EXTREME Cold BROKE My Tesla Model Y - Winter Problems!

Teslas are great vehicles, but how great are they in cold weather? Tesla recently has been investigated for issues their vehicles seem to be having in cold weather climates.

Being the owner of a 2021 Tesla Model Y myself, and also had the chance to get my hands on a Tesla Model X and Tesla Model 3. I show you all the issues you might run into when having one of these vehicles while living in a cold-weather climate. As well as some tips and tricks I learned along the way driving, charging, and utilizing a Tesla in cold weather.

😍 If you love this video about all the Tesla cold weather problems, tips, and tricks, let us know what you think in the comments below! #tesla #cars #winter

Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in Canada are currently under an “Issue Assessment Investigation” by Transport Canada for a potential issue with the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) during operation in cold weather climates.

The Tesla Model Y and Model 3 share 75% of the parts with each other. This explains why both vehicles are seeing similar issues.

My Tesla Model Y was having these cold-weather issues. My Compressor & Super manifold were Replaced. Their customer service was top notch and they also fixed the pleather issue I had on my back seats.

One of the worse side effects of the heater not working in my Tesla Model Y is the build-up on the windshield. Ice and dirt freeze on the windshield, impacting visibility.

While my Tesla Model Y was being worked on, Tesla gave me two different models to drive. So I figured it was a good chance to assess how other Tesla cars perform in extreme cold.

First was the Tesla Model 3, which was actually too small for my family. Next, I got a Tesla Model X, which had its own set of issues. Including the falcon doors not opening and closing properly in the cold. On my Model Y, I noticed the frunk also seems to have issues opening and closing in cold weather.

I conducted a test on all 3 vehicles the Tesla Model Y, Model X, and Model 3, to see how the battery and charging behave in different cold weather conditions. Tests were performed both while wall charging at home, as well as at a Tesla Super Charger station.

Couple of things to keep in mind when charging at home in cold weather conditions. If your charger is located outside, the cable may stiffen and some snow may get into the connector on the plug.

The range is definitely significantly reduced during cold weather operations. I'll tell you exactly how much range I'm losing in real-world driving situations.

Tesla models also seem to charge slower in cold weather. Turning on the heater in the vehicle will also significantly affect the charge times. I show exactly how much in the video. Turning off sentry mode, however, helps speed up the charging process.

Tesla models will let you know when you are in cold weather operating by displaying a blue snowflake on your screen. As well as displaying how much range they predict you'll be losing because of the cold temperatures.

One thing of note with the heating system. I personally found that my Tesla Model Y does a great job heating the top of my body, but a terrible job heating the lower half of my body. I personally think this is due to the battery under the vehicle retaining the cold.

Throughout this whole process, I received fantastic customer service from Tesla. Both through the app and directly chatting with a Tesla representative.

[victorseal]

It’s amazing that in Norway with the largest percentage of EV's in the world you never hear of people quibbling about the cold and their electric cars. 😮 😅

[mechmike_trades]

LOL, eating icecream while suffering from no heat in car

[danielsoto_toronto]

Buying a tesla in canada is like buying a canada goose jacket in mexico

[allaround]

I drive my Tesla Model 3 in sub zero temperatures, no issues. Just precondition car and supercharge to warm battery. Don't let negative anti-EV propaganda media scare you from buying one.

[MorselOfBread]

Back when I had my cheap car that opened with a physical key, the key snapped in half when I tried to open the car on a cold morning when temps were below 0F. Good old times!

[yogibear]

The upside...ice-cream didn't melt too quick....🤣🤣

[chadriopel]

I just sold my 2022 model 3 2 weeks ago, after owning it just for one month. I had it in Fort McMurray where the temperature gets to -40° c and I had many problems with the car. These cars are not made for the cold at all.

[yannick]

We have a Model 3 for the last 2 months and so far only good words to say about this car, i preheat it when it's cold, it's fast to heat and didn't have any issues even when it was -25 last week. Really love this car

[garywozniak]

Spraying silicon spray on the window and door seals can help prevent them from freezing shut.

[CanonDIIV]

We lived in Ontario, I owned a Model X performance 2020… It was also freezing in Winter time 一20‘C + windshield… I usually warmed up interior for at less 5-8 mins.
I knew the recharged battery well, during winter time… all ev cars, battery charging time need longer in colder weather due to battery chemistry…
I’just got a new model Y performance, I found the charging time is faster & the battery running much efficiently than my model X.
So far, my model X still have not been service… but it is still running very well..Tesla mobile service door to door are excellent, only apps on appointments.

[madmikesch]

Keep your sealings dry and smooth with silicon spray. These problems with doors, windows, frunk and trunk have all cars parking outside in cold weather.

[marcuspine]

I understand these cars dont hold up well in the cold and noticed you have a garage.
Do you store your vehicle in it at all? It would make most sense to me to keep it in there all the time.
Im a huge fan of the idea of what Tesla/starlink have been doing but don't feel as though the quality is there yet

[danestrada]

Love to see how well it works in -35 to -40 for most of the winter.

[bobobobobobs]

Why buy a pretentious car when you frequently drive your own family in extreme conditions? Get something with history of reliability, is it really worth the risk for the cool points?...

[extremeboatdockingmedia]

Did you do any charge testing after properly preconditioning the battery? it showed you were only taking 6kw of charge at the super charger right when you plugged in cold. If you precondition and heat it up youll get 150-250kw of charging, even if you didnt precondition, as youre charging it will heat up the battery to charge faster. Huge difference.

[theonetruemorty]

Good info, have a Model Y on order and live in Maine. To be fair, the trunk/frunk issue, the stuck windows, are problems we have with any car when ice builds up. The effect on the battery is expected. With a gas powered vehicle, a traditional car battery can lose charge in extreme cold and not start, and so can't warm up. It's a trade off, I guess, for not having to do fluid changes and refills and maintain mechanical parts like exhausts, starters, alternators, spark plugs, catalytic converters, etc. A common issue that I see with the cold weather reviews is that snow and ice gets into the frunk. I wonder if lining the edge with the weather proofing self-adhesive strips you would use on house doors would help that.

[iam]

Same in Finland, one guy has had to replaced the pump over 4 times. Tesla support was getting fed up with this customer and replacement cars were not always available.
I'll stick to PHEVs for the time being.

[dathyr]

Well, I have a 2023 model Y LR and will see how in does in my Northern Illinois cold weather. Most the time it is above 0, but we do have days that get below zero. Nothing like Montreal though. So far my Model Y has been very good.
Thanks for your video and take care.

[rakawas]

Thanks for the video. I’m from Montreal and I’m about 2 weeks away from getting my model 3. Thanks for the tips.

[PAIDFOR]

I'm just amazed that someone today can afford 3 kids and a Tesla! Very impressed!