All You Need to Know About the Subzero Weather Package

For Tesla drivers seeking relief from the cold weather, a bundle feature is available for particular models, offering wide-ranging comfort and convenience for Tesla drivers in low temperatures. 

The package allows you to enjoy the perks of autonomous driving and suits drivers' particular needs to offer high-quality personalized driving experiences. If you live in a region where the winters are especially cold or even the slightest dip in temperatures affects your ability to fully concentrate while driving, this package might be worth investing in.

The Tesla Subzero Weather Package has various heated features that allow Tesla Drivers to easily follow recommended winter driving tips and maximize driving experiences, including extending battery life and efficiency. So, how does the package work, and why should you consider investing in this feature? 

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The Package Includes Multiple Heated Features

The Tesla Cold Weather Package is one of the most recent examples of Tesla setting the pace for car manufacturers regarding electric motors and its technology.

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Teslas are regarded as some of the best EVs worldwide because of their technological advancements, and the Subzero Weather Package is one example of this type of innovation. 

The feature bundle is a package that includes heated car parts to aid driver comfort levels during every road trip. Though the specifics of the bundle have changed over time, it currently includes a full range of options that include: 

• A heated steering wheel 
• Heated rear seats
• Heated windshield wipers
• Heated washer nozzles
• Heated cameras 
• Heated side mirrors 

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For Which Tesla Models are the Subzero Package Available?

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The package is a factory standard for the Model S and X. For both pre-2017 models, you had to buy the package for each model. The features were not available individually, and pricing for the package fluctuated over the years, depending on which year you ordered your Tesla.

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All packages had to be ordered from the Tesla factory at that time. Now, the package is available as a later upgrade with each of the features included and the package name removed. 

Model Y and 3 owners don’t get the benefit of using all of the features accompanying the Tesla Cold Weather Package. However, thanks to available upgrades, Model Y and 3 drivers have the opportunity to capitalize on some of the package’s features.

The heated features leverage software upgrades to activate them. In late December of last year, thanks to over-the-air software updates, Model 3 drivers can turn on Subzero features like heated rear seats. Meanwhile, Model Y drivers received minor updates in March 2021 to improve winter driving performance.

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How Do the Over-The-Air Software Updates Work?

Over-the-air software updates allow Tesla users to get updates that enhance existing features and add new ones by using Wi-Fi. 

Drivers can check for over-the-air updates by opening the software tab on the touchscreen. If a new update is available, a notification will appear on the touchscreen display, allowing you to install the updates immediately or schedule the updates for a more convenient time. By connecting your car to a strong Wi-Fi outlet, you ensure quick and highly reliable delivery of the updates to your vehicle, allowing you to leverage the available cold weather package features. 

You can adjust your software update preferences at any time by tapping the Controls button before pressing Software and, subsequently, the Software Update Preference button to receive updates as soon as they are available in your region for your Tesla model. 

The over-the-air software updates are only available with software update 2019.16 or later. 

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Software Updates - The Download Phase

The download phase grants access to the cold weather package features. During this phase, new updates are released over the air and prepared for installation. 

During the download phase, you are free to drive your Tesla. However, the download process may be interrupted if your vehicle is disconnected from Wi-Fi. 

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Software Updates - The Install Phase

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The installation phase ensures the fully downloaded software update is installed on the Tesla.

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However, drivers cannot operate the Tesla and must let the update conclude before driving again as a safety precaution. If you have a charger plugged into a port, the car won’t charge until the install phase ends. 

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Are the Cold Weather and Subzero Package the Same Thing?

Since Tesla manufacturers used the ‘Cold Weather’ label on its menu, most people refer to this package as the Tesla Cold Weather Package. However, its official name is the Tesla Subzero Weather Package. While the names are constantly intertwined, it’s the same package. 

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How Do the Key Features of the Subzero Package Work?

To activate each of the heated elements of the package, Tesla drivers must press the Controls menu button on the dashboard, then press the Cold Weather button. After pressing both buttons, you will see each of the options for heating, such as the heated steering wheel, seat warmers and any other items that you can switch on and off, depending on your preference or that day’s temperature while driving your Tesla. 

The heaters work relatively well, and online videos demonstrate how the Subzero Package features work, including using an infrared heat camera to test the functionality of each of the features. 

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Does the Package Affect Your Tesla’s Resale Value? 

‍Features like the Tesla Cold Weather Package will enhance your potential to make a good deal when opting for resale. Statistically, Tesla cars have proven their ability to withstand good value over time, with the Model 3, in particular, garnering the best resale value of any available Tesla model at around 77% of its value. 

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Having the cold weather package makes a big difference between securing a good deal or not, especially if you're living in a cold climate. Not having the package may be a dealbreaker for people living in cities with notoriously harsh winters as they need as many heated features as possible to drive soundly on cold roads.

Outside of cold climates, the package itself won’t have a huge impact on the resale value, with features like the vehicle's condition, mileage and range weighing heavily.

How Does a Tesla Work in Cold Weather?

Like with any vehicle, Teslas will suffer performance-wise during the harsh winter months, with the battery particularly suffering from the less than optimal weather elements. 

Depending on how cold the temperatures get where you live, you can expect to see as much as a 30% decrease in efficiency and range when driving your Tesla vehicle. The range is considerably lowered in cold weather, particularly at the start of a journey. 

Contrary to petrol vehicles, electric vehicles don’t create much waste heat that’s leveraged to heat the car battery and the cabin. The cabin's heating decreases range between 10 and 30% due to the high usage of heating and heater seats. The more efficient the Tesla is, like the M3, the more obvious the necessary heating effect will be.

‍You will require a heater to prevent the car battery from freezing or increase the battery resistance to create enough waste heat within the battery to keep it warm. 

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How Can You Optimize Your Winter Range?

Features from the Tesla Cold Weather Package can be used to improve your range during the winter months. The above-mentioned issue with range immediately becomes noticeable when driving in colder temperatures, while electric vehicles like Tesla prefer to keep their batteries in optimal operating temperature ranges. 

One way to improve your range while driving is by using the heated seats rather than turning on the air conditioner in the vehicle. Also, ensure you don’t overuse the Tesla app and/or acceleration when driving. You can also set up your scheduled departure via the aforementioned software updates and use navigation for automatic preconditioning.

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Is the Cold Weather Package the Right One for You?

If you have or are interested in buying a used, pre-2017 Tesla model and live in a cold climate, then the Subzero package is worth your investment and time. Should you have a Model 3 or Model Y Tesla, you can take advantage of available updates to access some of the cold weather features that come with the package. Having heated seats, windshield wipers, and steering wheel make the driving experience more comfortable. 

Factoring in things like charging and electricity costs or the vehicle’s range in colder temperatures, Tesla’s cold weather package can save you money.

With the Optiwatt app, it is cost-effective and straightforward to charge and maintain your vehicle. Winter can be a very costly time to drive, given the changes you have to make to ensure the vehicle is winter-proof. Depending on your driving preferences and the model of your Tesla, the cold weather package can make future road trips in the heart of December through March more worthwhile. 

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