Best Tips From Tesla To Lower Your Car Bills
Written by
Nicholas Morine
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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While Tesla may be the most popular electric vehicle (EV) worldwide, despite its recent rough patch tied to both significant recalls and controversial public relations decisions, it does come with a hefty price tag attached.
And although Tesla itself is keen to point out that several bits of routine maintenance are simply not applicable to its vehicles — no oil changes necessary, for example — there does remain a brief list of items which proud owners of a Model 3, S, X, Y, or Cybertruck may want to familiarize themselves with if they’d like to save a few bucks while enjoying the ride.
Tesla’s Tips To Reduce Maintenance Costs
First up, Tesla was quick to remind owners of its EVs that they should take full advantage of the company’s over-the-air updates. Doing so makes sure that you get the kinks out of the onboard software while also enhancing safety. You might even unlock some additional features or functionality that Tesla engineers have been cooking up specifically for your model.
Next: Proper charging habits. If your Tesla is a daily driver, it’s best to maintain a battery level of between 20% and 80% to ensure the longest lifespan of your battery — and to ensure better battery performance in general. Avoid excessive Supercharger usage to minimize wear on the battery, with home charging or office charging via a Tesla wall connector being preferred.
Tesla also suggested stocking up on accessories (available via its online store), including all-weather floor mats and paint protection film to keep your vehicle’s interior and exterior in the best condition possible.
As for more routine maintenance concerns that often go overlooked, Tesla enumerated a few: Making sure to conduct a tire rotation every approximately 6,250 miles, or whenever necessary; cabin air filter replacement, and HEPA filter replacement to ensure the air quality inside your vehicle is fresh and (relatively) free of unwanted pollutants or allergens; and brake fluid checks and replacement every four years or so.
The automaker also underscored the fact that driving closer to the textbook example, rather than aggressively, would almost certainly reduce the frequency of required maintenance, protecting the investment you’ve made in your Tesla.
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