Why do Tesla owners double tap?
Normal Operating Sounds
This is a general guide to help you understand common sounds you may hear from your vehicle during its normal course of operation. It is not a diagnosis of your vehicle and does not represent a comprehensive list of normal sounds you may hear. If you wish to schedule an appointment with Tesla Service for any reason, contact your local service center.
While your Model 3 is incredibly quiet, it is not completely silent. There are some sounds your vehicle makes as part of its normal daily operation and are not a cause for concern. Below is a list of possible normal operating sounds your vehicle could make based on where the sound is coming from:
Informational Purposes An informational icon, calling your attention
Note
Some sounds may be used for multiple purposes. Use the touchscreen to determine the cause of the sound.
While Parked
Mechanical Enable/Disable Thumping Sound
These sounds occur whenever you shift your vehicle into Park and is the sound of the parking brake engaging/disengaging. See Shifting for more information.
Clicking, Clunking, or Thumping Sound From Floor of Vehicle
When Parked, Model 3 opens the HV Battery contactors to help conserve energy. This sound occurs when you start the vehicle after it’s been Parked, and signifies that the high voltage contactors are closing the circuit between your vehicle and the Battery.
Creaking or Cranking From the Tires or Brakes
When your vehicle is Parked for a long period of time and you shift into Drive, you may hear this sound. This is because your vehicle is using its disc brakes to hold the wheels in place while in Park. The sound occurs when the brake calipers release from the rotors and can be quite loud, especially in cold weather or after heavy rain.
Lock Chime
This sound occurs when you are inside the vehicle and it locks (such as when you touch the Lock icon on the touchscreen). See Doors.
Use an Authenticated Key to Drive
This sound occurs when your vehicle does not detect a valid key. To begin driving, follow the instructions on the touchscreen to authenticate your key. See Keys for more information.
While Charging
Banging, Clunking, Popping, or Thumping Noise While Supercharging
This sound comes from the floor of your vehicle (where the HV Battery is located) and occurs when the metal components in your vehicle’s HV Battery naturally expand or contract to accommodate ambient temperature changes.
While Driving
High-Pitched Whining Noise while Accelerating
When you press the accelerator pedal, you may hear a high-pitched noise in the cabin. This is the sound of your vehicle accelerating. Because electric vehicles are so quiet, this sound may be more apparent while driving.
Cabin Noise during Acceleration with Ludicrous Enabled
You may hear this noise when you press the accelerator pedal with Ludicrous (if equipped) enabled. See for more information.
Humming, Whirring, or Wooshing Sound
When your vehicle is Parked, especially outside on a hot day, you may hear a humming or slight ticking sound from the front of the vehicle near the front trunk. This may happen even when your vehicle is not charging. You may also hear this sound when Model 3 is parked after a long drive. This is the sound of your vehicle cooling the battery to maintain its optimal temperature. It signifies that the A/C compressor is working to cool the cabin. This is caused by extra demand on the climate system to meet all your vehicle’s cooling needs. The sound may gradually decrease in frequency and/or volume as the optimal temperature is reached.
Vibration Sound/Feeling in Steering Wheel
In this instance, the steering wheel vibrates because Lane Departure Warning alerts you that the vehicle detects an unintentional lane line crossing.
Whirring or Whining While Driving at Low Speeds (if Equipped with Pedestrian Warning System)
This sound is audible when the vehicle is driving at low speeds to alert nearby pedestrians that the vehicle is in motion. The whirring or whining sound is slightly different depending on whether Model 3 is driving forward or reversing.
Noise in Driver’s Footwell When Brake is Pressed
When Model 3 comes to a stop, Hold may activate. This holds the vehicle in place until you press the accelerator pedal, allowing you to remove your foot from the brake pedal if needed. As Hold initially enables, this faint sound may be heard from the driver’s footwell, as well as a feeling that the brake pedal depresses further. On the touchscreen , the Hold icon also appears:
Motor Humming or Whirring when Navigating to a Supercharger
When navigating to a Supercharger (or third-party fast charger in some regions), Model 3 preconditions the Battery to prepare for charging. This ensures you arrive with an optimal Battery temperature, reducing the amount of time it takes to charge. In some circumstances (such as cold weather), it is normal for the motor(s) and components to make noise, such as humming or whirring as it generates heat to warm the Battery.
Dashcam Save
When you touch the Dashcam icon, this sound indicates a recording has been saved. See Dashcam for more information.
Seat Belt Not Engaged
Chimes when the vehicle detects a passenger in one of the front seats is not wearing a seat belt. You can see which occupant is not wearing a seatbelt by seeing the red seat belt icon on the touchscreen. See Seat Belts for more information.
Chimes when your vehicle detects an occupant in one of the rear seats is not wearing a seat belt.
Safety Features
Various chimes, beeps, and alarms sound when your vehicle detects a possible collision, lane departure, etc. to keep your vehicle and its occupants safe.
Warning Icon A warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
CAUTION
Safety features are for guidance purposes only and is not intended to replace your own direct visual checks.
Forward Collision Warning
The vehicle warns you against a possible forward collision. See Forward Collision Warning for more information.
Lane Departure Warning
This warns you when your vehicle detects a possible lane departure. The lane marking is also highlighted on the Autopilot visualization on the touchscreen. Apply corrective steering and stay in the middle of the lane. See Lane Assist for more information.
Park Assist
This chime occurs when you attempt to park and the vehicle detects objects close by. On the touchscreen, the car status shows you approximately where the object is. See Park Assist for more information.
You are getting very close to a detected object. Proceed with caution and leave yourself enough space to safely park.
This warns that you are too close to an object. Allow yourself more space to park.
Speed Limit Warning
A chime sounds when your vehicle exceeds the detected or set speed limit. See Speed Assist for more information.
Autopilot
Informational Purposes An informational icon, calling your attention
Note
Depending on market region, vehicle configuration, options purchased, and software version, your vehicle may not be equipped with all Autopilot features, or the feature may not sound exactly as described in all situations.
While Autopilot features are engaged, numerous chimes may sound to draw your attention to the vehicle. See About Autopilot for more information on feature details and limitations. Pay attention to the roads and keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times in the event Autopilot becomes disengaged.
Autopilot Alerts
This sound can occur for several reasons. Look at the alerts on the touchscreen for more information.
Autopilot Unavailable
This signifies Autopilot is currently unavailable. Try enabling at a different time or see About Autopilot for more information.
Hands on Steering Wheel Now
This warns the driver to put their hands on the steering wheel , otherwise Autopilot may disengage for the safety of the passengers and other vehicles on the road. Place your hands on the steering wheel to silence the chime.
Navigate on Autopilot
You hear this sound when you enable Navigate on Autopilot.
You hear this sound when Navigate on Autopilot is disabled.
Autosteer
Occurs when Autosteer is enabled.
Occurs when Autosteer is disabled.
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
You hear this sound when Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is enabled.
You hear this sound when Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is disabled.
Warning Icon A warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
Many unforeseen circumstances can impair the operation of Autopilot. Always keep this in mind and remember that as a result, Autopilot may not work on Model 3 as expected. It is your responsibility to drive attentively and be prepared to take immediate action at any time.
- Model 3 Owner’s Manual
- Using this Owner’s Manual
- Exterior
- Interior Overview
- Touchscreen
- Interior Electronics
- Car Status
- Voice Commands
- Normal Operating Sounds
- Keys
- Doors
- Windows
- Rear Trunk
- Front Trunk
- Interior Storage
- Front and Rear Seats
- Seat Belts
- Child Safety Seats
- Airbags
- Mobile App
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- Phone, Calendar, and Web Conferencing
- Smart Garage
- Starting and Powering Off
- Steering Wheel
- Mirrors
- Shifting
- Lights
- Wipers and Washers
- Braking and Stopping
- Park Assist
- Vehicle Hold
- Traction Control
- Acceleration Modes
- Track Mode
- Driver Profiles
- Trip Information
- Rear Facing Camera(s)
- Pedestrian Warning System
- About Autopilot
- Traffic-Aware Cruise Control
- Autosteer
- Navigate on Autopilot
- Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control
- Autopark
- Summon
- Smart Summon
- Lane Assist
- Collision Avoidance Assist
- Speed Assist
- Cabin Camera
- Safety & Security Settings
- Dashcam
- Sentry Mode
- USB Drive Requirements for Recording Videos
- Operating Climate Controls
- Ventilation
- Cold Weather Best Practices
- Maps and Navigation
- Media
- Theater, Arcade, and Toybox
- Electric Vehicle Components
- High Voltage Battery Information
- Charging Instructions
- Scheduled Charging and Scheduled Departure
- Getting Maximum Range
- Software Updates
- Maintenance Service Intervals
- Tire Care and Maintenance
- Cleaning
- Windshield Wiper Blades, Jets and Fluid
- Jacking and Lifting
- Parts and Accessories
- Do It Yourself Maintenance
- Identification Labels
- Vehicle Loading
- Dimensions
- Subsystems
- Wheels and Tires
- Contacting Tesla Roadside Assistance
- Instructions for Transporters
- Running Out of Range
- Jump Starting
- Troubleshooting Alerts
- About this Owner Information
- Feature Availability Statement
- Disclaimers
- Reporting Safety Defects
- Certification Conformity
Dear Tesla Owners, Tapping Your Charger on Your Taillight Does Nothing Good
Why do Tesla owners tap the charger to the taillight? See why TikTok users promote this “hack” and whether there’s any truth to the hype.
Jul. 9 2022, Published 12:59 p.m. ET
If you’ve ever wondered why Tesla owners tap the charger on the taillight, you’re not alone. Others have been demanding the answer to that very question on social media.
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“Can someone explain to me why Tesla drivers tap the charger head on the taillight before plugging it into their car?” one Twitter user wrote in all caps in May 2021. “Bro, why?”
That October, someone else tweeted, “Can somebody explain to me why Tesla owners always tap the charger plug on the car before plugging it in?”
And just this March, another Twitter user wrote, “I don’t own a Tesla, so I have a question: Why do you tap the charger before putting the charger in?”
TikTok users claim you can tap the charger to the taillight for faster charging, but it’s an urban myth.
According to TeslaToro, some Tesla owners believe tapping the charger to the taillight will help with charging speed or connectivity. People who promote this theory think that the tap-tap on the taillight nixes static electricity, clears debris from the charging pins, or even “aligns electrons,” whatever that means.
Indeed, a recent TikTok video about charging a Tesla, one user made sure to tap the charger on the taillight. “Don’t forget to tap for fast charging,” the video’s narration says.
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But that’s just an urban myth, TeslaToro reports. “Obviously, except for in the most unusual circumstances where something is interfering with the charging connection (ice, dirt, random object), there is no reason to tap the charging cable against the car,” the site adds.
You do tap the charge port to open it, and the charge port is close to the taillight, but that’s about all the good tapping will do.
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Tapping your taillight with your charger “scratches your taillight and makes you look like a trademark dork,” one person said.
YouTube user The Electric Man also debunked the taillight-tapping trick in an October 2021 video. “I’m sure everybody wants to know if tapping your taillights does anything to your Tesla,” The Electric Man said, knocking his charger against the taillight of his Tesla. “And the answer is… no.”
In the comments, other YouTube users agreed with The Electric Man’s short and sweet myth-busting. “Short answer: no,” one person wrote. “Long answer: no and it wastes time.”
“It does do something,” another person commented. “It scratches your taillight and makes you look like a trademark dork.”
Why Do Tesla Owners Tap the Charger?
You may have seen Tesla EV owners tap the charger on their taillight at a public charging station. It’s not as if they’re shaking excess electricity off a charger. Believe it or not, some Tesla owners might have a method behind the madness. So, why do Tesla owners tap the charger at charging stations?
Do Tesla owners really tap the charger?
The online social media entity TikTok hosted a video wherein a user suggested tapping the charger on the vehicle’s taillight could aid in the charging process. As a result, some Tesla owners have engaged in the practice of tapping the charger before plugging in to juice up. Onlookers may quizzically observe the maneuver and wonder why an EV owner would do such a thing. After all, it’s not like they’re shaking off excess fuel or electrons!
Why do Tesla owners tap their chargers?
The TikTok video claimed that the practice of tapping the charger on the Tesla’s taillight would aid in connectivity resulting in fewer errors. Also, the video claimed that tapping the charger could actually enhance charging speed. Furthermore, the TikTok content asserted that the move can “remove static electricity” or any physical blockage from the connecting hardware. As a result, some owners will tap the charger before they use it.
Perhaps the most ridiculous assertion is that tapping the device aids at the subatomic level. Distractify says that some owners believe the action actually “aligns electrons.”
Does it work?
As you might expect, tapping the charger doesn’t really help with connectivity or recharge speed. Short of physically removing an obstruction that would impede a connection, the practice doesn’t help. I’m getting video game cartridge flashbacks just thinking about it. Furthermore, the action certainly doesn’t redistribute the subatomic particles for optimal charging.
Is there any evidence that tapping the charger helps Tesla owners charge?
Currently, there’s no evidence that tapping the charger helps with recharge speed or effectiveness. Of course, some observers may mistake tapping the charging port to open it as tapping the charger to optimize charging. Unless prompting parties like those behind the TikTok video are trying to prank Tesla owners, the maneuver is without purpose other than accessing the charging port. It could be along the lines of telling your little brother to buy blinker fluid at the auto parts store.
Related
How long does it take to charge a Tesla?
Tapping or not, Tesla does produce some of the fastest charging EVs on the market. While charging any EV with a 120-volt Level 1 charger will be a painstakingly slow undertaking, using a Level 2 or Tesla Supercharger will cut that time down significantly. For instance, U.S. News says a 2022 Tesla Model S can recover 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes using a Supercharger. Moreover, fans of the entry-level baby Tesla, the Model 3, enjoy similar swiftness.
Using a Supercharger, the 2022 Tesla Model 3 can recoup 175 miles of electric range after just 15 minutes of charging. Of course, times are slower with a Level 2 charger. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) says that the Model 3 will fully charge in about 6.5 hours with a Level 2 charger.
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