Tesla has issued a warning to its customers about the “wet towel” trick, a popular but potentially dangerous practice used during the charging process at Supercharger stations.
This advisory comes after the trick circulated within the Tesla community for a few years, gaining attention on auto news websites and Reddit forums. The method involves wrapping a damp cloth around a Supercharger handle to allegedly cool the system and reduce charging times.
Some Tesla owners believe this technique can trick the temperature sensors in the charging handle, leading to faster charging, especially on hot days.
However, Tesla’s official guidance, posted on the Tesla Charging account on X, cautions that using a wet towel can interfere with the system’s temperature monitors, posing a risk of overheating or damage. The company clarified that the towel does not increase the charging rate and advised against using the trick to ensure the systems operate correctly.
Does the Wet Towel Trick Really Work?
Despite Tesla’s warnings, some reports suggest the trick has shown varying levels of effectiveness, particularly with older V2 Supercharging systems.
According to InsideEVs, a user reported that applying a damp cloth to the charging handle increased the charging rate from 60 kilowatts to 95 kW on a hot day. Another instance involved a user who started charging at a two percent state of charge, reaching 147 kW before thermal throttling reduced the rate to 58 kW. The user then applied the wet towel, allegedly boosting the rate to 119 kW.
Newer V3 Superchargers, which feature active cooling, are less susceptible to such tricks. InsideEVs notes that the towel trick appears ineffective on these systems unless charging a Cybertruck.
Tesla’s communication on this issue also highlights a broader challenge for the company: the lack of a public relations department. Tesla dissolved its PR team in 2020, and CEO Elon Musk has expressed disinterest in spending on advertising or public relations, as noted by Electrek.
This incident underscores the difficulties Tesla faces in promptly addressing customer concerns and disseminating important information.
Featured Image courtesy of Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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