New information is uncovered about these brand-new Tesla Roadsters
GruberMotors (Edited by NATA)
In an update to our previous coverage of a remarkable automotive discovery, the bidding period for the three untouched 2010 Tesla Roadsters has been extended. Originally set to close on May 26th, 2023, potential buyers now have until midnight on June 2nd, 2023 to submit their bids, as the vetting of bidders takes longer than anticipated. This auction is making waves in the collector and electric vehicle community worldwide, as these Roadsters serve as relics of a pivotal era in EV history.
Unraveling the Mystery: New Updates and Discoveries
In a series of additional information released on the auction site, several intriguing details have emerged, deepening the narrative surrounding these unique Teslas. Each vehicle comes with its respective Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin. A trio of brand new Clipper Creek TS-70 Roadster Wall Chargers still in their original boxes and other Tesla items in bubble wrap are part of the auction lot.
The Enigmatic Fourth Roadster: A Story Unfolding
Investigations into two accompanying crates have revealed intriguing references to a missing fourth Roadster, VIN 1185. This vehicle was rumored to be part of the original shipment but has yet to be located. The crates contained various large parts such as wheels, tires, a complete door assembly, headlight assemblies, and numerous smaller body trim parts, with labels pointing to VIN 1185.
The original plan for these Roadsters was for them to be used by an R&D center of a Chinese auto company that later went bankrupt. The intent was to disassemble the cars for reverse engineering. Instead, these time capsules of Tesla's early history survived intact and are now up for grabs by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The Hunt for the Keys: An Unexpected Hurdle
Adding to the intrigue surrounding the auction, the keys to these untouched Roadsters have become a minor mystery. Originally believed to be held in one of the port offices, retrieval efforts were hampered by the unfortunate passing of the manager who was in possession of them. As a result, the keys are currently missing.
However, the sellers have assured potential buyers that if the keys cannot be located, they will take the necessary steps to replace them. This unexpected hurdle delayed plans to open the cars and trunks for further detailed photographs. Despite this minor setback, the ongoing search for the keys contributes an additional layer of fascination to the unfolding story of these vintage Roadsters.
The Relocation and Future of the Roadsters
While the quest for the keys to the Roadsters continues, the vehicles themselves are being prepared for their next journey. The Roadsters are set to be relocated into new sea containers, ready for shipping either directly to the successful bidder or to a free zone in Dubai, devoid of viewing permit requirements.
The sellers have considered the stipulation by some bidders that the Roadsters needed to be in the USA before bidding. Thus, the Roadsters could be sold out of China, Dubai, or eventually the USA, depending on the circumstances.
These Tesla Roadsters stand as enduring symbols of a watershed moment in the automotive industry and Tesla's ambitious journey. As their past unravels and their future hangs in the balance, these cars offer a unique opportunity to own a piece of automotive history. This auction presents an unmissable opportunity for avid collectors, Tesla fans, and EV enthusiasts worldwide.
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In last year’s holiday update, Tesla introduced the much-needed Dashcam Viewer in the Tesla app. The feature allows owners to view Dashcam and Sentry Mode footage directly from the Tesla app, eliminating the need to review videos in your vehicle. Unfortunately, the feature was limited to iPhone users, but Tesla is now changing that.
With Tesla app update 4.43.5, Tesla is officially launching the Dashcam Viewer on Android devices.
Dashcam Viewer
The Dashcam Viewer makes it easy to access and manage your car’s Dashcam and Sentry Mode videos. Accessing videos on your phone is faster and more convenient, but it does come with a few requirements.
The Dashcam Viewer in the Tesla app allows you to view, delete, or save video clips right from your device. This should result in higher quality content being shared online and fewer videos of owners recording their Tesla’s screens with their phones.
How It Works
Dashcam footage remains stored locally on your vehicle’s connected USB drive, so Tesla isn’t streaming videos to your phone from the cloud. Instead, the videos are streamed directly from your vehicle to your phone—similar to how Actually Smart Summon delivers a live feed to your phone.
Because of this, your vehicle must be connected to cellular data or Wi-Fi for the Dashcam Viewer to work. Unfortunately, this may limit access for owners who park in underground or large parking garages where connectivity is poor.
How to Access the Dashcam Viewer
To view Dashcam and Sentry Mode footage in the Tesla app:
Navigate to Security & Drivers > Dashcam Viewer.
Wait a few moments for your phone to connect to the vehicle.
From there, you’ll be able to view, save, or delete clips right from your device.
Requirements
To use Tesla’s Dashcam Viewer, you’ll need a vehicle with MCU 2 (Intel) or higher. All models are supported except for the legacy Model S and Model X (2020 and older). However, we expect support to be added in the near future.
The legacy Model S and Model X are expected to receive support for Actually Smart Summon, which requires the ability for those vehicles to stream video to the Tesla app — the same capability the Dashcam Viewer needs. Once Actually Smart Summon is added to the legacy Model S/X, we expect those vehicles to also receive the Dashcam Viewer at the same time or shortly afterward.
Tesla has imposed some viewing limits to prevent high data usage. The viewing limits apply to streaming video from the Dashcam Viewer or viewing live video from the vehicle’s cameras. Tesla will limit video streaming from the vehicle to 15 minutes or 1 hour, depending on your region.
Android Support
Tesla typically releases support for newer features to iPhone users since they make up the majority of users. Recently, Tesla has added more features to Android. In January, Tesla added support for ultra-wideband to Android, which added support for the improved phone key and the hands-free trunk and frunk feature.
Did you know the Cybertruck’s air suspension automatically levels the truck, even while it’s asleep? This is a great feature, especially for camping or off-road adventures. However, it can be an issue when lifting a wheel to change a tire.
Fortunately, there’s a solution: Jack Mode.
Jack Mode
Jack Mode is made for jacking up the truck and prevents the Cybertruck from self-leveling.
To enable Jack Mode, you’ll first need to set the Ride Height to Medium from Controls > Dynamics > Ride Height. You can also set it from the Tesla app by navigating to the Controls section and sliding up until you see Ride Height. This will give you enough clearance for most jacks to get under the truck and lift it.
You can also activate Jack Mode in Low or High, but Tesla recommends a Medium ride height for best control of the vehicle and sufficient tire clearance to safely remove and reinstall the tire. However, once the vehicle is in Jack Mode, the Ride Height cannot be changed.
Next up, go to Controls > Service > Jack Mode to enable Jack Mode. The vehicle will warn you that Jack Mode is enabled and can either be disabled by pressing the button again or by putting the vehicle into drive.
For the duration that Jack Mode is active, it is safe to lift your Cybertruck, even on one side only. It will not self-level for the duration that Jack Mode is enabled.
Automatic Jack Mode
Jack Mode can also activate automatically to protect the suspension from potential damage. For example, if the vehicle’s bumper is resting on a curb, Jack Mode may engage on its own.
Once the obstacle is cleared, or if you shift into Drive or Reverse, Jack Mode will automatically be disabled.
