Thanks, Phil, for your response. Mind if I question a bit further ?
"going at high speed" - what speed do you consider that to be. I'll
typically go about 20 on the bad parts, slowing down if I see
something
bad. On good parts, 30-40 depending on my confidence to see a stretch
of
potholes. Bad parts means the potholes are not possible to straddle
and
they might have hard edges (not slopey ramps). Or I might see a high
center with pointy rocks poking out.
bumper, front facia - this is rarely a problem since it is close to
the
wheels. The most likely strike point is in the mid section between the
front and back wheels, which is the bottom of the battery box. If I
strike the box, is it somewhat forgiving. That is, what will get
crushed
inside if a small dent is scraped in the box ? (I do have a shallow
dent
in the honda gas tank, but it's "forgiving." )
battery coolant lines - I read on a forum that the leading edge of the
box is not protected and also has coolant lines attaching. Apparently,
it is possible to strike the leading edge, crushing the corner and
possible tearing lines. Do you think it would be possible to add a
protective plate ?
warranty - I don't think any manufacturer covers damage *caused* by
going off paved roads. But my biggest concerns are getting stranded
and
then having to pay an enormous repair charge. That's why the homework
now :)
Peri
<< Annoyed by leaf blowers ? https://quietcleanseattle.org/ >>
------ Original Message ------
From: "(-Phil-)" <[email protected]>
To: "Peri Hartman" <[email protected]>; "Electric Vehicle Discussion
List" <[email protected]>
Sent: 28-Feb-21 7:18:40 PM
Subject: Re: [EVDL] air dam
>All the critical stuff underneath a Model Y is well protected. You'd
>have to hit something sharp and hard going at high speed to take
>damage. For 6 years on and off I've been working on salvage Teslas,
>and personally owned over 20 different examples. Even when the car
>goes off-road at high speed, and rips the wheel/suspension off one or
>more corners, there rarely is critical damage to the battery or
>motor(s). This includes all the processing in the auction lot,
where
>they move cars around with giant forklifts. Even those don't do
>anything but scrape up the bottom and damage front/rear trim.
>
>The most sensitive part to damage is the front bumper cover/fascia.
If
>your obstacle makes it under that, then you are likely OK.
>
>A normal ICE vehicle is way more likely to take damage, as the bottom
>isn't smooth, and there is lots of stuff hanging down, such as
exhaust
>systems, fuel tanks, etc. The bottom of any Tesla is almost
perfectly
>smooth.
>
>As long as you are going slow, the worst you are going to likely have
>is cosmetic scrapes. (The bottom of the battery is all aluminum, so
it
>will not rust once you scrape the paint)
>
>If you can take a Honda with 6.5" of clearance on it, I'd say you can
>take a Tesla.
>
>Of course, be warned that Tesla does not cover warranty issues caused
>by going off-road.
>
>
>On Sun, Feb 28, 2021 at 6:37 PM Peri Hartman via EV
<[email protected]>
>wrote:
>>Does anyone have advice on using an air dam to reduce drag ? Read
on,
>>I'll get there.
>>
>>I'm reconsidering buying a tesla Y. It's a crazy amount of money and
I
>>may get cold feet. But I have to replace my ancient honda or keep
>>fixing
>>it (which is costing average $2k / year). And, I want to replace it
>>with
>>something that is adequate for going on the cascade mountain forest
>>service roads, as well as modest road trips.
>>
>>I could buy the Bolt, which seems to be an excellent car. But I
don't
>>think I can using it in the mountains. That's a must, since I'm
there
>>perhaps 20 times a year.
>>
>>My biggest concern with the tesla is damaging the battery or other
>>critical underside stuff. On my honda, I've had numerous ground
>>strikes
>>but no serious damage. It has 6.5" clearance. I found a company that
>>makes 1.5" suspension spacers that fit in the model 3 and the Y,
which
>>would give my 8". I think that's enough that I can visually judge
and
>>slow down, so as not to have a severe strike. (It's harder than you
>>think, if the sun is casting tree shadows across the road - almost
>>impossible to see any deviations.)
>>
>>If I raise the chassis, I'll get more drag. Thus, the question of
>>installing some kind of skirt. Does anyone have advice on this ?
Would
>>it make a difference ?
>>
>>(P.S. I'll keep the honda odyssey regardless but drive it only for
>>hauling large stuff. Maintenance should be minimal.)
>>
>>Peri
>>
>><< Annoyed by leaf blowers ? https://quietcleanseattle.org/ >>
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