Another flaw has been discovered in Elon Musk’s new Cybertruck that experts say is a critical issue that will likely cost owners even more money.
Futuristic electric vehicles Aerodynamic hubcaps are causing tire wear, which could lead to surprise punctures and ‘blowouts’, endangering lives on the road.
Even a new Cybertruck after “a couple thousand miles” appears to show tire damage due to these poorly designed hubcaps, according to the CEO of a third-party Tesla parts manufacturer that discovered the problem.
They discovered that the aerodynamic casings dig into the sidewall of each tire at the bottom of each rotation, where all tires naturally swell outward under the weight of the car on top.
Tesla is aware of the problem and is now shipping Cybertrucks without the aerodynamic covers, but current owners who have had their tires scratched by the defective part for months will likely have to foot the bill for new tires.
The Cybertruck’s futuristic ‘aerodynamic covers’ have been found to dig into the sidewalls of the tires with each rotation. Brian Reese, CEO of parts maker Tesla T Sportline, found that more than a tenth of an inch (0.12 inches) had been torn off each tire after just “a couple thousand miles.”
While the Cybertruck’s aero-coated spokes were designed with “a decent little gap” between the spokes and the tire, that gap closes at the bottom of each tire due to gravity. All tires naturally swell outward where they touch the road under the weight of the car.
The revelation follows reports that used car retailer CarMax is already discounting resold Cybertrucks by up to $25,000 less than their sticker price.
Brian Reese, CEO of parts maker Tesla T Sportline, measured the damage in a new video, showing that more than a tenth of an inch (0.12 inches) had been scraped from the Cybertruck’s tires after just a few miles. of miles on the road. .
“For every Cybertruck we’ve had, the wear and tear has been a little different, more or less,” Reese noted in Youtube. “This is the worst I’ve ever seen.”
The Cybertruck’s aerodynamic cover, which promises to reduce drag and thus increase the truck’s efficiency and range, comes with a set of seven ultra-modern looking spokes.
Unlike typical aerodynamic tires, the Cybertruck’s design extends these spokes beyond the surface of the tire, where their trapezoid-shaped edges and hard angles extend over the sidewall of each tire.
While the spokes on these aero tires were designed with “a decent little gap” between the spokes and the tire, that gap closes at the bottom of each tire due to gravity.
Safety concerns aside, new replacement tires for the Cybertruck aren’t exactly cheap: $470 each directly from Tesla for the electric vehicle’s custom 285/65R20 Goodyear tires.
Reese noted in the video that this could become a safety issue, leading to unexpected tire bursts on the road.
But customer forums have suggested that Tesla is working to fix the problem.
Various posters in the Cybertruck Owners Club Forum have reported receiving their vehicle without the aerodynamic covers, along with a recall notice.
“My CT scan was delivered on (January) 24th without covers,” said forum user ConcreteTilt. “There is no other explanation other than that they would send a technician to install the covers on day 1.”
“Tomorrow is day 1 and I just received another message that they won’t deliver because they are removing all the covers and they won’t deliver the caps until March.”
“I understand it’s just the finished wheel hubs,” the user continued, “but it looks crazy.”
Cosmetic issues and very real safety concerns aside, new replacement tires for the Cybertruck aren’t exactly cheap: $470 each directly from Tesla for the electric vehicle’s custom 285/65R20 Goodyear tires.
“I’m sure Tesla will figure this out in no time,” Reese noted in his video. “You’ll be back in business.”
“But if this were my truck, I would remove them (the faulty aerodynamic covers),” he continued.
“If you have a little wear and tear, it’s not a big deal, but if you drive tens of thousands of miles, it will be a problem.”
And based on customer reports, it looks like these Cybertruck-specific Goodyear tires and their sci-fi-style aerodynamic covers should be re-paired and corrected in the near future.
But as one automotive journalist from Trip noted, “This is far from a critical design flaw, but it’s an obvious one that shows that some never-before-seen features are that way for a reason.”
But the aerodynamic cowl issue isn’t the only issue customers have reported with the Cybertruck, which has only been in the public’s hands for a few months.
Quality control has been a long-standing issue among Elon Musk’s vehicles; The billionaire has even said that “production is hell” in response to his company’s poor quality control on previous electric cars.
The first defect found in the Cybertruck was reported just over a month after Musk officially launched the futuristic truck.
That owner shared a review of his recently purchased Cybertruck, revealing some misaligned panels on the exterior near the truck bed. “The right turn signal control,” he also reported, “has some glitches.”
That owner, ‘Nan’, said he noticed these problems after taking his new vehicle for a short 50-mile local drive.