate until the next change, and then not to that speed. For example, 35 was a common in-town speed that would change to 45, to 55, then to 65, and finally 75. It would slowly accelerate to 40, and then 50, and then hang around something odd, such as 61 when it hit the 75 mph zone and stay there for a while. The display showed it was 75 mph in that area, but it would sit at 61 and slowly accelerate over a few miles to 70. I found myself pressing the accelerator to get it to start accelerating and then it would pick up from there are a more reasonable rate.
- Gusty Winds...On the return trip, south of Pueblo, north of Trinidad, the winds accelerate off the mountains to the west and spread across the plains (and freeway) and can be very strong at times. We happened to experience this on the return trip. FSD was doing pretty good. However, there were times when it just could not keep in the right lane and would move into the left lane or over-correct and move toward the right shoulder. I took over once until things calmed down a bit. However, on a second instance, we were passing a large truck and FSD was correcting to the right (too much) and the truck was being blown into my lane - and no corrective action was being taken by FSD. I took over until we turned more towards the east when it became more of a tailwind.
And there you have it! Even with the current FSD and map data quirks, it was still the easiest and most comfortable road trip I have ever taken. Love this truck!
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