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The Tesla Cybertruck owner got stuck after trusting Elon Musk’s ‘river crossing’ boast.
Tesla’s Wade Mode is designed to help the truck navigate shallow water or muddy tracks, not for deep-water crossings. (Photo: chp_truckee)
A Tesla Cybertruck owner in Truckee, California, recently had to face the consequences of believing big claims.
Activating the truck’s “Wade Mode” and attempting to drive over water, the owner trusted Elon Musk’s claims that the Cybertruck could temporarily transform into a boat and cross rivers. Sadly, things didn’t work out as anticipated.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) was called in to help rescue the massive, stainless steel electric truck that became stranded, as per Softonic.
Although Musk has previously stated that the Cybertruck will be “waterproof enough” to withstand rivers and lakes, Tesla’s official guarantee cautions against this and advises exercising caution when exposed to water.
There are reports that the owner of the Cybertruck activated “Wade Mode,” which raises the truck’s height and puts pressure on the battery pack to improve water handling. But as soon as the truck was in the water, it bogged down.
“Wade Mode isn’t Submarine Mode,” as CHP Truckee jokingly informed the public while assisting with the vehicle’s recovery. With a 6,600-pound vehicle like the Cybertruck, off-roading or water-crossing can be disastrous if one is not aware of the terrain and vehicle restrictions.
What does the Tesla Cybertruck’s Wade Mode mean?
The Tesla Cybertruck has a unique feature called “Wade Mode” that helps it manage a little amount of water exposure when going on off-road excursions.
To stop water from leaking into delicate parts, the system pressurises the battery pack and elevates the truck’s suspension to its highest level when it is engaged. It does help the truck wade through muddy tracks or shallow water, but it is not designed for floating or deep-water crossings, reports state.
Significantly, Tesla’s warranty does not cover water-related damage, and enabling Wade Mode does not ensure the truck will be safe in the water.
Regarding Tesla vehicles, Elon Musk has reportedly long made bold promises, often characterising them as more capable than the norm. Musk stated before the Cybertruck’s debut that it would be sufficiently waterproof to “serve briefly as a boat” and traverse waterways like lakes and rivers. He even proposed that it might be able to traverse the 360-meter distance between South Padre Island in Texas and SpaceX’s Starbase, as per TOI.
However, water-related damage is not covered by Tesla’s guarantee, particularly when using features like “Wade Mode.” Despite the hoopla, Tesla owners have reportedly received an indirect warning that there could be significant dangers and expensive repairs if they use their trucks like boats.
It is important to note that the truck’s safety in water is not guaranteed by Wade Mode, and water-related damage is not covered by Tesla’s warranty.
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