The dangerous practice of placing a wet towel on Tesla charging stations to speed up the charging of electric vehicles is spreading on social networks. The American automaker warns of the serious risks involved.
A trick born of driver impatience
Faced with sometimes long queues at Supercharger stations, some Tesla owners have devised a way of bypassing security systems to speed up charging. The technique, dubbed the “wet towel trick”, involves wrapping a damp towel around the charging connector.
The aim is to fool the temperature sensors built into the charger. In theory, this would prevent the system from reducing charging power in the event of overheating, thus enabling faster recharging.
Tesla’s firm response
Alerted by the proliferation of videos promoting this practice on social networks, Tesla had to react officially. In a message published on its X account (formerly Twitter), the automaker warns of the dangers of this manipulation:
“Placing a wet towel on the Supercharger cable handles does not increase charging speed and interferes with temperature sensors, creating a risk of overheating damage. Please refrain from doing this so that our systems can operate correctly and genuine charging problems can be detected by our systems.”
Real security risks
Contrary to what proponents of this trick claim, Tesla asserts that this practice brings no benefit in terms of charging speed. Worse still, it can have serious consequences:
- Compromised security mechanisms Temperature sensors are essential to prevent overheating of batteries and connectors.
- Risk of material damage Charging at too high a rate could damage the vehicle’s battery or the charger itself.
- Fire hazard In extreme cases, uncontrolled overheating could lead to fire.
Superchargers designed for all conditions
Tesla points out that its Superchargers are already equipped with high-performance cooling systems, particularly on the latest models. These devices maintain an optimum temperature for the connectors and batteries, whatever the weather conditions.
Superchargers are designed to operate efficiently in a wide range of climatic conditions, from intense heat to extreme cold, rain or snow. The addition of a damp towel only interferes with these sophisticated systems.
The persistence of a dangerous practice
Despite Tesla’s warnings, many drivers continue to use this trick. Social networks are still full of videos claiming to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method for speeding up charging.
This situation highlights several issues:
- Users’ lack of understanding of how fast-charging systems work
- growing impatience with waiting times at some Supercharger stations
- The rapid spread of false information via social networks
The importance of following official recommendations
Faced with this worrying situation, Tesla insists on the importance of following the instructions for using Superchargers. The manufacturer points out that these recommendations are the fruit of years of research and development, aimed at optimizing the safety and efficiency of the charging process.
To ensure an optimal and safe charging experience, Tesla recommends that users :
- Follow instructions displayed on charging stations
- Plan your journeys taking into account the necessary recharging times
- Use integrated navigation tools to identify less-frequented stations
- Report any malfunctions or anomalies via the official application
Towards better user education
The emergence of this dangerous practice highlights the need for better education of electric vehicle drivers. It is crucial that users understand the basic principles of battery operation and fast-charging systems.
Tesla and other manufacturers could consider stepping up their communication efforts to :
- Explain the reasons for charging power limitations
- Explain the risks involved in handling charging equipment
- Suggest ways to optimize battery life
In conclusion, the wet towel trick for Tesla Superchargers is a perfect example of the dangers that false information can represent in the field of new technologies. It’s the responsibility of everyone, manufacturers and users alike, to put safety first and rely on reliable information to make the most of electric mobility.
