One of the things I love about my Tesla is its battery. Unlike traditional cars that need gas, my Tesla runs on electricity, making it more efficient and eco-friendly. However, I also know that to get the best out of my Tesla, I need to take care of the battery.
By following a few simple tips and using some smart practices, I’ve learned how to extend my Tesla’s battery life. In this article, I’ll share what I do to keep my Tesla battery healthy for as long as possible.
Before diving into tips, it helps to understand a bit about how Tesla batteries work. Tesla uses lithium-ion batteries, which are rechargeable and efficient, but they also have a limited lifespan.
Over time, all batteries lose a bit of their capacity, meaning they can’t hold as much charge as they used to. This is normal, but there are ways to slow down this aging process.
Charging Habits That Extend Battery Life
The way I charge my Tesla has a big impact on the battery’s health. Here are some charging habits I follow to make sure I’m treating the battery well.
1. Avoid Charging to 100% Regularly
One of the first things I learned is to avoid charging my Tesla to 100% all the time. Tesla recommends keeping the battery level between 20% and 80% for regular use. Charging to 100% is okay if I’m going on a long trip, but for daily driving, I usually charge to around 80%. This keeps the battery healthier over time.
2. Use Scheduled Charging
I take advantage of Tesla’s scheduled charging feature. I set my car to start charging late at night, so it’s ready by morning. Charging at night is not only convenient, but it also lets the battery cool down after a day of driving. This can reduce stress on the battery, especially if I’ve been driving a lot during the day.
3. Charge Slowly When Possible
While Superchargers are incredibly convenient for long trips, I avoid using them for daily charging. Fast charging is helpful, but it can heat up the battery and put more strain on it. At home, I use a regular charger, which takes longer but is gentler on the battery. By using slower charging whenever possible, I’m helping to extend my battery’s life.
Temperature Management Tips
Tesla batteries are sensitive to extreme temperatures, so I pay attention to where and how I park and drive to protect the battery from temperature-related wear.
4. Avoid Extreme Heat and Cold
When possible, I try to park in shaded or covered areas, especially during summer. Extreme heat can damage the battery over time. If I need to park outside in hot weather, I sometimes use the car’s “cabin overheat protection” feature, which helps keep the temperature down.
In winter, I try to keep the car in a garage if possible, especially overnight. Cold weather can reduce the battery’s range temporarily, and while this effect goes away once the battery warms up, avoiding freezing temperatures whenever possible can still be helpful for long-term health.
5. Precondition the Battery in Cold Weather
When it’s cold, I use the Tesla app to precondition the battery before driving. Preconditioning warms up the battery, which helps improve performance and efficiency. By warming the battery while it’s still plugged in, I reduce the strain on it once I start driving.
Avoiding Deep Discharges
Keeping the battery within a healthy range means avoiding both very low and very high charge levels.
6. Don’t Let the Battery Run Too Low
I try not to let my battery go below 20% if I can avoid it. Running the battery very low too often can stress it and reduce its lifespan. When I notice that I’m around 20%, I make a plan to charge soon.
7. Limit High-Speed Driving and Hard Acceleration
Driving fast and accelerating hard can put a lot of demand on the battery. I enjoy my Tesla’s performance, but I avoid pushing it too hard regularly. For daily driving, I stick to smoother acceleration and avoid high speeds. Not only does this improve battery health, but it also helps extend my range.
Maintaining a Healthy State of Charge
A stable charge level is generally better for the battery than frequent large fluctuations.
8. Charge Before Long-Term Parking
If I know I won’t be driving my Tesla for a while, I make sure to charge it to around 50-60% before parking it. This level is ideal for long-term storage, as it keeps the battery in a healthy range. Tesla even has a storage mode for long-term parking, which is useful if I’m going on a trip and won’t use the car for a few weeks.
9. Avoid Letting the Battery Stay Full or Empty for Long
Leaving the battery at 100% or 0% for extended periods isn’t ideal. If I need to charge to 100% before a long trip, I make sure to start driving shortly after reaching full charge. Similarly, if I’m running low, I try to charge up as soon as I can.
Using Regenerative Braking Effectively
Tesla’s regenerative braking feature helps conserve energy and extend battery life.
10. Enable Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking recaptures energy when I slow down, sending it back to the battery. This not only helps me get more out of each charge, but it also reduces wear on the brakes. I keep regenerative braking enabled at all times to make my driving more efficient and help the battery last longer.
Monitoring Battery Health Through the Tesla App
The Tesla app is a great tool for keeping an eye on my battery’s health.
11. Keep an Eye on Battery Degradation
Tesla’s app lets me see detailed information about my battery, including its range and any signs of degradation. While a little degradation is normal over time, monitoring it helps me understand how well my charging and driving habits are working to preserve the battery.
Planning Trips and Charging Stops Carefully
Taking a bit of time to plan out charging stops and routes can help the battery too.
12. Plan Charging Stops on Long Trips
When I’m going on a long trip, I use the Tesla app to find Superchargers along the way. By planning stops in advance, I avoid the need for frequent, fast charges. Spacing out charging stops and giving the battery time to rest can be beneficial.
Avoiding Battery-Draining Apps and Features
Some features, though convenient, can drain the battery faster.
13. Limit Cabin Overheat Protection Usage
Tesla’s cabin overheat protection is useful in hot weather, but I use it sparingly, as it can drain the battery. I rely on shaded parking whenever possible, and only activate this feature when I know the car will be exposed to high temperatures for a long period.
14. Be Mindful of Phantom Drain
Like any electronic device, a Tesla experiences “phantom drain” or gradual battery loss even when it’s not in use. To minimize this, I make sure to turn off any unnecessary features, like Sentry Mode, when I don’t need them. This helps reduce the battery’s drain while parked.
Staying Up to Date With Software Updates
Tesla regularly releases software updates that can improve battery efficiency and add new features.
15. Update the Car’s Software Regularly
Each update might contain improvements for battery management or energy-saving features. By keeping my Tesla’s software up-to-date, I ensure I’m using the latest tools and features to prolong my battery’s health.
In conclusion, taking care of my Tesla’s battery isn’t complicated, but it does take a bit of awareness and a few good habits. By following these tips—like avoiding frequent 100% charges, being mindful of extreme temperatures, and using the Tesla app to monitor battery health—I’ve been able to extend my battery’s life and keep my Tesla running efficiently.
These practices help me get the most out of my car, and I know that by treating the battery well, I’ll enjoy my Tesla for many years to come.