Few car manufacturers today have the kind of fan base that Tesla Motors does. Reaching a level of cult-like status, Tesla fans have pledged their support (and money) to this trailblazing corporation. Steering the wheel of Tesla's future is Elon Musk, the company's charismatic and brilliant CEO. He's also CEO of SpaceX, which launches rockets into space; and Neuralink, which is developing an upcoming way for humans to communicate with computers using their brains. Many regard Musk as the Steve Jobs of transportation. He's forward-thinking and is always looking for ways to advance humanity. In just a short amount of time, the company has already turned the car industry upside down.
Updated March 2022: If you're a fan of Tesla and Elon Musk, you'll be happy to know that we've updated this article with more details about these relatively unknown facts regarding both Tesla as a company, its cars, and its CEO.
But what, according to its most ardent fans, makes Tesla better than others? Part of what helps separate them from the pack is their level of innovation. Another is their hunger for high quality. Their cars are also known for making electric vehicles and promoting clean energy. Plus, their vehicles are outfitted with the best technology. What people love the most though is the intrigue surrounding this company. We're going on a trip to uncover some of the secrets surrounding Tesla, it's history and the top of the line vehicles they've become known for.
16 Easter Egg: Tesla Cars Will Tell You The Meaning Of Life
So no one actually knows the answer to, "What is the meaning of life?" But that doesn't mean a Tesla vehicle won't try to answer it for you. First of all, a Tesla owner needs to have their firmware version at v7.0 or higher to unlock this hidden feature. Autocar walks through the process of turning on this fun Easter egg. First, Tesla owners need to tap on the Tesla logo if they want to know the meaning of life. Once done, the screen will show some useful information. Here, one can even give a name to their car if they want to.
But if the Tesla owner types in "42," then Tesla automatically changes the name of your car for you. It will suddenly become "Life, The Universe, and Everything," as Autocar reports. Why is that? It's a reference to the popular sci-fi book series called The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. This was the answer that the supercomputer called Deep Thought gave after calculating the question for seven and a half million years. While it's a humorous nod to a great book series, it also looks like Tesla suggests that their system is a full-fledged supercomputer.
15 Easter Egg: Turn Google Maps Into Mars
It seems like everyone uses a navigation application of some sort these days. There isn't really a need to plan out one's route beforehand anymore. With apps like Google Maps, it's never been easier to punch in a destination and let the system guide you all the way. But sometimes we find ourselves wanting more out of Google Maps. Is it too much to ask that this app also entertain us every once in a while?
That's exactly what Musk and the engineers over at Tesla thought when they designed this next Easter egg. For those times you want to take an interplanetary adventure, let Google Maps take care of the rest. According to Autocar, Tesla vehicles outfitted with Google Maps can change the setting to Mars. So it doesn't actually show you Mars, but it sure makes it easier for a driver to imagine they're on another planet. To unlock the feature, a Tesla owner need only hold down the Tesla logo, as per Autocar. It will suddenly ask for an access code. The user just needs to type in the word "Mars" from there. Now, Tesla owners everywhere are becoming Martians.
14 The Model X Interior Has Air Quality Fit For A Hospital OR
In case one should ever need to perform a medical operation inside a Tesla, let's just say the air quality will be clean. That isn't a recommendation, or to say the car has everything a doctor needs. But it proves that when it comes to clean air, Tesla isn't just making the outside world a better place. That air inside the car is clean too.
According to Business Insider, the Model X—which is Tesla’s mid-size crossover—is able to filter out adverse chemicals in the car. People know that Tesla's are safe vehicles. But did they know it has this kind of technology? Apparently, it's due to Tesla's Bioweapon Defense Mode, which employs special filters. This HEPA filtration stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance. People probably don't worry too much about the inside of their cars very often. But here, Tesla shows that it takes care of those areas even customers don't always think of. It's just another added layer of quality that makes people put their trust in the Tesla brand. It's also consistent with their pillar of having clean air vehicles. What good is it to keep pollution out of the air after all, unless you're keeping it out of the vehicle's interior as well?
13 It's Illegal To Buy A Tesla In Some States
As odd as it sounds, some U.S. states can't sell Tesla vehicles. In fact, it's against the law. One of these is the state of Connecticut, where it's illegal to purchase an automobile from independent car dealerships, as per Union of Concerned Scientists. Tesla sells its cars directly from the manufacturer, thus making Tesla one of the unfortunate car companies that can't sell cars there.
As Investopedia points out, this is due to Tesla's unique sales model. Unlike most car companies who have their own dealerships, Tesla had a direct-to-consumer model only. Recently though, Tesla has changed their tune by opening up some dealerships. But before, it was a lot harder to buy a Tesla. According to Investopedia, they only had showrooms where interested buyers could take a look up close in person. There was, however, no test drives allowed. Nor was any sales person able to even provide pricing. Instead, they had to refer customers online where they could order a Tesla vehicle. Sounds a little backward from the norm. It does look to be changing though, with some states reversing their stances.
12 Tesla's Patents Are Open To All
Although it's technically not a secret, most people don't realize that Tesla's patents are available to the public. Back in 2014, Musk published a blog that shared some surprising news: all their designs are open source. According to Investopedia, that means anyone can make an electric car using Tesla's designs and technology. That is if they have the resources and tools to build one.
So why did Musk do this? In his blog post on Tesla's website, Musk admits they initially thought patents were a good idea. They didn't want other car companies to copy what they were doing. But they realized it didn't line up with their beliefs. In Musk's blog, he writes, "Electric car programs (or programs for any vehicle that doesn't burn hydrocarbons) at the major manufacturers are small to non-existent, constituting an average of far less than 1% of their total vehicle sales." Tesla realized though that they needed other car companies to make more electric cars in order to combat the carbon crisis.
By opening its patents to the world, Tesla encourages other car companies to make more electric cars. Although Tesla's patents are free, it makes the company look a lot better at the end of the day for wanting to reduce carbon emissions in the air.
11 Easter Egg: Display James Bond’s Underwater Car On The Infotainment Center
When it comes to Tesla vehicles, it's the small details that matter. In some cases, it can also be the fun easter eggs that really set these cars apart from others. For example, those who have a Model S may get a sense of what it feels like to be James Bond. Who doesn't want to be James Bond, after all? Women want to be with him, while men want to be him. Those who own a Model S can activate a cool feature that makes a cool nod to "The Spy Who Loved Me," one of the Roger Moore Bond films.
As Business Insider reports, drivers can make the graphic of their car displayed in the infotainment center morph into the Lotus Esprit S1 car. This is the car that converts into an underwater vehicle. By simply holding down the "T" button, the log-in screen appears. Once there, the driver only needs to type in "007"—James Bond's secret agent codename—to activate the feature. Another cool little nugget it that the suspension on the screen changes to "Depth Leagues." It's just another one of those hidden features that Tesla fans will love. Suddenly all non-Tesla owners are brimming with jealousy.
10 What The Car Models Spell Out
It's no surprise Elon Musk wants Tesla's cars to look slick and stylish. Any car manufacturer is going to strive for the highest level of design. Some would even go so far as to call the cars sexy. That's not so far from the truth. In fact, Musk hopes to literally finalize that when the Model Y SUV rolls around, as Business Insider points out. Already, at the time of writing this, three models exist: the Model S, the Model 3, and the Model X. Once the Model Y comes along, Musk can officially call his lineup of cars sexy since they spell out "S3XY."
Although the team over at Tesla originally planned on calling it Model E, they went with Model 3 after Ford registered the trademark. In a quote provided by Business Insider, Musk responded to Ford's swift name grab saying, "Like why did you go steal Tesla's E? Like you're some sort of fascist army marching across the alphabet, some sort of Sesame Street robber?" The quote serves to illustrate why so many are behind Musk. Not only does he deliver great cars, but he's got an excellent sense of humor. He's not a reserved brainiac who hides from the public tinkering away on his toys. Instead, he's down to earth and personable. Ford probably felt embarrassed after getting so royally called out.
9 You Can’t Drive a Model X On The Brooklyn Bridge
This next nugget about Tesla may not serve as the best-selling point. But it's one of the reasons Tesla's Model X is so successful. According to Jalopnik, the Model X weighs about 5,441 lbs. while at rest. But when it's on the go, the real weight exceeds 6,000 lbs. Why does that matter, some would suggest? Not a whole lot, unless you're a Model X owner in Brooklyn, New York.
Apparently, as Jalopnik reports, the Brooklyn Bridge has a weight limit. What's that weight limit exactly? The weight limit to cross the bridge is just 3 tons, which comes out to 6,000 lbs. That means it's against the law to drive one of these Tesla models down the Brooklyn Bridge. That's not much of a convenience for Model X owners in New York. Jalopnik doesn't shy away from the fact that someone in NYPD could easily penalize a Model X driver on the Brooklyn Bridge. While this does put New York Tesla drivers at a disadvantage who own the Model X, they'll just have to plan their trip accordingly before departing. Apparently, Tesla made a decision about the Model X's weight for tax purposes.
8 The Model S Broke A Machine That Tests For Roof Crush Evaluations
Tesla talks the talk, but do they walk the walk? Plenty of people sing the praises of the car company and its CEO, Elon Musk, for making great automobiles. But how did people know they were the real deal? If there was any question about the safety of their vehicles, a crash evaluation back in 2013 allayed any concerns. According to Road and Track, the Model S ranked well in safety and performance. Based on a one to five scale, the Model S managed to notch out a 5.4 rating. That means the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration went out of its way to give the Model S bonus points for its performance. That should quiet any naysayers out there.
As Road and Track reports, the Model S earned its high rating due to the vehicle's design. As a result, the interior of the car keeps everyone safer than many other vehicles. But that's not the big reveal not everyone has heard. Rather, it's the fact that the car managed to break a machine that's for roof crush testing. The car is so safe it'll damage anything that hits it. That seems to line up with the saying, "The best defense is a good offense."
7 Easter Egg: Mario Kart Rainbow Road Feature
Just because Tesla is serious about delivering high-quality cars on the road doesn't mean they can't have a little fun. In fact, they've even gone so far as to insert easter eggs throughout their products. Commonly seen in movies and TV shows, an easter egg is a joke or pop culture reference that's usually hidden in plain sight. It's just another example of what makes Tesla a fun company that doesn't take itself too seriously. People love finding easter eggs across Tesla's vehicles as much as Elon Musk likes revealing them.
Back in 2016, Musk revealed a fun autopilot feature over twitter. As reported by Business Insider, Musk advised Tesla owners, "Active autopilot 4X in quick succession for psychedelic cowbell road. And yes, we are adding more cowbell soon." When activated, the screen turns into what looks like the Rainbow Road from the Mario Kart video games. Rainbow Road is usually the final stage in a Mario Kart game that's just a colorful road high up in space. While video game enthusiasts will twitch remembering the horrors of flying off Rainbow Road, Tesla owners get to experience a colorful visual feature. It's just surprising no one else discovered it first.
6 A Tesla Mini Bus And Semi-Truck Is Planned
It looks like the Model Y—Tesla's planned SUV—isn't the only upcoming vehicle coming down the production line. According to Business Insider, Musk also mentioned a semi-truck as part of their lineup. He also announced an electric bus without the need of a driver. As expected, the plan is for both to be electric. Both sound to be in keeping with the company's trend towards clean energy. Musk is as vocal as ever in detailing the future lineup of vehicles, giving bits of information like crumbs to starving dogs.
As Business Insider reports, Musk confirmed in an interview with CNBC that the semi-truck would employ Tesla's self-driving hardware. It sounds like the truck won't be 100% driverless though for a few years after it hits the road. Today, Tesla's cars come equipped with a first-generation Autopilot. It's safe to assume Tesla will only perfect this technology for years to come. A world where semi-trucks drive themselves certainly sounds like the future. Although it'd be putting a lot of people out of jobs. Not everyone is going to agree with new advances. Regardless, a minibus and semi-truck would only boost Tesla's status. These additions to Tesla's lineup of vehicles could be a major game changer.
5 Easter Egg: The Infotainment System Has A Sketch Pad To Draw On
Tesla's infotainment system comes packed with all kinds of hidden Easter eggs. Each Tesla practically has its own computer installed. That means Tesla can update the software and include new features over time. One such feature came with the v8.1 software when it originally rolled out. Any Tesla owner with this version software or later can convert their screen into a sketchpad. According to Autocar, you can even send it to Tesla for their review.
Back in March 2017, Musk spilled the beans over Twitter how to activate this cool feature. Over Twitter, Elon wrote, "If you just downloaded V8.1, tape the T on center screen three times." As Teslarati reports, the screen changes to reveal two options. One button says, "No, the world isn't ready for my art." While the other says, "Yes, I am an artist!" Choosing "Yes" turns the touchpad into a full-fledged sketchpad to draw on. Is it necessary to have a sketchpad in one's car? No, not really, but it's an awesome feature nonetheless. It's not hard to imagine some people hanging out in their cars drawing the hours away. It's just one of those fun secret Easter eggs people love to stumble upon.
4 Grad School Wasn't For Musk
Many wonder and believe that Elon Musk is a genius. But like Einstein, school wasn't for him. While Einstein left school at a younger age, Musk walked away as a postgraduate. Musk went to the University of Pennsylvania. He ended up graduating from there in 1995 with two degrees in physics and economics, according to Investopedia. Shortly after, he decided to head west for California. There, he attended Stanford to get his Ph.D in physics.
As most know, Stanford is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, but he left Stanford after just two days, as Investopedia reports. Instead, he decided to spend his time working on Zip2. Zip2 is a company he started along with his brother, Kimbal Musk, according to Britannica. In the end, no one can really question Musk's decision. When people see Musk now, they think it was a smart decision in retrospect. Many probably wondered what he was thinking at the time. It's no wonder people overlook this fact that he never finished his Ph.D. They just see him now and assume he finished out everything he started. While there's no doubt he could've finished his Ph.D., he certainly made the right move.
3 Musk Didn't Start Tesla, He Joined It
Everyone just sort of assumes Elon Musk founded Tesla. In actuality, Musk joined Tesla back in 2004. Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning had started Tesla a year before in 2003, according to Investopedia. Today, Musk is pretty much synonymous with Tesla. He is the face of the company, after all. The year Musk joined was a critical one for the company. As per Investopedia, he became a member of their board of directors. In addition, he spearheaded Tesla's Series A financing. The public just assumes he started Tesla because he's founded other popular companies like SpaceX. But in actuality, he came along a year after the company started.
It's no wonder people think Musk started the company. Even Tesla calls Musk a founder. It's in their corporate governance, according to Investopedia, which details the company's stakeholders and policies. This, in turn, rubbed one of the original founders Martin Eberhard the wrong way. He even tried to sue Musk back in 2009 for what he thought was rewriting history. Sounds like Musk came in and took more control than Eberhard was willing to relinquish. Most people wouldn't know it though just from looking at Musk and Tesla on the surface.
2 Tesla’s Humble Beginnings
Many don't know the humble beginnings of Tesla, which is highly successful today. As revealed in a series of Elon Musk's tweets, Tesla began in uncertain times. According to Musk, the company started when GM recalled all its electric cars back in 2003. As Musk writes, "Since big car companies were killing their EV programs, the only chance was to create an EV company, even tho it was almost certain to fail."
In spite of the adversity Tesla faced, the company still stuck to electric vehicles. As a result, Musk believes that Tesla is proving to other car companies the need for making electric cars. Most don't know how little Tesla started out with. But as Fortune reports by way of Inc., it only took Tesla 14 years to surpass GM to become America's Most Valuable Automaker. It has since moved on to become the most valuable automaker in the world, passing Toyota and Volkswagen in the process.
1 Easter Egg: Meet The Tesla Team
Just when a Tesla owner thought they knew everything their infotainment system could do, something new comes up. There's just no end to the number of features that digital screen has. As one can imagine, there's an important (and dedicated) team of developers, engineers and plain hard workers behind the Tesla vehicles. It's only natural one would pay them a little appreciation, after all.
Now, Tesla owners can, when they access their infotainment system. With just a single push of the Tesla icon (this button does so much, depending on how you push it), a screen appears with info about the car. Listed at the top of the screen is the Model type, along with the VIN # in the bottom left. In the bottom right though, there's a logo for that particular model. If the owner pushes and holds that icon, the screen will switch over after a couple of seconds. What it turns into is a photo of the Model's development team, as noted by Autocar. It's the least an owner can do to pay homage to the team behind their favorite car. You can't blame Tesla for wanting to include this, as fans will no doubt want to see the faces behind Tesla motors.
Sources: BusinessInsider.com, RoadandTrack.com, Jalopnik.com, Investopedia.com