I have had my car for almost one month. One of the things that is so amazing about it is that it accelerates without a sound from the motor. At least it did until yesterday. It may be me because I have the radio on most of the time, but I stopped by the Audi dealership to talk with the salesman that I didn't buy a car from. I was close to a deal and then decided to wait for the S. In an apt change of pace, I took a car salesman for a test drive. I hit the pedal and the car moved, but I heard a high pitched whine from the motor. Anybody else hearing this? Later that evening, concerned, I accelerated rapidly a couple of times and I heard it again. Is this normal? Did I just miss it before because I had the radio on, was on the phone, or my ears weren't connected to my brain because of the smile on my face?
I think it is normal. Happens every time I accelerate.
The Roadster has a very distinctive and noticable whine under rapid acceleration. I have not noticed in on my MS P85.
I've noticed it as well, particularly when accelerating up hill. My impression is that it is more noisy now than when I first got the car, but its difficult to be sure. I only really notice it in the early morning, when there are fewer ICE cars making a racket. Two possible sources come to mind, a little bit of gear noise due to some wear in on the gears, or some inverter noise from some insufficiently tacked down cable or magnetic. I should see if my iPhone spectrum analyzer is sensitive enough to pick it up.
Since some MS are silent, all MS should be silent. Service should/may be able to get rid of it.
Me too. I hear it on rapid acceleration up hill. Particularly in the morning.
I had a similar experience when I got my S (60kWh battery). I had done 2 test drives, and read every forum post for months before my delivery - but never heard anything about this high pitched whine. I noticed it immediately after I took delivery and started to show it off to my friends. It always happens on hard acceleration when I reach about 100kW.
Since then I found a good thread on TMC that discusses it in depth (http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/archive/index.php/t-9350.html).
It's also mentioned a bit here: http://www.teslamotors.com/forum/forums/cabin-noise-0?page=1
There seems to be uncertainty whether it's coming from the motor or the inverter, and whether or not Tesla will design it out at some point. I spoke to my service center and they said it's normal & expected, and there is nothing to be done about it. Some people like it, and some are bothered by it - I haven't decided yet how I feel about it. I'd rather not have it, but if this is the biggest quirk from such a great technology, then I can probably learn to embrace it!
I have this, spoke with customer service. They have my car for other repairs right now, so drove it and called to tell me it is normal, comes from a part of the motor control system.
i actually like it.
Can you believe that people like the obnoxious ICE engine sounds and the fumes?
There's a whine in my LEAF as well...
Mine definitely has a whine under hard acceleration. Since both test drive cars I drove did as well, I assume it's normal.
We just noticed this after a quick trip to Menlo Service for our check up. Didn't seem to notice it before - but it may have occurred after the upgrade to f/w .42, instead of after the service.
"Wwwwhhiiiirrrrf" when punching it from a full stop, didn't hear it until passing 35mph or so.
Up to that point, we love our slight electric-rocket-ship sound, but the high pitched whine we didn't have before; we'll get it checked out when we pick up due bill items.
I hear the whine all the time, I have two speeding tickets in less then two months to prove that I push my Model S harder then most... :) I, like noel.smyth, smile wider when I hear my P85 squeal for mercy... ;)
Info: Ask the Audi saleman to get out of your MS and try it without him. Could it be his screaming and whining because he now knows you will never be back to buy another Audi? (Sorry, could not resist letting this opportunity pass.)
It is the inverter according to the tech who just went over my car. It takes away from the silent acceleration story, but I will live with it.
Just this week I noticed a faint whine on acceleration for the first time. When I looked in the trunk (actually hatch) I had left the cover off of the storage compartment. I also have to add that I have some higher frquency hearing loss anyway.
I find the "whine" a bit thrilling when accellerating.
Reminds me of turbochargers, boosters or bypass gates. It's a sensory cue that something seriously fun is going on.
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Can anyone post some silver Model S photos? trying to decide between white and silver. thanks.