How to Charge Your Tesla 3 the Right Way - Battery Cycling, Range Anxiety Management & Summon
I plug in and get back to my max of 230 miles. The next day, I drive 50 miles--now I'm at 180 miles range. Again, I plug in when I get home, so now I'm back up to 230. Then the next day, another 50 miles--I'm down to 130 miles range. Plug in again, and I'm back up to my max of 230. And so on.
This method is called "battery cycling" or "range anxiety management". It's a way to maximize your battery life by not letting it sit for too long with either a full charge or an empty one. You're always keeping it somewhere around 80%, which is the ideal level for longevity.
Summon is a feature that comes standard on all Tesla cars since 2016. It allows you to remotely move your car forward or backward into tight spaces with just the press of a button on your key fob or phone app. As far as wheel locking nuts go, some Teslas come with them but most don't; they are usually only installed if requested by the owner.
In conclusion, charging your Tesla 3 should be done carefully and routinely. Make sure to never leave it plugged in overnight with 100% charge, as this can harm the battery over time. Preconditioning is also recommended while driving and charging at home should be done regularly even if you do not plan to use the car often. Lastly, make sure to take advantage of Summon mode and other features that come with your Tesla 3 model!
Does the car stop charging when it reaches the charge level that I have set?
Yes, the car stops charging when it reaches the charge level that you have set either with the app (visible only while charging) or in the car. Tesla recommends charging to 90% max for 2019 models.
What is the best advice on charging?
My biggest piece of advice on charging is not to pay too much attention to everyone's advice on charging. There's all sorts of information out there: some of it is wrong, some of it is right but only has a small effect, and some of it has to do with the personal preference of the owner--and no, I don't always know which is which. But none of it is critical, except for the one that the car itself will tell you: don't routinely leave the charge limit at 100% (80 or 90% is fine).
Is it a good idea to always keep Preconditioning on?
On the road, the car handles preconditioning. On a cold day while parked, although I have never done it, it is my understanding that pre-warming the car will also warm up the battery, but it's better to be plugged in to a charger because it uses quite a bit of power.
Is it worth paying for a wall charger if I don't have a long commute?
If you don't have a long commute, I don't think paying for a wall charger is worth it. I've had my car for four years charging off a regular outlet, and never once wished I had a wall charger. Instead, use your car's battery like a "bank" for miles: choose the maximum level of charge you're comfortable with. It shouldn't be 100%, but after that, it's mostly superstition; I don't think there's really a lot of difference in long-term battery health whether you charge to 70% or 95%.
Do all Teslas have Summon?
Yes, all Tesla models come with Summon as standard feature. Summon allows you to move your car in and out of tight spaces without anyone inside the car. It can also be used to park your car in a garage or parking spot.