Winter driving can be challenging, but with a Tesla, you have advanced features and tools that can help make those cold months much easier. From maintaining battery health to keeping your car safe on snowy or icy roads, here are some essential winter tips for Tesla owners.
1. Precondition Your Tesla for Winter
Why it's important:
Preconditioning your Tesla helps to warm up both the battery and the cabin before you even step inside, saving energy and improving comfort.
How to do it:
- Use the Tesla App: Open the app, select your car, and choose "Climate" to start preheating the cabin. This can be done while your Tesla is still plugged in, so it won’t drain the battery.
- Scheduled Preconditioning: Set a schedule to precondition your Tesla at the same time each day, ensuring the car is warm and ready when you need it.
2. Keep Your Battery Charged
Why it's important:
Cold temperatures can reduce battery efficiency, so it’s crucial to keep your Tesla charged, especially on long trips.
How to do it:
- Charge regularly: Keep your battery above 50%, and don’t let it drop too low. In winter, it's ideal to top up the charge more frequently.
- Supercharging: If you need a fast boost, Tesla’s Superchargers are available, but be aware that charging times may increase in cold temperatures.
3. Use Regenerative Braking Effectively
Why it's important:
Regenerative braking can be less effective in cold weather, so adjusting how you drive can help maintain control and conserve energy.
How to do it:
- Adjust the regen setting: Set regenerative braking to a lower level in snow or icy conditions for smoother deceleration and better control. On slippery roads, a gentler approach is safer.
4. Clear Snow and Ice from Sensors and Cameras
Why it's important:
Snow and ice can block the sensors and cameras used by your Tesla for Autopilot and other safety features. Keeping them clear is essential for optimal performance.
How to do it:
- Clear the snow: Before driving, remove any snow or ice from the cameras, sensors, mirrors, and windows. You can use a soft brush or scraper for this.
- Defrost function: Use the defrost button to quickly clear fog, frost, or ice from the windshield, and ensure your mirrors are clear with the heated mirrors function.
5. Check Tire Pressure Regularly
Why it's important:
Cold weather can cause tire pressure to drop, which can affect vehicle performance, handling, and safety.
How to do it:
- Monitor tire pressure: Keep an eye on the tire pressure using the car’s display or a manual gauge. Cold weather causes tire pressure to drop, so be sure to inflate tires as needed.
- Consider winter tires: If you live in an area with heavy snow or ice, consider switching to winter tires. They offer better traction and safety during harsh winter conditions.
6. Use Seat Heaters and Steering Wheel Heater
Why it's important:
Tesla’s cabin heating uses more energy in the winter, so using seat heaters and a heated steering wheel is an efficient way to stay warm without draining the battery too much.
How to do it:
- Seat heaters: Turn on the seat heaters for warmth, as they use less energy than heating the entire cabin.
- Steering wheel heater: If available, activate the heated steering wheel to stay comfortable without increasing energy use.
7. Plan for Winter Road Trips
Why it's important:
Winter roads can be unpredictable, so planning your routes carefully will ensure you stay safe and your Tesla performs well.
How to do it:
- Check weather conditions: Always check weather forecasts before heading out, and avoid driving during snowstorms or icy conditions if possible.
- Use Tesla's Trip Planner: Use the Trip Planner in your Tesla to find Superchargers along your route. Keep in mind that cold weather can extend charging times, so plan for extra stops.
8. Activate Fog Lights in Low Visibility Conditions
Why it's important:
Winter often brings poor visibility due to snow, fog, or heavy rain. Tesla’s fog lights can help improve your visibility in these conditions.
How to do it:
- Turn on fog lights: If it’s foggy or snowing heavily, switch on your fog lights to increase your visibility.
- Automatic headlights: Tesla’s headlights adjust automatically in low-light conditions, but you can manually switch to high beams when driving in dark, clear areas.
9. Use Autopilot Cautiously
Why it's important:
Autopilot is a great tool, but winter conditions can sometimes confuse the system, especially when roads are snowy or icy.
How to do it:
- Stay alert: Always keep your hands on the wheel and stay focused, especially in snowy or icy conditions.
- Avoid Autopilot in heavy snow: In severe weather, it’s best to drive manually, as Autopilot may struggle to detect lane markings or obstacles in heavy snow.
10. Keep Your Tesla Clean
Why it's important:
Salt and grime from roads can accumulate on your Tesla during the winter, potentially damaging the paint and reducing the effectiveness of sensors.
How to do it:
- Wash your car regularly: Wash off any salt, dirt, and grime after driving, especially if the roads are salted. This will help protect your car’s finish and maintain the performance of the sensors.
- Wax your car: Applying a coat of wax before winter can help protect the paint from the harsh elements.
