How to Operate a Tesla in Hot Weather: 6 Do's and Don'ts

The summer heat of California can get to excruciatingly unbearable levels, which can be detrimental to a person’s health. Much like people, electric vehicle batteries also respond poorly to extreme temperatures and function at their best when the weather is optimal.

Though Tesla’s lithium-ion battery systems come with a built-in thermal management system, there is no denying that extremely hot temperatures affect the car’s range, i.e., the distance the car can travel on a single charge.

Amongst other factors, temperature is one of the biggest factors that influence the battery’s range. The onset of summers, therefore, requires EV owners to modify their driving habits to sustain the performance of their cars.

Nevertheless, complications due to extreme temperatures are gradually coming to a halt due to Tesla’s incredible thermal management. The instantaneous optimization of battery packs inside Tesla is its standout feature against other EV companies. Thanks to the climate control features of the Thermal Management System, drivers can operate their Tesla in hot weather and feel comfortable with the operation of the vehicle. 

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Tesla’s Thermal Management System

Tesla’s top-notch thermal management system does not have anything to do with lithium-ion battery introduction. Instead, the design of the battery pack, the cylindrical shape, and the battery pack arrangement contribute to Tesla’s superior range and temperature resistance.

The secret behind Tesla’s high-performance batteries is the fluid that is used. This fluid helps Tesla’s batteries maintain optimal temperatures. One of the many reasons why batteries need to sustain optimum temperatures is because it can drastically affect the charging process. 

Charging a Tesla in Hot Weather

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Tesla’s introduction of the Model 3 Supercharger boasted their goal of fast charging. Batteries have electrolytes, and their conductivity varies according to the external temperature.

If a battery starts to cool, its internal resistance begins to increase. This results in electrons facing difficulty as they try to overcome mutual attraction. As the conductivity decreases, electrolytes inside the battery face troubles in charging and discharging.

Therefore, when the battery overheats due to the outside temperature, fast charging, fast driving, or all these factors at once, then the battery needs to cool down if it is to maintain a long lifespan. When you charge or use the batteries in high temperatures for an extended time, the battery life span decreases.

How Does Tesla's Thermal Management System Cool the Batteries?

The cooling mechanism in an EV is similar to combustion engine vehicles. Cooling while the car is functioning is heavily reliant on the radiator. The high speed of the car allows air to enter through the radiator and cool down the battery.

However, this mechanism is no longer applicable when charging your car on a hot summer’s day. There is no high-speed air entering into a stationary car at a charging stall. Therefore, temperature difference is a problem, as batteries must stay under 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) for optimal performance.

If the external atmospheric temperature is close to 35 degrees Celsius, the radiator may work against the battery by pulling in hotter air. If the battery is overheating, a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) may also not be enough to sufficiently cool the battery.

So, how does Tesla manage to solve this problem? Tesla introduced a small modification and divided their AC condenser side into two channels. One goes into the car’s cabin like usual, while the other goes to the heat exchanger unit. The cooling channel chills the fluid that runs in between the battery packs. Then, this fluid flows through the loops between batteries and draws out the heat, allowing the batteries to cool even in hot temperatures.

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Despite this innovation and integration, relying solely on the machine to cool the batteries is not advisable. You also have to do your part to facilitate the thermal management system. Below are a few tips on how to charge your Tesla in hot weather.

Limit Your Charging Capacity

Quickly charging your EV’s battery to its full capacity can cause the battery to increase in temperature. Therefore, on a hot summer’s day, you are recommended to charge your car’s battery to no more than 80%.

However, the distance you need to drive and the nearest charging stations on your route can play an important role in your commute. In dire circumstances, you may even have to charge to capacities below 80% to limit the risks of overheating.

Since level 3 speed charging produces battery heat unfavorable to certain temperatures, you can always charge the battery overnight using a level 1 charger instead, especially when your driving distance and time allow.

Regardless, a level 1 overnight charge is enough to carry out errands and run emergencies. For a Tesla battery to have a high lifespan, the capacity should not reach its full limit or its lower limit. This is why most Tesla’s only allow users to charge at 80%.

Preconditioning Your Car

Tesla models and other EV’s come with a preconditioning feature. This feature allows the car to self-regulate its temperature before you depart. This self-regulation does not only pertain to internal air conditioning, but also the thermal optimization of the battery.

The preconditioning system allows you to pull power directly from the outlet. This optimizes battery conditions without too much drain and effort, all the while maximizing comfort and range.

Preconditioning prevents you from entering a hot parked car and driving with open windows to reduce the temperature. Instead, you can put the car into preconditioning mode, and wait until it is comfortable to start driving.

Park in the Shade if Possible

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Charging your car under direct sunlight will result in a less effective and safe charging method. Charging the battery while it is under direct outside heat can ultimately cause the thermal management system to cool the battery at the same time.

It does this by running the air conditioning unit at the same time, leading to a less effective charge. If the battery overheats, you will not experience the same performance and range from the car. Therefore, it is recommended to charge the car at a cool, shaded location.  

Use Passive Cooling Techniques

Sometimes, even the smallest investments make a huge difference, especially when it comes to maintaining car temperature. For example, tinting your windows can help temperature regulation. Similarly, putting on a car cover in the face of extreme California sunlight is also a great and easy solution.

Turn Off Utilities while Charging

The general rule of thumb when charging your car in extremely hot conditions is to turn it completely off. However, many Tesla drivers use the infotainment systems while charging. While the infotainment system is a great distraction while waiting for the vehicle to charge, it can limit the effectiveness and efficiency of the charging process, making you wait longer for a lower yield. Therefore, it is recommended to turn the vehicle off, including streaming and gaming features during the charging process.  

Drive in Eco Mode

Almost all EV’s have an Eco Mode. To better understand the Eco Mode, think of it as the opposite of Tesla’s “Ludicrous Mode” which allows acceleration at top speed. The Eco Mode restricts power output to keep the battery functioning for much longer. In this setting, you will not be able to maximize the power available in the car. Instead, you would be maximizing your battery’s range and preventing the car from overheating.

Final Words

By utilizing simple tips and tricks, and having fundamental knowledge of thermal management systems and batteries, you can make charging and driving decisions that can help you see a notable difference in the battery’s range and overall performance. You can also download the free Optiwatt app to check your battery health and the best places to charge your vehicle.