Tesla’s Top Tips to Avoid Mistakes During Winter

When Tesla, the leading electric vehicle manufacturer, gives us some free tips to handle the cold and winter well, we listen!

Our Canadian colleagues from Drive Tesla Canada obtained an email from Tesla intended for its local customers, which contains recommendations for driving safely and optimizing your vehicle’s use during the winter season. Here’s a summary of the essential winter tips proposed by Tesla:

1. Optimize Energy Consumption in Winter

During cold periods, Tesla vehicles use more energy to maintain the cabin and battery at an ideal temperature. Here’s how to limit this impact:

• Precondition before driving: Use the Tesla app to preheat the interior of the vehicle, which also warms up the battery. Doing so while the car is plugged in draws the necessary energy directly from the grid, preserving your range.
• Plan your departure: Set a departure time via the touchscreen or the Tesla app. The vehicle will automatically adjust its charging and preheating to ensure maximum efficiency as soon as you unplug the cable.

2. Improve Your Comfort and Convenience

Cold mornings don’t have to mean unpleasant rides. Tesla offers several features to simplify your winter routine:

• Remote defrost: Activate the defrost function via the Tesla app to remove snow and ice before even leaving your home.
• Protect your equipment: Before a snowfall or icy conditions, switch the wipers to service mode and disable automatic mirror folding to prevent them from freezing. These settings can be adjusted directly from the onboard screen.

3. Leverage Tesla Technology for Safer Driving

Winter roads can be unpredictable, but Tesla’s advanced technologies help you cope:

• Monitor your energy consumption: The Energy app integrated into the touchscreen provides real-time data and estimates to optimize your energy efficiency.
• Prepare your charging: When heading to a Supercharger, use Tesla’s navigation system to activate battery preconditioning, which enhances charging speed and efficiency.

4. Adapt to Snowy and Icy Conditions

In case of snow or ice, a few simple actions can ensure your safety and protect your vehicle:

• Clear surfaces: Remove the snow accumulated on the roof, hood, and tailgate to prevent hazards for yourself and others on the road.
• Handle with care: If elements like door handles, mirrors, or windows are frozen, use the defrost function via the app or carefully remove the ice manually without objects that could damage the bodywork.

5. Invest in Tesla Accessories

For those who regularly drive in difficult conditions, Tesla offers suitable equipment:

• Winter tires and snow chains: Enhance your safety and traction with winter tires or chains, available in the Tesla shop.
• Protect your paintwork: Install mudflaps and protective film to prevent damage caused by salt, debris, and harsh weather.
• Frost-resistant windshield washer fluid: Regularly check your washer fluid level and choose a cold-resistant formula.

6. Be attentive to Snowflakes

If a blue snowflake icon appears on your touchscreen or in the app, it indicates that the battery is too cold. Part of its capacity temporarily becomes unavailable, reducing range. This situation will normalize through driving, charging, or preconditioning, which warm up the battery.

7. Stay Safe and Drive with Confidence

Thanks to cutting-edge technology and design crafted for winter, Tesla vehicles deliver optimal performance even in extreme conditions. By following these tips, you can approach the cold season with peace of mind.

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