General vehicle thread

[Jer]

I thought I read somewhere about Tesla (and perhaps other/all EVs) having a different sort of "leak" called Phantom Drain or Phantom Leaking. It was a reference to battery drain when the car wasn't in use. Some people apparently had a real problem with it. I also thought they had a coolant system.

**Not dumping on Tesla or EVs in general as, obviously, they won't leak like a "normal" car. Just curious.

Phantom drain is something that just about any rechargeable battery device will experience. In this case, my guess is that you're referring to an issues some were having early on where this was exaggerated and causing some issues for people leaving their car at airports for prolonged periods for instance. This has been fixed via software updates for quite a while though and doesn't really represent a significant issue other than a slow and predictable drain if you leave it sit for long periods w/o being plugged in. This is the case for ICE vehicles too though so not really anything unique to EVs.

There are also battery technologies in development that will also help in this area among many other more dramatic upgrades in current charging technologies.

As to the liquids statement; the only liquid in Tesla vehicles is the windshield washer fluid, brake fluid and the coolant mixture that circulates to keep the batteries warm for optimal charging & discharging. Sure these could leak but it would be very unlikely and (other than the brake fluid) is water soluble so it would dilute in a rain storm or with a garden hose and be safe for the environment and not leave the cruddy oil slicks you see in parking spots and that I used to dread whenever riding motorcycles. For someone like me who likes to keep their driveway and garage floors spotless this is a great thing to not have to worry about a drip during an oil change or from a leak. Whenever I pull up to a convenience store for an energy drink or pulling up to a stop like on a busy road I'm constantly reminded of one of the negatives of ICE cars that will eventually be a distant memory.

[Jer]

I watched another video where they race an 1/8th mile on a 1/4 mile track, but from back to front (to better simulate street racing). He is basically an 1/8th mile car because those nitrous racecars real him right in once they hook up.

I've also seen a LOT of videos of full 1/4 mile races being won by a 4-door electric sedan on all season tires that weighs over 5,000lbs and makes no noise or pollution against high hp track-only vehicles. It's all situational and of course there are examples of either side winning either situation but the bottom line is that these Tesla cars are fast by any measurement. Considering where EVs were less than 10 years ago I'd say this is an overall win for the EV industry when it comes to showing they can be considered in the same breath as ICE cars.

[Gman]

In other news, Amazon invested $700 million in Rivian.

[Jer]

In other news, Amazon invested $700 million in Rivian.

I know GM wants a piece of that action too but they've got a cash problem.

[Gman]

I know GM wants a piece of that action too but they've got a cash problem.

GM has a quality and competition problem.

[Bailey Guns]

GM has a quality and competition problem.

I won't argue the competition angle, but Consumer Reports doesn't seem to think they have a quality problem judging by their list of the best American-branded cars, trucks and SUVs from 01/02/2019.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars...s-suvs-trucks/

These are the top-rated cars from their class. You may not agree but they do have a pretty extensive testing regimen:

Subcompact = Chevy Sonic
Compact = Chevy Cruze
Compact Electric = Chevy Bolt
Large Sedan = Chevy Impala
Luxury Midsized Sedan = Cadillac XTS
Sports = Chevy Corvette
Large SUV = Chevy Suburban
Luxury SUV = Buick Envision

That's a pretty impressive lineup, especially from Chevrolet. And I'll admit I'm a Chevy fan...we currently own 3. They have been the most trouble free cars we've ever owned.

[MrPrena]

Speaking of GM, mary barra has to go. $22mil/yr salary ,and can't even predict the auto market less than half of time.

[Gman]

I won't argue the competition angle, but Consumer Reports doesn't seem to think they have a quality problem judging by their list of the best American-branded cars, trucks and SUVs from 01/02/2019.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars...s-suvs-trucks/

These are the top-rated cars from their class. You may not agree but they do have a pretty extensive testing regimen:

Subcompact = Chevy Sonic
Compact = Chevy Cruze
Compact Electric = Chevy Bolt
Large Sedan = Chevy Impala
Luxury Midsized Sedan = Cadillac XTS
Sports = Chevy Corvette
Large SUV = Chevy Suburban
Luxury SUV = Buick Envision

That's a pretty impressive lineup, especially from Chevrolet. And I'll admit I'm a Chevy fan...we currently own 3. They have been the most trouble free cars we've ever owned.

Cruze, Impala, and XTS from that list have been cancelled. Buick Envision is made in China. The Sonic is on thin ice for cancellation.

I've been a Chevy guy my whole life. Waited for the 2019 GM trucks to come out before making a purchasing decision...and wow. What a fail fest. The bean counters must be doing their design. Chevy is still advertising on their past achievements.

[Bailey Guns]

Many car makers are stopping sedan production this year...not just Chevy. Ford's doing the same thing. There's more money in trucks and SUVs. That's a consumer decision...not a fault of the automakers. Also doesn't change the fact they were top-rated cars by a leading testing facility.

I'm set with a truck so I haven't looked at the new Chevy pickups yet. I will as soon as I head in for the next service.

[Irving]

That's kind of a bummer to be getting rid of cars. I have a hard time believing that enough of them aren't being to completely stop making them.