Let's talk Tesla Supercharger parking etiquette...

[jjswan33]

"I wasn't sure how to park, Rivian has pull-through spots so I don't have to park weird."

"Oh and I also need to charge to 100% to get to the next station..."

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[COdogman]

When it was announced we would get access soon I was planning to only use Tesla stations if absolutely necessary.

That changed when I read the comments from the Cybertruck designer. Now I want to charge at Tesla stations as much as possible and see if any Tesla driver will follow through on his suggestion.

 

[Hillbilly]

Proper method is to unplug any Teslas in your way, then push the Teslas away from the charger you need with the rivian until you've cleared enough space to charge.

 

[White Shadow]

Will Tesla drivers also adjust their "etiquette" so they aren't parking in every other space like is often seen?

They do that on the earlier versions so they don't have to share power between cars. The newer version superchargers don't have that issue.

 

[COdogman]

Proper method is to unplug any Teslas in your way, then push the Teslas away from the charger you need with the rivian until you've cleared enough space to charge.

Also known as the Alan Ruck method.

https://www.tmz.com/watch/2023-11-01-110123-rivian-truck-crash-sub-1721529-889/

 

[White Shadow]

Proper method is to unplug any Teslas in your way, then push the Teslas away from the charger you need with the rivian until you've cleared enough space to charge.

That's one nice thing about Teslas----you can't unplug them, unlike cars using adapters.

 

[White Shadow]

One other thing that non-Tesla vehicles can do is to charge right next to each other. So for example, if a Lightning is charging on the far right side and the spot next to him is available, take it and charge there. That way you're not both taking up two spots.

 

[Hillbilly]

That's one nice thing about Teslas----you can't unplug them, unlike cars using adapters.

If I ram one and the car senses movement will it unlatch the charger?

 

[White Shadow]

If I ram one and the car senses movement will it unlatch the charger?

Haha....I don't know. Give it a try and report back

 

[foxerson]

I assumed we were required to jump the curb and park in the landscaping at the far right or in the dirt lot behind the supercharger row.

 

[Marchin_MTB]

Tesla posted a diagram of what they would prefer and it has been shared on the forum. The essence of it seems to make a best effort to stay in the vicinity of the “correct spot” as much as possible while parking over the line to the right. When I’ve tried this at Magic docks the best I can ever do is 1/2 or maybe even 2/3 of a spot to the right. I guess the idea behind this is that a Tesla might still squeeze in on the spot to the right? Not sure if that’s true. More likely, by parking over the line partway, you send a clear visual signal that the stall in front of you is occupied so a Tesla doesn’t try to back in to your left thinking it can charge there. That’s my guess anyway. Of course this all flies out the window if you show up with a ford as I’m pretty sure their charge port location forces them to go all the way over to the next spot to the right.

 

[Chewy734]

I came to this thread for the laughter and the memes. I was not disappointed. Carry on… ?

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Tesla Superchargers do vary a bit from location to location. Most of them have 8 stalls. Some of them have one pull-through stall, which is great for people with trailers. The R1T and R1S have the charge port on the front driver’s side (left side in the US). This is good for the pull-through because it’s similar to Tesla’s driver’s side port in the rear. You just wouldn’t have to pull up as much, but the stall is long so it shouldn’t matter.

Then there’s the older Tesla charging stations. Many of them have a pull-in stall on one end, so a Tesla could pull in to charge rather than backing in per usual. This could work for an R1T or R1S, but you’d be parked half in and half out of the space. If you don’t mind your tailendsticking out this could work.

Unfortunately many of these older charging stations are V2 and don’t have the tech necessary to allow Rivians and Fords to charge on them. However your navigation shouldn’t send you to one of these since it isn’t compatible. I think Tesla is working on getting these converted to V3s.

Your typical V3 Tesla Supercharger poses a greater problem though. With the R1T and R1S’ charging port on the front driver’s side you have to pull in and essentially block two stalls in order to charge. A Tesla can’t back in on your left because you’re using that stall’s cable in the stall to the right and they can’t back in on your right because the cable at the stall that you’re actually parked in won’t reach.

I’m sure that the cable length was a cost cutting measure on Tesla’s part when they initially built the Supercharger network years ago and had no idea they’d be opening it up to other vehicles in the future. Those liquid-cooled cables aren’t cheap. I know this is an Apple move on Tesla’s part, but it is what it is. They’re trying to remedy it now with longer cables on the V4 stations and a possible extension cable for purchase in the meantime.

It’s going to be a train wreck, but hopefully we can look back on this as growing pains of a new era of electric mobility, just like when ICE vehicles used to have a crank to start them that could potentially break your arm and you had to get your gasoline from a pharmacy and carry it to your car.

 

[Autolycus]

They do that on the earlier versions so they don't have to share power between cars. The newer version superchargers don't have that issue.

I've seen plenty of pictures of it happening at v3 stations as well. People generally don't like parking right next to each other if they don't have to. Also, old habits sometimes die hard.

 

[Kuro-Rivian]

Tesla posted a diagram of what they would prefer and it has been shared on the forum. The essence of it seems to make a best effort to stay in the vicinity of the “correct spot” as much as possible while parking over the line to the right. When I’ve tried this at Magic docks the best I can ever do is 1/2 or maybe even 2/3 of a spot to the right. I guess the idea behind this is that a Tesla might still squeeze in on the spot to the right? Not sure if that’s true. More likely, by parking over the line partway, you send a clear visual signal that the stall in front of you is occupied so a Tesla doesn’t try to back in to your left thinking it can charge there. That’s my guess anyway. Of course this all flies out the window if you show up with a ford as I’m pretty sure their charge port location forces them to go all the way over to the next spot to the right.

I charge at magic dock station regularly and once had someone start backing in. But they realized quickly what was going on before getting out and moved. I'll usually only charge (or wait) before starting to charge until there are a couple open spots so I don't feel I'm crowding anyone out. But that's just me being overly nice maybe.

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