We are back on the road to Vegas, but this trip is special. I’m officially headed to SEMA for the first time! If you caught my last update, you know this channel just hit 1 million views, and getting this media pass feels like the perfect way to celebrate.
For this run, I’m taking the Model Y Performance. It’s a familiar route, but traveling for a massive trade show like SEMA brings its own set of technical challenges and logistics.
The Technical Prep: Efficiency and Tire Woes
Before leaving, I had to address a lingering issue: my right rear tire has been losing about 2 PSI every three days. I’ve had it checked, and even the valve cap was replaced, but the slow leak persists. To mitigate this for the long desert stretch, I stopped at Costco to fill the tires with nitrogen, which helps maintain more stable pressure during the extreme temperature swings of the Mojave.
On top of the tire issue, the Santa Ana winds were out in full force. We were fighting 40 MPH headwinds from the Northeast [03:02], which absolutely hammers EV efficiency.
Charging Strategy: Yermo, Baker, and Primm
Despite the wind, the charging infrastructure on the I-15 is solid. Here’s how the stops broke down:
- Yermo (The “Fast” One): Arrived at 18% state of charge. I made sure to stop at the 250 kW V3 station (not the older ones at Eddie World) and saw speeds of 251 kW—the max the Model Y can handle [03:36].
- Baker: I stopped here primarily to ensure I arrived in Vegas with a healthy buffer. I arrived at 47% and charged to 75% [06:12]. Note: Baker has a mix of V2 (150 kW) and V3 (250 kW) chargers. Always look for the ones in the back to get the faster speeds [07:09].
- Prim: A quick stop to grab some food and use my McDonald’s points (free Happy Meal!) while topping off to 80% [09:09]. This ensured I’d hit the Las Vegas Convention Center with around 53%, giving me enough “vampire drain” buffer for the trip [10:42].
SEMA Behind the Scenes: The Vegas Loop and Media Day
Once in Vegas, I headed straight to the Convention Center to pick up my media badge. I got to experience the Vegas Loop (the Boring Company tunnels) for the first time. For $5 a day, it’s an incredibly efficient way to jump between halls [12:24].
Since it was the day before the show officially opened, I got a “behind the scenes” look at the setup:
- Flexi Shield Booth: They had a fleet of wrapped Cybertrucks being prepped. Seeing them in person with high-end wraps (like the one with 24-inch wheels [18:20]) is starting to make the design grow on me.
- The Media Center: A solid setup with private cubicles and plenty of power for content creators [14:04].
- Early Build Spotting: Saw everything from custom McLarens to a vintage “milk delivery” style van being loaded in [15:25].
Final Thoughts: The SEMA Experience
I wrapped up the day checking into a suite at the Aria, thanks to an MGM gold upgrade [21:40]. Sitting on the 38th floor looking at Allegiant Stadium, I’m ready to dive into the actual show tomorrow. SEMA is the pinnacle of automotive hardware and tech, and I can’t wait to show you what’s inside the halls.
Watch the full road trip to SEMA here
Subscribe to the SherwinM YouTube channel to catch Part 2 of the SEMA coverage where we get into the actual show floor!
