Follow us today…
The thrill of Austin’s new Tesla Plaid S, once a face-ripping animal, has vanished, leaving him to wonder why his 40k-mile supercar now feels as tame as his wife’s sedan.
If you want face-ripping acceleration, you buy a Tesla Model S Plaid. That’s what Austin Vikdal did, and now something changed. The power is gone. On the Tesla Model S Plaid Owners Facebook page, he explains what happened. He says,
“Hey, everyone! I just got myself a 2021 Tesla Plaid S. It has exactly 40,000 miles. When I got it last week, it felt like it was going to rip my face off. But now I feel like it has the same power as my wife’s Model 3 Performance. What are the reasons why it might have reduced power? I know weak tires are a cause, but it even happens on the highway when it grips fine.”
Is this a common problem or an isolated issue with Austin’s Tesla Plaid S?
For new owners of high-performance EVs, that initial face-ripping, stomach-churning acceleration is what you buy these cars for. However, when it seems to vanish, it’s a gut punch. Austin is right to be concerned, but let’s look at some possible reasons, and then I’ll offer solutions.
The heart and soul of his Plaid are likely still there—we need to figure out why they’re hiding.
The transition he describes, from an initial visceral jolt to a feeling more like his wife’s Model 3 Performance, points to a few probable culprits that are unique to the advanced technology under the skin of the Tesla Model S Plaid. It’s not a matter of the car’s components wearing out in a week; it’s a question of how the car’s sophisticated systems manage and deploy that immense power.
This isn’t your average internal combustion engine (ICE), where power is lost due to a clogged air filter. It’s a delicate balance of chemistry, physics, and software. When we talk about reasons for reduced power in a Tesla Model S Plaid, we have to look beyond the obvious.
A report from the Tesla Motors Club says the first and most common issue is thermal management. While the Plaid’s tri-motor setup and cooling systems are arguably the most advanced in the industry, they are still subject to the laws of thermodynamics. That initial run, he felt, was likely with the battery and motors at an optimal temperature, after the car had been sitting for a while.
Once you put the system under load, especially with repeated spirited driving, the battery and drive units heat up. To prevent damage, the car’s software will automatically reduce power.
This is not a malfunction; it’s a critical safety feature.
If he’s been doing multiple launches or high-speed pulls, Pimp My EV says the car’s systems will be warm, leading to what he’s feeling now. To combat this, you need to understand the thermal throttling solutions of the Tesla Model S Plaid, which often involve pre-conditioning the battery for performance via Track Mode or waiting for the system to cool down naturally during routine driving. The car is smart enough to protect itself, even if it feels like it’s holding back on the fun.
Another often overlooked factor is software.
A used Plaid with 40,000 miles has had many over-the-air updates, and each one can subtly alter the car’s performance characteristics. Tesla is constantly tweaking the software to improve battery longevity, efficiency, and safety. A recent update, for example, might have adjusted the power curve to be more linear and predictable rather than the initial violent surge.
This could explain why the car feels less dramatic, even if its 0-60 time is still blisteringly fast. TesMag says people often report a Tesla Model S Plaid power decrease after a software update, and it is almost always a designed change for the better, not a flaw. The car is no longer in a “fresh from the factory” state and has learned about its components through those miles, calibrating itself for a more consistent and reliable user experience.
While a hardware failure is rare, it’s not impossible.
The Plaid’s three carbon-sleeved motors and next-generation silicon carbide inverters are built for extreme duty, but any used car can have a subtle component issue. A minor fault in one of the three drive units or an associated power inverter could result in the system pulling power back to prevent a catastrophic failure.
Advertising
This is why it’s so important to know how to diagnose Tesla Plaid drive unit issues if the problem persists after you’ve ruled out the more common software and thermal factors. A simple check of the onboard diagnostics through the car’s service menu or a visit to a Tesla Service Center can quickly identify any underlying hardware issues. Don’t panic, but don’t ignore the possibility either.
The car’s understanding of its own battery health, or State of Health (SoH), is another potential factor. Over time, and especially on a used car, the car’s internal battery management system (BMS) can lose accuracy in its SoH estimation.
A key step for Austin would be to perform a manual battery recalibration. This involves charging the car to near 100% and then letting it drain down to around 20%, repeating the cycle a few times. This forces the BMS to re-learn the actual capacity of the battery, which can sometimes “unlock” performance that was being held back by a conservative software estimate. This is a genuine and effective way to recalibrate the Tesla Model S Plaid battery and restore its performance.
Now, let’s come back to Austin’s original thought about tires.
While he correctly dismissed this for a highway pull, it’s worth noting that even subtle issues can make a difference. Worn, under-inflated, or misaligned tires can cause minor amounts of wheel slip that the car’s traction control system will immediately detect and correct.
This means power is being cut momentarily, not just at launch, but also during high-speed acceleration. The car’s torque vectoring and traction control systems are so fast that you might not even feel the slip, just the power being held back. You’d be surprised at how much of a difference tires can make in affecting Tesla Model S Plaid acceleration, even with what feels like solid grip.
Finally, there’s the psychological factor.
When Austin first got the car, every launch was a new, dramatic event. His body and mind were hyper-aware of the G-forces, and the car was likely in a freshly calibrated state. Now, after a week, his brain has started to adapt to the insane acceleration, and the car’s systems have settled into a “normal” operating rhythm.
This is why understanding the reduced acceleration feeling in a used Tesla Plaid is a mind game as much as it is a mechanical issue. His car may be down on power, but it’s a crucial aspect to consider as part of the total ownership experience.
What Should Tesla Plaid S Owners Do Now?
First, check your car’s SoC and make sure you’re launching from 80% or more, and that the battery is preconditioned.
Second, perform a battery recalibration. Third, if those fail, take a look at your tires and their pressure.
Lastly, if the feeling of reduced power still persists, a trip to a Tesla Service Center may be needed to check for a legitimate hardware or software issue.
It’s Your Turn
Now, for Tesla Plaid S and other EV owners: have you ever experienced a similar phenomenon with a high-performance EV? What did you discover was the cause, and what solutions did you find to get that face-ripping feeling back? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.
Check out my Tesla Model S story: I Bought A Tesla Model S, and the Dealer Failed To Disclose It Had Been In An Accident, Now Tesla Is Refusing Warranty Repairs
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Austin Vikdal
Follow us today…
Source: torquenews.com
