BLOG: From XLCR, to You- The Electric Winter Vehicle

An electric car, particularly a Tesla: is designed to combat icy weather. Find out how to use it.

From XLCR, to You- The Electric Winter Vehicle 

 [Tesla App Feature Imaged by uxplanet.org]

An electric car, particularly a Tesla: is designed to combat icy weather. Find out how to use it:

 

·     Cold Conditions

·      Ice & Snow

·      App & Accessories

 

COLD WEATHER: 

During cold months, it's expected for energy usage to increase. To increase efficiency- use these stages to maintain your battery warmth and reserve vehicle energy.

 

PREHEAT YOUR VEHICLE:

Plug in the car, and save energy thus preheating your car, preparing for the journey ahead of schedule.

There is a feature called Scheduled Departure, its job is ensuring your car is warmed up before you go.

Two other options are turning on Defrost or Preconditioning on the Tesla app itself.

 

PRECONDITIONING: Tesla App- Climate- Turn On

Scheduled Departure: Charging- Scheduled Departure- Schedule- Depart At

 

BE AWARE OF THE SNOWFLAKE SYMBOL: A blue snowflake symbol appears on the range display if your battery is cold. Once your battery is warmed up again, the snowflake symbol will disappear. The car battery will increase in warmth as you drive. Preconditioning and charging will also heat the car.

 

CONSERVE ENERGY AS YOU DRIVE:

Lessening energy by driving slower due to harsh conditions, limits energy as an output. As a result this conserves energy within your electric car.  

·     Activate Range Mode in Model X and Model S. Only activate this after battery has reached optimal temperature

·       Drive at sensible speed

·      Manage (limit) repeated and quick acceleration

·      Once warmed up, lower the cabin heat setting and use heaters for more warmth

·      Keep your tyre pressure steady

 

WE RECOMMEND LEAVING YOUR TESLA PLUGGED IN:

If it's not in use, plug it in. Keeping your car connected enables the battery to keep her heat.

 

REFRAIN FROM OVER-CHECKING THE TESLA APP:

Avoid checking the app lots, this actually wakes your Tesla up from sleep mode. So in winter only check this app when absolutely needed.

 

SNOW AND ICE:

·      A tip is- remember to dry your car after a wash in cold conditions. Either wipe or blow dry

·      Position your wipers in the service position and turn off Mirror Auto-Fold- if snow is forecasted

DEFROSTING:

The most important feature in ice and snow. Defrosting is essential. To do this- use the defrost feature on the Tesla app. It will melt the ice away.

·      To do this: Use Climate- Defrost

DEFROST THE WINDOWS: Use the app to do the exact same thing listed above.

 

YOUR WIPERS ARE STRONG YET DELICATE SO FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

Service Position: Tap Controls- Service- Wiper Service Mode- On

Deactivate Mirror Auto Fold:

-Model S + Model X: Controls- Vehicle- Mirror Auto Fold

-Model 3: Controls- Quick Controls- Mirrors- Mirror Auto Fold

 

WINTER KIT:

Tyres for Cold Conditions

Windshield Washer Fluid

Tyre Chains

Anti- Ice Window Treatment (In Tesla App)

 

 

KEEPING IMPORTANT SURFACES CLEAR:

Surfaces can be slightly, or heavily frozen. Do not drive before completing a check of your vehicle.

SENSORS: Make sure these are free of ice and dirt.

ICED MIRRORS: Do this by the book, open and close the mirrors to restore the automatic fold.

CAR DOOR HANDLES: You need the snow residing there to crumble away, so make light contact with your fist against the handle.

BACK LIGHTS: Clear these.

UNIQUE TIP: You can stop ice build-up by using a topcoat to the front Fascia of your car. Rust Oleum Never Wet Top Coat is recommended by the Official Tesla Website.

Condensation may be visible due to changes in the atmosphere. However- this is normal. It will clear. The drying process is faster in dry environments, higher temps and when the vehicle is in motion.

BE AWARE:

Turn off rear tail-lights when running lights are turned on

Turn on rear-lights amidst low rear visibility conditions eg darkness, snow & fog.