How To Prepare Your Tesla for Cold-Weather Driving
Temperature is an incredibly important variable you must account for when getting on the road. Different components can overheat and stop working like they should when it gets too hot. On the other hand, it’s easy for different components to stop working altogether when it gets too cold. The cold can be dangerous, which is why it’s incredibly important to prepare your Tesla for cold-weather driving. Tesla owners need to remain mindful of their vehicle’s needs when driving in cold weather, and these preparations will help make that possible.
Get Winter Tires
One of the first things you need to do is get some quality winter tires if you want to stay safe in the winter. Prioritizing safety by using winter tires that offer superior traction is crucial when driving on snowy and icy roads. These specialized tires have unique tread patterns and rubber compounds that the manufacturers specifically engineered to provide optimal grip and control in cold weather conditions.
You can simultaneously enhance your driving experience and minimize the risk of accidents when you get the right winter tires for your Tesla. Getting winter tires allows you to confidently navigate the challenging winter road conditions that emerge every year.
Preheat Your Tesla Before Getting on the Road
While your car is not an oven you need to preheat before cooking dinner, it is something you should preheat before getting on the road. What does preheating mean in this context? Well, you should give your Tesla a few minutes to warm up so your battery can work properly if you want to ensure optimal battery performance.
Depending on where you live, you can see temperatures below 14°F, temperatures your Tesla’s battery does not like. Your battery won’t power your Tesla as well as it should, so instead of getting on the road prematurely, give your battery time to heat up. This preheating process aids in maintaining the battery’s efficiency and overall longevity. Give your Tesla’s battery a few minutes to warm itself before you push it to its limits if you want a smooth and more reliable driving experience in chilly conditions.
Stay Alert
You need to take care of your Tesla before driving in cold weather, but you also need to take care of yourself and ensure you’re alert before hitting the road. You must remain vigilant and inform yourself about the road conditions ahead if you want to ensure a safe and smooth journey. You can effectively avoid sudden stops when you carefully monitor the road ahead and stay proactive with your brake usage.
Sudden stops are not fun, whatever the weather outside is, but these sudden stops can be dangerous in cold weather. Your brakes will struggle the colder it gets, and braking too hard can lead to slippage if you’re on snow or ice. Maintaining a consistent and controlled driving experience requires masterful use of your Tesla’s brakes. Taking proactive measures ensures you stay safe on the road and will also help you have a comfortable drive.
Defrost, Defrost, Defrost
One of the most annoying things about driving in cold weather is the ice build-up on the windshield, both inside and out. Your car is cold, and the windshield is even colder. What’s worse is moisture build-up on both sides, so the cold windshield turns that moisture into ice. Use the defrost setting on your climate control system to prevent ice build-up on your windshield.
Your car’s interiors and windows warm up when you activate this feature, melting any existing ice or frost. Doing this will help your Tesla stay healthy, but it’s also essential for safe driving. Any amount of ice or frost on your windshield will limit your visibility when driving, so instead of waiting too late and needing to deal with it on the road, turn on your defrost setting sooner rather than later. Avoiding this build-up will help you drive safely and see in even the worst cold weather conditions.
Remove Ice Before Driving
You must also remove any snow or ice that has built up if you want to prepare your Tesla for a day of driving. Removing the built-up snow or ice from your vehicle’s surfaces before driving will help with drag and improve the efficiency of your Tesla’s acceleration. Removing ice and the like is important for drag and it’s even more important for visibility when it’s on your windshields.
Additionally, taking the time to clear away any winter precipitation can help keep you and your Tesla safe. This precipitation can come in different forms, and you could endanger yourself or others on the road if you don’t handle the cleanup yourself. For example, a major clump of snow or ice could come off on the highway and hit the car behind you, putting it in danger if you don’t remove it before getting on the road. Instead of letting that happen, remove all the snow and ice from your car before getting behind the wheel.
Check Your Different Components
Another way you can protect your Tesla from cold weather driving is by checking your Tesla’s different components. Take the necessary time to make sure everything is working as it should if you know the cold weather is coming, but isn’t here yet. Some key items to check include:
- Tire pressure
- Windshield washer fluid
- Brake systems
Regularly checking and testing these parts, especially before encountering extreme weather conditions, can help you maintain optimal control and responsiveness on the road. Don’t overlook this simple yet vital step in ensuring your Tesla can perform safely when the cold weather comes.
Look for Software Updates
During the winter months, when temperatures drop, it is important to be aware of how it can impact your Tesla’s electronics. You should regularly check for software updates to ensure optimal performance and functionality of your vehicle’s various systems. These updates can provide enhancements that specifically address issues or challenges with cold weather conditions.
Some upgrades, like heated steering wheels and rear seats, are not as important, but others will help with the actual drive. One upgrade that rolled out in the past was optimizing defrost settings so you can defrost your windshields while maintaining the climate settings inside the car. Keep an eye out for new software updates to ensure you’re preparing your car for anything the cold weather brings.
Preparing your Tesla for cold weather driving before winter’s arrival is important. Tesla vehicles are great year-round vehicle options, but the cold weather does require a little bit of preparation. Take the time needed to keep you and your Tesla safe and stylish. Here, at Sexy Wheelz, we can help. Pick up one of our Tesla Model 3 aftermarket wheel covers today, so you can get ready for the winter and look cool all at the same time.
