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Below, you'll find the TinkerTry'd Amazon Shopping list that includes the items featured in the video, or you might like the less cluttered view of the same items in my public Amazon Idea List. Many of these items are also well-suited for the Tesla Model Y as-is, and some are also available in Model Y specific versions.
Amazon Shopping List view at left, Amazon Idea List view at right.
Disclosure:My family owns no stock in Tesla. Tesla doesn't advertise at TinkerTry, or anywhere else, and this is not a sponsored post. We financed the purchase of two Tesla Model 3s, replacing my 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid in December of 2018 and replacing my wife's 2005 Honda Civic EX in December of 2019. These big moves to an all electric household were an expression of our mutual desire to go green, avoid gasoline, be safe, have fun, and save money in the long run. Mostly for my job, I drive a lot, 25,000 miles in 2019 for example, and I thoroughly enjoy sharing what I've learned with you. I hope you can tell!
This article keeps track of the Model 3 accessories I've TinkerTry'd for months, many for over a year. Most are featured in my detailed walkthrough videos, in 4K!. I plan to own my Model 3 for many years, and I'm detailing why I'm keeping the accessories that have been proven to work well for me, returning the others, and making notes and edits to this list as I go. I encourage you to revisit and refresh for the latest updates based on my first-hand experience. Also consider dropping a comment below to share your experience with any of these products on your Model 3, which will greatly enhance the experience for others reading this article.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, and some of them such as Skimlinks fav.co shortened URLs may need to be white-listed in your browser before they'll work.
Let's start with items you can order from Tesla's online store directly that aren't as horribly overpriced, since it takes the longest to arrive, especially if you're far from California. In my experience, ordering four items on Wed Jan 02 2018, I got shipment notifications for three of then on Fri Jan 04 2018, due to arrive 10 days. There seems to be no expedited order processing, and no upgraded shipping options.
I'm in New England, and I got my first Model 3 on Dec 23 2018, and another on Dec 2019, so yeah, I'm very used to dealing with winter! The roads are frequently salted here, so it was pretty urgent for me to find something to cover those dark black carpets with quickly.
I went with the Tesla branded rear trunk mat. As for the interior and frunk mat, I want more of my Model 3's carpeting protected, you'll see what I chose and why in the Floor Mats and Frunk sections below.
From the Tesla Shop online store:
This trunk liner has held up very well, in active use for over 2 years and 36,000 miles of adventure. I like that it's very flexible, so I can still fairly easily get to my subtrunk area.
Click to see all Model 3 accessories at the online Tesla Shop.
These just arrived, and I installed them on my 2018 Model 3 LR AWD on Jan 08 2019, pictured here. They appear to look much better than OEM carpet mats in this vehicle, at least initially, especially with all the salt on your shoes around here. Bought another set for my wife's 2020 Model 3 that has no dead pedal cover, and yes, they still fit perfectly. Feb 03 2021 Update - these mats are holding up great in both of our Model 3s, even after 40K combined miles and tough winters. Very happy with these mats.
Tesla Raj - Jul 30 2018 - Are these the best all weather floor mats for the Tesla Model 3?
"topfit Non-Slip Performance Foot Pedal Pads,Auto Aluminum Pedal Covers for Model 3" but I found better pedals from EV Tuning, seen pictured below.
More a nicety than a necessity, but I do like the way the hard plastic accelerator pedal is a bit bigger now, with a much grippier surface. Takes a few minutes, brute force, dexterity, and hot water to install these tight-fitting no-adhesive pedals. You certainly wouldn't want these to ever slip off accidentally. Basically makes your Model 3 pedals look like it has the better OE pedals of the Performance Model 3 pictured here, but those aren't available for purchase separately from Tesla's store.
EV Tuning - Tesla Model 3 Pedal Set Aluminum and Rubber
After 10 months of use, it's safe to say that these are my favorite. They're a little narrower than the topfit, and that's a good thing. They appear to be much more similar in appearance and dimensions to the Performance Model 3's Tesla made aluminum pedal covers. With the topfit, once in a while my shoe would catch the edge of the brake pedal briefly when going for the accelerator pedal. This has never happened with the EV Tuning pedal covers, even after over a year of use.
I tried so many brands and styles of these stickers, but none of the symbols worked as well as these words, I'm sorry to say. I really liked the raised rubber OEM feel of the Abstract Ocean Door Release Buttons, but alas, I'm sticking with the OPEN DOOR stickers. See what I did there?
Do my parents and other car guests still sometimes pull the lever instead of push the button? Yes. But perhaps a little less often for those taking their first ride in a Model 3. Only time will tell.
Would a large red X sticker to put over the emergency door handle release would be helpful? Maybe, but I can understand why there would be safety concerns in doing so. Would a sticker that channels light from the button LED into the car door icon be cool? Yes, but I doubt the Model 3's LEDs are bright enough for that to be effective. Maybe glow in the dark OPEN DOOR buttons instead of White?
This is a high quality glass protector. All matte finish degrades the contrast and sharpness of the screen ever so slightly, but it's worth it. It does a fair job of hiding fingerprints and a good job at reducing the severity of direct sunlight reflections. Also comes in handy for avoiding most moire pattern artifacts when taking pictures or video of my screen.
Excellent reviews by over 30,000 buyers, and in my own experience with them, it does seem they work better than Tesla's OEM filter. I hope to use my air quality monitor to verify they are demonstrably more effective.
Note, you can see the passing Mustang's front end in the window, and the rear end in the side-view mirror. No blind spot!
The Model 3's side view mirrors are on the small side, which actually helps reduce air friction and increate range. This also means that visibility to each side of your Tesla Model 3 is restricted by the relatively small field-of-view of these factory default side mirrors, and they don't have the now-common yellow warning lights for integrated blind spot detection. The center screen doesn't render cars behind you reliably enough to count on before changing lanes, and it doesn't feel natural to check your center screen to see if moving left is safe. Thankfully, I've found a work-around that works well. Even if a subcompact is in my left-rear blind spot, I can see the rear of that car in my aftermarket left side-view mirror, and I can see the nose of that car out my left drivers window. In other words, my blind spots are eliminated for all vehicle types around me. The only exception are motorcycles.
For the left-hand mirror, I can't adjust the mirror any further left, so in the picture above, you'll see quite a bit of my own car's body in the mirror that was taken from the driver's eye point of view. This isn't really an issue though, since I can still see enough of the other lane even before turning my head to be sure it's safe to change lanes.
Hansshow Auto Parts order page. Not available on Amazon.
With all aftermarket side-view mirrors, you lose the auto-dimming function at night. Because glare at night doesn't particularly bother me, and because convex glass makes headlamps behind me a bit smaller, I went with the clear glass option on the mirrors and it hasn't been a problem. If you want to reduce glare, you can get the always blue tinted mirrors instead.
There is a little bit of getting used to when first using these mirrors, as you need to focus at a distance you're not used to at first. I quickly got over that, and the benefits are surely worth it. I found any kind of tiny stick-on convex mirrors just didn't hold up in the long run, made cleaning the mirrors harder, and were difficult to focus on at a glance.
Installation took me about 10 minutes total, using the method demonstrated in this video, with no tools required.
Let's tackle this next. The built-in USB-C and Lightning connectors don't charge very quickly, and can be a bit cumbersome to slide your phone into. I should go with Qi wireless charging.
V3 comparison table is useful, since there is no such table for V4 that adds Alcantara and MagSafe features to the list, along with more room for an easy iPhone 12/13 Pro Max fit with room to spare.
For Apple iPhones, Tesla's USB cables don't transmit audio signals over the USB cable either, so your Model 3 won't "see" an iPod to play music from. Once that reality set in, getting a way to charge as fast as possible over wireless seemed very appealing to me, especially after driving my Tesla over 800 miles those first 2 weeks of joyful ownership.
Be sure to enter tinkertry at checkout to get 10% off your entire order!
I started with a Nomad charger, but the rubber didn't hold up well over time, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max in an Apple leather slim case didn't fit with the lid closed. I also tried the Jeda v3 wireless charging mat, and that barely fit, and got quite scuffed up in a few months. So going with an Alcantara finish, as Tesla has done on their refreshed console design featuring wireless charging on Model 3 and Model Y, seems to be the way to go. Based on my new unboxing video, it sure is looking promising already, with much more space for larger phones. Even with my iPhone 13 Pro Max, I still have about 1/4" of room to spare above the phone, and I'm still able to swipe up to my home screen from the bottom edge of the phone, while the phone stays put in this secure cradle. MagSafe compatibility and landscape orientation charging are features that Tesla's newer consoles doesn't even offer, but of course the Jeda works with Android devices too.
Be sure to enter tinkertry at checkout to get 10% off your entire order!
Jeda - Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Wireless Charger - V4
While it doesn't have an LED to indicate charging, this solution works well. You'll want to use the included free spacer, it keeps thicker phones from sliding into the center console pocket under acceleration.
First Look - Jeda Wireless Pad v4 for Tesla Model 3/Y featuring MagSafe and an Alcantara finish!
Route these to each side, so they don't get crushed on their way into to the seatback pockets, for easy access by the rear passengers. Alternative, one to left rear seat, and the other alongside the front seat passenger seat, left in the area near the seat belt latch for passengers to use if Qi just isn't fast enough. An extra benefit to this approach is a lack of USB cables sticking out for the 5th center-rear passenger to bump into, when getting in and out.
Low profile connection prevents any issues with clearance when you're trying to put your organizer tray back into place after leaving this unit plugged in to your 12V outlet. Now you can use the Scosche charger, and still have an available outlet for whatever else you need, including a couple more USB ports too.
Real story about why fast charging for passengers can be important:
Feb 09 2019 addition - I have a story to add. I was driving a fellow energy conference attendee to the Bradley Airport when he found himself with his rideshare being late, and his iPhone battery had become pretty low too. With only 25 minutes in my Model 3 together en route, I suggested he use my Lightning to USB-C cable for maximum charge speeds. He was pretty thankful to see his phone go right to over 30% charge during that short ride, and I'm so glad I was so very ready for exactly this circumstance. My phone in the wireless cradle, and his getting used with the long wire to place the call to cancel his ride-share whilst it was charging, and both of us content. Turns out this guy is Chris Nelder, and he's amazing. Have a listen to his work in [Episode #109] – Big Oil’s Climate Denial Machine!
Break glass (and cut seatbelt) in case of emergency.
There is some minor, distributed-over-a-large-area pinching force on the white Apple charging cables, evident in the flattened velor/suede texture, but there are no tight pinches when routed this way. I notice no noticeable damage to either cable, at least not yet.
The resqme is a clever name for this tiny tool that cuts seat belts and breaks windows, should the need arise. Seems wise to have one of these on board, and yellow seems especially easy to spot. Highly rated, yet affordable. Seems like a better idea to use the center console for this. After a wreck, I don't think you'd want to rely on being able to open the glove box, especially if your vehicle is sinking. See also Mythbusters - Turn Turtle Experiment - Inverted Underwater Car. Available for a rather modest sub-$20 price in 2 pack form, but also available individually or in other colors on Amazon:
Hidden from this view, my new compact E-ZPass MA transponder is located here, even though you are supposed to put it here. I believe having a glass roof helps. I've checked my recent trips in my account, and they all read reliably from the new readers along the Massachusetts Turnpike that are part of the EZDriveMA system that I frequent. I've driven 25,000 miles this past year all over the northeast (lifetime map here) from Maine to Virginia, and I believe just twice the NJ Turnpike readers complained about not reading my transponder. Transponder image source here on Wikipedia.
Two of these will interlock with the things that are likely already attached to your toll transponder, just be sure to wipe the plastic surface under the armrest with alcohol first to clean it off, then be sure it's dry.
Have you seen any good options for the armrest compartment lighting options (e.g. a small led light to shine in the armrest compartment tray)?
I’d like to add this feature, but so far have not found anything “clean” looking.
I have! Your comment inspired me to finally install it today, had been in the box for weeks. I seems to work well, but I will need to recharge it once in a while. Lifting the armrest beyond 45 degrees automatically turns the LED on and it shines into the top tray of the storage area. Open it further, it shines onto the entire center console, including the cell phone mats. https://www.amazon.com/gp/B01N4IF1F0?tag=tinkertryamzn-20
Get these removable fastener to secure the LED light (and Toll Transponder) to the underside of the armrest: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T3GNXB0?tag=tinkertryamzn-20
TinkerTry YouTube Channel - Dec 30 2019 - Compact LED under-armrest downlight that illuminates the entire Tesla Model 3 center console
Cup Holder Insert for Tesla Model 3
For me, I used all of the above pocket liners with the exception of the front and rear holder liners. When using the rear arm rest, I don't want passengers to have to fiddle with a liner that may have fallen out when the arm rest was up. For the front cup holder, I much prefer the removable rubber pocket approach, which also add a little pressure to smaller cans to help avoid tip-overs, and can easily be removed if a large thermal container doesn't quite fit with this liner in place.
USB Flash Drive for Dashcam / Sentrymode
Given how important it is to have a device that can handle the stress of constant data writes from 4 camera views streaming in during every drive, you'll want something far better than the Tesla USB Drive - 128 GB that come with 2021 and later Teslas.
Instead, here's the resilient solution that won't easily become dislodged during rear end collisions, an unfortunate reality for heavier SSD or hub-based solutions.
Simply buy these two products instead, then format the microSD card using the in-car, on-screen menu. Your dashcam footage viewer will also start up nice and fast with this combo, whereas bringing up the viewer when I was using a 1TB Samsung SSD connected through a hub would get very very slow.
Once emptied of tissue, this box becomes my disposable garbage can. No need to line it or clean it, just empty the contents from time to time, and discard the box itself once it gets too beat up.
Tissues
Always helpful to have some of these on board.
Wet wipes
Also handy for quick clean-ups, antibacterial hand wipes with no alcohol, so they should be very safe for wiping the Vegan Leather (vinyl) seats too.
NOT for DashCam or Sentry mode, they're not fast enough, nor do they have anywhere near the required write endurance. Such drives are great for music. Once you use something like GUIFormat to reformat the drive as FAT32, you can put your music folders on there. Spotify users can use NoteBurner to get high quality files such as AAC or FLAC right from your favorite Spotify playlists! What better way to put those 10 speakers plus subwoofer to good use. None of the inevitable streaming quality degradation that Bluetooth and/or streaming over LTE can incur.
Works with Cuphead and all the rest of the games in Tesla Entertainment, for a little fun when you're parked. I would not recommend you leave the wireless dongle this gamepad comes with plugged in at all times, as it's 2.4GHz and you don't really want more stuff on that frequency than you already have, such as Tesla WiFi, Roadie WiFi, phone hotspots, and Bluetooth. I would recommend you just plug the dongle in when you need it, then start up your game and enjoy. There are lots of wired controllers that work with the Tesla Model 3, but it's slim pickings when it comes to wireless controllers that work properly. Enjoy!
EV Wraps Tesla Model 3 Center Console Wrap - Carbon Fiber
Only took me about 1/2 hr to install, and it was very forgiving, having to peel off nearly the whole cup holder area when I had messed up with alignment, putting it back on came out just fine in the end.
Do your shopping, at check-out, put your just-scanned groceries right into it, then lift and insert into your trunk in one shot
Perfect for that sub-trunk area of your Model 3, you just need remember to take it in when you get to the grocery store. With plastic bags now outlawed here in Connecticut, this item has been in use on a weekly basis, and it has held up well. If you want to, you can store two of nested inside each other in the under trunk area, and you can still slide the lid over both of them. The challenge is what to do with any trunk mats and the lid when you're putting heavy groceries back into your trunk, still working on a solution for that.
Model 3 All-Weather Cargo Mats
If you didn't already order this form the link in the Tesla Store section above, here's another reminder that this mat has held up nicely heavy use for over 2 years now, with heavy luggage often shoved in and out. This mat also lifts up easily, for access to the often-used under trunk storage area too, and you can slide the subtrunk lid forward underneath this mat's underside, something the 3D Maxspider trunk liner doesn't allow.
Let's face it, your car can move. You don't want stuff flying around the trunk every time you accelerate, brake, or turn. Inspired by this conversation on Tesla Forums, to my surprise, these things actually work, when used in conjunction with a trunk mat like Tesla's Model 3 All-Weather Cargo Mats - Rear Trunk.
Use tinkertry coupon code to enjoy 15% off your first order at Abstract Ocean.
Much much brighter trunk illumination than the ones Tesla includes with the Model 3. Installation too me all of 3 minutes, using an included spudger to carefully pry the original LED out. I followed along with the install video, with more videos here
In the end, I chose the slightly pricier LEDs, due to better quality and brighter illumination. I almost lost one of the wires inside the door as the cable was quite short once I released the original LED, but jambing my pinkie finger in there to fish around for it worked out fine, laying flat on the garage floor to do so. The integrated cable extensions of the Oznium LEDs that I also tried were nice, but Abstract Ocean sells extenders for such situations too. I personally didn't need extenders for my two Model 3s.
These cover all 7 light locations, and 2 footwell locations if you have a Premium Plus interior. Abstract Ocean isn't on Amazon, but their site features convenient payments via Amazon, PayPal, or Google Pay, avoiding the hassle of setting up an account. Here's a sample review:
John S.Verified Buyer
11/27/18
AO LED Lighting a huge improvement over OEM
I purchased the 7-light set of white LED's for my Model 3. It took me less than 2 minutes per light to change out the two trunk lights, four door puddle lights, and one glovebox light. All light provide significantly brighter illumination for getting into and out of the vehicle at night, and for seeing anything in the dark trunk. The install video is right on target, all wiring connections are clip-type, and there is no damage done to either the light housings or the OEM lights so they could be put back if you wished to do so. Great value for me, very positive results!
Abstract Ocean - Feb 16 2020 - Installing Ultra-Bright Lights on the Tesla Model 3
Abstract Ocean Ultra-Bright LED Lights.
Oznium LED at left with odd colors and irregular patterns, and brighter Abstract Ocean LED at right.
Tesla Model 3 Lifting Jack pad - 4 Pack
Just in case you have an encounter with a pothole while far from home, not all garages are prepared for Teslas. It's best to have a set of these on hand, to make it less likely you'll get your battery damaged.
Bell Automotive 00876-8 Pencil Tire Gauge
Much preferred over worrying about replacing batteries, at the cost of convenience and ease of use. As far as pencil tire gauges go, this one is top rated, affordable, and light.
Disclosure - the EveryAmp affiliate links featured in this article are income generating links at no cost to shoppers, simply enter coupon code tinkertry at checkout to save 5% off your purchase. I purchased my SnapPlate in September of 2019, and as of December of 2021, I've gone over 34,000 miles without incident. SnapPlate has worked out very well for my needs.
Floating ahead of the bumper, no paint contact!
If you wish to have a secure quick release mechanism for your Tesla's front license plate, the new EveryAmp (formerly LivingTesla) SnapPlate seems to work quite well, and takes just a few seconds, literally. Remarkably designed, with no painted surface of your bumper contacted! They have versions for all Teslas now: Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X.
Advantages of such a removable bracket/plate approach include:
Makes washing bugs and dirt off then entire front bumper a lot easier. Just remove the assembly at the car wash, clean the car, then reinstall.
It's pretty amazing what 3D printing can do with an ingenious design. While the current price is a bit high, that's certainly expected given the relatively low volumes an upstart company like EveryAmp can likely handle. If you don't want to just hope for good things down the road for companies like EveryAmp that show considerable ingenuity, you can contribute directly by ordering a SnapPlate for your Model 3. You can follow Matthew @EveryAmp, view his shipping tweets here and here, and this animated gif mount/dismount tweet that shows how crazy fast and easy it is to mount/dismount.
One minor thing I did notice is a little bit (maybe 4 mm) of plate warpage, but I'm not really sure if that was my plate, or something about the way it's fastened to the bracket. It seems Connecticut plates might be a big unusual in that they only have 4 holes, not the usual 4 slots. So in my state at least, there's not really any easy way to tweak the way the plate is screwed down to the SnapPlate bracket.
Nitpicking aside, the slight warpage is hardly noticeable when the SnapPlate is on my Model 3, especially since going to a license plate frame coupled with longer M5-0.8x20mm screws, something that SnapPlate now offers in 16mm and 20mm sizes. I'm very happy this product.
If you have some feedback, feel free to drop your comments right below this article, or email contact@everyamp.com directly.
License Plate Reindeer Kit, photo taken Dec 5 2021, moments after generating a bunch of smiles by nearby families the moment I arrived at my local Lowe's parking lot.
SnapPlate removable front license plate mounts install and completely remove in seconds. The clean, minimal design blends perfectly with the Tesla front end when it’s installed and leaves no unsightly hardware behind when it’s removed. The third-generation plate mount is height adjustable with high, center, and low mounting positions to suit your taste. It includes a standard solid joint and two screws to attach to our angled SnapPlate bases or you can add a breakaway joint for extra grille safety.
SnapPlates are designed, printed, and assembled in California by Tesla owners and fans. We strive to reduce our environmental impact by using Prusa 3D printers to make strong parts with internal structures that optimize our use of plastics and by offsetting our 3D-printer farm’s energy with Tesla Solar and Powerwalls.
The idea for SnapPlate was born when I got a ticket for not having a front license plate the same weekend I bought a new 3D printer. As a self-proclaimed front-license-plate hater, I wanted something that was easy to install when traveling to areas that enforce front license plate use and easy to remove the rest of the time. None of the options available had every feature I wanted, so I made one…and then all my Tesla friends wanted one too.
For that extra key card kept in my wallet, this seems a much better way to hand to a valet, using this holder I keep in my glove box, making sure to turn on valet mode first, of course.
Don't forgot to also put an envelope in there, with your:
Registration
Proof of Insurance
to go right on top of the manuals that the car comes with in the glove compartment, and that black Tesla cleaning cloth that you can use to clean the touch screen.
New and improved. We now include 3-M tm PPF for rear plastic fender wheel well lip! Protect more of your paint and metal body work with our extra low and wide flexible 2 ply front mud flap system. Designed to do more than "auto store" 4 Mud Flap kits..with No holes required!
...
slush before entering the garage.
• Tapping the rear of the mudflap will help shed accumulated ice and slush before entering the garage.
• Will not scrape & crack like cheap, thin "auto store" mud flaps.
At left, traditional mud flap, with some snow making it's way onto the rocker panel too. For the new mud flap pictured at right, an easily aimed gentle tap with the tip of my shoe caused the crud to slip right off. No worrying about kicking my car paint or dislodging the attachment hardware. These pictures were taken a minute apart and the crud is from the same storm.
I really like this creative solution to getting this solidly mounted using a 3rd anchor clip, avoiding the need to drill any holes in the plastic wheel well lining. Also worth nothing that these minimize the amount of material that touches the painted surfaces of the Model 3, so the likelihood of any permanent effects on the car are minimized, should I need to remove these someday. I notice they now include include 3-M tm PPF for rear plastic fender wheel well lip, so that the one tiny sliver of painted surface these do touch is better protected.
Aero Wheel Covers just removed. Time to install the Tesla Model 3 Aero Wheel Cap Kit from Tesla Shop.Tesla Model 3 Aero Wheel Cap Kit from Tesla Shop. Tesla logo wheel cap installed.Tesla Model 3 Aero Wheel Cap Kit from Tesla Shop. Wheel lug caps added.
At the expense of some efficiency, you can remove those Aero Wheel Covers, but you'll want to have these on hand. Keep in mind that you will need to remove that center cap to put the Aero Covers back on though, and I do wish there was a tool for that. Instead, it seems duct tape does the trick, see Tesla Model 3 center cap removal.
I'm a person that likes my computers quiet, and my cars too. The Tesla Model 3 is much quieter than the 2005 and 2006 Honda Civic EX and Hybrid that we used to drive. Now we can have normal conversations with our back seat passengers, this is great! While there is no engine noise heard a highway speeds, the tires and the wind do make some noise, and this is one area that the vehicle could use a little bit of affordable DIY help.
I have not yet tried these first two products listed below, but I'll let you know how it goes when I get a chance to test them, and will update this article accordingly. I'll be also doing before and after measurements to be sure they're worthwhile, much like I did for the door seals below.
Note that our 2018 Model has a giant vent in the middle of the rear deck, but our 2020 Model 3 does not, see also my article about all the differences. Even premium interior models with the subwoofer in the trunk no longer have this large opening to the trunk, so I doubt I'll be noticing a reduction in my beloved subwoofer volume once I've installed this mat in my 2018 Model 3 LR AWD.
BASENOR Tesla Model 3 Wind Noise Reduction Kit Quiet Seal Kit 4.0 Upgraded
I'll admit I'm pretty skeptical these will stay put and do much to lower wind noise, given my past experience with another brand. Hopefully these next-generation design with a higher rating will perform better, I'll update this article if I get time to test these too.
Since I started using door seals in May of 2019, which is when I created this video,
YouTube TinkerTry Channel - May 6 2019 - Tesla Model 3 interior noise measurably reduced by inexpensive self-stick car door trim
a newer, highly rated pre-cut kit has come out. Its seals are similar to the ones I bought individually, but a little thicker, and they don't impede door closure at all. They're custom made, with capped ends and a pre-made right-angle for the front doors, which also eases installation. The molding comes pre-cut to length and labeled, which makes installation even easier. I think there's a very good chance these will work every bit as well as the seals I featured in my video description, and this Motrobe kit has some pretty darn good reviews on Amazon too. Nice!
In December of 2019, I've installed the Motrobe kit on my wife's new 2020 Tesla Model 3 SR+, and the dB reduction seems to be similar to what I did with my 2018 Tesla Model 3 a year ago, about 1.5 dB overall, with a larger reduction at the higher frequencies that tend to be the most annoying at speed.
Tesla's Wild Aug 19 2019 - Tesla Model 3 Cabin WIND NOISE Reduction - Step 2 [BASENOR]
Mother Frunker, Aug 19 2019 - Tesla Model 3 Door Seal Kit Soundproof Rubber Weather | BASENOR
This newer video really confirms much of what I said, with similar results and a similar test but more thorough methodology, only a whole lot more high budget and better production values. Even the arrangement of the measurement devices was similar, see also Matt's gracious tweet. I'm flattered by this, and am amazed at the high quality of what Matt produces.
Undecided with Matt Ferrell - Sep 03 2019 - Tesla Model 3 Car Noise Reduction
Notice the 2 yellow parking aid balls, Amazon part # B074ZPJSWC, that I've aligned ahead, using parallax to be sure I pull straight into my garage. When my windshield makes contact with the nearest ball, I stop.
Description
Charge at home, anytime. Tesla Wall Connector provides a full charge overnight for every homeowner. With customized power settings, the lightweight design allows for versatile indoor/outdoor use, including a range of electrical systems and mounting options.
Monitor your charge with the Tesla app and receive notifications when complete. Wi-Fi connectivity enables over-the-air firmware updates and remote service if necessary. Tesla Wall Connector offers the best home charging experience for any Tesla owner.
It is said to eventually use WiFi instead of a signal cable to coordinate charging when installed in series with other Connectors, and to provide energy consumption data. These capabilities will arrive via a future over-the-air firmware update. I had suspected that a new charger would be coming out soo, and this 3rd gen unit is now the only type of Wall Connector sold on Tesla's at home charging page. Its 18' cable length is considerably shorter than it's 24' predecessor. See also Tesla debuts 3rd gen Wall Connector charger with Wi-Fi and new white glass design.
Since you'll be needing to pay an electrician just to get the top charging speeds for your Model 3, if you really don't need such fast turn-around times, you may want to save considerably and just use the charger your car came with, read onward...
The Standard Range Plus comes with the Gen 2 Mobile Connector Bundle, but you can buy another at $275 from Tesla to keep in your frunk at all times. The Long Range AWD can handle up to 48 amps, but it'll work just fine at 32 amps too, of course.
Either of the above chargers above can charge your Model 3 from almost empty overnight, taking a little longer if it's very cold out.
Jan 12 2020 Update:
This new cable organizer just came out last week, perfect timing, as I was just putting the finishing touches on my wall mount for my wife's new Model 3, pictured below. Works great! That hook to the right of the NEMA 14-50 outlet is for my charging cord to hang from the ceiling out of the way when done charging. I'll write up a separate article with video about if there's interest.
That hook seen to the right of the NEMA 14-50 outlet is for super-fast out-of-the-way stowing of the cable when my wife is done charging. Nothing to trip on!
First, hand wash at a touchless car wash, but not one that uses Simoniz. Why? My investigation into this is preliminary, but it's documented at TinkerTry here. This cosmetic issue seems to have directly impacted me, see my pic of my marred and discolored chrome taken last summer and posted here
What I wound up doing was using a Chrome delete wrap from Teslabros to cover up my marred Chrome around my windows, and left my side-view mirror alone. I figured this might buy me some time until a better solution hopefully comes along, perhaps even Tesla-brand replacement parts pre-colored in matt black, akin to the Model Y. On August 25 2020, it seems even more likely this could happen at some point, see Tesla China submits filings for Model 3 with Model Y-style chrome delete.
So use touchless car washes that doesn't use Simoniz, or pre-clean pressure wash your car in your own driveway, see more details on my pressure washer choice below.
Once you've gotten the caked on salt (winter) or dirt (summer) off, you're ready for a rinseless car wash by hand that I've found works well for my needs, and it can be done in your garage, even in the winter! Well, ideally, above freezing in your garage, so you don't wind up with iced over puddles to slip on.
Get yourself 2 packs of a dozen towels, one set for washing, one set for spray waxing and drying.
One-bucket car wash system
How do you wash your vehicle with just one bucket? I had to learn, I've apparently been doing it wrong for over 30 years. Here's the process, which is basically a summary of the video below:
pour the gallon of distilled water into the bucket
pour a capful of No Rinse into the bucket
fold 24 Microfiber towels twice each, make one pile of 12 that will get wet, and the other pile of 12 that will be used to dry
press the towels down into the bottom of the bucket, making sure they all get soaked
remove a towel, squeeze enough water out of it so it drips slowly, and wipe across the top of the car roof to the windshield, then a second swipe back up to the top of the car
flip the towel over, repeat for the next unwashed front-to-back strip, then toss that dirty towel into a laundry hamper (NOT in the clean bucket)
unfold then refold the wet towel to keep getting a fresh 1/8 of the surface of the towel against the paint of your car, 2 stripes about 5' to 8' in length at time
grab a folded dry towel and dry off the 4 strips you just cleaned, don't re-use, toss into a laundry hamper
once all 8 quarters of each side of the towel are dirty, get a clean towel out of the bucket and repeat steps 5 to 8 until done
when you're done washing your car, launder those towels right away in a separate load using that special detergent, since you don't want wet towels laying around to get moldy, also be sure to NOT use a fabric softener, since that will ruin the towels
Wilson Auto Detailing - Jun 19 2018 - No More 2 Bucket Wash Method! Stop Wasting Your Customer's Time
Pre-wash your car
To pre-clean your Tesla, and your driveway and home, do you really want a gas powered pressure washer to maintain, polluting your neighborhood with noise and exhaust? Yet again, my 4 year old gas powered washer wouldn't start, so I've chosen Wirecutters top pick to replace it:
The best pressure washer
PUBLISHED JULY 20, 2018
Your guide
Doug Mahoney ...
With extra-large wheels, a long hose, a high-end induction motor, and a well-designed GFCI plug, this Ryobi model is the most user-friendly electric pressure washer. ...
We recommend an electric pressure washer for most homeowners since that type is easier to use and maintain than a gas model (gas washers are more powerful, but most people don’t need the extra oomph). The quiet-running brushless induction motor of the Ryobi RY142300 should last for years, and the machine’s heft helps make it really hard to tip over ...
The company’s three-year limited warranty is also the longest we found. The RY142300 costs a little more—$50 to $100 more—than the rest, but if you’ll be using it three or more times a year, it’s the best value. ...
X AUTOHAUX 2pcs Tire Chuck with Clip Adapter Air Chuck Tire Inflator Compressor Pump Connect Accessories for Vehicle
I leave these permanently attached to each of my two Air Compressors, keeping one assembly in my car at all times. To inflate my tires, I simply remove the valve stem cap, depress the lever, slide it all the way onto the valve stem, then release. Turning on the air compressor results in a reliable and consistent fill to the set PSI. When done, I depress the lever and quickly pull it straight off, with minimal air loss.
After extensive set up and break down testing, along with overnight sleep testing, I can say with a high degree of confidence that this exact combination of 4 products that I purchased separately work very well together:
This Milliard Tri Folding Memory Foam Mattress with Washable Cover Twin XL is 78 inches x 38 inches x 6 inches. This is the original eBay seller formytesla who had the brilliant idea to market this Milliard 78" X 38" x 6" perfect fit mattress to Tesla Model 3 owners, and his customer service was excellent.
While the specs say 6" thick, I measured it, and it's actually 7" thick! Excellent overnight comfort. Fits the Model 3 perfectly. I removed my rear seat lower cushion temporarily in minutes, for a lay-flat maximum comfort experience.
When this mattress is folded, it will barely fit in your trunk, and will fill pretty much the entire trunk, read onward for a fix for that!
Fold the mattress up, then suck the air out to reduce the volume to 1/4th of the original size! In other words, once shrunken down, it only takes up about 1/4 of your trunk.
When this sturdy reusable vacuum bag is opened, the mattress re-expands right to its full thickness in a minute or two, which is actually a little thicker than the states specs. I'm very pleased with this combination solution I've TinkerTry'd, please let me know if you'd like me to publish a video on this. I shopped far and wide and first-hand-tested 2 other brands of vacuum bags, and none of them worked out nearly as well, with flimsy seals and poor valve covers.
Note: Milliard hasn't tested doing vacuum bag storage of this mattress, so this action may void your warranty. I've noticed no problems doing this several times already, staying compact for weeks, and the mattress was shipped to me in a vacuum sealed in a disposable thin plastic bag.
This carry case will help prevent you from accidentally puncturing the vacuum bag even if you stuff other stuff in your trunk along side. It has a bit of extra room for about 4" of other stuff too, such as your blankets and pillows. Deflated them all inside the vacuum bag with the mattress, or just stuff them alongside the deflated mattress for easy access during travel for naps.
When you're on a trip, this compact 12V vacuum will take just 10 minutes to fully "deflate" your mattress when plugged into the Model 3's center console 12V outlet, and you can clean your car up nicely too!
I found this excellent Tezlab vs. TeslaFi video by Matt Ferrell.
Undecided with Matt Ferrell - Oct 30 2018 - Apps For Tesla Owners - Tezlab vs. TeslaFiClick the screenshot above to get started with TeslaFi.
TeslaFi - You can get 30 days free free, or 14 days free using the non-affiliate link. For the access token TeslaFi requires so it can get data from my car, I avoided sharing my Tesla.com credentials by creating this token on my Windows system with the simple and free Windows Tesla Auth Token Generator, and steered clear of the "Enable Controls" option in my TeslaFi account. For Mac OS and iOS, you can give Tesla Token a try.
Photo by Paul Braren, Apr 20 2021. 2020 Tesla Model 3 with 18" wheels and Orbital Silver wheel covers.
I've been using Rimetrix Orbital wheel covers for over a year now on our two Tesla Model 3s, and I've been quite happy with their look. I was originally an IndieGoGo backer), but they now have their own landing page on their web site for orders of this now generally available product, including ways to order just one replacement at a time.
The 18 inch Aero base alloy wheel has so much going for it too - smooth ride, low risk of pothole tire damage, low risk of curb rash rim damage, all season stock tires, low initial cost, low cost of replacement tires, and efficiency. There are so many advantages with the 18 inch wheel but just one option in wheel covers. Time to change that. Introducing Orbital wheel covers.
Larger wheel look with the advantages of the 18 inch Aero base wheel
Eliminates seams for a clean design
Covers the outside rim edge to provide curb rash protection
Foam padding kit included to help protect the wheel paint
Hides any existing rim damage
Durable in all weather conditions
Patent pending snap and lock wheel mounting system
Provides efficiency through superior aerodynamics
Fast installation
Affordable and easy to replace
Responsibly manufactured
Made in USA
I'm quite fond of how the Orbital Silver – Set of 4 Wheel Covers look on my wife's Pearl White Multi-Coat 2020 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range+. On my Midnight Silver Metallic 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range, I felt the black didn't look right, so I spray painted them with Rustoleum Gunmetal Gray.
If you'd like Tesla-logo-like center wheel caps instead of the "R" on the provided Rimetrix wheel covers, these stick on covers that I bought in April of 2021 work well:
Nice to finally have decent weather, and some chances to finally wash my car by hand. Made a bunch of updates to the article above, based on 8,000 miles of travel these first 4 months of Model 3 ownership.
Changed from this Te-Rich Car Socket Splitter to one that doesn't have a button on the surface that is so easy to accidentally turn off when removing the storage tray. I also changed which side-view wide angle mirror I'm using. Article updated.
After two years of experience, I have updated the floor mats descriptions with how well they're holding up, and I updated the description of the pedals for clarity too.
Hansshow side view mirrors aka wing mirrors added to the article above, replacing the stick-on wide-angle mirrors.
I ordered my Jeda Wireless Pad v4 with MagSafe and Alcantara way back on April 23 2021, and it's finally due to arrive Oct 04 2021.
I will likely to continue to avoid any USB hub between my microSD card and my USB-A outlet inside the front console, to ensure dash cam recording works more reliably, even in a rear-end collision.
I'm now proud to feature EveryAmp SnapPlate affiliate links in the article above, saving TinkerTry readers 5% when they use coupon code tinkertry at check-out.
Added newer links for buying Rimetrix Orbital wheel covers, added photos of them on our Model 3s as well.
Disclosure:My family owns no stock in Tesla. Tesla doesn't advertise at TinkerTry, or anywhere else, and this is not a sponsored post. We financed the purchase of two Tesla Model 3s, replacing my 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid in December of 2018 and replacing my wife's 2005 Honda Civic EX in December of 2019. These big moves to an all electric household were an expression of our mutual desire to go green, avoid gasoline, be safe, have fun, and save money in the long run. Mostly for my job, I drive a lot, 25,000 miles in 2019 for example, and I thoroughly enjoy sharing what I've learned with you. I hope you can tell!
This article goes into tremendous detail about what it's actually been like to own this car for the last year, covering over 25,000 miles, updated frequently:
Below are the items that didn't work out or are no longer available, just in case you're interested.
I originally wrote this about the Nomad, but there were several inaccuracies. After a year of ownership, I've instead updated the article above, and deprecated this old text down below.
For the fastest possible charging over Qi wireless, with drop-in-and-go simplicity, try this highly rated (but back-ordered) device, hoping mine arrives by the 3rd week of January for me to update this article and let you know how it goes. Meanwhile, lots of favorable reviews, such as this article, and this discussion in the Tesla Forums.
Nomad Wireless Charger for Tesla Model 3
Nomad Wireless Charger for Tesla Model 3
The built-in battery is said to allow the fastest charging rates, since those 2 Tesla USB ports wouldn't give enough juice for two iPhones at the max of 7.5 watts, for example. I do sincerely hope that the built-in battery can be replaced down the road someday. - This was incorrect, there is no battery.
Here's the friendly email I received soon after placing my order:
From: NOMAD nomad@hellonomad.com
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2018 2:12 AM
To: Paul Braren
Subject: Your Tesla Charger
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your recent order for a Tesla Charger. We're stoked you decided to check out our gear. This is meant to be a reminder that the charger is currently on backorder and will ship out to you on or before January 15th. If you have any questions, please feel free to respond to this email.
The Nomad Team
Jan 14 2019 Update
My Nomad Tesla Charger arrived! I let it warm up to room temp, then installed it in my Model 3, and so far, I'm very pleased with the results. None of the "cables are too short" issue that only a smattering of folks commented about, I'm very happy with this purchase. I even drove around a bit, and no tight turns were able to jostle my iPhone XS Max out of position. Charge rates seemed right around the expected 7.5 watt speed maximum that Apple allows, this is good! Going from 99% to 100% took almost half an hour, but the LED did go from Orange to White.
In the winter months, my hood wouldn't always pop up to be able to open it the rest of the way with my finger tips. I therefore removed my recommendation of changing to anything other than the factory installed spring the car comes with. Archive below.
Image courtesy of JPUConn at Tesla Motor Club Forum
This first recommendation takes just 2 minutes to install, and I'd strongly recommend it to every Tesla Model 3 owner.
Closing the frunk is a thing that takes too much care, a procedure that's even detailed in the manual to avoid hood damage. The thing is, when your car is new, you'll be showing the empty engine bay to everybody. They might close the hood "wrong" with a slamming or a dropping that won't result in the expected latching. Avoid all that with this quick fix, making the closing of your frunk an easy two finger effort.
Below is an item that didn't work out, just in case you want to learn why.
The procedure at 1 minute 10 seconds in to replace the spring is from Brian from i1Tesla, who created this video below. He's using a brand of spring that I found to be too weak, at least not without replacing my struts, which I was more worried about doing. No problem, this forum conversation led me to this exact spring that's widely available at your local Home Depot (or online), works great while leaving the rest of the trunk alone, including the struts:
You'll only need to use one of larger springs included in this 4 pack, and if you don't like this fix for some reason, you can always put the original spring right back in.
i1Tesla - May 10, 2019 - Auto Open and Easy Close Frunk Model 3
Putting this emergency-use-only gear in the frunk leaves that wonderful below-trunk space (where a gas tank normally would be) available for groceries and such, so they don't move about.
Below is an item that didn't work out, just in case you want to learn why.
I found this product worked quite well for getting me a great view of my blind spots. Mine are both adjusted outward as far as possible. It is odd that a car of this cost, with all those cameras many of which are not in use yet, needs such a low-tech product for now. It would be preferable for the car to have the usual warning lights in the side view mirrors itself to indicate when it's not safe to lane-change, but software changes and enablement of side cameras through software upgrades could make these mirrors a little less important in the future, especially if Tesla implements warning chimes.
I had also tried the High Definition Ultra Low Profile Blind Spot Mirrors from Abstract Ocean, but they failed to provide enough coverage beyond the sides of my vehicle, even when adjusted to point away from my car as far as possible. They just showed far too much of my own car, filling about half of the small circle of wide-angle view, at least from my driving position. Fishing line and Goo Gone worked nicely to remove them easily enough.
Ampper mirror on my Tesla Model 3 side-view mirror, truck in my blind spot.Ampper mirror on my Tesla Model 3 side-view mirror, truck leaving my blind spot, clearly visible out my side window now as well.
Feb 10 2019 Update - Look which article one of my sons just told me about:
Blind Spot Warning Chime
When making a lane change, you can now turn on an audible chime to warn you when a possible collision with a vehicle or obstacle is detected in your target lane. To enable the blind spot warning chime, touch Controls > Autopilot > Blind Spot Warning Chime
Will I still keep my blind spot mirrors? Probably, since when I'm not on Autopilot, I still prefer the single-glance instant awareness of what's going on in the other lane. This glance is done well before turning my head briefly to double-check before I flick the turn signal and begin the lane change.
I had also tried the High Definition Ultra Low Profile Blind Spot Mirrors from Abstract Ocean, but they failed to provide enough coverage beyond the sides of my vehicle, even when adjusted to point away from my car as far as possible. They just showed far too much of my own car, filling about half of the small circle of wide-angle view, at least from my driving position. Fishing line and Goo Gone worked nicely to remove them easily enough.
Below is an item that didn't work out, just in case you want to learn why.
It seems the BASENOR Tesla Model 3 Glove Box Organizer is no longer available at Amazon, but I found an item that looks to be the same functionality here:
If you remember to enter enter tinkertry (or TinkerTry or TINKERTRY) in the Coupon/Gift Certificate field and click Apply, you'll enjoy 15% off your first order!
I went with black. The little 3D stickers fit right over your door button. They have a slightly rubbery fee. Be sure to wipe with alcohol first, then line the sticker up with the (dim) LED on each of those buttons.
Below is an item that didn't work out, just in case you want to learn why.
I initially the readily available on Amazon Prime ToughPRO Tesla Model 3 Floor Mats Set, but they simply weren't up to the job of containing dirt, and frequently, the front passenger mat would curl back from normal acceleration. An odd problem to have. They also have no lip around the edges to contain water and dirt. So I'll be requesting a refund on those.
Below is an item that didn't work out, just in case you want to learn why.
Here's the ToughPRO Floor Mat that didn't work out well for me, as it kept curling on me whenever I accelerated.
Back in Dec of 2018, I went ahead and ordered the Tesla frunk and rear trunk mats, actually made by WeatherTech, whose mats held up nicely in my previous car. I'm skipping the interior Tesla/WeatherTech mats this time though, since I want more of my Model 3's rugs protected, see what I chose in the Floor Mats section below.
See also Tesla Frunk Model 3 All-Weather Cargo Mats
Front Trunk
SKU: 1133634-00-A
QTY: 1 $70.00
Below is an item that didn't work out, just in case you want to learn why.
Finally, as others have noticed, when driving around 45 mph today with very strong cross-winds, I noticed a bit of wind noise was apparent from the inside, mostly from the top of the windshield. This might be reduced with the RPM Tesla Model 3 Wind Noise Reduction Kit. Or it could be just that there is so little engine noise, such wind noise is more pronounced on such EVs. I won't know more until I get a chance to test later in January 2019.
I have since removed this molding, as it had a tendency to shift over time, and I didn't particularly care for fiddling with it, or worry about it falling off.
Below is an item that didn't work out, just in case you want to learn why.
These rubber pieces didn't add enough value to be worth it, since I don't put food or anything wet in my center console pockets. I didn't bother installing them in my wife's 2020 Tesla.
Jan 14 2019 - I'm very happy with this purchase. I even drove around a bit, and no tight turns were able to jostle my iPhone XS Max out of position. Charge rates seemed right around the expected 7.5 watt speed maximum that Apple allows, this is good! Going from 99% to 100% took almost half an hour, but the LED did go from Orange to White.
Feb 20 2020 - I heard back from Nomad on my warranty claim for premature wear, here was the response:
This issue has recently been brought to our attention and our team has a plan in place to use a different material for this top layer in the future.
After many months of testing, I simply didn't find this solution to be robust enough to entrust with dashcam recording in our Tesla Model 3s, so I went with SSDs instead, details above. I had issues with file format changes and Tesla software release changes, each requring me to have to ensure the recording light was still working. There was one 2 week period where I discovered my wife's Model 3 wasn't recording to her Roadie for mysterious reasons, and that's when I pulled it.
Flash Drive for Dashcam and Sentry Mode video including viewing/downloading via an app
As an alternative to traditional flash drives or SSDs such as the ones pictured above, I'm looking into Roadie for Tesla that uses a much more robust/less corruptible filesystem, see How the Roadie keeps your videos safer. It offers simple WiFi playback of your footage, without having to move your flash drive from your Model 3, a huge benefit since I never want to accidentally leave home without Dashcam and Sentry Mode automatically running. It seems to be a commercialized version of what TeslaUSB did as seen here on Crosstalk Solutions YouTube Channel.
It's based on Raspberry Pi Zero, and you connect your iOS/Android device via WiFi, here's more details on how that actually works:
When you're at home, if both your Tesla and your phone are on the same WiFi, the Roadie app automatically tries to connect to your Roadie over that WiFi connection, to review and/or download Dashcam and/or Sentry Mode footage.
When you're not at home, your Roadie app will fail to connect via your home's distant WiFi, so it automatically fails-over to trying to connect directly to the Roadie's built-in WiFi hotspot with Roadie in the SSID and you're all set. It's possible there's going to be better speeds when doing this in the future, with buffering common for 1.0x speed playback currently, even when your phone is right next to your Roadie.
Alternatively, for possibly faster scrubbing through videos, you have your Roadie connect to your iOS/Android Personal Hotspot. I have not tested that yet, as it wasn't working on the launch week firmware, but it's likely now fixed with the latest 0.3 release.
I do have a clip for you of my own tests so far, seen on YouTube below.
TinkerTry YouTube Channel - Jan 13 2020 - Real-world testing of Roadie for Tesla: somebody disconnected me, seems I need a J1772 lock!
To fit the Micro USB based Roadie inside, you'll want to use one of the nice and short Anker cables that come in this 2-pack.
TinkerTry YouTube Channel - Apr 07 2020 - Tesla Model 3 in-car onscreen TeslaCam/Sentry Mode video Viewer demo w/ Samsung T5 SSD & Roadie
For automatic recording of Tesla Model 3 Dashcam footage, just reformat the drive as FAT32 using Rufus, then create a directory called /TeslaCam in the root of that empty drive. Tada, it now "just works," with the dashcam automatically recording footage as you go, deleting the oldest video only when it has to. See also Clean Technica's How To Set Up The Dashcam In A Tesla Running Firmware v9.0 by Kyle Field, and Tesla's Discover Software Version 9.0 article, with Dashcam explained at this spot. No fancy dual partion stuff needed either, when using a USB hub like this. I found having a second USB drive also formatted FAT32 seemed to be seen just fine by the Model 3's display under USB, and FLAC playback sounded great.
Below is an item that didn't work out, just in case you want to learn why. USB Hub
To allow the use of both front USB ports and the dashcam recording to USB flash drive function:
Below is an item that didn't work out, just in case you want to learn why. Flash Drive for high bitrate audio
Designed to work great for music [reads], NOT for video [writes]!
NOT for DashCam or Sentry mode, they're not fast enough, nor do they have anywhere near the required write endurance. Such drives are great for music. You can even use NoteBurner to get high quality files such as AAC from your Spotify playlists! If you want to have some high bitrate FLAC files on a USB drive to put those 10 speakers plus subwoofer to good use, get one of these:
Has 2 USB A ports for your wireless charging mat and three USB C ports too! It keeps all your cabling organized, and it keeps your SSD and its precious video footage hidden from vandals. The problems include the fact that over time, their tightness in the USB ports seems to lessen over time. This could lead to loss of video recording in the event of a rear-end crash. In Ride the Lightning bonus episode #62, it's a Patreon-subscribers-only episode, a listener actualy shared this concern, and it's something I worried about enough that I removed these from both of our Model 3s.
Below is an item that didn't work out, just in case you want to learn why.
Flash Drive for Dashcam and Sentry Mode video
If you want to use Sentry Mode and Dashcam functions, those need more write endurance, and it sure would be enjoy the fast transfer speeds to your computer when it comes time to take some video off for review and archive. It's great that Tesla has now added a way to simply unbox the drive and format it using the Tesla built-in function to reformat described in detail at Tesletter here. Here are excellent choices that I'm using, the (Aug 2017) Samsung T5 in my 2018 Model 3, and the newer (May 2020), widely available Samsung T7 in my wife's 2020 Model 3, take your pick:
Below is an item that didn't work out, just in case you want to learn why.
Short USB C to USB A cable for SSD to interior Jeda Hub drive bay
To keep your center console wiring tidy, you may want to get one of these short cables to replace the far too long one that comes with the T5 Portable SSD.
Below is an item that didn't work out, just in case you want to learn why.
Advance Auto Parts - K-Source Wedge Spot Mirror, 1 1/2 Inch x 2 1/4 Inch
I found this product worked quite well for getting me a great view of my blind spots, with no adjustments needed after car washes. It is odd that a car of this cost, with all those cameras many of which are not in use yet, needs such a low-tech product for now. It would be preferable for the car to have the usual warning lights in the side view mirrors itself to indicate when it's not safe to lane-change, but software changes and the enablement of side cameras through software upgrades could make these mirrors a little less important in the future, especially if Tesla implements warning chimes.
Below is an item that didn't work out, just in case you want to learn why.
Slime 20332 Inflator Hose Adapter
I'm not a fan of the threaded connection the pump comes with, as I seem to experience a 2-3 PSI loss now matter how fast I try to disconnect. This adapter seemd to solve that, but soon failed to reliably release without hurting the skin on my fingers to pull it quickly enough to avoid more than a brief air escape.
I've included some pictures i took of the Ampper mirrors before I replaced them with the K-Source mirrors. The wide angle view was similar, but I prefer not having to reposition the K-Source mirrors after every car wash.
Ampper mirror on my Tesla Model 3 side-view mirror, truck in my blind spot, very close to identical to the view I get with the K-Source mirrors, but now I don't need to readjust them after each car wash.Ampper mirror on my Tesla Model 3 side-view mirror, truck leaving my blind spot, clearly visible out my side window now as well.
Feb 10 2019 Update - Look which article one of my sons just told me about:
Blind Spot Warning Chime
When making a lane change, you can now turn on an audible chime to warn you when a possible collision with a vehicle or obstacle is detected in your target lane. To enable the blind spot warning chime, touch Controls > Autopilot > Blind Spot Warning Chime
Will I still keep my blind spot mirrors? Probably, since when I'm not on Autopilot, I still prefer the single-glance instant awareness of what's going on in the other lane. This glance is done well before turning my head briefly to double-check before I flick the turn signal and begin the lane change.
After 6 successful years testing then shipping well over 1,000 Xeon D Bundles, Wiredzone had to stop selling them in mid-2021 due to cost, supply, and logistics challenges. The Xeon D-1700/2700 (Ice Lake D) was a minor refresh for 2023, with Xeon D-1800/2800 (Granite Rapids D) refresh slightly better in 2024, and hopefully Xeon 6 (Granite Rapids-D) much better in 2025 featuring PCIe Gen5, MCRDIMMs, and 100GbE networking, wow! I'm glad it's Pat Gelsinger at Intel's helm in these challenging times, and grateful to have had the honor of working at VMware when he was the CIO there. I'll leave it at that, given the whole Broadcom thing.
