Tesla says the popular “wet towel” trick for Supercharging, which involves wrapping a damp cloth around a Supercharger handle to speed up the charging process, is dangerous and could lead to damage to the vehicle’s charging system, and Supercharger infrastructure.
The “wet towel” hack has gained traction within the Tesla community, particularly in regions experiencing high temperatures, ever since it was first discovered several years ago. Owners shared their experiences, explaining that the wet towel trick helped them achieve faster charging speeds, with some reporting their charging speeds more than doubled.
The rationale behind the hack is relatively simple: by cooling the Supercharger handle, the temperature sensors are tricked into allowing a higher charging rate, as the system believes the handle is cooler than it actually is. This, however, is where the danger lies. Tesla’s Superchargers are equipped with thermal management systems designed to prevent overheating by regulating the charging speed based on temperature readings.
When these sensors are misled by external cooling, such as a wet towel, the system may push more current through the handle than is safe, leading to overheating.
Tesla has now responded to this trend after a recent article was published highlighting its benefits. The company’s official Tesla Charging account on X (formerly Twitter) posted a warning clarifying the risks associated with the wet towel trick. Tesla stated that using a wet cloth on Supercharger handles does not increase charging rates and, more critically, interferes with temperature monitors.
This interference can cause the system to overheat, posing a significant risk of damage to the vehicle and the charging infrastructure.
Placing a wet cloth on Supercharger cable handles does not increase charging rates and interferes with temperature monitors creating risk of overheating or damage. Please refrain from doing this so our systems can run correctly, and true charging issues can be detected by our…
— Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) July 25, 2024
Following Tesla’s warning, some owners have expressed frustration, arguing that the company should improve the cooling systems of its Superchargers to handle high temperatures more effectively. They contend that customers should not have to resort to makeshift solutions to achieve the advertised charging speeds, especially in hot climates where the charging equipment is more prone to overheating.
Despite these criticisms, the overarching message from Tesla is clear: do not use the wet towel trick. The potential risks far outweigh any benefits. Proper thermal management is crucial for the safe and efficient operation of high-voltage charging systems, and tampering with these systems can lead to serious consequences.
