Especially in winter, Tesla drivers should precondition their batteries when charging at a Supercharger. As the charging currents are regulated by the software to protect the battery, a cold battery will have less range and charge more slowly.
What is Precondition Tesla Battery?
Tesla’s battery is similar to the human body in many ways. Temperatures much colder or hotter than 21oC will reduce its effectiveness. It has a happy operating temperature window – somewhere around 21oC. To maintain this happy operating window, the car’s battery management system (BMS) automatically controls the battery pack’s temperature.
Teslas are preconditioned when they know they will be charged. In order to charge as quickly as possible after plugging in, the car will intentionally heat or cool its battery to the optimal temperature. Until a battery pack reaches a happy temperature, it won’t be able to accept the fastest charging speed.
How to precondition your Tesla’s battery
When your Tesla knows it will be charged, it will automatically precondition its battery. The Tesla will automatically precondition on the way to a nearby charging location if you select one in the sat nav.
The Tesla will fully precondition your battery with enough time to spare before arriving at the charger. You don’t need to worry if it’s only a short trip to the charger because your Tesla will simply precondition as much as possible on the way, then continue managing the battery temperature when you plug in.
When you’re going on a long journey, your Tesla’s sat nav will take charging stops into account. In addition, it will automatically precondition your battery during your drive to ensure the fastest charging time.
Precondition with the Tesla App
Several aspects of your vehicle can be controlled via the Tesla mobile app, including preconditioning. To precondition your Tesla battery, follow these steps:
- Using your smartphone or mobile device, launch the Tesla app.
- Within the app, select “Climate.”.
- Set the cabin’s temperature to your preference. Drag the slider to adjust the temperature or enter a specific temperature.
- Charge your Tesla vehicle using the Tesla Wall Connector or Supercharger, either plugged in or wirelessly. When you are connected to Tesla chargers, preconditioning minimizes the impact on your driving range.
- The preconditioning process can be initiated by tapping the “Start” or “Precondition” button.
- In preparation for your upcoming drive, your Tesla will begin conditioning the cabin temperature and battery.
Tesla Battery Preconditioning for Third-Party Charging Station
Preconditioning cannot be started manually. Tesla navigation always directs you to a Tesla Supercharger. But what if you want to charge at a fast charger from another provider instead of a Supercharger?
It’s actually quite a makeshift solution. Choosing a Tesla Supercharger nearby in the navigation is still required to preheat the Tesla battery for a third-party fast charging station. Additionally, the navigation shows most third-party charging stations, so you can select them directly. Even if you are not driving to a Tesla Supercharger, choose one if the preconditioning does not start.
How do I schedule a departure time in my Tesla?
Another way to use the preconditioning feature in your Tesla is to schedule a departure time. As the car anticipates your departure, it prepares the battery pack and electrical components to ensure they’re at the ideal temperature when you depart. When the battery is at the right temperature, it delivers the most power to the motors.
Using the Tesla’s infotainment system, the ‘Schedule’ function can be accessed. Both the climate control menu and the charging menu offer this option. Scheduled departures have the advantage of allowing you to set the cabin temperature to your ideal setting, so you don’t get into a cold or hot car when you get in to drive away.
Can Every Tesla Precondition the Battery?
In most electric cars, the battery cannot be preconditioned. The reason for this is that they do not have a heat pump installed, which serves, among other things, to warm the batteries. This technology was not even available to Tesla at the beginning.
The battery cannot be preconditioned before charging in every Tesla. Tesla has only installed heat pumps with this feature since the Model 3 refresh in May 2021. This feature is available on all Model 3 and Model Y models manufactured after this date. Since the 2023 facelift, the Model S and Model X have also been updated.
Regenerative braking and driving also heat the battery. Thus, it is always best to combine driving distance with preheating.
Do you need to precondition the Tesla battery?
There is no mandatory requirement for preconditioning your Tesla battery, but it is highly recommended, especially in certain circumstances. There are several situations where preconditioning can greatly benefit the battery and overall performance of Tesla vehicles, despite the fact that they are designed to run efficiently without preconditioning.
Tesla battery preconditioning benefits
Extreme Weather Conditions
Extreme weather conditions, such as cold or hot temperatures, require preconditioning. Preconditioning ensures optimal performance and range in cold weather by warming up the battery. Cold battery temperatures can affect Tesla’s regenerative braking.
The regenerative braking capability may be limited if the battery is too cold. Regenerative power increases as the battery warms up as you drive. It prevents thermal issues and maximizes battery efficiency in hot weather by cooling the battery.
Optimal Range and Efficiency
Preconditioning the battery improves its range and energy efficiency by bringing it to an optimal operating temperature before driving. When you condition the battery, you can maximize your Tesla’s performance and enjoy driving more.
Battery Longevity
Tesla batteries can also benefit from preconditioning. Battery life can be extended by keeping the battery within the optimal temperature range.
Comfortable Cabin
As well as conditioning the battery, preconditioning also helps condition the cabin temperature. In this way, you can start your journey at the desired temperature, ensuring a comfortable and pleasant driving experience.
It is not mandatory to precondition electric cars, but it offers several benefits, such as improved range, efficiency, battery life, and cabin comfort. When driving in extreme weather conditions or when you want to optimize your driving experience, this is particularly useful.
You can improve the performance and comfort of your Tesla vehicle by taking advantage of the preconditioning features available in your vehicle.
People Also Ask
How do you precondition a Tesla battery manually?
There is no direct manual preconditioning option available on Tesla vehicles currently. Tesla’s mobile app or specific vehicle features are typically used for preconditioning. The Tesla app’s climate control settings can be leveraged to allow manual preconditioning, however.
Do you need to precondition a Tesla battery in warm weather?
It is generally not necessary to precondition a Tesla battery in warm weather to ensure optimal performance. Preconditioning can help cool down the cabin in extreme heat or when the cabin temperature is uncomfortably high.
When should you precondition a Tesla battery?
Prior to starting a trip or initiating a charging session, it is recommended to precondition the battery. You can maximize performance and range by preconditioning your battery and cabin temperature before driving. The battery is prepared for optimal charging efficiency by preconditioning before charging.
How do you precondition a Tesla battery for a charger?
Tesla batteries can be preconditioned for a charger by following these steps:
- Connect your Tesla vehicle to a charger.
- To begin preconditioning, use the Tesla mobile app or the vehicle’s touchscreen.
- Your desired cabin temperature can be set in the Tesla app’s “Climate” section.
- Through the app, you can start the preconditioning process.
- By adjusting the cabin temperature and conditioning the battery, the vehicle’s climate control system optimizes battery charging.
- Plugging in the charger will begin the charging session once the preconditioning process is complete.
