April 22, 2024 The Cybertruck, Tesla’s revolutionary electric vehicle, touted for its innovative design and robust features, faced an unexpected challenge: a routine car wash. A Cybertruck owner, sharing his ordeal on TikTok, discovered his vehicle rendered inoperative—a staggering $80,000 USD paperweight—after a seemingly harmless wash. This incident highlights the complexities of modern cars that double as large-scale computers.
The owner recounted his experience of driving his Cybertruck to the beach and then heading to a car wash to clean off the sand. What followed was a series of events leading to the vehicle’s complete shutdown. After parking in his garage, the central console screen went black. Attempts to reboot the system led to an ominous electrical “pop,” signifying deeper issues than a mere glitch.
Tesla’s response came after the owner initiated a service ticket. Surprisingly, the vehicle resurrected overnight. It was revealed that the Cybertruck’s system reboot could take an unusually long time—up to five hours, a stark contrast to typical expectations.
Tesla’s customer service clarified that this delay in rebooting is a known issue, often taking much longer than the standard procedure. This glitch, tied to the latest hardware version installed in the Cybertruck, is earmarked for resolution in a future software update.
However, the situation sheds light on broader concerns with high-tech vehicles. The Cybertruck owner’s manual specifies a “Car Wash Mode,” which, if not activated, could lead to potential damage—a fact unknown to many until such incidents occur. This mode is designed to protect critical components like the charge port and windshield wipers during a car wash, underscoring the vehicle’s delicate balance between automotive and technological functionalities.
Further complicating the narrative are community reports and discussions, such as those on Elon Musk’s platform X, highlighting other peculiar advisories like avoiding car washes in direct sunlight. Such stipulations paint a picture of a vehicle as temperamental as it is groundbreaking.
As Tesla navigates these teething problems with its Cybertruck, the incident serves as a reminder of the intricate interplay between innovation and practicality in modern automotive design. The promise of a bulletproof vehicle stumbling over water resistance questions points to a path fraught with unexpected challenges, demanding a reevaluation of what it means to integrate high technology into everyday use.
The recall of all Cybertrucks due to faulty accelerator pedals, as announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, adds another layer of complexity to Tesla’s ambitious venture into reshaping automotive norms. As Tesla addresses these hurdles, the Cybertruck saga continues to unfold, highlighting the challenges of innovating at the intersection of robust design and advanced technology.
