Tesla’s car culture has embraced various hacks and shortcuts, one of which is known as the “wet towel” trick. This method involves wrapping a damp cloth around a Tesla Supercharger cable handle, with the hope of speeding up the vehicle’s charging time.
The rationale behind this trick is based on the belief that cooling the handle could trick the temperature sensors into allowing a faster charge. This practice, however, has raised concerns within Tesla’s Charging department.
The core issue with the “wet towel” trick lies in its potential to disrupt the temperature monitoring system of the Supercharger. Tesla’s Supercharger stations are equipped with sensors designed to prevent overheating during the charging process. By using a wet cloth, the trick could mislead the temperature sensor into reading a cooler temperature than the actual one, which might lead to overheating or damage to the equipment.
Tesla Warns Against Wet Towel Trick After Hack Threatens Supercharger Safety
Despite the obvious risks, it took Tesla over two months to address the issue publicly. The company finally issued a warning through its Tesla Charging account on X, following a report from InsideEVs.com that highlighted the dangers of the “wet towel” trick. Tesla’s announcement cautioned users against using the trick as it interferes with the temperature sensors and can lead to potential damage.
The delay in Tesla’s response reflects a broader communication problem within the company. Since dissolving its public relations team in 2020, Tesla has struggled to manage its messaging and address issues effectively. Elon Musk’s refusal to invest in traditional PR, opting instead to communicate through social media and other unconventional means, has led to gaps in handling customer concerns and misinformation.
The “wet towel” trick exemplifies the challenges Tesla faces with its approach to public relations and customer communication. The incident underscores the risks of bypassing conventional PR strategies, which can result in delayed responses to potential safety issues and inadequate management of customer relations.
