Exploring the Possibilities of an Efficiency Increase for Tesla S 90D in 2016

Tesla S 90D Efficiency Increase in 2016: Exploring the Possibilities

The Tesla S 90D is a popular electric vehicle model that has seen its fair share of improvements over time. In 2016, one owner noticed an unexpected efficiency increase and wondered what could be causing it. Let's explore the possibilities.

Did Tesla Push an Improvement?

If you own a Tesla S 90D, you may have experienced an improvement in efficiency since 2016. The owner we discussed previously reset their trip odometer every 6 months and noted that they were using ~300 w/mi in the winter and ~250-260 w/mi in the summer until this summer when they started to use 220-230 w/mi. This suggests that something had changed - but was it a push from Tesla or something else?

The numbers suggest an improvement in efficiency of about 20%. It would also be worth noting if the range has improved similarly as well. Not only should you look at the displayed range, but also your real-world range. If your range hasn't increased, then there may be something wrong with the gauge in your car or another factor influencing your calculations.

What Could Be Causing the Change?

In some cases, owners have unknowingly rebalanced their BMS (battery management system). This can occur when charging up to 90-95% instead of 100%, which can cause cell balancing during certain trips. Hot weather can also play a role; running the AC most of the time doesn't seem to have any adverse effect on range for some drivers. Another possibility is increasing tire pressure, which can help improve both efficiency and range.

Other Models & Experiences

Though other owners of the Tesla S 90D haven't experienced such drastic increases in efficiency, some have noted notable improvements since they got their cars. One driver noted that a previous summer saw actual miles exceed rated miles used on multiple occasions, while air conditioning didn't seem to have any negative effect on range either. Other models such as the 2017 Model X and 3 haven't seen similar increases, though the Model X driver did note superb summertime efficiency.

Conclusion

It appears that there are several factors that could contribute to an increase in efficiency for the Tesla S 90D in 2016. These include rebalancing the BMS, increasing tire pressure, and running the AC without seeing any adverse effects on range. Though not all owners have seen such drastic improvements, many have noted notable changes since getting their vehicles - suggesting that these factors may indeed play a role in improving performance.