2024-07-29 13:47:42 -0700

Tesla warns against this popular Tesla Model Y Supercharger trick

By:
David Odejide

Tesla is popular worldwide for its red Superchargers, which are sought after by Tesla owners because they charge EV batteries very fast. However, over the years, many Tesla owners, including Model Y users, have adopted a trick for cooling the Supercharger handle, which can get very hot when plugged in. The American company is now warning Tesla owners to stop it.

Tesla took to its official charging account on X, formerly Twitter, to warn its customers to desist from a very risky trick that has become popular. When a Supercharger handle gets very hot, some Tesla owners try to cool it down by placing a wet towel on it.

This often happens when the Superchargers are used in hot weather, causing their temperature to increase. The result is that the sensor inside the charger slows down the charging rate, meaning the drivers will spend more time waiting for their battery to fill up.

According to X user @out_of_spec, they tested the wet towel theory and reported an uptick in the charging speed. They plugged in at 2 percent battery, which the Supercharger ramped up to 147 kW. However, the charger throttled the speed down at the 34 percent mark to 58 kW. After wrapping a wet towel around the charger handle, @out_of_spec reported that the charging speed jumped back to 119 kW.

The wet towel is supposed to trick the charging system into ‘believing’ the temperature has dropped, triggering a ramp-up in charging speed. Multiple Tesla owners have promoted this theory, which is often shared on Tesla-focused online forums. Online media InsideEVs corroborated this claim on their own website, which they shared on X.

However, @TeslaCharging has come out to debunk the idea. They responded to InsideEVs’ tweet with a rebuttal and a sound warning.

The official handle said placing a wet towel has no effect on charging speed. In fact, it messes up the embedded temperature sensors, leading to a risk of damage from overheating.

The tweet concludes with a plea for Tesla owners to avoid using the trick so that Tesla systems can run as intended and detect charging issues.

Meanwhile, the warning has attracted different reactions. Some X users insisted the trick actually works, while others added they do not recommend it. Other users have tasked Tesla with improving their chargers so that no driver would have to resort to the trick, with another user suggesting solar roofs to keep temperatures cooler at Tesla’s charging stations.

One user suggested that Tesla monitors and fines users for using the trick.

One trick, however, has become the favorite of many people looking for Tesla Model Y accessories. The trick is the Tesla Model Y Spectre fiber dashboard replacement, which does not mess with any sensor. For compatible Model Ys and even Model 3s, the hand-built Spectre fibre dashboard is a complete replacement that brings a touch of style and sophistication to your car's interior. Despite being dead easy to install, it lasts long and requires no maintenance. Enjoy the lifetime warranty while also saving money as Fusion Motorsports is offering up to 25 percent discount for as long as stock lasts.

Header image courtesy of @out_of_spec on Twitter

x