Tesla-Owners beware: A supposedly harmless trick, to increase the charging speed at Supercharger stations, harbors considerable dangers. The company expressly warns against this, wet cloths on the charging cables.
This trick was originally intended to prevent the charging cable from overheating and thus increase the charging speed. But Tesla has now clarified, that this method deceives the temperature sensors and can lead to the system being overloaded. In the worst case, there is a risk of damage to the vehicle, the charging station or even a fire.
Placing a wet cloth on Supercharger cable handles does not increase charging rates and interferes with temperature monitors creating risk of overheating or damage. Please refrain from doing this so our systems can run correctly, and true charging issues can be detected by our...
— Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) July 25, 2024
Why is this trick so dangerous?
- Malfunction of the temperature sensors: The wet towel cools the sensor, so that the electronics go out, that the cable will not overheat.
- Overloading of the system: As a result, the charging power is increased, although the cable may already be working at its limit.
- Fire hazard: An overload can cause the cable to overheat and, in the worst case, cause a fire.
Tesla strongly advises against using this trick. The newer V3 Superchargers are already equipped with active cooling, which enables fast and safe charging.
Conclusion:
The attempt, the loading speed of a Tesla with a wet rag, is not only unnecessary, but also dangerous. Tesla-Owners should strictly adhere to the official guidelines, to avoid damage to their vehicle and the charging infrastructure.