Car repairs just got a whole lot easier — and you may not even have to speak to anyone to correct major faults.
Innovative electric car maker Teslas is now taking a chunk of the waiting time and inconvenience out of attending to unscheduled repairs with software that allows the car to pre-order parts using the car's connected technology.
Tesla fans have discovered new software that allows the electric cars to not only diagnose an issue but also automatically order the required spare parts and prompt the owner to visit their chosen dealership to have the repairs done.
A Tesla Model X is one of a number of models that take the hassle out of repairs. Photo / Getty Images
One Reddit user took a photo of the screen in the centre of their Tesla Model 3, warning them of a problem with the Power Conversion System.
"A replacement part has been shipped to your preferred Tesla Service Center," the car said in a prompt on its central screen. "Please use the Tesla Mobile App or your Tesla account to schedule a service visit appointment now."
On its website, Tesla claims its cars "virtually maintain themselves" using remote diagnostics and a system called SmartAlerts.
"90 per cent of the time we can remotely diagnose an issue and what is needed to repair it," the website says.
"SmartAlerts will communicate what your car needs. It can walk you through a simple fix or connect you to our service team."
Tesla is renowned for updating software with sometimes quirky new features, although this one potentially has some genuinely useful consumer benefits.
Tesla is not the only brand to improve the service and repairs, with many luxury car makers taking advantage of increasingly connected vehicles.
BMW was the first to store service information in the car's key, for example, something that has since extended to more advanced diagnostics with the aim of reducing repair times.
According to BMW's website, the latest cars have "interactive, direct two-way communication between the BMW dealer and the specialists at BMW's headquarters to ensure consistently high service standards".
"The vehicle's built-in on-board-diagnosis identifies and makes an advance note of potential malfunctions in the vehicle's electrical and electronic systems," BMW's website says. "Based on this diagnosis, the computer-aided system performs swift, precise troubleshooting."
Some Reddit users were quick with jokes about what the latest Tesla updates could be used for, dreaming up examples of what sort of warnings they would like some owners to get.
"You are a terrible driver and keep too close to the car in front of you," said one. "We have pre-ordered a front bumper and shipped it to your nearest body shop in preparation for the inevitable. Have a nice day."
