As arguably the coolest, most cutting-edge car in the world, the Tesla Model S electric car attracts a lot of curiosity and envy from other drivers.
What self-respecting car guy—or gal—wouldn’t love to take a Tesla out for a quick spin around the block, just to sample its acclaimed acceleration?
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Regrettably, among the legions of Model S wannabe drivers are–I suspect–a fair number of parking valets and car-service employees who take custody of the cars for extended periods.
I have strong suspicions that my own Model S has been taken for illicit joyrides on two occasions: once at a hotel with valet parking, and once at an auto-detailing center where I left the car overnight.
2013 Tesla Model S in Florida, during New York to Florida road trip [photo: David Noland]
Energy-usage spikes
In both cases, after picking the car up the next day, I found that my Model S’s energy-use graph showed huge spikes for the most recent few miles of driving.
Let’s be clear: Those spikes absolutely, positively were not there when I dropped the car off.
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In my experience, such spikes typically reflect either driving fast up long, steep hills, or repeated bouts of maximum acceleration.
Unfortunately, I didn’t notice these energy spikes right away, so I was unable to question the hotel or the detailer on the spot.
And I hadn’t noted the precise mileage on the odometer when I dropped off the car, which would have provided the most solid evidence of joyriding.
2013 Tesla Model S in Florida, during New York to Florida road trip [photo: David Noland]
My umbrage was somewhat undermined, however, by a story I heard from a Model S-owning friend.
He said that, after a minor parking lot scrape, his Tesla-approved body shop warned him in advance that his energy graph would show a big spike after the car was repaired.
Sure enough, that’s what he saw. Apparently, the heat of the final paint-baking process somehow triggers spikes in the Tesla’s energy graph.
Other Tesla owners have reported similar mysterious spikes after various kinds of service, and there has been lively debate on Tesla forums about their possible causes.
Rev 6.2: valet mode arrives
Fortunately, Tesla has mooted the worry—if not the debate—over those mystery energy spikes.
2013 Tesla Model S – valet mode provided by Rev 62 [photo: David Noland]
The latest software update to the Model S, version 6.2, includes a “valet mode” that severely limits performance.
In valet mode, top speed is limited to 70 mph, and maximum power is also reduced significantly.
The front trunk, or frunk, and glove box are also locked. And to protect the driver’s private information, valet mode disables Bluetooth, WiFii, Homelink access, and the “places” button on the map.
I received the latest version of 6.2 last week. While I have no plans for valet parking or service any time in the near future, I couldn’t resist trying out the valet mode anyway.
My conclusion: it definitely takes the joy out of joyriding.
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To start Valet mode, I punched in a four-digit PIN number. The instrument display immediately dimmed all speeds above 60 miles per hour and all power readings above 80 kilowatts. (The normal maximum power number is 320 kW.)
And the word “Valet” appeared conspicuously on the speedometer. Any potential joyrider is forewarned–and, presumably, discouraged from even trying to test full acceleration.
But if he does, he will be sorely disappointed.
2013 Tesla Model S – valet mode provided by Rev 62 [photo: David Noland]
The most power I was able to draw during my brief test run was a bit above the 80-kW mark, roughly one-third of the normal maximum.
It was sufficient to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a pedestrian 9 or 10 seconds. My speed topped out at 68 mph.
We’re talking clapped-out, used Chevy Cobalt performance here.
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To disable the Valet mode, I simply punched in my new PIN: Poof, it was gone.
Thank goodness.
It occurred to me that Valet mode could be used as an “Eco-Mode” to improve efficiency and stretch range if necessary.
2013 Tesla Model S in Florida, during New York to Florida road trip [photo: David Noland]
But I couldn’t bear to drive around like that for more than a few miles, so I’ll never know if doing so would actually increase efficiency, and if so, by how much.
Sorry.
For me, testing the valet mode accomplished two things. First, it eliminated the worry that my car will get abused by an illicit joy-rider.
Second, it reminded me once again of the addictive appeal of the Model S’s instantaneous, seamless, breath-taking power and acceleration.
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