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I'm not even a Musk hater nor do I have brand loyalty for anyone, just calling out the quality issues as I see them. The build quality of a Y or 3 is noticeably worse than that of an X or S. I remember when I first sat in a friend's Y...I was quite shocked at how terrible the interior is. I'm...

I rented a Model 3 for a week and what stood out to me was how poorly built it was. The interior isn't even Hyundai level of quality, let alone Honda. It's also not particularly quiet at high speed as there was just so much wind and road noise. Ride quality is comparable to the average economy...

It's not one specific reason they'll use to deny the claim. It's almost as if corporate mandated the stores to reduce warranty claims somehow, or made it extremely inconvenient for the stores to do, such that the individual parts counter worker will try his best to try and push back on any...

I used to not mind paying a little more getting parts from the local parts store (like Napa) due to the convenience of being able to get replacement parts quicky. But in the last few years they've really been making it a huge hassle anytime you try to warranty a part. Even items which by policy...

This exactly. It's a bit ridiculous when people insist on replacing perfectly fine tires after 5-6 years under the guise of safety. There is wayyyy more safety factor in tires then we give them credit for.

With modern technology, is there really that much of a difference anymore between different manufacturers? I know back in the day the science to making perfectly spherical bearings was a Japanese trade secret but these days it's all well known. When operated normally, I hardly ever see the balls...

That's not the point I'm trying to make. I'm simply saying that a rebuilder is probably just going to do a quick multimeter test on the diode and slapping it back in there if it tests good. Rather than replacing the aging pack which would be preferred. This is just one example. You basically...

Diode(s) can indeed have an intermittent failure at higher temperatures, they develop microscopic cracks. Whether a cheap vs brand name diode is equivalent in quality is not the primary problem. A shop is most likely reusing the same diode pack in a rebuild if it tests fine. But a bench test at...

No, a diode as part of a rectifier network can fail in a way that it starts letting current through imperfectly causing a high ripple. That's why those handheld testers report on ripple. If you have >100mV your car will still likely function but it's an indication you have a diode starting to...

Those Amazon cheapo China units are all pretty much the same. Foxsur appears to be slightly more legit, while the others are knock offs. They do a reasonably good job and the pulse repair feature is known to be quite potent. However I would not trust leaving these plugged in for long durations...

Don't know about that, the formulations between brands even within the same manufacturer could vary greatly. I've had Michelins that had dry rot cracks in 5 years and also a no-name spare that I kept on the roof (in the sun) that looked fine after 20 years. It's kind of hit or miss. It's kind...

In theory, a properly done reman using the OE components should be the best option vs a new made in China unit using questionable parts. Problem is, even the reman business is a race to the bottom as the alternator only needs to last the warranty period. Their primary business is turning these...

I have some Moog boots that are fine after 10+ years. Their Problem Solver line does have a lifetime warranty but it's often times a real pain in the butt trying to deal with the local retailer. In my case Napa...who makes all sort of excuses to deny lifetime warranty parts. It's gotten so bad...

Not worth it at all IMO. I say this as someone who DIYs my own paint protection of which despite the frustration, can be doable with minimal imperfections once you understand the basic concepts. Imperfections in paint protection are not a big deal, but on window tint which is something you look...

No, the OP has a very valid question. Lithium ion batteries wear not only with cycles, but with age as well. Keeping them within their ideal range minimizes the natural degradation. Even if you seldom drive it, I doubt any EV would maintain more than 50% of their range after 15-20 years. I...

Even on a - 40C day, cold weather driving within the city is generally ok despite the huge range reduction. However you would not want to be doing any long distance driving on those really cold days without being super conservative on your charging stops and planning out the battery...

Having a decent charging network is absolutely critical. I would not want to rent a non Tesla EV since using public charging is an absolute pain in the butt. Every different company insists on you having to install their crappy app and create an account just to use the thing.

If you're using RTV it's likely in an area that ideally shouldn't require servicing for a long time. Although many manufacturers do use RTV on differential covers (Ford) and transmission pans. In those cases it's easier to simply get a gasket. RTVs also require more prep than a gasket and in...

Depends on condition. I recently rented a 2022 Tesla Model 3 with 60K that looked and felt noticeably more beat than my 2011 Hyundai with 80K. The swirls and scuffs on the paint was probably comparable to that of an average non enthusiast owned car that parks outside.

I rented one and although it was a fun experience, would not want to own one. For ride share service, my assumption is they're likely supercharging these during the day rather than waiting at home. It's actually not that much cheaper doing so than filling up a gas vehicle to do the same...