Like every other car, Tesla also has to be maintained to keep performing at a very high level. If you fail to maintain your Tesla, you may end up with costly repairs. But do Teslas need a lot of maintenance?
Tesla doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. Unlike internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, Teslas come with fewer moving parts, meaning that just a handful of things can go wrong. Teslas don’t need oil change, fuel filter replacement, emission checks, or even spark plug replacement. That’s why they are easier to maintain.
Like most electric cars, Tesla has less than 20 moving parts, while ICE cars have more than 2,000 moving parts. Besides, Tesla uses regenerative braking that returns energy to the battery, which reduced wear and tear on brakes. As a result, you won’t have to worry about replacing your brakes after a short while.
What does the Tesla maintenance service include?
Unfortunately, Tesla doesn’t have a specific maintenance service or schedule. Nonetheless, Tesla recommends its clients go for service when they hit 12,500 miles or annually. The service usually features tire condition inspection, wheel alignment monitoring, replacement of cabin air filter, replacement key fob batteries, and windshield wipers.
All of the above parts have their recommended scheduled maintenance. For instance, the carbon air filter in a Tesla Model 3 and Y should be replaced every 2 years. On the other hand, the same carbon air filter in Tesla Model S and X should be replaced every 3 years.
If your Tesla comes with a HEPA filter, it’s recommended to replace it every 3 years. Other services like brake fluid test should be done every 2 years, tire rotation and a wheel alignment should be done every 6,250 miles, and air conditioning should be done every 3 to 6 years depending on the Tesla model.
Which Tesla Model has the most problems?
Tesla Model 3 has the most problems. Surprisingly, it’s also the most reliable Tesla model. According to Consumer Reports, Tesla Model 3 is one of the most reliable luxury cars on the market. However, it reports more problems than Tesla Model S and Model X.
The Tesla Model 3 faces problems like rust, panel gaps, poor paint finish, touchscreen failure, and blurry backup camera. However, most of these problems are not very serious and can be corrected at Tesla. But when it comes to overall maintenance, Tesla Model 3 is the best as it is also cheaper to maintain than other Tesla models.
Which Tesla Model is the most expensive to maintain?
It comes as no surprise that the most expensive Tesla model is also the most expensive to maintain. Tesla Model S is the most expensive Tesla to maintain. This is because of its high-end features and technology. On average, you will have to spend about $290 to maintain your Tesla annually.
Despite Teslas being some of the cheapest cars to maintain, that cost can hike quickly if your car develops a serious issue or when involved in an accident. One of the major reasons why Teslas are quite costly to maintain is because of the high-tech features that it comes with.
FAQ
Will I get the Tesla Maintenance Plan if I purchase a used Tesla?
Make sure to tell the seller of the used Tesla to transfer the unused portion of his or her Tesla Maintenance Plan as part of the sale. Note that the Tesla Maintenance Plan can only be transferred to a new owner when the car ownership transfer is done via Tesla.
Are Teslas expensive to fix?
The cost of fixing a Tesla is way cheaper than other luxury cars. This is because Tesla is an all-electric car with fewer things to worry about. Nonetheless, as the car gets older, Tesla tends to become more expensive as some major parts have to be replaced.
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Parts such as oxygen sensors will cost you over $400, wheel bearings will cost you around $390, and brake calipers will cost you about $500. It’s important to know that these costs vary according to the Tesla model that you have.
Can I cancel my Tesla Maintenance Plan at any time?
You can request to cancel your Tesla Maintenance Plan at any time you feel like and you will get a refund for the remaining annual service inspection intervals. Check the instructions on your Maintenance Plan terms and conditions for additional information.
The procedure for canceling your Tesla Maintenance Plan is simple. You can do it by contacting your local Tesla Service Center or get in touch with Tesla with the maintenance Plan Cancellation form. Before submitting the form, make sure that it has a wet signature and not an electronically signed form.
Why are Teslas not effective in extreme cold and hot weather?
Teslas are not effective in cold or hot weather because of the temperatures they operate in. For a Tesla to work properly, it requires optimal temperature. So, when the weather is so cold outside, it makes the car utilize a lot of power to warm up the battery and heat the cabin.
On the contrary, if the weather outside is extremely hot, the car will use some power to keep the cabin cool as well. However, the impact of cold weather on the Tesla battery is greater than when the weather is warm. For excellent performance, always ensure that the car is operating at the right temperature.
Do I need to take my vehicle to a Tesla service center?
No, you don’t. But if you decide to take your Tesla to a non-Tesla shop for repair or maintenance, you may jeopardize your warranty if anything goes bad. Besides, scheduling a service appointment is very easy as you can do it through the Tesla App. But if it’s updating the software, you don’t have to visit Tesla Service Center.
Conclusion
Tesla doesn’t require a lot of maintenance like fuel-powered vehicles. Thanks to the fewer moving parts that it comes with. Nonetheless, Teslas can be expensive to maintain when they develop a serious issue or the car gets damaged. Tesla parts are expensive and it will cost you a lot.
Overall, maintaining a Tesla is cheap and you won’t face lots of problems like with Mercedes, BMW, or Audi luxury cars. However, like all cars, you will have to properly maintain your car and have it serviced as per the manufacturer’s recommendation.