I’ve been a bit under the weather lately (battling a nasty case of RSV and the flu), but I didn’t want to leave you all without an update.
The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind—from getting the Cybertruck through its first service appointment to prepping for a rainy road trip and even navigating the dreaded legacy dealership experience for a new business vehicle. Let’s dive into the details.
Cybertruck Service: Resolving the Post-Delivery Blues
As I mentioned in my previous “closer look” video, our demo Cybertruck had a few delivery issues and a persistent error message. I took it to both West Covina and Upland service centers to get everything sorted.
- The Diagnosis: The error actually pointed to a hardware issue that required a part replacement.
- The Result: The Upland team did a great job with the diagnostics, and the truck is now officially back in fleet and ready for action.
- The Blessing: Just like all our other Teslas, we made sure to “bless” this truck. Hopefully, that keeps the Tesla Gremlins at bay for a while!
Road Trip Prep: Rain and Tarps
We are taking the Cybertruck on its very first road trip this weekend! Since it’s replacing our Model X as the primary travel vehicle, I’m excited to see how it handles a long haul.
- Rain Protection: The forecast is calling for rain, and I’ve heard rumors that the Tonneau cover might not be 100% watertight.
- The Solution: I took my first Home Depot trip in the truck and grabbed a 6×8 tarp. I’m planning to use my BestEVMod cargo net straps to tie it down and ensure our luggage stays dry. I’d rather be safe than sorry on our first big outing.
Community Support & The SoCal Fires
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the massive fires currently impacting Southern California. While we aren’t directly affected, many in the EV community are.
- Rivian Support: Rivian has generously provided a free trial of Connect Plus through March 16th for those in fire-impacted areas.
- The EV Community in Action: It’s incredible to see the Cybertruck and Rivian clubs out there delivering supplies, providing Starlink internet access, and using their trucks’ onboard power to assist first responders. If you’re in need of help or want to donate your time/truck, please reach out to the local clubs. Stay safe out there—items are replaceable, but you aren’t.
The Business Fleet: Replacing the Corolla
We recently traded in our business delivery vehicle, a Toyota Corolla Hybrid.
- The CarMax Surprise: We were shocked by the appraisal! Despite being a high-mileage delivery car with some minor body damage, CarMax appraised it for $16,000—actually higher than our quote from two months ago. It just goes to show how well Corollas and Camrys hold their value compared to high-end EVs.
- The New Addition: After a typically frustrating dealership experience (markup, security system add-ons, etc.), we picked up a 2024 Kia Niro to replace the Corolla. It sits a little higher, which our driver requested for some of the unpaved roads on her route.
What’s Next?
I have a backlog of content coming your way once I’m back to 100% health:
- The San Diego Tesla Meetup recap.
- The “Zero Emissions” PCH run with the Cybertruck.
- A dedicated video on the Model Y’s new rear screen installation.
