Have you ever been to Austin? Almost all of my podcast videos that feature Tesla FSD beta take place in Austin, Texas. There is a festive feeling around the city at Christmastime. The Texas State Senate puts up a tree and each Senator is invited to bring an ornament that represents the district they represent. The Capital has trees in the House Chambers and a tree outside by Congress Street.
Tesla Ho Ho Ho or “Santa Mode”
In this video, you’ll enjoy Austin during the holidays by night while we run Tesla “Santa” mode on FSD beta in the Model Y. You can activate this any time of year by just pressing your car’s voice control on the steering wheel and saying out loud, “Start ho ho ho mode!”
We’ll start in the Northern part of the city, allowing FSD beta to flawlessly bring us downtown and to the outdoor capital complex at night. We’ll then supervise the vehicle as it traverses Congress Street, heading from South to North to get another great view of the Christmas Tree outside of the Texas Capital at night. Come along and enjoy!
I’m thrilled to share with you my 45th podcast episode. FSD beta in ATX for the lighted holidays.
𝕏 timestamps 𝕏 00:00 opening on ho ho ho mode 00:08 freeway fsd beta 01:03 fsd slows for maniac car 01:45 narrow road construction 02:35 downtown construction 03:11 x mas tree… pic.twitter.com/9P1S77VoOS
I’m thrilled to share with you my 45th podcast episode. FSD beta in ATX for the lighted holidays.
Tesla’s Santa Mode Year Round?
I enjoy Santa mode in the car for the holidays.
A good friend kept Santa Mode on all year. He picked up his Tesla from the Service Center and it was activated for some reason. He drove his Tesla for over a year on Santa Mode and thought it was what all Tesla cars have on all the time.
Be sure to deactive the mode after the holidays!
You can always go back to regular mode by pressing the voice control of your steering wheel and saying, “Stop ho ho ho mode!”
You can also go into “Santa Mode” in the arcade and either start or stop it.
Have a great and lovely 2024.
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to What’s Up Tesla – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
The first thing I thought when I saw the Cybertruck at Tesla’s amazing Delivery Event on November 30, was that it looks military tough (as an Army Veteran, I love this!) and also feels like a stunning art piece. I learned from the engineers at the factory event at Giga Texas that the stainless steel exoskeleton is also highly durable. It is a new stainless steel alloy called 30X cold-rolled stainless steel.
This material is extremely strong and provides the vehicle with exceptional resistance to dents and corrosion. The 30X alloy was developed in part by Charles Kuehmann, who has been the VP of Materials Engineering at SpaceX and Tesla since 2015.
The Tesla Armor Glass (ultra-strong glass and polymer-layered composite that absorbs and redirects impact force for improved performance and damage tolerance) and self-leveling suspension make the Cybertruck a formidable force on the road, or even when you plan to adventure off-road!
Safety Features
To get to the event, I let my Model Y take me there using Tesla’s safety first software: FSD beta. The Cybertruck is equipped with the same advanced safety features as my Model Y, like automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning. These features are free and standard for all Tesla vehicles. The Cybertruck also has Enhanced Autopilot, and all FSD beta features, designed to keep you safe. According to a recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicles equipped with Tesla’s Autopilot, Enhanced Autopilot, and FSD beta features have shown a significant reduction in crash rates compared to vehicles without them. Sources even suggest that Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD beta features have an 86% lower crash rate than the US average. This is 3.7 times lower than Tesla vehicles without these features. When comparing the Cybertruck to other electric pickup trucks, such as the Ford Lightning, Rivian R1T, and the upcoming GM electric pickup, the Cybertruck stands out with its unique design, impressive towing capacity, extended range, and fast acceleration.
Utility
The Cybertruck boasts an impressive towing capacity and payload of 11,000 lbs., making it a fantastic choice when you need to haul heavy loads. The rear seat storage option and adaptive air suspension ensure improved off-road capability and ride comfort.
Technology
The Cybertruck boasts a range of newly engineered features, such as the highly acclaimed steer-by-wire for all 4 wheels and rear steering for improved handling, and 48 volt architecture that is ground-breaking in the automotive industry. Plus, it has a 15-speaker audio system with two subwoofers for your immersive listening experience.
Tesla’s Cybertruck Delivery Event had limited time. I chose to learn about Tesla’s redesigned steer-by-wire system, so I unfortunately missed the sound system demo.
Production and Manufacturing Challenges
The processes and challenges in engineering and manufacturing the Cybertruck are different than for any other vehicle. Tesla is making a significant investment in the biggest and most precise robots to ensure the successful production of the Cybertruck. I saw some robots that were so massive that I wondered how they existed on this earth!
I learned that to make Cybertrucks at the fastest rate, these robots are required. Here’s a picture of one that moves the Cybertruck body from the top floor where it is made to the lower floor where assembly continues.
My Thoughts
I plan to take delivery of a Cybertruck (when it’s my turn in the long queue). I want to experience the best combination of safety, utility, and technology that Tesla offers.
Disclaimer: I own TSLA shares and this article is adapted from the original I wrote for Xcelerate.
This article was written by Gail Alfar, please credit accordingly. I write to support Elon Musk companies.
Welcome to my 43rd Podcast. Chuck Cook arrives in Austin and we greet him at the airport. We invite him to take a ride in the Model Y to experience FSD beta for the first time in Austin, Texas. One of the hallmark moments of this podcast is a four lane unprotected LEFT turn which is similar to the one that Chuck made famous in his indirect work with the Tesla AI team in Palo Alto. Enjoy the Video!
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to Gail Alfar, 2024 – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
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Join Gail Alfar as she takes you into the heart of the famous anticipated Tesla Cybertruck Delivery Event on November 30, 2023. You’ll feel like you are there too. Gail gets close-ups of the Tesla robot that installs the Cybertruck’s tires and takes you to a deconstructed Cybertruck. Don’t miss the baby Cybertruck and the amazing Cybertent!
Watch a robot install the glass roof of the vehicle and take in the exciting moments of the very first Cybertruck deliveries in history! Enjoy the video!
Here’s my quick recap of the cybertruck delivery event from today with 𝕏 timestamps 1:00 – first deliveries 4:20 – robot install tires 5:13 – cybertruck deconstruct 6:55 – baby c and cybertent 8:38 – robot install glass 𝕏 𝕏 enjoy PODCAST 42 𝕏 𝕏 pic.twitter.com/ec7Ph37GyU
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to What’s Up Tesla – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
(S. Padre Island, Texas) Starship launched on 18 November out of Starbase and I joined thousands of people as the sun rose to reveal Starship across the bay. We all witnessed the fierce determination of an incredible launch test. I will share with you the inspiring thoughts of 4 people I met.
Visitors and residents of all ages, woke up before dawn to walk in the dark to the beach to better grasp the magnitude of Starship. Everyone I spoke with came away feeling more hopeful than before about a future where we will make it to Mars.
Moments before Starship Launch. Image by Gail Alfar.
A CHILD INSPIRED BY A GIFT FROM SPACEX
Six-year-old Grayson from Missouri was excited to show me a piece of tile from the heat shield of Starship. His Dad was in awe that SpaceX employees shared this with his family. The family let me open the plastic case up, take out the tile piece, and hold it. It was also emotional for me because I love those tiles so much. Grayson looked amazed too, then after a while, he said, “Can I give you one of my glow sticks?”
There is a certain love that comes from the heart of the mission of SpaceX that rubs off on people when they see a launch. Grayson had that. When I asked him what he thought about the launch, he said he “loved all of it!”
NASA EMPLOYEES AT THE LAUNCH
I met several NASA employees at Isla Blanca, from lead engineers to a man who works in the warehouse. I talked with many, or rather, I listened to them. I walked away with the knowledge that they admire the speed of which SpaceX operates.
Gynn Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX explains it this way,
“I do want to make something clear: SpaceX does have a lot of government business, but we execute in a commercial fashion.”
One NASA employee, Mike Pantaleo, brought his long lens camera, and told me, “I am capturing history.” Pantaleo admires the hard work of SpaceX employees, he explained to me that he deeply respects their valuable work.
A TOAST TO STARSHIP ON SOUTH PADRE
“Here, here, take a picture of this,” the bartender at Josephine’s on S. Padre was injecting liquid smoke into a cup of ice and mixing a drink, as he placed a rocket pop on top, he said, “I created this myself, I wanted it to look like Starship!” I loved the enthusiasm and laughter over breakfast on Saturday morning right after the launch. The restaurant was buzzing with excited people and the bartender added “Elon is cool!” I shared my just-taken video of the launch with a family from San Antonio who had arrived after the launch thinking it would happen later in the morning. Starship launched right on time, just moments after sunrise.
SHARING ENTHUSIASM IS PRICELESS
David, an engineer from Dallas, told me he was drawn to the people at the launch because of the shared enthusiasm for discussing details about Starship and genuine support for Elon Musk. He said, “when I’m at work, my colleagues are great people and they also do not share my level of excitement, it is so nice to be with others who do!“
David had the ability to paint a picture with his words, and when he talked about the day when Starships would launch at the rate of 2-3 per day, I could see that future. That’s the future we need.
“With Starship, actually, more profound than the size, is the fact that it is designed to be fully and rapidly reusable. The reason for the absurd size is that we are trying to build something that is capable of creating a permanent base on the moon and a city on Mars. That’s why it’s so large. Otherwise, we could make it much smaller.” – Elon Musk, IAC Space Conference 2023
Image Starship Launch 2 Courtesy of Elon Musk.
GROK’S TAKE: IMPRESSIVE AMBITION, WOBBLY IN EXECUTION
Grok (the new AI from xAI) chimed in about the launch, humorously saying that the launch was, impressive in its ambition, but somewhat wobbly in execution. Grok added “The success of the launch brings us one step closer to the dream of making humanity a multi-planetary species. Just imagine, in a few centuries, we could have humans colonizing Mars, living in biodomes and eating space-grown potatoes. It’s enough to make one wonder if Elon Musk has a secret stash of Douglas Adams novels tucked away in his office.”
MY THOUGHTS
The images in my mind of the starry morning dawn giving way to a bright sunrise, the warm waters on the beach, and the T-30-second countdown are part of what gives people of all ages immense hope for the future. The very sight of Starship pushing up, with so much mass, is both beautiful and fearsome. Leaving Starbase, I met over 40 Tesla owners at Superchargers in Alice who had been to the launch. This was no ordinary day, and we all knew it. The joy that comes with sharing the excitement of watching Starship launch is unlike anything else. I hope that you felt that joy in the live streams and the people you know here on X. This is the next best thing to being physically present at a launch!
Crowds await Starship Launch 2. Image by Gail Alfar.
Space is big. Really big
“Space is big. Really big. You just won’t believe how vastly hugely mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it’s a long way down the road to the chemist, but that’s just peanuts to space.” – Hitchhiker’s Guide
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Article by Gail Alfar, please credit accordingly. Thanks to @SpaceX and @elonmusk
(Baton Rouge, Louisiana) Join Gail and Johnna Crider in a FSD beta drive through Baton Rouge and then straight down to the river for a short interview that may help you if you are in need of a way to cope with difficult times in life.
We have a great talk, analyze a rare gemstone, and experience more Tesla FSD beta at night!
Johnna wanted to reach out to people with what works for her in difficult times and I hope it will also help you!
I was in Baton Rouge last week.
Join me & Johnna C down by the river for this 39th podcast. We have a great talk, analyze a rare gemstone, and experience Tesla FSD beta at night
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to What’s Up Tesla – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
Tesla FSD Beta goes over Pennybaker Bridge in Austin.
(Austin, Texas) Join me for what has been called 2023 Best FSD Beta Video!
FSD Beta IS AWARD WINNING!
Jokes aside, one of my followers on X loved the music so much in the video that he thought it should win an Academy Award for Seductive Category! I agree, Tesla FSD Beta is smooth as butter and could probably seduce even the biggest skeptic to enjoy Tesla’s incredible autonomy!
…and the academy award for 2023 best FSD video; seductive category, goes to GailAlfarATX!
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to What’s Up Tesla – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
{Baton Rogue, Louisiana) Join Gail Alfar and special guest Johnna Crider for a drive down the backroads of Louisiana. You are in for a treat, because a certain joy comes with visiting friends, laughing, and discussing the amazing work Tesla is doing. Johnna inspired the series of Podcasts known as Gail’s Tesla Podcast.
Back around January 2023, Johnna and I were talking, and I was constantly going on about Tesla autonomy, and spending hours each day thinking about the profound impact it has now and will have on our earth. This energy was, and still is, seemingly unstoppable. Learning to channel that energy into something like my writing as well as this weekly podcast, has been not only good for me, but good for the thousands of people that are watching the podcast on the X app. In fact, I chose to ONLY release the Podcast in X. It is my desire to see X succeed where Twittter did not. Enjoy the podcast!
Does Tesla FSD beta work well in the backwoods of Louisiana? Yes, yes it does!! 🎉 Join me and @JohnnaCrider1 for Podcast No. 38 on v11.4.7.3 pic.twitter.com/idIGKl5nSt
Model Y is great for road trips such as this one took from Texas to Louisiana.
Tesla Model Y. Image Courtesy Tesla, Inc.
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to What’s Up Tesla – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
Kilowatt-hours (kWh) provide a consistent way to understand and compare energy usage across various devices and appliances, including your Tesla or other EV. Understanding kW/h helps you understand EV cost better, as it relates to all forms of charging.
A Universal Practice
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of electrical energy, measuring the amount of electricity consumed over one hour at a constant rate of one kilowatt (1 kW). This practice of measuring electricity in kilowatt-hours is widely accepted and used in many countries on Earth. Specific terms and pricing structures for electricity do vary, and the fundamental unit of measurement, the kilowatt-hour (kWh), remains a universal standard for understanding and managing electrical energy consumption.
Why Measured Per Hour?
KWh is measured per hour to quantify the total energy used over that time frame, similar to how you measure how quickly water flows from a faucet or how fast your car consumes gasoline. This standardized approach ensures consistency and uniformity in assessing electricity usage.
Comparison to Water
To help myself understand it better, I compared it to my water bill. My water meter measures how many gallons of water I use, and I pay based on the volume I consume. Kilowatt-hours (kWh) are similar but for electricity. They measure how much electrical “energy” is used, and my bill is based on the amount of energy consumed. Just as you pay for the water that flows through your pipes, you pay for the electricity that flows through your wires. Whether it’s water or electricity, the more you use, the higher your bill. And, like water, the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) can vary depending on where you live or where you charge your EV. Having solar and power walls to charge your EV is like having a natural spring nearby. Your water well, pump, and filters that you invest in save you money from having your water delivered by a water-tank truck.
My Thoughts
I pay attention to how electricity prices change, always looking for the best rates per kWh to charge my Tesla Model Y via the Tesla App. Understanding kilowatt-hours (kWh) allows me to plan my charging more efficiently. During road trips, I also consider the cost per kWh at each Tesla Supercharger I encounter because these prices can vary due to multiple factors. On my recent road trip to San Antonio, where I visited Six Flags, I managed entire drive without needing to charge while on the road. The night before the journey, I charged my vehicle to 100%, providing a range of over 300 miles, which was more than enough for a round trip from near Leander to Six Flags Fiesta. To conserve energy, I disabled both Sentry Mode and Cabin Overheat Protection. When I returned home, I still had 20% of the battery charged. It’s all about making informed energy choices and optimizing efficiency.
Image Courtesy Zach on X @blkmdl3
Informative article by Gail Alfar, please credit accordingly. Have a wonderful day and may you take many happy road trips in your Tesla.
Tesla Cybertruck Delivery Event Invitation. Image Courtesy, Tesla, Inc.
(Austin, Texas)
Recently, someone told me that all car companies have enthusiasts. “Tesla is nothing special, really.” False.
Tesla is something special. No other company is like Tesla in that it is not “just” a car company.
Only Tesla has supporters that are so numerous that a lottery must be conducted to ensure the Cybertruck Delivery Event is not so overcrowded that it violates the country fire code.
Why is there such a desire by so many people to see Tesla succeed? Why are there so many investors who support the company and care so much about Elon Musk?
The answer is complex. Some bought a Tesla vehicle, and at that very moment, they just knew Tesla is a rare and unexpected phenomenon.
Some care deeply about accelerating the transition of our world to sustainable energy. They own shares of TSLA.
I also know of some people employed at Tesla. The job has brought blessings to their family in many ways.
Regardless of the reason for loving the company, Tesla and its leadership, especially Elon Musk, want to mark milestones with celebrations with supporters.
The invitation by Tesla says, “Join us at Gigafactory Texas on Thursday, November 30, 2023, to celebrate the first deliveries of Cybertruck.”
Of course, Tesla does not have to put forth the effort these kind of events require. Tesla does it out of love for humanity.
Elon Musk speaks at these events and live streams all such events. His talks inspire people. His talks get people excited, and motivated, they are milestones not only for Tesla, but creators of memories for many people.
I think Tesla is deserving of this fantastic support, and I think that shareholders are amazing people. Owning even one share, or hundreds, is an act of trust in what Tesla will accomplish for years to come.
The Cybertruck Delivery Event is November 30, 2023, in Austin, Texas.
Image Courtesy Tesla, Inc.
Gail Alfar, author. Exclusive to What’s Up Tesla – All Rights Reserved. My goal as an author and podcaster is to support Tesla (the most American vehicle manufacturer) and Elon Musk in both making life better on Earth for humans and becoming a space-fairing civilization.
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