When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Virtually every new-car dealer I've seen in the D.C. area has gas pumps of their own. It's true that customers don't usually gas up there, but installing a simple charger, for the dealership, is much simpler and easier than a gas pump, which needs an underground tank for storage, electric hook-ups to manage/regulate it, and numerous safety devices. Vehicle-chargers, of course, also require safety-devices, but they are usually of a less-expensive and less-complex nature than for gas pumps.
Generally speaking, new cars get a full tank of gas when you buy new. But I have never heard of a dealer who sells gas or fills up your tank when you are in for service. I had expected Telsa might have ones car plugged in when you go to pick it up as the Telsa stores in Toronto have like 30-40 supercharging spots outside the malls and some S models came with free charging. But reading some of the responses, it is clear, they don't do it when you are in for service.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Aug 3, 2019 at 09:56 PM.
In other words, the Model 3's steering ratio is very high [nee quick].
Model 3 is a heavy vehicle with great inertia.
Like you have experienced, I also read somewhere that the Performance trim was relatively softly sprung, hence lots of weight transfer.
I read somewhere that the dampers of the Performance trim was relatively firm [with high frequency vertical oscillations] to minimize float at high speeds - hence a tiring ride, and they suggested a simple set of electronically controlled variable valve dampers would improve the ride by softening the damping for more comfortable low frequency [nee slower] vertical oscillations.
What you are saying seems right. It's too soft for track duty. Magnetic ride would be awesome for a car like this.
What's surprising is the steering feel. I feel far more than my Is350 and thats a good thing. Kinda weird that this digital car has more steering feel (more analog than the BMW and IS350). Again, it's crazy to not consider the Model 3 Performance if you are buying a regular 3 series or something similar. For $55K, it will completely annihilate a 340, s4, C43 AMG with ease.
One of the biggest factors, like I said before, is simply getting an adequate charging infrastructure for all those EVs. They told me, for example, at this Tesla retailer, that, despite having several chargers in their shop, they don't routinely charge vehicles at customer request, even for a fee (they save the chargers exclusively for vehicles being worked on in the shop). This, to me, sounded incredulous....if you cannot charge a Tesla at the place that actually sells and services them, that doesn't say much for the company.
when you take your car in for service, do they fill it with gas?
Generally speaking, new cars get a full tank of gas when you buy new. But I have never heard of a dealer who sells gas or fills up your tank when you are in for service.
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
when you take your car in for service, do they fill it with gas?
Thank You, but I've already addressed that question several times. Please read.
when you take your car in for service, do they fill it with gas?
In fairness, it's easier to find a place to gas up than charge up. And gassing up is quicker; if you are charging, you are hanging out a while.
But, honestly, is there a huge demand to charge up at the Tesla store if you are not there for service? What do you do there for 30-60 minutes? Bring your laptop and work or surf the net. Tesla owners are better off finding a mall with charging stations.
I’ve actually found that relatively few dealers have their own gas pumps. I can think of one.
I know of a couple that have had gas pumps over the years. I can’t imagine that the costs of upkeep and insurance of having a gas tank on premises are very worthwhile. I even wonder if filling up gas for free during a maintenance service would even be permitted under various state law etc etc.
I don't see why not. When you purchase or lease a new gas-powered vehicle these days, it is often delivered to you with a full tank of fuel. Why would it be legal to fill up a new car and not one getting serviced? Of course, it might increase the price of the service a little...obviously, neither gas nor electricity is free.
Even more so in New Jersey....as we have discussed before, car-owners in that state aren't even allowed to fill up their own vehicles LOL.
Last edited by mmarshall; Aug 7, 2019 at 10:16 AM.
I imagine there is something to do with sales taxes. So a dealer gets a million litre tank, and they use this tank to give away free gas to those doing maintenance at their dealer. Who pays the tax? The dealer when they buy the gas? My guess is there is some regulation preventing this practice. Does anyone know for sure?
MM, nice quick review. I just got my 3 a few days back and I'm aligned with you on these points:
- seats are comfy soft though missing a bit of support
- throttle response is instantaneous
- handling is crisp and very responsive
- quiet ride though a little road noise at high speed creeps in
You don't mention ride quality too much though I can say it's firmer than the Stinger (or IS) was, bordering harsh on rough roads. High PSI (45) on the tires doesn't help.
I don't see why not. When you purchase or lease a new gas-powered vehicle these days, it is often delivered to you with a full tank of fuel. Why would it be legal to fill up a new car and not one gearing serviced?.
Would be a good question to know. My guess is that the cost of gas is built into the cost of the car, you just don’t see it.
I imagine there is something to do with sales taxes. So a dealer gets a million litre tank, and they use this tank to give away free gas to those doing maintenance at their dealer. Who pays the tax? The dealer when they buy the gas? My guess is there is some regulation preventing this practice. Does anyone know for sure?
Sales tax is paid on a sale for money. You don't pay sales tax when you get something free at a store--buy one, get one. So, no one pays the tax because there was no sale price. Why is this different?
