Best Cold Weather Driving Tips for Tesla Owners
Are you a Tesla owner preparing for the cold driving season? Follow along with Amber’s top five tips for Tesla winter driving to make sure you are prepared to take on the winter season and stay safe in inclement weather.
1. Check Your Tire Tread & Tire Pressure
Good tire traction is one of the most important aspects of safe driving in the winter. Before the onset of winter weather conditions, it is imperative that vehicle owners conduct a thorough inspection of their tire tread depth, pressure levels, and overall condition.
Tire tread depth should be at least 4/32. The best way to check depth is with a tire gauge, but if you do not have one, you can use a penny. Place the penny into the groove of your tire tread with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can see the top of his head, your tires need replacement.
Additionally, check your tire pressure. As temperatures become colder, air condenses. This means that for every 10 degree Fahrenheit drop in temperature, you lose one PSI (pounds per square inch). Underinflated tires are more likely to blow-out, accrue damage, or lose traction. Underinflated tires also reduce your Tesla’s range and efficiency.
Test your tire pressure when your vehicle’s tires are cold and refer to the specification label on the inside of the door. If needed, refill your tires to the proper PSI.
Performing these checks and ensuring tires are properly inflated and free of visible defects can help maximize safety during winter drives.
2. Precondition your Tesla
Preconditioning is a Tesla vehicle feature through which the car can defrost itself and bring its battery to operating temperature before a drive. The vehicle’s battery needs to be at operating temperature for it to perform at peak efficiency. Driving the vehicle with a cold battery will reduce its range and efficiency.
To precondition your vehicle, use the “Scheduled Departure” feature. You can locate this feature in the Tesla App. Select a time by which you want the car to be done charging and defrosting. Once complete, your vehicle will automatically begin the preconditioning process and finish at the scheduled time.
You can also manually precondition the car via the Tesla App by turning the climate on and selecting the “Defrost Car” option.
Preconditioning is best done when your vehicle is plugged in and charging. If your battery is too cold, you will see a blue “snowflake” icon on your screen indicating that it is too cold for full power, range, and regenerative braking.
3. Use the Correct Washer Fluid
Before temperatures drop, refill your washer fluid tank with fluid rated for use in cold temperatures. Cold weather washer fluid is specifically formulated not to freeze and can assist in clearing your windshield during inclement weather.
If you live in an area that experiences cold temperatures, do not use water in your washer fluid reservoir. Water will freeze inside and can cause damage to the tank, the hoses, and the motor.
As the de-icing agents in cold weather washer fluid can dissipate over time, make sure to refill your washer fluid before each new winter season.
4. Clear Frozen Door Handles & Mirrors
In particularly cold conditions, Tesla door handles and mirrors can freeze. To clear ice from your door handles, follow the steps below:
To clear ice from the handle of your Tesla, tap the handle firmly with your hand until the ice breaks.
If your mirrors are frozen, manually fold them in and back out to break ice and restore normal function.
You can also use your vehicle’s preconditioning features to defrost your vehicle and prevent ice buildup in cold weather conditions.
5. Inspect Your Tire Type
Before driving in cold winter weather, inspect your Tesla’s tires to determine whether they are summer tires or all-season tires.
Many Tesla models, particularly those delivered with larger wheels, come factory-equipped with summer tires that are unsuitable to driving in cold weather. If your vehicle has summer tires, we strongly recommend replacing them with all-season or winter tires before cold weather sets in.
Depending on the type of wheels on your Tesla, it may be more efficient for you to purchase a winter wheel and tire set, such as the ones sold on Tesla’s website. If you choose to purchase a wheel and tire set, you can swap the wheels and tires seasonally as weather changes.
Using summer tires during winter weather reduces traction and increases the risk of losing control of the vehicle. Summer tires are also more susceptible to damage and blow-outs as their rubber hardens in low temperatures.
Conclusion
Tesla vehicles are great winter cars as long as you take the proper steps to ensure your vehicle is ready to weather the weather ahead. Follow our tips to stay safe, minimize service needed, and be ready for the cold.
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