Since Tesla is a fully electric vehicle, the cost of maintaining Teslas is quite lower when compared to other luxury car brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Audi, and Range Rover. But do Teslas need oil?
Teslas need oil but do not require an oil change. Additionally, they need lubrication oil and not motor oil. Teslas come with lubrication oil in the differential or gear reduction box. So, like other fully electric cars, Tesla owners don’t have to check the oil level or make an oil change as they are fully electric.
What’s more, it’s important to note that the motors themselves don’t have oil, but the bearing ad gears have oil, as explained above. Besides, the oil in the bearings and gears can be changed after covering over 100,000 miles in Tesla Model X and Model S vehicles.
What fluids does Tesla require?
Despite being all-electric, Teslas still need different fluids for lubrication purposes. You will find coolants and liquid lubricants. However, these fluids are sealed for life and cannot be changed. On top of that, they have A/C refrigerant and brake fluid.
And since Teslas feature a normal 12V battery for an emergency to enable the car to self-drive, steer, and brake if the main battery failed, it should have battery acid. But as expected, it’s also sealed and cannot be accessed easily.
Nonetheless, several fluids are lacking that you would normally find in a normal ICE car. Such fluids include the engine oil, the transmission fluid, the radiator water or antifreeze, and of course, fuel.
What makes Tesla maintenance to be cheaper?
Tesla maintenance is cheaper because it does not come with a lot of moving parts. It is estimated that Tesla has about 17 to 20 moving parts. On the other hand, a traditional ICE car has over 2,000 moving parts. With this estimate, it’s easier to see why maintaining a Tesla is far much cheaper than maintaining a normal luxury car.
So, if you own a Tesla, you won’t have to be worried about fuel filters, conventional oil changes, emission checks, or spark plug replacements. And since Tesla is a fully electric car, things like brake pad replacements are uncommon due to regenerative braking that significantly reduces wear and tear on brakes.
What Tesla parts require maintenance and after how long?
As stated earlier, Tesla has fewer moving parts, meaning the cost of repair and maintenance is somewhat lower than that of ICE cars. However, some Tesla parts need more attention than others. These include:
- High-efficiency particulate air filter or HEPA filter
In case your Tesla is fitted with a high-efficiency particulate air filter, you will have to change it every 3 years.
- Cabin Air Filter
The work of a cabin air filter is to prevent pollen, road dust, industrial fallout, and other particles from coming through the vents. Tesla recommends changing the cabin air filter every 2 years in Tesla Model 3&Y, and every 3 years in Tesla Model S&X.
- Tire Rotation, Balance, and Wheel Alignment
Tesla recommends rotating your tires after every 10,000 miles. However, if you drive aggressively and your car has a tread depth difference of about 2/32-inches or more, you need to rotate them. Aggressive driving causes premature tire wear and may need frequent tire service. Tire rotation costs about $35 to $100 depending on the model.
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- Air Conditioning Service
Tesla requires its users to service the air condition every 3 to 6 years, depending on the Tesla model. Servicing the air conditioner helps to replace the A/C desiccant bag for longevity and efficiency. If you have a Tesla Model 3, you should service it every 6 years, Tesla Model Y every 4 years, and Tesla Model S&X every 3 years.
- Brake Fluid Test
To keep the car operating optimally, Tesla recommends users check whether brake fluid has contamination every 2 years and changing them if need be.
- Winter care
The manufacturer requires Tesla owners in cold areas to clean and lubricate all brake calipers for 12,500 miles or annually.
FAQ
Does Tesla require an annual maintenance service?
No, Tesla does not need any annual maintenance service like most ICE cars. However, most Teslas need to be serviced after every 12,000 miles. But before you take your car to a Tesla service center near you, check out its scheduled service maintenance in the user manual.
Can I void my Tesla warranty if I don’t take the car for service?
It depends on the type of warranty you have taken. If it’s a new vehicle limited warranty or a used vehicle limited warranty, none of them will be affected. On the contrary, if you have taken a warranty that covers an extended service agreement, then the warranty may be affected.
Does Tesla use fuel?
No, Tesla does not use fuel. The key selling point of Tesla is that they are fully electric. Besides, they run on batteries that are charged from a charging station or power outlet at home. Therefore, they don’t need gasoline or fuel to operate.
What happens if a Tesla runs out of charge?
When your Tesla power gets very low, the car will suggest charging locations in your area, like the nearest Tesla supercharging station. Apart from that, it will let you know when you’re getting out of range of the closest Tesla supercharger. Another thing that happens when your Tesla runs out of charge is that it won’t maintain constant highway speed.
What’s the cost of maintaining a Tesla?
Unlike traditional fuel cars, Tesla does not undergo a lot of wear and tear, meaning that there are fewer parts to worry about as you put on several miles. Things like oil filters won’t be changed after a few miles as this car is fully electric.
Regardless, Tesla still has to be maintained and the manufacturer recommends maintaining your car after every 12,000 miles. In the past, Tesla required yearly maintenance, but this is no longer the case. Some of the Tesla parts that have to be inspected regularly are tires, cabin air filter, brake fluid test, and air conditioning service.
On average, you will have to spend close to $300 annually to maintain a Tesla. One of the parts that you will have to maintain yearly is tire rotation. Other common repairs include oxygen sensor replacement, wheel bearings, brake caliper, and window motor regulator.
Video: Does Tesla Need Oil Changes?
Summary
So, if you have been wondering whether Tesla needs oil or not, now you know. Tesla needs oil but not motor oil for running the engine. Besides, the oil in Tesla is not meant to be changed, but if a case arises that requires it to be changed, it should be done by a professional.