Tesla Model Y: While Driving
Cold weather can increase energy consumption because more power is required for driving, cabin and Battery heating. Follow these suggestions to reduce energy consumption:
- Use seat heaters to keep warm. Seat heaters use less energy than the cabin heater. Lowering the cabin temperature and using seat heaters reduces energy consumption (see Climate Controls).
- Slow down your driving and avoid frequent and rapid acceleration.
Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking can be limited if the Battery is too cold. As you continue to drive, the Battery warms up and regenerative power increases (see Regenerative Braking).
NOTE: Limited regenerative braking can be avoided if you allow enough time to precondition your vehicle or if you use Schedule to precondition Model Y before your departure time (see Scheduled Charging and Scheduled Departure).
NOTE: Installing winter tires can result in temporarily reduced regenerative braking power but after a short period of driving, Model Y recalibrates to correct this.
Blue Snowflake Icon
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A blue snowflake icon appears on
your
instrument panel when some of the stored
energy in the Battery is unavailable because the
Battery is cold. This portion of unavailable
energy displays in blue on the Battery meter.
Regenerative braking, acceleration, and charging
rates may be limited. The snowflake icon no
longer displays when the Battery is sufficiently
warm.
Warming the Battery Before Supercharging
By using Trip Planner (if available in your market region) to navigate to a Supercharger, Model Y pre-heats the Battery to ensure when you arrive at the Supercharger, the Battery temperature is optimal and ready to charge. This reduces the amount of time it takes to charge. See (see Trip Planner).
NOTE: Tesla recommends using Trip Planner to navigate to a Supercharger for at least 30-45 minutes before arrival to ensure optimal Battery temperature and charging conditions. If the drive to the Supercharger is less than 30-45 minutes, consider preconditioning the Battery prior to driving (see Before Driving).
Autopilot
To ensure optimal Autopilot performance, keep the sensors free of snow, ice, mud, and dirt (see About Autopilot).
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After Driving
Leave Model Y plugged in when not in use. This uses the
charging system, rather than the Battery itself, to keep
the Battery warm (see High Voltage Battery Information).
Scheduled Departure
When par
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Removing Ice From Door Handle
In severe winter conditions, ice buildup within the door handle can prevent
the door handle from opening. The process for freeing a Model Y door handle is
slightly different than other door handles; you can usually remove the ice with
a few forceful bumps to the door handle using the bottom of yo
Checking Brake Fluid
WARNING: Contact Tesla immediately if you notice
increased movement of the brake pedal or a
significant loss of brake fluid. Driving under these
conditions can result in extended stopping
distances or complete brake failure.
A red brake indicator on the
instrument
panel alerts you if the qua
