Tesla cold weather tips
The extra demands on electric cars during winter months mean we should expect to see quite a bit more energy consumption.
To maximise the range of an electric car during cold weather, Tesla advise taking these extra steps:
Warm up the car before departure
Make sure your car is plugged in before this step. But, you can conserve the energy of your Tesla by ensuring it's warmed up before you depart.
- Scheduled departure - get your car is warm and ready for your journey: Tap 'Charging' > 'Scheduled Departure' > 'Schedule' > 'Depart At'
- Preconditioning - preheat and defrost your car through the Tesla app: Open the Tesla app and tap 'Climate' > 'Turn On'
What does the snowflake on Tesla mean?
As pretty as this icon is, a blue snowflake alert on the dashboard isn’t the best news you’ll hear that day. In fact, it’s displayed next to your displayed range to let you know that your battery is cold.
When present, it means that some of your energy store will stay inaccessible until your battery temperature increases.
As well as reduced energy accessibility, battery power, acceleration, and regenerative braking may also become limited while the snowflake alert is displayed.
To avoid this icon popping up willy-nilly, warm up your EV before departure. And it'll make getting into the car much more enjoyable.
The battery will warm most effectively when charging, driving or preconditioning. The Tesla snowflake alert will disappear when your battery reaches sufficient temperature.
Use built-in navigation
On longer journeys in the cold, you should use your in-vehicle navigation system. Although you may be thinking this will take more energy, your Tesla is pretty clever.
How?
It’ll automatically pre-heat its battery before arriving at a Supercharger station to reduce charging time.
Something your phone maps app won’t be able to do, sadly.
Improve range efficiency
Conserve energy using these methods while driving throughout the year, but particularly when using your Tesla in cold conditions.
- Moderate your speed
- Reduce sudden acceleration
- Lower your cabin temperature once your preferred temperature is reached and use seat heaters to maintain warmth—or the old fashioned method of putting on extra layers, but it’s up to you.
- Ensure correct tyre pressure
Moderate use of the Tesla app
Checking on your car via the Tesla app uses energy. This is because your car rouses itself from sleep mode to communicate vital updates.
When energy conservation is your priority, moderating your use of the app will preserve your energy supply.
Slight contradiction—an app we would recommend (and Tesla does also) is the use of the Energy app, which has been through an update.
The updated Energy app
The Energy app has had an update in recent times. Certain models, released before 2020, won’t be able to support this, but all newer models that have the software version 2022.36 or later will do so.
With a reduced energy utilisation while driving in colder conditions, the Energy app shows in real-time, energy usage while driving and stationary.
It lets you know where you’re losing and gaining range based on several factors. It then provides tips on how best to improve your energy consumption in your current condition.
Stay plugged in
Keeping your electric car plugged in when it isn't used will ensure you have optimum energy levels at all times. This is especially so when it is cold as energy is in higher demand.
Charging also helps your battery stay at optimum temperature, so your vehicle will be ready to go when you are.