How Long Can a Tesla Sit Without Charging?
A Tesla is an electric vehicle, which means it has amazing battery technology and advanced features. Owning a Tesla brings you many benefits. Just the cost it saves you makes this vehicle worth it. However, even with its advantages, there are still some concerns, such as how long the vehicle can remain parked without charging.
The battery health of a Tesla is very important. That is why you need to know how long your Tesla can sit without charging. Whether you’re going on a vacation, not using your Tesla for a while, or simply curious about how to manage its battery, knowing how long the Tesla can stay without charging is a good first step to take.
Unlike gas-powered cars that can sit idle for months without any major changes happening, Teslas slowly lose battery life when you don’t use them. This process is known as phantom drain. The reason why the battery level of a Tesla gradually goes down is because of the car's background functions, security features, and some environmental factors.
In this article, we will explain how long a Tesla can sit without charging. We will also take you through the factors that contribute to battery drain and the best ways to minimize energy loss when you want to store the vehicle for a while.
Tesla Battery Drain When Parked (“Phantom Drain”)
What Is Phantom Drain?
Imagine leaving your smartphone idle for a few days, and after you pick it up, you notice the battery level has dropped even though you never used it. This is called a Phantom Drain. However, it doesn’t just happen to phones, it also affects Teslas, but on a much larger scale. Tesla's battery system is designed to retain energy efficiently. However, it still uses some energy to maintain critical functions like software updates and security features.
How Much Charge Does a Tesla Lose Per Day?
Teslas usually lose about 1-2% of their battery level for every day it is parked. However, this can vary depending on the model, and other things like software version and activated features. Here is a general estimate of how different Tesla models lose battery level:
● Tesla Model 3 & Model Y – These Teslas lose approximately 1% of their battery level per day
● Tesla Model S & Model X – These models lose about 1.5 - 2% of their battery level per day, which is slightly more than the Model Y & 3.
Older Tesla models might experience more drain due to less efficient software optimizations. If you leave an old Tesla parked for a week, you could lose between 7-14% of your battery level without even touching the car.
Understanding Tesla’s Low-Power Protection Mode
If your car battery drops below 5-10%, it will automatically enter low-power protection mode to conserve energy. In this state, the car will shut down all non-essential systems. That means features like Sentry Mode and Smart Summon will also automatically turn off.
Please note that if the battery of a Tesla reaches 0%, you might need to jumpstart the battery for it to become functional again. Letting a Tesla's battery drain completely is not recommended. Over time, it can degrade the battery and cause potential damage
Factors That Increase Battery Drain
While Teslas are designed to be energy-efficient, several factors can accelerate their battery drain. They include:
1. Sentry Mode
Sentry Mode is one of Tesla’s most useful security features. It allows the car to constantly monitor its surroundings using cameras and sensors. This feature lets you record any potential threats and suspicious activity. However, it comes with a significant drawback, which is high battery consumption.
Sentry Mode consumes 1-2% of a Tesla’s battery per day. This means a Tesla left with 80% charge could lose up to 16% of its battery level in just a week on Sentry Mode. This is because constantly running cameras and software systems consumes more energy.
2. Summon Standby Mode
Tesla’s Smart Summon is a feature that allows you to remotely drive a car. This is a great feature for getting your car in and out of tight parking spots. However, for this feature to work, the vehicle must remain in Summon Standby Mode.
This mode keeps the car’s essential systems awake, which will lead to the battery draining faster. This feature is similar to Sentry Mode, and it keeps background processes running, which prevents the car from entering a state of deep sleep.
3. Extreme Temperatures
Tesla’s Battery Management System (BMS) has a feature that protects the battery from extreme temperatures. However, this automatic regulation of the battery’s temperature can drain it faster than expected.
In hot climates, the battery cooling system helps to prevent overheating. In cold weather, the system warms the battery to maintain optimal performance. The battery will constantly lose power because of this. Therefore, parking outdoors in extreme temperatures can increase phantom drain a lot.
4. Frequent Tesla App Usage
The Tesla mobile app is incredibly convenient to use. It allows users to remotely check their battery status, unlock doors, adjust climate settings, and track their car's location. However, every time the app connects to the car, it wakes up the vehicle. This will lead to unnecessary energy loss.
Although the app offers you easy control, the car activates several systems and exits sleep mode whenever you use it. That means checking your Tesla parts multiple times a day increases battery drain.
5. Background System Activity
Even when you turn it off, a Tesla will wake up from time to time to perform software updates, diagnostic checks, and system optimizations. While these processes are crucial for the vehicle’s performance, they also contribute to battery drain. How exactly does background activity affect battery drain?
Checking for firmware updates and diagnostics requires energy from the battery. The system also automatically optimizes its battery health, which consumes power in the process. To solve this, enable Energy-Saving Mode (available in older models) to reduce unnecessary activation.
If a software update is available, you can schedule it to happen before storing the car for long to prevent unexpected battery use.
How to Reduce Battery Drain During Storage
If you're leaving your Tesla parked for a while, it is important to take precautions to minimize phantom drain. Here are the best ways to maximize your battery life during long-term storage:
1. Turn Off Power-Draining Features
Teslas have a lot of features which are very convenient, but at the same time, consume energy. Disabling these settings can significantly extend the battery life of the car. Some of the settings you can disable include:
● Sentry Mode: You can turn this off if it isn't necessary for your car's security.
● Summon Standby Mode: Turning this off prevents unnecessary background activity.
● Cabin Overheat Protection: This feature is quite useful in the summer, but also drains the car battery.
By turning off these features, you can reduce phantom drain by up to 50%. This will allow your Tesla to last longer without charging.
2. Maintain an Optimal Battery Charge Level
Tesla recommends keeping the battery level of your car between 50-80% when you plan on storing the vehicle for extended periods. Why does this matter? It helps you to avoid a deep discharge, which can damage battery cells. It also prevents overcharging, which can hasten the rate at which the battery degrades.
Charge your preconditioned Tesla battery to 60% before parking the car for the best effect. If possible, leave the car plugged in while setting charging limits (e.g., max limit at 70%).
3. Store in a Temperature-Controlled Environment
Extreme heat or cold can significantly affect the lifespan and efficiency of a battery. To minimize temperature-related battery drain, keep the car indoors and avoid direct sunlight. In cold climates, ensure that the garage is above freezing temperature to reduce the battery loss from excessive heating.
Tesla’s precondition battery system uses power to regulate temperatures. Hence, parking in a stable environment is the best choice for you.
4. Enable Energy-Saving Mode (If Available)
Some older Tesla models have an Energy Saving Mode. This mode reduces the car's background activity and extends its battery life.
How to Enable It: Go to Controls > Display > Energy Saving Mode, and turn it on.
This mode limits the number of times the car wakes up, and reduces energy drain. Even if your Tesla doesn’t have this option, following the other battery-saving steps will help you achieve similar results.
5. Avoid Frequent Tesla App Wake-Ups
While it is tempting to check your Tesla’s battery level frequently, every time you interact with the app, you wake up the car. Waking up the car will lead to more energy consumption. The best way to go about it is to check the battery level only once a week.
If the battery level drops below 20%, consider plugging the car for a short charging session.
6. Consider Using a Trickle Charger for Extended Storage
You can also try using a trickle charger if you plan to leave your Tesla idle for months. That way the battery level is gradually refilled. Another way is to leave the vehicle plugged in with a charge limit set. The reason for this is simple. It helps you maintain energy levels without overcharging the battery.
For the best results, set the charge limit to around 60-70% to ensure you don’t affect the battery’s health.
Conclusion
A Tesla can sit without charging for several weeks or even months. However, this depends on several things, such as the battery level, environment, and system settings. Battery drain is inevitable in a Tesla. However, by adjusting certain features and avoiding extreme weathers, you can significantly extend how long the battery can last.
If you're planning to leave your Tesla Model Y or X parked for an extended period, make sure you disable unnecessary features. Also, maintain an optimal battery level and store the Tesla in a place with controlled temperature.
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