Slash Tesla Repair Costs With These Top Tips

Recently, there has been a big push to get people to switch to electric vehicles. Some governments offer their citizens incentives like tax breaks to purchase these cars.

Meanwhile, other places are building charging station infrastructures to entice consumers to purchase EVs. Did you recently buy one of these machines, or did you do so before it was cool? Regardless of when you made the initial investment, now could be the perfect time to work toward reducing your Tesla repair costs in the future. 

Below are five tips to help minimize your EV repair and maintenance expenses. These tips cover a wide range of information, from reading resources like Endurance warranty reviews to learning how to perform simple maintenance tasks.

1. Obtain a Car Warranty

New cars, including EVs, come with manufacturer warranties. These warranty policies protect consumers from expensive auto repairs as long as they remain active. However, vehicle owners must cover the fixes' costs once the plans expire. That can be a real issue when repair prices reach thousands of dollars. After all, not everyone has that kind of money in the bank. 

That's why investing in a car warranty makes sense. After the initial cost, you'll only need to cover a deductible when repairs are needed. 

Do careful research before investing to ensure you partner with a legit warranty provider that meets your needs. You can start by looking through resources such as car expert websites and customer reviews of car warranty companies.

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2. Keep an Eye on Tire Pressure

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Modern vehicles are equipped with Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems. They tell drivers when the tires have insufficient amounts of air pressure. However, these tools can malfunction from time to time. 

Thus, keeping a tire pressure gauge in a handy place like the glovebox is a good idea. Then, inspect your wheels occasionally, perhaps once a week or every other week, or when topping off the gas tank.

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Tire pressure is vital to gas mileage. If your tires are improperly inflated, that could negatively impact your car's fuel efficiency. That's not all, though. Low PSI in tires can also cause alignment and balance issues, which can be expensive to fix. 

Plus, keeping your tires properly aired up can extend their life by as much as 30 percent. That means you might be able to prolong that expensive purchase for an extended period. So, take care of your tires and keep various Tesla repair costs at bay.

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3. Avoid Extreme Temperatures When Possible

Often, EV batteries and extreme temperatures don't mix. Repeated or prolonged exposure to heat or cold can cause them to fail early. Battery replacements are some of the most expensive repairs electric car owners face. 

Research shows that the price for this service at a local shop can run a person between $1,000 and $6,000. Thus, most EV owners will want to delay this cost as long as possible. Avoid extreme conditions by parking inside a garage when applicable. 

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You can protect your car with a cover if a garage is unavailable. That will prevent your car from sitting in direct sunlight, which could harm the battery after a while. However, you should also be careful going this route and wear a cover that protects your car against bird droppings and tree sap.

4. Check Fluids as Recommended

Contrary to what some people may believe, EVs are similar to conventional cars because they have fluids. Electric cars typically contain coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluid. These substances ensure that you can safely and comfortably drive your EV.

Therefore, it is in your best interest to check your owner's manual to determine when to look at the fluid levels, top them off, and change them. Taking charge of these preventative maintenance tasks may stop significant breakdowns from occurring. 

So, don't overlook this tip, even though it may seem straightforward. Instead, take the time to check, replenish, and change fluids to, hopefully, stop high-dollar Tesla repairs in their tracks.

5. Set a Timer to Charge to Reduce Tesla Repair Costs

Batteries are some of the most vital components of electric vehicles. The battery is an electric vehicle’s main power source. As such, it’s going to need charging sooner or later. But how much is too much of a charge, or is such a thing? 

Research reveals that EV owners should try to keep their batteries charged between 10 percent and 90 percent. Failing in this general practice can cause the device to lose capacity over the years. 

Then, you will have to spend that whopping $1,000 to $6,000 on a replacement battery. Hence, do yourself a favor and don't run your EV battery completely out of juice. 

Using an app such as Optiwatt can automatically keep your charging level within the appropriate range and save you dollars by charging at low peak utility times. These actions may prolong the battery's life and keep your hard-earned money in your pocket.

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Some Final Thoughts

There are certainly other tactics for lowering EV repair costs. If you have a mechanic buddy, don't hesitate to ask him or her for suggestions. 

And of course, you can always search the web for more ideas. Apply these tips, and you can stop expensive EV repairs from wreaking havoc on your budget.

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