Tire Sensor Replacement Experience
A recent experience shared by a fellow car enthusiast highlights the process of replacing a faulty tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor. This was done at a local tire shop and kept quite simple and cost-effective.
The Issue with the Tire Sensor
About a month ago, the owner noticed that the front right tire’s sensor wasn’t providing updated readings on the TPMS app. Initially, the owner suspected a malfunctioning sensor and opted to monitor the situation for a few weeks.
After 18 days of inconsistent readings, the owner decided to reach out to Sensairy, the manufacturer of the sensor, for assistance. They promptly shipped a replacement sensor under warranty.
Installation of the New Sensor
The owner had the new sensor installed at a nearby tire shop, which cost just ₹250, inclusive of balancing charges. This quick and efficient service took about 30 minutes, allowing the owner to get back on the road without any complications.
First Encounter with Fast Charging
After resolving the sensor issue, the owner faced a different challenge: charging the electric vehicle (EV). Although they typically didn’t need to charge outside their home, an unexpected dinner plan forced them to find a fast charging solution.
Preparing for the Charge
Before heading to the office, the owner had about 80 kilometers of range left, which would have been sufficient for a round trip home. However, with the looming dinner plans, it became apparent that they needed to charge the EV to avoid any potential range anxiety. A round trip to the dinner location was estimated to consume around 40 kilometers, leaving little room for unforeseen detours or longer routes.
Attempting to Use Fast Charger
The plan was to utilize a fast charger at the workplace. The charging service, Statiq, displayed an estimated cost of ₹680 for charging to 89% state of charge (SoC). To prepare for this, the owner topped up their wallet with ₹700.
However, the initial attempt to start charging was met with difficulty, as the session refused to begin. After reaching out to customer support, the owner received step-by-step guidance to successfully initiate the charging process.
Charging Experience Details
The owner’s experience with the fast charger revealed the following:
- Estimated Time to Charge: Initially set for 36 minutes to reach the target SoC.
- Total Power Used: 22.482 kilowatt-hours.
- Final Cost: The total amount charged ended up being only ₹491, which included taxes, a welcome surprise compared to the estimated cost.
- Final State of Charge: They finished charging at 94%, taking a total of 56 minutes for a complete process.
Thoughts on the Fast Charging Experience
The experience was enlightening, and various observations were made following the encounter:
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Higher Than Expected Charge: The charger did not stop at 89% SoC as anticipated but continued to 94%. The owner acknowledged they should have set a limit in the associated app but forgot in their haste.
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Wallet Balance Requirements: A significant takeaway was that the charging system required the wallet to possess more than the estimated charge amount before proceeding, which was a slightly frustrating aspect of the experience.
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Cost Considerations: The amount charged was about 28% less than the original estimate. Despite having remaining balance from the top-up, asking for a refund was not straightforward. It involved manual follow-up with customer support within six months.
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Recharge Experience: The charging system reminded the owner of arcade recharge cards where obtaining leftover balance requires additional top-ups.
- Cost Comparison: The per unit charge at ₹21.84 was over three times higher than what the owner would typically pay at home. Nevertheless, given the circumstances, it was still preferable to using a petrol vehicle for subsequent trips.
Final Charge at Home
Once back home, the owner charged the vehicle to 100% using the regular home charger, which also provided the benefit of battery cell balancing.
This journey highlights not only the logistics of maintaining an electric vehicle but also the importance of planning for charging needs, especially when accessing fast charging facilities. With the growing prevalence of EVs, understanding these processes becomes increasingly crucial for drivers who want a hassle-free experience.