Tesla Cybertruck No Match for Car Wash
A viral story about a Tesla Cybertruck allegedly bricking after a car wash has reignited concerns over the model’s reliability, heavy software dependence, and unusual requirements such as a mandatory “Car Wash Mode.” Commenters contrast this with decades of trouble‑free experiences in conventional vehicles, questioning the wisdom of steer‑by‑wire systems, touchscreen‑centric controls, and cars that may require multi‑hour reboots. The episode also feeds into broader skepticism about Tesla’s product strategy and build quality, even as others point to the company’s strong financials and best‑selling models as evidence it remains fundamentally robust.
Failure After Car Wash & “Car Wash Mode”
- Cybertruck reportedly bricked after a car wash and required a 5‑hour “reboot” via Tesla support.
- Manual apparently warns against washing in direct sunlight and instructs using “Car Wash Mode” (locks ports, keeps windows closed, disables wipers and certain features).
- Several commenters note many modern cars/EVs have similar modes to avoid sensors/auto features misbehaving.
- Others argue nothing about a car-wash mode should ever leave a vehicle immobile.
- Causality is disputed: some see a pattern of Cybertruck failures; others say the link to the wash is speculative and likely just correlation.
Software, Reboots, and Steer‑by‑Wire Concerns
- A 5‑hour reboot and dependence on a central screen for all functions are seen as emblematic of problematic “software-first” automotive design.
- Commenters worry that steer‑by‑wire plus software instability is risky, contrasting with stricter aviation maintenance regimes.
- Some express dystopian discomfort at needing to “file a ticket” to reboot a car.
Cybertruck Design, Appeal, and Market Strategy
- Many view Cybertruck as an ugly or joke-like concept that somehow reached production; others note aesthetics are subjective and some people clearly like it.
- The design is described as optimized for simplified manufacturing (flat panels, few bends, heavy reliance on software), but execution is seen as poor.
- Some argue trucks are high-margin and cracking the US truck segment could be lucrative; others think it has minimal mainstream appeal and is mainly a status/show-off object.
Tesla’s Business Prospects
- One side: Tesla has substantial cash, manageable debt, positive cash flow, and strong net income/margins; bankruptcy fears are dismissed as uninformed.
- Other side: growth has slowed, lineup is aging, competition is rising, and there’s speculation (explicitly labeled as hard to prove) that capital needs could become acute.
Modern Cars vs Older, Simpler Vehicles
- Multiple commenters contrast complex EVs and “smart” features with older ICE cars that survive car washes, abuse, and time with minimal issues.
- There is nostalgia for 2000s-era cars with physical controls, minimal software, and no touchscreens; current infotainment-heavy design trends are widely criticized.
- Some note a partial industry shift back toward more physical controls, but central touchscreens seem entrenched.