Tesla will fix any panel gap issues in your new car if you notify them within 100 miles of purchase, and the panel gap exceeds the factory’s specification.

In this article, we’ll look at the consequences of panel gaps and what you can do to address the problem.

What is a Tesla Panel Gap?

Tesla first launched back in 2012 but in 2018-2019 it became the market leader in EV production. Unfortunately, increased popularity led to more orders than they could physically cope with in their manufacturing facilities, and quality control began to suffer.

Panel gaps are one of these failures. What is a panel gap? Panel gaps are spaces between the door, frunk, and trunk panels that are significantly wider than a standard vehicle and are noticeably off-sync.

The standard is 1/32 inch but in a Tesla this could be as much as 1/16 inch or more than double the norm.

For most Tesla owners the problem is not an issue, but sometimes the gap is so big that it can result in other issues such as aerodynamic problems or just really jarring with the overall look of the car.

And yes, as a new owner of a car that has cost upwards of $40k, I want it to look and drive perfectly. Why should anyone settle for less?

What is the Process for Tesla Fixing a Panel Gap?

When you receive ownership of your new Tesla, either at a designated address or a Tesla dealership you have up to 100 miles to report any problem you have with a panel gap or gaps.

A panel gap is not a given that Tesla will correct it. It has to be more than the factory specification but finding out what the specification is is not always easy.

Because of the way that Teslas are produced the panel gaps are not always a standard measurement. They may be different from side to side as well as from car to car. So a gap on the passenger side might be very noticeable but the driver’s side can be perfect.

It’s not considered a recall as not every Tesla is identical. If you make a Service query (within 100 miles) Tesla won’t automatically make the repair.

The answer that most Tesla owners receive is that the gap is within the specifications. It’s not a recall as it’s not causing any safety issues and apart from cosmetics, you can still drive your car as normal.

Unless the panel gap is causing a major issue, like the door won’t open or close, or the frunk or trunk won’t open or close, it’s unlikely that it will be seen as an urgent issue by Tesla.

If your Tesla has just arrived and there is a panel gap that is screaming at you, then the best advice is that you reject the delivery and opt for a new model. That’s not to say that the next one will be any better and you will have to wait for the new delivery date, which can be lengthy.

If they do agree to a fix, the fix might not be what you imagine. Don’t expect that your car will automatically be brought back to the factory and new panels fitted.

Secrets of Your Tesla

Hidden Features You Need to Know – Today!

As it’s not seen as a recall, the go-to fix will be a Service Engineer deployed to your house. You must notify Tesla through the Tesla App and give as much detail as possible about the panel gap problem, including images of the gaps and that you have not yet reached the 100-mile limit.

A Service Engineer will arrive and assess the panel gap and the symmetry between it and the corresponding side (if there is one) and make a judgment on what needs to be done.

The go-to action is that one gap is decreased and one is increased to align the symmetry. Or if the frunk or trunk is the issue rubber grommits or spacers will be adjusted if the side of one panel is sitting higher or lower than the other.

Problems that Occur with Panel Gap Fix

Fixing your panel gap may be a problem that you want to avoid as it can lead to other problems that can in turn be more noticeable. The main one is paint chipping or scuffing.

Adjusting panel gaps involves tools that will change the hinge distance on doors or where trim needs to be lifted. Soft tools should be used but this doesn’t always occur. There are many customer complaints online that panel adjustments have been carried out without 100% consideration for the paintwork.

Your car will be covered under warranty if chipped during a repair but you will then need to leave it at a Tesla Service Center for most likely a few days, as a paint touch-up is not a five-minute job.

Apart from the scuffing of paint, there is a chance that the panel gap adjustment can lead to exterior road noise.

The noise may not have been noticeable before but now that the gap is evened on both sides, this can sound like a hurricane with acceleration.

I would prefer to live with a slightly misaligned panel than excessive road or wind noise. When you begin to adjust hinges and seals they never quite sit correctly in the long term. Seals are going to degrade over time anyway and if they have previously been altered, that bit of give is not there in the future when it is required and at that stage, you might no longer have a warranty.

Used Tesla with Panel Gaps

Your new Tesla might only be new to you. The used Tesla market is thriving with some models selling on a par with their original price tag. If this is the case, then your 100-mile buffer is well and truly gone but the panel gap might be causing you some visual irritation.

The Model 3 and Model Y have been known to display trunk panel gaps. This has been somewhat adapted and corrected by Tesla quality control in that 6 rubber adjustment pads have been added. These can be moved either in or out to obtain a more level panel thus reducing the appearance of the gap.

Don’t overadjust as this can lead to further problems with the rear quarter panels. Two full turns is about the limit. The same can be done for the frunk panel gap.

Gaps on Tesla door panels pose a greater difficulty. Your doors are aligned through the interior hinges. To make an adjustment you will have to either loosen or tighten the hinges. This is not a quick and easy fix and you can end up with a bigger door problem than you began with, doors not making a complete seal and hence not locking properly or at all.

Unless you are confident about your ability to correctly adjust the door I would leave well enough alone. The general consensus is that Tesla is just a slightly quirky car and that an oversized panel gap is widely accepted as the norm.

Will the build quality improve in the future? More than likely yes. But the reality is Tesla is not Ford or Toyota and doesn’t have the experience behind them that top manufacturers do. But he’s doing a helluva job keeping up!

Do Panel Gaps Matter?

The reality is that panel gaps do not affect driver safety and are not considered cause for a recall.

It’s a sign that not much attention to detail was made in the production stage, mainly due to the lack of a large-scale assembly line.

Tesla has improved on early models where the gaps were so large that owners were somewhat embarrassed.

In saying that, if you are considering buying a used Tesla then I would definitely check out the panel gaps on any cars that you go to view. Significant gaps and misalignment can also be caused by a previous impact. This is for sure something you should check out as repaired panels that no longer fit can denote the body or frame of the car is distorted.

It’s a good idea to check the car’s full history before parting with your hard-earned dollars. Some panel change movements are going to show on any car that has some age to it. Rubber seals and hinges begin to degrade and sag over time. But overly large gaps suggest something else is occurring, especially if only on one side of the car.

Are Panel Gaps in Tesla Vehicles Normal?

The answer is, unfortunately, Yes. Tesla is just not as good at assembly as its larger rivals. They don’t have the factory experience to correct everything and still keep on top of the enormous orders. Well, how come the Porsche Taycan doesn’t have the same issue, I hear you ask?

Simply, the answer is Mr Musk wanted to provide EV technology to the masses, and with the rise in popularity of the Model 3, with an affordable price tag of $40,000 he couldn’t keep up with the demand and also produce an exceptional quality build.

The result is a fantastic EV car, that people can afford, but lacking in superior finish.

For most Tesla owners this is ok. They’re so delighted to own a Tesla that they simply don’t care that the panel gaps are twice or maybe even three times that of the Porsche.

I’ve written a ton on common Tesla issues, which you hopefully won’t ever experience, but if you do, we have you covered with these posts:

• Why is my Tesla steering wheel hot?
• Will Tesla Fix Interior Problems? Some – Know which Ones!
• Why Are My Tesla Windows Misaligned? Top Tips to Fix!
• Will Tesla Fix the Info Screen? What year was it made!

Check out the Tesla troubleshooting page for more problem Teslas.

Check out the Tesla charging page for common Tesla charging problems.

Check out the Tesla category page for a list of popular Tesla posts.

If you are curious about other EV models, check out the EV FAQ category.

The post Will Tesla Fix Panel Gaps? You better be quick! appeared first on EVjuicedup.

Tesla paint issues include flaking, chipping, and pitting. Repair is covered under Limited Warranty but this can be void if you attempt to fix it yourself or an external outlier is at fault, such as a salt state location.

In this article, we’ll look at the paint issues, how to avoid chipping and flaking, and how to repair them if necessary in the best possible way.

Is Tesla Paint Bad?

Tesla is known to chip, flake, and pit. The paint on your Tesla is a water-based EPA which could explain why it chips and flakes so easily. But lots of car manufacturers now use water-based paints so why is Tesla paint so prone to chips?

There are other items to be considered when we look at the reason for Tesla paint chips. Items like the depth of Tesla paint, and also external influences such as salt treatment in certain locations or even the products you are choosing to clean your Tesla.

Tesla EPA Paint

Very few car brands release full disclosure on all their products or components for fear of competition duplication. But Tesla’s company ethos lends itself to being as environmental as possible and it’s a given that they use water-based paints and plant extracts.

Water-based paints are as the name suggests – water-based – and this reduces the number of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) which are much more prevalent in solvent-based paints.

Water-based paints are therefore better for the environment as they produce less toxic waste in both production and during the paint process.

They are less harmful to human health as they give off less vapor during the painting process. They are also less of an irritant when in contact with the skin during paint production than regular solvent-based paint. But not completely without danger and should still be used in well-ventilated areas and with the correct procedures in place.

Water-based paints can offer the same performance in terms of durability and longevity but are known to have lower resistance to external chemicals or cleaning products.

Although the performance gap between solvent and water-based is decreasing with time, there are still advantages of solvent over water, unfortunately.

Secrets of Your Tesla

Hidden Features You Need to Know – Today!

Is Tesla Paint Soft?

The answer to the question is ‘Yes’ Tesla paint is soft. Due to the water-based material and the makeup of Tesla paint, it doesn’t perform as well as some other car paints on the market.

When tested with the Wolff-Wilborn Test Hardener (the industry standard for paint hardness) Tesla paint was graded at an F, on a scale of 6B – 6H, with 6H being the hardest, compared to other car brands that score in the 3H margin.

The reality is that solvent-based paint produces a much harder end result than water-based but the EPA is striving to eradicate all paints with VOCs.

What makes Tesla paint chips easier is not only the softness of the paint but also the depth or lack of depth in the most important areas.

Is Tesla Paint Thin?

The paint on your Tesla is known to be relatively thin compared to other brands. Anything from 4-7 mils (up to 180 microns) is standard for most brands. However, it should be noted that different panels have different depths. The roof for example of most cars is thinner than the hood or the wings. But in a Tesla, the thickness varies greatly from the standard brand, with some measurements as low as 1-4 mil.

The thinner the paint, the more likely it is to chip or flake.

The paint on a Tesla may not be applied all at once, or by different people from day to day and so the discrepancy occurs.

If the paint has not been applied correctly, an ‘orange peel’ effect occurs. This is where the paint can lift and appear to bubble and take on a peel appearance. Paint needs to be applied with many coats, and each is allowed to fully dry and harden before the next layer is applied.

Contacting Tesla About Paint Issues

Tesla understands that they have paint issues. This can be from cracking, pitting, or discoloration. The cracking and pitting results from the paint production side of the build. If you notice any paint problems with your paintwork Tesla will work to fix the problem under the Limited Lifetime Warranty.

There are conditions to the Warranty Clause which include external factors. The paint damage can’t be the result of a crash, aftermarket extras added to the body of the car leading to rust spots, any area of the car that has been touched up, or any part of the car that has been exposed to chemical – be it an inappropriate cleaning product of road salting.

If you have attempted to repair any type of paint defect then this will void your paint warranty.

As soon as you notice a paint problem you should contact the Tesla Service Center – through the Tesla App – and schedule an appointment. Include as much detail as you can and attach photos of any problem areas, be it cracking, flaking, or pitting.

Another issue that some owners have come across with dissatisfaction is that individual panels, one or more have slightly different color tones to the rest. Or that the panel is fading or discoloring at a different rate than the rest of the car.

This could be caused by this particular panel having been painted at a different time of the day than the rest, and the mix is a different consistency. It happens, and unfortunately to a greater extent in Tesla as the production line is smaller than some larger brand manufacturers.

The Answer to Tesla Paint Issues

Tesla will fix your paint issues as discussed above but there are ways that you can protect your paint and prolong the life of the paint coating.

Tesla offers a paint protection film. This prevents chipping on the front bumper and bottom of the rear doors. On some Models, mainly the Y, this can come as standard but a number of owners have claimed that theirs didn’t have any, but it was installed at a later date when queried.

You can buy it as an aftermarket kit through the Tesla store. It is easily applied with a slip solution. of baby soap and water.

The process is as follows:

• Remove the film backing
• Apply the Left Hand Side rear
• Apply the Right Hand Side Read
  • The two sides are not the same
• Apply to the contour of the car
• Do not have any overhang
• Use the squeegee supplied to remove any excess bubbles

This kit is also widely available through third-party sellers online and in-store.

Although it does a good job at preventing some stone damage it won’t eradicate all. The overall shape of a Tesla (all models) results in a lot of large flat surfaces (not aerodynamic) and planes which in turn throw small stones upwards.

The alternative to the protection panels is a ceramic coating or a car wrap. Both can be quite costly but they will protect your paint surface.

Tesla Ceramic Coating

A ceramic coating is not offered through Tesla, however before you jump in and install it, check that it won’t void your warranty. Most professional-grade applications will withstand the warranty process but always better to check first.

Ceramic coating is a liquid polymer, applied with an applicator, that bonds to the surface of your Tesla. It then requires time to cure and may require additional layers to achieve the desired thickness.

It basically acts as an additional layer(s) on top of the paint that is already quite thin to begin with.

Tesla Car Wrap

A car wrap is in essence the same as a Protection Film, but with the complete car being covered. I would advise that you seek a professional grade company to complete this for you.

The wrap is a thin layer of Thermoplastic Color Urethane (TPU) and acts as a barrier to prevent chips and scratches and also blocks UV rays.

The main advantage of a car wrap over ceramic coating is that a car wrap can be removed (using professional tools). Some TPUs also have self-healing abilities, when heated, the film can return to its original shape, filling in any minor gaps that might appear over time.

Both of these processes can be pricey. A ceramic coating can range from $600 – $2000 for a Model 3 and upwards again for a Model Y or S. Ceramic coating is very labor intensive. Each layer takes time to dry and harden. But the coating will last the lifetime of the vehicle.

A car wrap on the other hand can cost from a couple of hundred dollars for the area in front of the wheels (most likely the area for stone chips) to $8000 for a complete car.

The cost depends on the vinyl quality, the color or finish, the time it takes (usually up to a week), and the amount of car you are wrapping. If you are also including door sills then the cost can be considerably more.

A car wrap will last up to 7 years if you take care of it properly.

Can I Fix My Tesla Paint Chips?

The cost of a ceramic coating or car wrap is somewhat cost-prohibitive. You may have purchased your Tesla as a used car, and no longer can avail of the warranty or the chips are just from general wear and tear. So what is the alternative to coating or wrapping your car?

Well, you can invest in a touch-up kit. You can purchase these directly from Tesla at a cost of $60. It’s very important to follow the process exactly and also to match the color to the correct code of your Tesla (found on the label of your driver door panel).

White is not the same as Pearl White and Pearl White doesn’t ever match fully with the touch-up kit. In the sunshine, your Pearl White touch-up will definitely be noticeable.

There are many other alternatives available online that offer the same Tesla color matching and contain the same items in the kit (if not more) but if you are considering a third-party paint supplier, ensure that you read the reviews and pick a very reputable supplier. Nothing screams louder than mismatched dots on your hood.

Location of Your Tesla

The last thing I’ll mention is the location of your Tesla. Chipping occurs from small stones and debris coming in contact with your car but other elements can also degrade your paintwork.

Elements such as intense heat in sunny states can break down the paint with strong UV rays, and at the opposite end of the scale, if you live in a salt state (a lot of very cold weather). Salt can have a detrimental effect on your paintwork.

It’s not realistic to move state because of the paintwork on your Tesla but you will have to manage the paint more if you live in one of these extreme climates.

You can protect it from UV by storing it in the shade or in a garage, and by washing it thoroughly and regularly to prevent salt damage.

As mentioned the ideal cure for both of these climate occurrences is either Ceramic Coating or Car Wrapping but this is not cost-effective for every Tesla owner.

It is something to consider before purchasing a Tesla, however. How you will manage the extreme heat or cold and the paint challenges that arise from living in either.

I’ve written a ton on common Tesla issues, which, hopefully, you won’t ever experience, but if you do, we have you covered with these posts:

• Will Tesla Fix Interior Problems? Some – Know which Ones!
• Why Are My Tesla Windows Misaligned? Top Tips to Fix!

Check out the Tesla troubleshooting page for problem Teslas.

Check out the Tesla charging page for common Tesla charging problems.

Check out the Tesla category page for a list of popular Tesla posts.

If you are curious about other EV models, check out the EV FAQ category.

The post Will Tesla Fix Paint Issues? Owners Should Know This! appeared first on EVjuicedup.

Tesla windows are misaligned because they have been assembled incorrectly or need to be recalibrated.

In this article, we’ll look at why your Tesla windows are misaligned and how to go about correcting the problem.

Tesla Window Misalignment

One of the main causes of window misalignment is poor build quality in production. Tesla cars, although incredibly popular as an EV, are still far below the production numbers of many other brands such as VW or Toyota.

The assembly line process doesn’t run as efficiently as Mr. Musk would hope and so errors occur causing the window frame or indeed the glass to sit incorrectly.

Each window is made up of several components and just one of these sitting incorrectly can cause the whole mechanism to misalign. The pressure to complete a certain number of finished builds each day can cause instances where certain processes are rushed and in turn, it becomes the new owner that is ultimately quality control.

Machine calibration can also vary in a factory from day to day, due to temperature and user changes. What was correct yesterday may be different today, if the temperature increased by even half a degree.

The same can be said for any materials used, the glass or plastic frames can sit differently if produced in a different environment.

Tesla Window Warranty

If you have a new Tesla and your window alignment is off you should contact Tesla Service Center through the Tesla App immediately. They will more than likely suggest that you calibrate your windows to correct the problem.

You can follow these instructions to calibrate the window:

• Close the affected window’s door
• Sit into the driver’s seat and close the door
• Raise the affected window using the switch on the driver’s door
• Keep holding until it stops
• Lower the window with the driver’s switch until it stops
• Raise until it stops

The window should now be calibrated and aligned and open and close fully.

If this process hasn’t corrected the issue then your Tesla will have to be looked over by a Tesla technician. You will need to contact the Tesla Service Center again and advise that the suggested calibration did not work. They will either schedule you for an onsite appointment or they will send a Mobile Technician to your preferred location.

Secrets of Your Tesla

Hidden Features You Need to Know – Today!

What Could Be Causing the Window Misalignment?

Other reasons could cause the window misalignment such as:

• Wear and tear
• Impact or an accident
• Owner error operation
• Obstruction in the frame

Window Wear and Tear

Like all mechanisms, when your Tesla window gets some age behind it, it can start to fail. Tesla’s don’t come with a lifetime parts guarantee but rather a 4-year or 50,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first.

So great news if your TEsla falls into one of these categories but if not you’ll have to pay for the repair.

The wear and tear problem is usually that the window regulator has failed. The regulator is what powers the motor to move the glass up and down. If this is not working correctly this will cause the glass to misalign.

The regulator is made up of several different components: switch, motor, cable mechanism, track assembly, and regulator arms. Any one component failing can cause the window to misalign.

If the switch (electrical component) is failing intermittently, then the fuse can fail. If the fuse blows the window will no longer go up or down. A blown fuse is only drawing your attention to a bigger problem.

You can replace the window fuse by first locating it on the board. Window fuses are located in the internal fuse box in the car, not in the frunk. Most fuse boxes will have a list of fuses that relate to within. Tesla sometimes moves things around from Model to Model and Build to Build, so before you remove any, be certain that it is the correct one. See below for some fuse numbers for Model X and S:

Frame and Seals

The frame is made up of seals and rubber tracks. Again if your Tesla ages these seals can start to break down and the glass no longer rides smoothly on one or both sides of the tracks.

The seals can be replaced but will incur a cost if you are outside of the warranty. It’s generally not a job you can take on yourself as specialized tools are required. If not fixed correctly it can lead to a leaking window which will lead to further damage to the interior.

Impact or Accident on Your Tesla

Window misalignment can also occur if your Tesla has been in any kind of impact or crash. Even if the window in question wasn’t in direct line with the impact, the frame can still be damaged. An impact will display specific problems with your window such as:

• Window gaps
• Not fully opening or closing
• Uneven closing
• Leaking

Window Gaps

Any gap between the frame and the glass when fully closed is a sign of misalignment from an impact. The glass has moved away from the tracking arms and will need a professional or Tesla Service Technician to correct this.

Not Fully Opening or Closing

Again if you notice that the window doesn’t fully open or close post-impact you can try recalibrating it. If this doesn’t correct the problem you will have to contact Tesla Service Center and they will realign it for you.

Uneven Closing

If the window closes unevenly or more quickly on one edge over the other then this is also misalignment due to impact damage.

Leaking Window

You may not realize that your window is misaligned through impact until you spot a leak. The leak might only be slight but any kind of water ingress is a problem and needs to be dealt with.

The glass may have shifted in the frame or the seals and will need to be corrected by a professional.

Handling the Glass

Misalignment can be caused by mishandling of any of the windows. Every part of your Tesla has been highly engineered and calibrated. Resting or leaning on the frameless window design can result in damage to the mechanism.

Discourage anyone who is inclined to do this as your mechanism may need more than recalibrating as the pressure could bend or damage the internal tracking arms.

Obstruction in the Frame

Several situations can obstruct your window. These include:

• Debris
• Corrosion

Debris in your Window

Debris can get caught in the window guides or within the seals of the frame. This can be anything from dirt, leaves, tree sap, or items inserted by children or by accident, such as coins (at a toll booth!) Anything that’s not part of your window mechanism will stop your window functioning properly.

Corrosion in your Window

Corrosion can cause problems with your window operation. Corrosion can appear in the frame as rust or in the seals. You can temporarily remove any loose pieces with a soft cloth or brush but when this type of deterioration begins the only answer is to replace the seals or corroded components. This can mean the entire door. Failure to do so can result in the long-term effects of window mechanism failure but in the short term of damaged or scratched glass.

I’ve written a ton on common Tesla issues, which you hopefully won’t ever experience, but if you do, we have you covered with these posts:

• Why is my Tesla steering wheel hot?
• Tesla won’t go into reverse
• Tesla won’t go into gear

Check out the Tesla troubleshooting page for more problem Teslas.

Check out the Tesla charging page for common Tesla charging problems.

Check out the Tesla category page for a list of popular Tesla posts.

If you are curious about other EV models, check out the EV FAQ category.

The post Why Are My Tesla Windows Misaligned? Top Tips to Fix! appeared first on EVjuicedup.

Tesla will fix your infotainment screen if your car is Pre-2018, or within warranty and the damage or fault is not self-inflicted.

In this article, we’ll look at how to fix the infotainment screen and the reasons why it has failed you.

Tesla Pre 2018 Screen Fix

The Model S and Model X, pre-2018, were fitted with an eMMC (embedded Multi Media Card) with a memory storage of 8GB. This was expected to last 5-6 years but with the increase in updates and technology, it was soon apparent that this chip was not up to the job.

The screen was failing, going black while driving, or just not booting up on startup.

Tesla initially offered the upgrade at a cost but in June 2020, NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) insisted that this become a Tesla recall safety issue and that all Teslas from 2012-2018 that had the 8GB installed needed to be upgraded free of charge.

Rebooting of the screen does not rectify the issue. Many items remain unavailable but the car is actually still driveable.

Depending on which software version you are running (pre2020.48.12), you will not have access to the rearview camera, windshield demisting, defrosting, autopilot, lane change, and most importantly your range level.

Software released after this version allows most of the above items to remain but always consider your driver’s safety before taking a journey.

The recall will install the latest software and also upgrade the chip to a 64GB NVIDIA Tegra processor which has the capability of running the latest software and will last into the future with higher technology and more memory required.

Secrets of Your Tesla

Hidden Features You Need to Know – Today!

Why Do I Need to Upgrade My Tesla Screen?

Although the recall was back in 2020, there are still only approximately 88% of Teslas that have been upgraded. That number seems pretty high, but a recall should cover all vehicles.

You may have only discovered the glitchy screen recently if you have bought a used Tesla or if your Tesla is not your main car.

Either way, you should upgrade your Tesla to the latest software.

In the meantime, the latest software will monitor your eMMC, and if there is a problem your screen will show a notification – ‘Center Display Storage Device Degraded’. When or if this happens, you need to contact the Tesla Service Center, give the notification status, and book an appointment for an eMMC upgrade.

I Previously Paid for the eMMC Upgrade

If you have already paid for the upgrade to the 64GB then you are possibly in line for a reimbursement. Tesla has said they have contacted anyone who had previously paid but if you haven’t received any correspondence from them then it’s worth reaching out. Sometimes errors occur and people get missed.

Other Tesla Screen Problems Under Warranty

Your screen is covered under warranty for 2 years or 25,000 miles. This was previously double, 4 years or 50,000 miles, so check any documentation you have, carefully, that relates to your warranty.

The warranty will cover any glitches that you have in your screen and or any physical fault that may occur with your screen. This could be the screen not sitting correctly or coming away from the mount. Mainly people are just concerned with the Black Screen of Death but if your screen is doing things it’s not supposed to be then contact Tesla about it.

A screen repair only takes about 30 minutes but it does usually have to be booked into a Service Center and is not available for a Mobile Technician to fix, but not always the case.

Cracked or Broken Tesla Screen

A cracked or broken screen is not covered under warranty as it is a personal issue. Your screen is not going to just crack by itself. It can still be repaired but you will bear the full brunt of the cost of replacement. The labor costs are quite low at about $60 – $80, as it only takes about 30 minutes but the parts can be as much as $1400.

You can still drive your Tesla with a cracked screen but as mentioned above some of the items may not be available if the screen is very badly damaged, or indeed totally black.

How to Fix a Black Screen

Your Tesla screen could be black or not working for other reasons and can be fixed without a trip to the Tesla Service Center. Some of these reasons are as follows:

• Too Many Apps Running
• Software Update
• Screen Overheating
• Screen Overloading

Too Many Apps Running

Tesla screens allow apps on your phone to connect in the car. Your app must be connected to your car for it to run properly. This can be the main reason why your screen is glitching. It’s trying to connect to the app and failing because it can’t find the source.

If your app is not running correctly on your phone then it won’t run properly in your Tesla.

The best solution is to log out and back in again on your phone and then do the same in your Tesla. If this doesn’t work check for any app updates and try reinstalling it on your phone.

Software Update

Your Tesla might require a software update. Although many of the updates happen automatically, some older models sometimes need a push.

A yellow notification will give you the heads-up that a software update is available.

• Select Update from the Menu

Your car must be connected for all OTA (Over the Air) updates so if your Tesla was disconnected for any reason or length of time this could be why you missed the update and why your screen is now glitching.

Overheating Screen

Your Tesla screen is in essence a large tablet. Like any tablet, phone, or laptop if they get too hot they can freeze or act peculiar.

The best fix for this is to let it cool down for a time or do a Soft Reboot. A soft reboot will restore your screen to normal without losing any information.

To do a Soft Reboot (Reset) follow below:

• Shift into Park
• Remove any devices
• Hold both scroll wheels on the steering wheel for 10-15 seconds
• The touchscreen turns black
• Tesla Logo reappears
• Everything will once again be available

If your screen dies whilst driving, you can perform a soft reboot but it’s always better to pull over and give it your full attention.

Overloaded Screen

An overloaded system can also cause your screen to shut down. A bit like an overheated screen. If you have given a whole string of commands your system can sometimes just say, ‘Nope! Sorry!’ and shut down. This is especially true of older models with older processors. The best solution for a frozen screen is a Hard Reset.

• Put your Tesla in Park
• Remove any auxiliary items plugged in, i.e., phones and USB drives.
• Press and hold the Brake
• Hold both scroll wheels on your steering wheel for 10-15 seconds
• The touchscreen will go black
• Tesla Logo will appear
• When everything is back fully, your car should be working without issue.

Last Screen Option Before Calling Tesla

Calling the Tesla Service Center is always worth the time but sometimes the appointment time might be way in the future and you want action right now. If you have tried a Hard and Soft Reset but have had no joy you can Reset your car.

This is a big decision to make. A Reset will wipe all your data including profiles. It is usually only recommended to reset your Tesla if you are selling your car, but if you think that the screen problems are increasingly worse then it is worth a try. But beware!

To do a complete reset, follow the steps below:

• Select Service Menu
• Select Factory Reset
• Enter Tesla Details
• Select Confirm
• Your Sat Nav and Tires will need the drive to reset
• You will have to re-add your Phone Keys and Restore your Profile

This as I say is an absolute last resort. Try persuading the Tesla Service Center that you need a quicker appointment or ask them if they have any suggestions in the meantime to get you back up and running.

I’ve written a ton on common Tesla issues, which hopefully you won’t ever experience, but if you do, we have you covered with these posts:

What to Do if Tesla Screen is Black – Easy Fix Below!

Will Tesla Fix Interior Problems? Some – Know which Ones!

Will Tesla Offer a Normal Steering Wheel? – Yoke the New Normal!

Check out the Tesla troubleshooting page for more problem Teslas.

Check out the Tesla charging page for common Tesla charging problems.

Check out the Tesla category page for a list of popular Tesla posts.

If you are curious about other EV models, check out the EV FAQ category.

The post Will Tesla Fix the Info Screen? What year was it made! appeared first on EVjuicedup.

Tesla will fix interior problems within 12 months or 12,500 miles of purchase if it is a manufacturing problem. Seat belts have a longer warranty at 5 years or 60,000 miles. Damage caused by personal use is not covered.

In this article, we’ll look at the types of interior problems you might incur and how to go about getting them fixed. They include:

• Interior panel issues
• Seat Belt problems and recalls
• Seats and Seat alignment problems
• Steering Wheel Cover breakdown

Tesla Interior Panel Issues

The interior panels of a Tesla can be a little uneven or gappy. Interior parts are covered under warranty, 12 months or 12,500 miles whichever comes first.

This only covers production, manufacturing, or assembly issues and not anything that has broken or become damaged through wear and tear by the owner.

Interior panel gaps occur because of poor quality control on the assembly line. Musk has commented in the past that it’s easier to send a rocket to space than it is to achieve the perfect assembly line.

The reason is that Tesla just doesn’t have the longevity of manufacturing like other well-known car brands. The parts used for interior panels may not have all been produced on the same day, and so may have a slightly different shade color or even size.

Add this to the human element, where different days call for different staff members who have different styles or ways of application. So I hear you ask, Why is there no ultimate quality control? Well, the quality control for a lot of time, on your Tesla is left to the new Tesla owner.

Tesla policy is if the customer logs a service call about the interior panels, then Tesla will agree to fix it, but otherwise, it will leave the factory as is. So the customer is quality control.

Secrets of Your Tesla

Hidden Features You Need to Know – Today!

Tesla Seat Belts and Recalls

Seat Belt Chime

Seat belts in any car, not just in Tesla, are a top safety concern. In February 2022, the NHTSA flagged a Tesla seat belt issue. All cars must have a seat belt chime, meaning that if you begin to drive without a belt engaged then a warning chime will sound. This will get louder the further you drive.

The NHTSA noted that in the Tesla this was not happening, and 800,000 have been involved in a recall. Teslas are different in that the Brake pedal starts the car and a chime should then alert the driver to buckle up.

But it seems that if you exit the car momentarily and reenter the car, (you may have forgotten something at the house or office) the chime will not activate and you can then drive the car without a belt.

The software will alert you if you exceed 14mph, so for most a very short distance and amount of time, but the NHTSA was not happy that this could be manipulated in any way.

The recall was for the following Years and Models:

An OTA (Over The Air) update was released to rectify the problem and no accidents were reported according to Tesla because of the error but seat belt safety is never something that can be ignored.

Seat Belt Disconnecting

In a separate investigation, the NHTSA is looking at 2022/2023 Model X seat belts after it was reported that two customers received defective seat belts on purchase.

Approximately 50,000 vehicles may be under scrutiny as the pre-tensioner and anchor on the seat belt were said to be disconnecting.

It’s thought to be caused by poor assembly and quality control which Tesla suffers with continually.

With only two complaints out of 50,000, it’s a very small failure rate but even one seat belt failure can lead to a fatal crash or serious injury, so it can’t be ignored. If you have this particular Model from this timespan I would check your seat belt.

Rear Seat Belts

The rear seat belt alarm can be activated by a child seat or booster seat in place. The chime is weight-activated and the car seat itself can mimic the weight of a person.

This can be disabled onscreen (USA only). The icon will change from the seat belt warning to the child seat.

If you regularly travel with children you won’t want to disable this, especially if they are sitting in booster seats and are buckling themselves in. Kids get distracted and don’t always do as you ask. Amazing, I know!

Tesla Seats

Tesla seats are made from Vegan leather, a slight contradiction in itself, as the meaning of ‘Leather’ specifically means a material made or derived from animal skin. Tesla seats are derived from plastic and plant extracts. Musk’s philosophy that all animal products be removed from his car production is very very much in place but not 100% good for the planet. Although plant extracts are a positive, plastic production is ultimately made from oil and oil by-products.

Seats are covered under the Body Parts and Interior Warranty meaning that Tesla will repair any faults that may occur but only if the fault is due to manufacturing or production problems, and occurs within 12 months of purchase. Items such as uneven stitching or stitching, or stitching separating will be covered by Tesla but surprisingly bubbling seats may not always be covered.

Bubbling seats is an occurrence that happens when the vegan leather separates from the base material when it reacts with certain products such as hair oil, gel, natural head oil (headrest), or in the base of the seat when it comes into contact with skin products such as fake tan or sunscreen.

Tesla can tell what has caused the bubbling and unfortunately, if it is from driver/owner use then the cost can be quite hefty. A replacement chair reupholstery can be as much as $750 (per seat).

Pre-2019 models were using a lower-grade synthetic leather and were more prone to the dreaded bubbling. The particular glue that was used was also not up to scratch. It’s always good to check your paperwork before assuming it’s not covered as many pre-2019 models were repaired by Tesla because of widespread complaints of seat bubbling.

Tesla Seat Protection

If you have recently purchased a Tesla (especially if you have opted for the Ultra White Seats) I would recommend treating your seats. You can request a Teflon coating from the dealership that will prolong the life of your seats.

You still need to take care of your seats day to day. Tesla is very specific on how you should choose to clean your seats to keep them in tip-top condition.

Seats should be wiped clean with non-scented wipes or mild soap. Anything that contains alcohol or citrus will damage and discolor your seats.

Although Musk maintains the Ultra White seats will repel even Red Wine, it’s not a test I would be brave enough to try, but many online have!

I’ve written a post all about the seats – Is It Worth Getting Ultra White Seats?

Even well-known cleaning products can react badly with vegan leather so check carefully before you go at it. If you need to use something more than a wipe, use a very gentle soap and never a strong detergent.

Tesla Seat Alignment

Tesla seats are by all accounts incredibly comfortable. They are never going to live up to a luxury-built Mercedes seat but in saying that they are still very well-built. They are adjustable, have climate control, both hot and cold in some models, and have back support but in some models, the leg and head space could be more generous, especially for the price tag attached to some models.

The rear seats in the Model 3 can seem a little cramped but in other models, it’s the third row that is space limited. Unless the third row is predominantly used by children they’re not worth the extra cost per area.

Tesla Seat Alignment Quirk

Although not necessarily a seat alignment problem, it is worth knowing that Model Y and 3 seats have a slight adjustment quirk attached to them. In 2022, Tesla upgraded the seat motors on the Y and 3 with new motors from a German company, Brose. It seems the new motors have a slightly unusual, Big Brother aspect to them, wherein they reduce the seat functionality if you appear to be overusing the seat adjustment for the forward and rear movement (not the lumbar control).

You will get a notification of ‘Excessive Use of Seat Track Motor Detected’ if you adjust for a second time within 90 seconds of the first use. If you ignore the notification within an additional 30 seconds the seat tracker will disable completely for five minutes.

Tesla hasn’t announced what the reasoning is behind this but it’s most likely to save the motor life and reduce overall cost for warranty repairs.

Although it’s not a huge inconvenience it is pretty common for two people to share a car and those two people are not identical in height. It can take a bit of adjustment to get your seat in a comfortable driving position. But in saying that it doesn’t instantly disable, it does give you a warning and to prevent fully disabling you just need to be a bit more patient with your time. But interesting to know nonetheless.

Tesla Steering Wheel

The steering wheel material is a vegan leather similar to the seats. It is showing the same bubbling or wearing that the seats have displayed. Tesla says an upgrade of material is due July 2023 and they are looking at the problems that customers are reporting.

The main concern is the wearing of the out layer, which in truth is not life or death but looks pretty nasty when it starts to degrade, especially on a new car.

The material used is not conducive to being held all the time, which of course, it should be. The position of your hands, especially with the yoke, is the same the whole time and the oils in your hands are causing it to bubble and blister. This causes it to separate from the wheel and fall off.

Tesla’s explanations range from gripping the wheel too hard, turning your hands back and forth on the wheel, to having too much product on your hands.

I can understand to a certain extent but also think that for the cost outlay for a Tesla, I should be able to grip the steering wheel without it falling apart.

So will they fix it? The answer is yes they will repair it but not indefinitely. They might repair it once, possibly twice but after that, you’re on your own. As I said, they are talking about an upgrade and this will hopefully stop or alleviate the issue, but if they feel that it has been a result of something you as the owner are doing then you might have to pay for the repair, which could be as much as $1000.

Owners have noticed that since we have all become more aware of our hand hygiene (Covid) the steering wheel material has not faired so well. The alcohol content in hand sanitizers plays havoc with the gue and adhesion.

Many owners have suggested a steering wheel cover, but this is not a solution, especially for the yoke, just a band-aid. But a cover can cause further problems with agitation through friction which can lead to bubbling and wear.

And why should you have to cover your wheel in fairness? Just because Tesla has opted for the vegan route, shouldn’t mean that my hands can’t be sanitized (or even clean) every time I drive.

Hopefully, the 2023 upgrade will solve the steering wheel bubble issue and we won’t have to concern ourselves so much with our hands being too clean.

I’ve written a ton on common Tesla issues, which hopefully you won’t ever experience, but if you do, we have you covered with these posts:

Is It Worth Getting White Tesla Seats? Not for everyone!

Why is My Tesla Steering Wheel Hot? Don’t ignore it

Check out the Tesla troubleshooting page for problem Teslas.

Check out the Tesla charging page for common Tesla charging problems.

Check out the Tesla category page for a list of popular Tesla posts.

If you are curious about other EV models, check out the EV FAQ category.

The post Will Tesla Fix Interior Problems? Some – Know which Ones! appeared first on EVjuicedup.

Reasons the Tesa steering wheel is feeling hot include:

• Heated Steering Wheel is active
• Ambient Temperature is high
• Scroll lights are active
• Electrical issue

In this article, we’ll examine why the steering wheel is hot and why it shouldn’t be.

Heated Steering Wheel is Active

The most common reason for the Tesla steering wheel to feel hot is that the heated steering wheel option is activated.

All Teslas sold after November 2021 come with a heated steering wheel. Previously only the Long Range Models had this add-on.

Tesla completed an OTA (Over the Air) update to install the heated steering wheel option. Generally, Tesla sends out a Tweet when something new is available, but not always, and this was one of those occasions.

Because of this, owners might not realize the option is available.

So how is my steering wheel hot if I didn’t even know I had the option? The usual explanation is someone else was driving your car and activated it.

There are two ways to activate the heated steering wheel:

1. Through the infotainment screen
2. Voice activation

Infotainment Activation

To activate onscreen:

• Select Climate Control
• Touch the Fan Icon
• Select the heater
• Select the Steering Wheel icon
• Turn On or Off
  • The Icon will turn RED when the heater is ON

Voice Activation

The voice activation button is located on your Steering Wheel. To activate:

• Press the button (microphone icon)
• Say, ‘Turn On the Heated Steering Wheel
• Say, ‘Turn Off the Heated Steering Wheel’ to deactivate

The benefits of a heated steering wheel

The benefits of a heated steering wheel are great. Warm hands are more responsive to driving, thus making for a safer journey. The warmer the steering wheel, the greater your grip, which is also better for a safer driving experience. And, of course, who doesn’t like the idea of warm hands on a frosty morning?

Downside to a heated steering wheel

There is a downside to having a heated steering wheel, but it might be outweighed by comfort.

In an ICE (internal Combustion Engine) car, the heat generated from the engine is used to heat the cabin, but in an EV, this energy has to come from your battery. Anything that requires extra heat will be a high consumer of your precious range. The heated steering wheel uses 90-100 watts per hour compared to your heated seat at just 57 watts.

To combat the extra draw, you’ll notice that the steering wheel doesn’t maintain the full heat consistently.

Parts of the wheel become cooler as time passes, and areas of the wheel cycle into 50-50 and 25-75 proportions. Your steering wheel will remain warm but not as hot or complete as when first activated.

Ambient Temperature

Although it might not be our first thought, your steering wheel could be hot because of the ambient temperature outside.

The steering wheel can become very hot if parked in direct sunlight. The windscreen resembles a magnifying glass, and the steering wheel absorbs the heat.

So much so that the vegan leather on the steering wheel can blister, it usually blisters at the top where the wheel is in direct sunlight.

As the steering wheel cools, the blistering may ease and even disappear, but it will reappear if exposed to the sun in the future.

The prevention solution can be to purchase a windscreen protector to prevent direct light on your steering wheel and dash.

You can also activate Cabin Overheat Protection:

• Select Controls
• Select Safety
• Select Cabin Protection On

The Cabin Protection will automatically activate when the temperature reaches 40C in the cabin unless deactivated. However, it does use battery energy to maintain the lower temperature and will reduce your range. The Cabin Overheat Protection will deactivate if your battery drops below 20%.

It will only stay active for 12 hours. If this time has elapsed, then not only will your steering wheel become hot, but your entire can become dangerously hot if the heat continues.

Scroll Lights

Looking more specifically at the steering wheel, the scroll wheels on your steering wheel can become heated if they are lit. The light is low and generally won’t generate enough heat to be noticeable. There is the option to turn the lights off.

• Select Controls
• Select lights
• Steering Wheel lights On or Off

If your scroll wheels are metal, then there is a chance they will become too hot. As before, a windscreen protector will reduce the direct sunlight on the steering wheel and prevent them from overheating to the extent you can still touch them without hurting your fingers.

Electrical Issue

The Tesla steering wheel is full of technology. It controls Right and Left signaling, lights, scroll buttons, wipers, voice commands, and the horn.

That’s a lot of elements in addition to steering the car, not to mention an airbag.

So all of this doesn’t happen by magic. There’s a lot of technology in your wheel, but the added element of the heated steering wheel can lead to something going amiss and heat being generated for no reason.

If you can rule out everything else we have discussed so far, then the heat in your steering wheel could be because of a short. We should never ignore a problem with our steering wheel that is unexplained.

Opening your steering wheel is not recommended or advised, and your warranty will be void if Tesla thinks you have been playing with the internals of your wheel.

Log a service call with Tesla through your app if you have an electrical issue.

• Open the Tesla App
• Select Service
• In ‘Details,’ give as much information as possible about the problem, including any photos or videos you might have

Tesla has had steering wheel recalls in the past. 40,000 Model S and Model X vehicles from 2017-2021 were recalled on advice from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) due to a steering software problem.

This problem was corrected with an OTA update, but it’s not to say that other electrical problems can occur. Any new changes that you notice on your steering wheel, heat or otherwise, should always be investigated.

I’ve written a ton on common Tesla issues, which hopefully you won’t ever experience, but if you do, we have you covered with these posts:

• Tesla won’t download the update
• Tesla won’t charge to 100%
• Better to charge Tesla slowly?

Check out the Tesla troubleshooting page for problem Teslas.

Check out the Tesla charging page for common Tesla charging problems.

Check out the Tesla category page for a list of popular Tesla posts.

If you are curious about other EV models, check out the EV FAQ category.

The post Why is My Tesla Steering Wheel Hot? Don’t ignore it appeared first on EVjuicedup.

Reasons your Tesla is charging slowly include:

• Battery too cold
• Supercharger at 80%
• Charge cable too long
• An update has occurred
• Your Tesla has some age

In this article, we’ll look at why your Tesla is charging slowly and how to fix the problem.

Tesla Battery Too Cold

If your Tesla is not sufficiently heated or preheated, then charging your vehicle will take longer.

The onboard computers in your Tesla communicate with the charging system, and although charging will begin, the charge rate will be slower if the ambient temperature is low. This protects the high-voltage battery from getting too hot too quickly and damaging the Lithium Ion cells.

This problem is more prevalent if you live in a colder climate, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up your EV dream! Norway has the highest proportion of EVs to ICE (Internal combustion Engines) at 65%. Tesla thinks of everything. Before you charge in cold conditions, you can set up a Schedule Departure.

• Open the Tesla App
• Select Schedule Departure
• Enter the time that you think you are going to depart
• Select Climate
• Turn On
• Defrost On

This will warm the car before charging and still have your car charged when you are ready to leave. This is the car and computer’s way of preheating the Lithium Ion cells in your battery to the correct temperature so that normal charging can occur.

Supercharger at 80%

Supercharging differs from charging at home because it uses DC (Direct Charge). This is a much faster way of charging your Tesla; however, the heat being transferred to the high-voltage battery is greatly increased.

When you connect to the Supercharger, the charging level will quickly increase to 80%, and then the speed drastically reduces as it grows from 80%-100%.

The reality is that unless you’re going on a long journey and need 100%, then 80% is sufficient for a charge. Although Supercharging is the Tesla network and it is there to be used, it is recommended by Tesla only to Supercharge when necessary and to only charge 80%.

Supercharger Faulty

The Tesla Superchargers are constantly monitored and serviced, but let’s face it; there is over 3000 plus of them! And occasionally, you’ll plug in, and there’s a fault. The fault may not be with your Tesla but with the Supercharger, and it may not be instantly apparent. Your car might be charging but at a much lower rate than normal.

The solution is to move to another charger (if available) and restart your charger. It’s unlikely that another charger at the same location is also faulty, but it does happen.

My best advice is to move to where a car has just finished charging as you know it is working properly.

Shared Supercharger

If you are at a Supercharger that someone else is already charging at, on the other side, the charger may be reduced in speed when you begin to share.

There’s only so much power available at a charging station, and sometimes, this can be reduced by the grid being limited at certain times of the day or week if a station is more popular than normal; Tesla combats this by limiting the charge for everyone to 80% so everyone can get in and out as quickly as possible.

In this case, it’s no fault of the Tesla driver, but merely everyone has decided to charge simultaneously. You could try an alternative location if 100% necessary.

Charge Cable Too Long

The charge cable supplied with your Tesla or Tesla Level 2 setup is the optimum length.

But not everyone’s charging situation is standard. You may not be able to park directly beside your charging station (Level 1b or Level 2), and the only option is to order a longer cable.

Needs must sometimes! But the charging of your car may take longer than the suggested time with a longer cable.

This is because the longer the cord, the higher the electrical resistance. If we get a bit scientific for a minute: Resistivity = Length / cross-sectional area, meaning it will take longer to charge your car.

However, EV cables are made of high gauge, and this will hopefully negate the resistance. The higher the cable quality and the thicker the cable will reduce the resistance of the electricity.

An Update Has Occurred

Tesla constantly sends OTA (Over the Air) updates to your car to increase driveability and overall performance.

Sometimes the OTA updates can cause glitchiness, which can materialize as a slowing down in charging.

But this is nothing to be overly concerned about, as it means your Tesla needs to get back in sync.

The easiest way to do this is by completing a Soft Reboot or Reset.

This is done as follows:

Soft Reset

• Shift into Park
• Remove any devices
• Hold both scroll wheels on the steering wheel for 10-15 seconds
• The touchscreen turns black
• Tesla Logo reappears
• Everything will once again be available

Suppose the problem persists, and you feel the latest update is the reason for your slower charging. In that case, it is worth trying to install the update again, as occasionally updates don’t fully download properly or completely and can cause other problems.

I wrote an article all about Tesla downloads which you may find useful – Tesla won’t download update

Your Tesla has Some Age

Like any machinery, or for that matter, computers, items, and components wear out over time. Your Tesla’s battery is no different and will not perform as it once did as it gets some age behind it.

Tesla batteries can last 300,000 to 500,000 miles or 1500 battery cycles.

Although the battery will last up to 25 years, the warranty is much less than this. Each Tesla has an 8-year / 150000-mile warranty and a 70% minimum battery retention.

But your battery’s life depends on how you look after it. In general, it’s expected to lose 2-3% retention per year, and as the miles and years clock up, this can increase to 20-25% on a Tesla with 300k miles.

You should keep your SOC (State of Charge) between 20-80%. Continually allowing your Tesla to drop below 20% can degrade the battery quicker, and the same can be said for charging to 100%.

Battery management is important to ensure your Tesla will normally charge even as it ages. If you own an older Tesla or a Tesla with high miles, you can easily check your battery health by doing the following.

To calculate the health of your battery, you’ll need to complete a long journey and gather the following information:

1. Watt Hours per Mile
2. Projected Range
3. % of current battery
4. kW Size of your Battery from new

To get the information you:

• Go to your Touch Screen
• Select Energy
• Wh/M is the start of the graph
• The projected Range is the endpoint
• Battery % is Top Left Screen

The calculation is as follows:

An example with actual figures inserted looks like the following:

Wh Miles: 280

Projected Range: 50 miles

Battery Range Remaining: 25%

Original Battery: 75kW

Inserting these figures into the formula then calculates as follows:

Upgrading some of the Li-Ion cells is possible but costly if you’re out of warranty. Tesla will check your battery and only switch out dead cells, but this can cost upwards of $3000-5000. But this does not include labor which can then push the cost to $10000!

It certainly helps to protect your battery health over time. No one wants a slow charge, but more importantly, no one wants an enormous auto bill.

I’ve written a ton on common Tesla issues, which hopefully you won’t ever experience, but if you do, we have you covered with these posts:

• Is Supercharging bad for a battery?
• Tesla won’t charge 100%
• Tesla won’t charge in the cold

Check out the Tesla charging page for common Tesla charging problems.

Check out the Tesla troubleshooting page for problem Teslas.

Check out the Tesla category page for a list of popular Tesla posts.

If you are curious about other EV models, check out the EV FAQ category.

The post Why is My Tesla Charging Slowly? This is Why! appeared first on EVjuicedup.

Tesla suspension control arms are a common cause of squeaking; other causes include:

• Dashboard Squeak
• Seatbelt Housing
• Headrests
• Brakes
• Normal Operating Sounds

In this article, we’ll look at the reason behind each squeak and the possible fix.

Tesla Suspension Control Arm Squeak

All mechanical items begin to squeak and rattle with age, wear, and tear, or poor design. The Tesla is no exception, and in fact, owners would say that it is part of the Tesla charm that parts and components don’t quite fit together and sometimes squeak and rattle.

The main squeak complaint on the Tesla comes from the Control Arm of the Front Suspension.

The wishbone and bushings begin to make a distinctive squeaking noise over time, especially when driving over speed bumps or rough terrain.

The problem is caused by one of the following problems:

1. Wear on rubber boots (Grease)
2. Windscreen water drain hole location

Wear on the Rubber Boots

The control arm is located behind the front wheels, at the top of the suspension area, and is identifiable as it is the shape of a wishbone and is often referred to as such. It connects to the car by two small bushings/connections. The grease surrounding these bushings becomes dry over time, and the joints begin to squeak.

The singular end of the control arm is connected to a ball joint surrounded by a rubber boot filled with grease. This joint can also become dry and cause a squeaking noise.

Both of these joints become dry over time through general wear and tear, but it can be caused by the windscreen drain, which we’ll discuss below.

So how to fix this problem?

The go-to fix is to contact Tesla for a suspension refit. Out-of-warranty costs for this job can be upwards of $1000. But even within warranty, if Tesla finds undue wear on your control arm, they won’t complete the job for free just because it is squeaking but will charge for labor.

Tesla has recently stopped covering squeaks and noises under warranty. Unless you’re prepared to pay to find the cause of the squeak, we will have to suck it up and see it as part of the Tesla charm.

The other alternative is to complete the suspension and refit yourself. Only attempt this job if you are a qualified mechanic and have the very specific tools required for the job and also the tools to jack your Tesla.

Jacking a Tesla can be challenging as your Tesla doesn’t come with a jack! I have explained in detail what you need to jack your Tesla in another article which you can find here.

Windscreen Water Drain Hole

You may be wondering why we spoke about the windscreen drain hole and how it could be connected to your suspension control arm squeaking. The windscreen drain hole is located beside the control arm. Just to the right of the control arm is a hole. Its purpose is to drain excess water from the windscreen and away from the car.

However, the engineers at Tesla didn’t factor in that all this excess water would ultimately cause corrosion of the control arm and suspension unit. Tesla has no plans to alter the drain hole or redirect the excess water elsewhere.

However, the engineering company (Meyle) that supplies the suspension components have redesigned the unit and hopes to install them in Models 3 and Y in early 2023.

The control arm is made of strengthened aluminum for greater safety and lower weight. The ball joint has also been redesigned so it no longer has a cavity at the top where water or moisture can collect.

Their bushings are also stronger to cope with the extra torque and weight of the Tesla.

Tesla Dashboard Squeak

The next squeak we’ll look at is the squeak in the dashboard. Although the squeak could be several things, the most common one is at the steering wheel and dashboard junction.

If you lower your steering wheel as much as possible, you’ll notice a joiner flap connecting the dashboard and steering wheel. It is there is conceal the steering column. However, the material (vegan leather) is held in place with two clips, which rub off the dash making a squeak.

The solution is to purchase some sticky back felt and place it on either end. This will dampen the noise, if not eliminate it.

The second dashboard squeak can be found where the infotainment screen meets the dash.

As you are driving, the movement in the car can cause the screen to agitate against the dash and cause an irritating squeak. This fix is similar to the above but without the sticky back. If you can find a small piece of card similar in color to your dash and place it between the two surfaces, the squeak will cease.

Seat Belt Housing Squeak

Before discussing seatbelt housing, I will say that I don’t advise you to fiddle around with this very important safety element.

However, if it is squeaking, it will drive you crazy as it’s right beside your ear!

The location of the seat belt housing on the B pillar is one of the reasons it rattles and squeaks. The side of the car is composed of 3 elements.

1. The outer shell
2. The chassis
3. The inner shell

The inner shell is where the seat belt mechanism is housed. It has an aesthetic plastic housing around it within the car’s cabin.

The rattle or squeak is generally because the housing rubs off the internal belt holder.

You can carefully remove the housing, not damaging any clips. Pretty much everything in your Tesla is held with plastic clips. Don’t tug too hard but gently prise each corner away.

You’ll see a shape like a cartoon spaceship when you remove it. It is this rubbing against the casing that’s generating the noise.

Again my advice is to place some sticky felt on either side of the ‘space ship’ – not interfering with the belt in any way – and reinstall the outer housing, ensuring each clip clicks back into place securely.

Tesla Headrests Squeaking

An internal squeak a little harder to locate is from the rear headrest when in the extended position. The noise is caused by the bars on the headrest rubbing against the receiving bushings on the top of the seat.

There is a knack for stopping the squeaking noise

• Completely remove the offending headrest
  • It may be more than one headrest – but usually the center one
• Gently force the two bars together

We’re not looking for any huge movement, just a slight difference.

When you place the bars back in the receivers, they fit more snugly, and Voila, the squeak is gone. This is down to the quality control at the factory not being as good as it should be because of time pressures to move the product onto the next stage and off the factory floor to the consumer.

Tesla Brakes

The brakes on your Tesla are very important. They stop your car and also regenerate your battery. But most people don’t know how to check their brakes or even what to look for when investigating their brakes.

But if your brakes are wearing, you’ll hear a squeaking or even a squealing depending on how worn they are.

Let’s get a bit techy for a moment. Brakes are made of soft metal and a resin compound. They are located at each wheel and contained within a caliper, which is attached to a rotor which in turn is fixed to the wheel.

When you press the pedal, the pads are activated, and it slows/stops your car.

Pads wear out at different rates depending on the driver and the quality of your pads. But the car’s weight is also a factor, and the extra weight of your Tesla will increase wear and shorten its life.

When they start to wear, you will begin to hear a squealing noise. It is time to change your pads. The initial noise is a manufacturer’s metal tang on the brake pad.

It’s a way of indicating that your pads need to be changed before any damage occurs.

You can do a visual inspection to keep an eye on your brake pads. Tesla rims allow you to see the whole brake mechanism without jacking your car or removing the wheel.

A new brake pad is approximately 1/2″ thick. Anything less than 1/10″ needs to be replaced.

This is a job for the shop. Contact Tesla through the Tesla App, stating the problem, and book an appointment. Give as much detail as possible, including mileage and the location of the wheel showing the most wear.

If your pads seem good, the problem could be a trapped pebble behind the rotor. This could be causing an unusual noise. This noise differs from worn pads as it’s always there, not just when you apply the brake.

This is also a job for Tesla Service Center. Again easily booked through the app, but in detail, you can point out that the pads are good and you think there is a pebble trapped.

Normal Operating Tesla Sounds

The main difference between an EV and an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) – apart from the lack of an engine – is the lack of operating noise. There is no engine noise in an EV, which, in turn, tunes our ears to pick up all the other noises that ordinarily we wouldn’t hear driving an ICE.

Some of the squeaks and sounds are purely normal operational sounds. Different noises occur depending on what your Tesla is doing. Charging, driving, or parking. We’ll briefly look at each to know what to listen for.

Charging Noises

Your Tesla high voltage battery, located in the underside of your car, comprises 4500 lithium-ion cells. When charging occurs, these cells are activated and expand or contract to match the ambient temperature, generating noise similar to a clunk or a bang. This is a normal function and sound and nothing to be concerned about.

Driving Noises

Noises such as whining or humming while driving is caused by elements in your Tesla activating the surroundings.

At lower speeds, the Pedestrian Warning System (if installed) makes a noise to alert people that a vehicle is near, either in drive or reverse. The most astounding thing people notice when they move to EVs is the lack of driving noise.

In car parks and quiet roads, pedestrians can be quite surprised to find a car directly behind them. Because of this, Tesla introduced an alert to overcome this.

If you come to a stop (traffic lights or a junction), you may hear a sound coming from the footwell. Again this is completely normal. The ‘Hold’ action is applied to the brake until you need to move off. This can be a little disconcerting if you’re not used to it.

Parking Noises

Parking noises can be a bit like charging noises. The amount of technology and computers on board means that much cooling and climate control are required. The noise comes from the AC compressor, which works hard to keep everything at the correct temperature. Again completely normal.

Your wheels also might make some peculiar noises when you take them out of the park. This is the rotors releasing and is completely normal. It is more noticeable if your Tesla has been parked up for a while or if the weather has been bad.

Here are a few common questions folks ask about Teslas:

• Can I use any tires on a Tesla?
• Are Tesla tires all season?

I’ve written a ton on common Tesla issues, which hopefully you won’t ever experience, but if you do, we have you covered with these posts:

• Tesla frunk won’t close
• Tesla S won’t forget Bluetooth
• What to do if Tesla screen goes black

Check out the Tesla troubleshooting page for problem Teslas.

Check out the Tesla charging page for common Tesla charging problems.

Check out the Tesla category page for a list of popular Tesla posts.

If you are curious about other EV models, check out the EV FAQ category.

The post Why Is My Tesla Squeaking? This is why! appeared first on EVjuicedup.

The top 4 reasons your Tesla trunk won’t open all the way include the following:

• Recent Software Update
• Recalibration required
• Aftersales liftgate attached
• Ill-fitting Trunk

In this article, we’ll examine why your Tesla trunk won’t open all the way and how to fix it.

Recent Software Update

The most common reason your trunk won’t open is that there has been a recent software update; you can check if your update has been successful; in fact, I wrote a post about problem updates which you may find helpful – Tesla won’t download update.

All Tesla updates happen OTA (Over The Air). Most updates don’t make any difference to the day-to-day driving of your Tesla. But occasionally and unintentionally, software changes can cause glitches in other entirely unconnected items.

Tesla usually quickly catches conflicting software, and the problem is generally sorted with another update. However, this can take some time to filter through to all owners, as updates are processed in order of VIN. So, depending on where you are on the list dictates how quickly the glitch will be corrected.

The update 2022.16 caused the trunk to stop opening all the way, even though the update had nothing to do with the trunk.

You can check for recent software updates onscreen.

• Select Controls
• Select Software

Your Tesla will check for updates. It will then notify you of either ‘Up to Date’ or ‘Update Available’.

You can select ‘Advanced’ in the Software Update Preferences, which will update your Tesla as soon as an update becomes available.

If there has been a recent update and you find your trunk is only partially opening, you can either wait for the Software fix or recalibrate your trunk.

Recalibrating Your Tesla Trunk

Recalibrating your Tesla trunk is a simple task. However, only the Model S, Y, and X have the power-lift trunk. It is currently being rolled out in the Model 3 in China (2022), which is usually an indication that it will be rolled out to all markets eventually, but for now, if you want a power lift in the Model 3, you will have to have it retrofitted.

To open the power lift trunk:

• Car must be in Park
• Select either:
  • Open Onscreen
  • Double Click the Fob
  • Open Rear on Tesla App
  • Press the Button under the trunk handle (key required on person)

To Recalibrate:

• Manually raise it further
• Select the required height
• Press and hold the trunk button for 3+ seconds
  • Located on the underside of the trunk – Icon of Open Trunk
• The car will beep to confirm the height
• Close the trunk and reopen

Each Model has its own opening width. See the table below.

It’s also handy to be able to adjust the height of the trunk even if you’re not having problems. Your garage might have a height restriction, or you might have your own height restriction. Not everyone is 6ft tall! The reason Musk is introducing the power lift to all Models is that wheelchair users are unable to reach the trunk in the open position.

Aftersales Liftgate Installed

As we said, all Models (except the 3 – but in the pipeline) have an electric liftgate. But it is possible to add an aftermarket liftgate to the Model 3. You can organize to install this at a Tesla Service Center (approx $700) or in a specialized auto workshop. There are many available to buy online.

The aftermarket upgrade changes the struts to electric and adds an open/close button on the trunk and the footwell.

But adding aftermarket items can cause problems with the opening and closing of the trunk. The struts must have enough power to open the trunk fully, or you will have to open it to your required height manually.

Also, the software (firmware) in non-Tesla items can be glitchy, and the trunk will open but not close or vice versa. Or the pneumatic is too powerful and has difficulty closing.

Aftermarket items not approved by Tesla can cause problems. If you have an older Model 3, I recommend you go to Tesla to install the retrofit. Anything on your Tesla that Tesla didn’t put there can sometimes void your warranty.

Ill-Fitting Trunk

The last item I’ll mention is an ill-fitting trunk. It’s kind of an accepted quirk that parts of your Tesla don’t quite make the grade. Most of the time, owners don’t mind. They’re so happy to own a Tesla; a few mismatched lines or curves won’t matter.

But the misalignment can worsen on parts that are opening and closing regularly, and the problem worsens. This can be the case with your trunk lid not opening all the way or not closing fully.

It may have been barely noticeable when you took delivery of your Tesla, but as time goes on, parts start to wear, and misalignment becomes more noticeable.

Each strut might not open equally; no matter how you try to calibrate, you can’t get them to align.

This is a Tesla Service Center call. To set this up:

• Open the App
• Select Service
• In ‘Details,’ give as much information as possible about the problem, including any photos of notifications you might have received.
• Confirm your Tesla location and the date and time that suits you best.
• A mobile service will be offered if available.
• Alternatively, you may be requested to bring your car to a local Service Center.

Giving as much detail about the problem as possible will allow the service team to evaluate the situation. The biggest worry is opening your trunk and finding you can’t close it again. This begs the question if you can safely drive with the trunk open; I wrote a post about exactly that, which you may find helpful – Can I drive a Tesla with my trunk open?

I’ve written a ton on common Tesla issues, which hopefully you won’t ever experience, but if you do, we have you covered with these posts:

• Tesla Frunk Won’t Close
• Tesla Model S Window Calibration

Check out the Tesla troubleshooting page for problem Teslas.

Check out the Tesla charging page for common Tesla charging problems.

Check out the Tesla category page for a list of popular Tesla posts.

If you are curious about other EV models, check out the EV FAQ category.

The post Tesla Trunk Won’t Open All The Way – Simple Fix! appeared first on EVjuicedup.

The top reasons your Tesla won’t start with the phone include the following:

• Bluetooth is disconnected
• Key set up incorrect
• Logged out of Tesla App
• App is not running in the background
• Phone needs an update
• Tesla needs a reset

This article will examine why your Tesla won’t start with your phone and how to fix the problem.

Bluetooth is Disconnected

To start your Tesla with your phone, you simply have to have your phone with you, sit in the vehicle, press the brake, and select Drive or Reverse. However, the phone key doesn’t always work.

The most common reason your Tesla fails to start using your phone is that the Bluetooth has disconnected.

To check the connection:

• Sit into your Tesla
• Ensure both the Touchscreen and your phone are powered on
• Enable Bluetooth on your phone (if not enabled)
• Select the Bluetooth icon on Controls
• On-screen
  • Add new device
  • Search
• Select your phone from the list
• Enter the pairing number
• Select Confirm

Your phone must be a ‘Priority Device’; otherwise, your Tesla will revert to the last connected device. This is often the case when more than one person drives the Tesla.

There is a pretty common issue with Tesla and Bluetooth I wrote a post about recently, which you may find helpful – Tesla won’t forget Bluetooth

Phone Key Setup is Incorrect

For your phone to work properly as a key to both drive and lock/unlock, it must be set up correctly in your car settings.

To set up a phone key:

• On the touchscreen Select Vehicles
• Select Locks
  • Add a lock
  • Screen will show the smartphone icon on the left and the key fob/ key card on the right.
• Bluetooth must be connected
• On your phone Open the Tesla App
• Select Phone Key
  • Set up Phone as Key
  • Select Start (phone will search for Tesla)
• Place your Key Card on the center console or at the cupholder
• Phone will then pair as a key
• Allow Location Services on phone

You must then go to Locks on the touchscreen to adjust the preferences.

On the touchscreen:

• Select Locks
• Activate Walk-Away Door Lock

When your phone is connected, it will show up as a key in the app and be listed as a key in the lock area of the touchscreen.

If your Bluetooth is not connected, then there can be problems with the phone as a key. On the touchscreen, ‘Allow Mobile Access’ must be enabled.

• Select Controls
• Safety
• Allow Mobile Access

Several steps must be completed on your phone and the touchscreen. If any steps are missed or not fully completed, the phone won’t fully connect.

Many mobile phones will automatically disconnect Bluetooth when the battery drops below a certain level.

Logged Out of Tesla App

Your Tesla App allows you to do most things, but you must be logged into the app to drive using your phone.

Your phone can log you out of the app if updates are required or an OS (Operating System) update is required.

Usually, signing back into your account will do the trick, but if the issue is recurring, it’s a good idea to delete and reinstall the app.

• Press and hold the app
• Confirm you wish to delete
• Go to Google Play Store or App store
• Redownload Tesla App
• Install
• Log in as normal

Although you have the app installed, it’s also essential that it continues to run in the background. We’ll look at this now.

App is Not Running in the Background

Some apps require that they run consistently in the background. Tesla app is one such app. This is easily set up on your phone.

iPhone Setup

• Go to Settings
• General
• Background App Refresh
  • Toggle On

You can specify just the Tesla App to run if you don’t want all apps to be running in the background.

Android Setup

• Select Settings
• Connections
• Data Usage
  • Mobile Data Usage
  • Select Tesla App
  • Turn On – Allow Background Data Usage

Having your app run consistently means it is always up to date and less likely to log out.

Phone Needs an Update

Often when you’re having difficulties with your Tesla, your phone is the problem. Updates are essential, but they don’t prevent your phone from working. But it can cause some of the apps to be glitchy. Like updates with your Tesla, it’s essential to keep your phone as up-to-date as possible.

To check for an update:

iPhone

• Go to settings
• General
• Auto updates On/Off
• Download and install any available updates

Android

• Go to Settings
• Select System
• Update

Within the Google Play Store, you can update apps automatically.

• Open the Google Play Store
• Select Profile icon
• Settings
  • Network Preferences
  • Auto update

This will ensure that no matter what settings you have on your phone, the app will always be up to date.

Tesla Needs an Update

If you have tried all of the above and are still having trouble with your ‘Phone as a Key,’ I suggest you do a Hard Reset of your Tesla.

Hard Reset

• Put your Tesla in Park
• Remove any auxiliary items plugged in, i.e., phones and USB drives.
• Press and hold the Brake
• Hold both scroll wheels on your steering wheel for 10-15 seconds
• The touchscreen will go black
• Tesla Logo will appear
• When everything is back fully, your car should be working without issue.

The Hard Reset will reload your Touchscreen and all electronics momentarily. It doesn’t delete any information, but like all computers, your Tesla needs a restart now and again.

I’m confident that re-pairing your ‘Phone as a Key’ and re-logging into your account will allow you to start and drive your Tesla.

I’ve written a ton on common Tesla issues, which hopefully you won’t ever experience, but if you do, we have you covered with these posts:

• What to Do if Tesla Screen is Black
• Tesla Model S Won’t Forget Bluetooth

Check out the Tesla troubleshooting page for problem Teslas.

Check out the Tesla charging page for common Tesla charging problems.

Check out the Tesla category page for a list of popular Tesla posts.

If you are curious about other EV models, check out the EV FAQ category.

The post Tesla Won’t Start With Phone – Quick Fix! appeared first on EVjuicedup.