Tesla Tells Drivers to Be Paranoid Amid FSD9 Release

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Tesla has finally released their Full Self-Driving (FSD) 9 beta. However, it came with quite the warning and has left some quite concerned with the ramifications of unproven software being used on the open road. The new beta from the Palo Alto-based EV manufacturer has been highly anticipated by many. Now, some are concerned over the realities of unsupervised members of the public absent at the wheel of a moving vehicle.

“It may do the wrong thing at the worst time”

A photo showing the message given to FSD9 beta participants | @tesla_raj via Twitter

Twitter user “tesla_raj” posted the image seen above to his account on July 10th. In it, there’s a warning to participants in the company’s new Full Self-Driving 9 beta. Now, Tesla urges owners in the warning to be vigilant and only use FSD if they are “prepared to act immediately, especially around blind corners.” Now, those last four words are rather interesting given what happened to one owner a few weeks back. The Tesla owner’s vehicle plowed straight through a sharp turn with no warning.

Yes, scary stuff indeed. However, that’s not even the scariest part of the message. In it, there’s a section that states the vehicle “may do the wrong thing at the worst time.” It’s clear Tesla is trying its best to warn owners to be vigilant and attentive, if not a little paranoid, as CEO Elon Musk put it on Twitter. Clearly, the company is aware the software is very much in a beta phase and wants owners to be as well. Points for at least giving notice, Tesla.

Tesla software has already done “the wrong thing”

A man rides in a Model S with his hands off the wheel, letting the car drive for him
Tesla’s Autopilot software in use | Niall Carson via Getty Images

However, some of Tesla’s software is known for doing exactly the worst thing at the wrong time. There was that incident with the sharp bend, to name one. To name another, there have been numerous instances of Tesla Autopilot software causing property damage, and even taking lives. Now, part of this is on owners. Evidently, Tesla has warned of the responsibility drivers have to keep an eye on things, and drivers have often failed to do so.

Additionally, Tesla shares some blame here. Well, quite a lot of it actually. A simple warning is not enough. The manufacturer has continually escaped responsibility for the effectiveness of its software, despite promising and making efforts to improve it. Frankly, Tesla needs to be held more accountable for their vehicles, regardless of who, or what is driving.

Is it ok to beta test self-drivng on open roads?

The Autopilot system display in the dash of a Tesla Model S
Tesla’s Autopilot display | Chris Walker via Getty Images

This begs the question: Should we be ok with self-driving cars on open roads? Thankfully, the beta is open only to those enrolled in the company’s early access program. By and large, a majority of those 2,000 or so people are Tesla employees, so for now that’s mostly people who know what they’re doing. However, it’s understandable that some members of the public aren’t happy about unproven beta software being tested in the presence of one of their most valuable assets.

RELATED: Tesla’s Elon Musk Says Self-Driving Is Hard, Finally

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What Happened to the DS Aero Sport Lounge Concept and Its Sustainable Interior?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Automakers have begun reinventing the automobile as we transition to a sustainable future. From swapping to electric powertrains to utilizing eco-friendly tires. But DS took things a step further with their concept car, creating a glamourous and sustainable interior out of straw.

DS Aero Sport Lounge Concept | DS Automotive

The DS Aero Sport Lounge’s unconventional, sustainable interior

The French automaker DS (whose name pays homage to the infamous Citroën DS) revealed the Aero Sport Lounge concept in February of 2020. Presented as an environmentally conscious art piece, rather than selecting harmful materials, DS used ryegrass as the trim. Grown in Burgundy France, the straw was weaved together using 17th-century traditions. First dried, then colored, before each thread was split and molded by Parisian craftsmen.

All that special treatment makes for a beautiful cabin that keeps with DS’s goal of creating sustainable luxury. However, the powertrain fitted to the Aero Sport Lounge makes it an art exhibit gone wild.

The DS Aero Sport Lounge is a ridiculous concept

DS Aero Sport Lounge Concept | DS Automobiles

The good kind of ridiculous, as every ounce of the car is impressive and insane. DS decided that the appropriate powertrain for their ultimate luxury machine should be inspired by their Formula E race cars. Under the hood is a 680 hp electric motor that propels the car from 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds. Though the 404 miles of range helps balance out the ludicrous amounts of power.

And the goodies inside don’t stop with the sustainable straw interior. The DS Aero Sport Lounge featured hand gesture controls, which makes changing the radio station similar to conducting an orchestra. On top of that, the car’s onboard artificial intelligence, IRIS, lets you control everything through conversation as well.

In terms of vaporware technologies, the DS Aero Sport Lounge was crammed with them. But it’s the innovative ideas behind the concept that make its disappearance all the more disappointing.

What Happened to the DS Aero Sport Lounge?

The DS Aero Sport Lounge Concept On Display
DS Aero Sport Lounge Concept | DS Automotive

It was all the buzz in February 2020, with every auto magazine clamoring for more details. Though the populous also fixated on the rising pandemic, which soon became the global topic of conversation. Set to debut at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, it fell off the front page after the event’s cancellation. And while this concept may have never entered production anyway, the idea of sustainable interiors was original and inventive.

As of right now, the only 100% electric car in the DS lineup is the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense. It makes just 136 horsepower and up to 200 miles of range, nowhere near the Aero Spore Lounge’s figures. But if you miss that 680 hp engine, fear not! The DS team is still out winning Formula E races, accumulating 14 wins and 36 podium finishes thus far.

The DS Aero Sport Lounge interior introduced a new idea for creating automotive sustainability, though one that may be lost. Whether it’s too hard to implement, or criminally overlooked, alternative interior materials may never see the limelight. But DS gave it a shot, and proved that there’s beauty in innovation.

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Sad Signs Your Car’s AC Compressor is on the Fritz

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In the heat of the summer, AC isn’t just a luxury, it can be a safety feature all on its own. In extreme climates and harsh weather, AC can make a significant difference in temperature inside of your vehicle, and there can be signs that your vehicle’s most crucial AC mechanism, the compressor, is noticeable before it goes bad completely. Some of these signs may be easier to decipher than others, but if you want to catch your failing AC compressor as soon as possible, it’s important to pay attention to any potential problems as soon as they arise even if it isn’t part of regular maintenance.

Why is the AC cool, but not cold?

Air conditioning (AC) Switches | Michal Fludra, NurPhoto, Getty Images

The first and most obvious symptom of a failing AC system is also the easiest to ignore: your AC isn’t blowing as cold as it used to. For many vehicle owners, we can justify this sometimes by the ambient temperature or the temperature inside of the vehicle. Sometimes we don’t give much thought to how cold the AC blows until it is no longer blowing cold air at all, but rather warm or slightly cooled air. This could be caused by several failures in your car’s AC system, such as a leak in the AC lines, but it can also indicate that your AC compressor is on the fritz.

Your AC compressor is making more noise than usual under the hood

Under the hood, there are many moving parts, many of which produce sounds and noises that you may or may not recognize. Because of this, and the unfamiliarity of many car owners with the noises and their causes under the hood, it can be hard to decipher which noises are unusual and which ones are completely normal. According to JD Power, abnormal, high-pitched squeal coming from under the hood could be caused by several components of an AC compressor failing, including the serpentine belt and other easy to repair parts or more complicated parts that will require an entire replacement.

The compressor clutch begins to stick

The AC compressor is composed of several parts, one of which is the compressor clutch. This is the component that connects to the engine via a pulley and belt, which allows it to cycle the compressor on and off so it is not in use the entire time you are driving. This improves your vehicle’s fuel economy because it allows your engine to stop powering the compressor when it isn’t needed. This compressor clutch can, unfortunately, get stuck in either the on position, meaning the compressor is on for as long as the engine is on, causing excessive wear on the compressor or off, which means the compressor doesn’t work at all.

While you can’t always determine if your AC compressor is going to fail before it does, paying attention to some of the potential signs can mean getting the problem fixed before it’s completely ruined. This can mean saving time and money by having parts of the compressor replaced and repaired, rather than the entire unit, but other times it can just save you the hassle of suffering in a hot car with no AC for longer than you need to.

RELATED: AC in Winter and Other Weird Tricks to Make Your Car Last Longer

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This Consumer Reports Favorite Is a Cheap and Reliable EV

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Chevy Bolt is already a cheap, reliable, worthwhile option in a sea of expensive luxury cars. It brings the electric car to the common man and earned the spot as a Consumer Reports favorite. Yet the 2022 model year’s significant price drop makes it one of the cheapest EVs available, proving that the best is yet to come.

2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV | Chevrolet

The 2021 Chevy Bolt is already tried and tested

In terms of budget EVs, the 2021 Chevy Bolt excels in handling. Its 200 hp electric motor gets it up to 60 miles per hour in just under 7 seconds. But more importantly, it gets up to 259 miles on a single charge. And, if fitted with DC fast charging capabilities, Chevy claims the Bolt can add 100 miles of range in just half an hour. Along with those strong numbers, Consumer Reports deemed the Bolt “zippy and enjoyable,” and 80% of Bolt owners say they’d buy another one.

Starting at $36,500 (before the tax incentives), you get a car with an impressive range and excellent drivability. That already makes it one of the cheapest EVs available. Add a bit more to the price tag and Chevy throws in the aforementioned DC fast charging, and the Driver Confidence package, stuffing it with blind-spot warnings and a surround-view camera. Fully loaded, a 2021 Bolt will run you $42,000, but the 2022 model year aims to give you more and cost much less.

The 2022 Bolt EUV will be bigger and cheaper

2022 Chevy Bolt EV parked on the beach.
2022 Chevy Bolt EV | Chevrolet

As previously mentioned, the 2021 Chevy Bolt starts at $36,500. The 2022 Chevy Bolt slashes that price down to $31,000 (before tax credits). What’s more impressive, a fully loaded 2022 Bolt costs just $34,200, $2,000 cheaper than a 2021 Bolt base model.

What’s more, Chevy is also introducing the Bolt as an EUV (Electric Utility Vehicle) which starts at just $33,000. For less than the hatchback of yesteryear, and much less than a Tesla Model 3, you get SUV levels of practicality and space.

Okay, so what’s the catch? You get the same 200 hp motor, the same 259 miles of range. It’s still loaded with collision avoidance, blind-spot detection, and other safety features. The only potential issue is that the 2022 Bolt doesn’t have a proper Consumer Reports road test, nor has it been in public as long.

Which Bolt makes sense to buy?

Grey 2021 Chevy Bolt on display (Top) and Grey 2022 Chevy Bolt on the beach.
2021 (Top) and 2022 (Bottom) Chevy Bolt | Chevrolet

The proven 2021 Chevy Bolt has been driven and in the hands of consumers for over a year, whereas the 2022 Chevy Bolt is more speculation. That makes the $31,000 starting price for the 2022 Bolt tempting, but tricky when compared to the $36,000 price of a proven car.

When buying a 2022 Bolt, you’re investing in the new. New technologies such as Chevy Super Cruise, the hands-free driving mode. New styling to usher in a new age of automotive design. But the price slash is your reward for taking that risk.

Right now you can do one of two things: either wait a year for the reviews and reports to come out, or assume the newest Bolt will perform just as well as the old one. Regardless, The Bolt brand is paving the way for consumer-friendly EVs, proving the future is bright for us and our wallets.

RELATED: Will the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Be a Real Mustang Mach-E Rival?

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