How Do I Prepare My Tesla for a Road Trip?

By Alice Nichols

Are you planning a road trip in your Tesla? Preparing your electric vehicle for a long journey requires some extra considerations compared to a gas-powered car. But don’t worry, with these tips and tricks, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free road trip.

Charge Your Tesla

The first and most crucial step is to ensure that your Tesla is fully charged before hitting the road. Use the Supercharger Network or Destination Chargers to top up your battery. Make sure to have enough charge to reach the next charging station on your route.

Pro tip: Use the Trip Planner on your car’s touchscreen display or the Tesla app to plan the optimal route, including charging stops.

Check Your Tires

Tire pressure affects not only fuel efficiency but also safety. Check your tires’ pressure before starting your trip. You can do this through the vehicle’s touchscreen or using a tire pressure gauge.

Pro tip: Inflate your tires to their recommended pressure levels for maximum efficiency and safety.

Pack Smart

When packing for a road trip, try to stay within your Tesla’s cargo capacity limit. Avoid overloading your car as it can affect its performance and handling. Also, minimize the weight of items you carry in the car, as it can reduce range.

Pro tip: Use soft bags instead of hard-shell suitcases as they are more flexible and take up less space.

Get Comfortable

Long hours on the road require comfortable seating arrangements and temperature control. Adjust seats, mirrors, and steering wheel settings for maximum comfort. Set cabin temperature before starting your journey using climate control features like pre-conditioning.

Pro tip: Bring along pillows, blankets and wear comfortable clothing for an enjoyable ride.

Maintain Range

Maintaining consistent speed helps conserve energy and extend range while driving. Avoid hard acceleration and aggressive driving as it can drain your battery faster. Also, avoid using power-hungry features like air conditioning or seat heaters unless necessary.

Pro tip: Use cruise control to maintain a steady speed and conserve energy.

Stay Entertained

Long hours on the road can be boring, especially for children. Tesla’s infotainment system offers various entertainment options, including streaming music, movies, games, and podcasts.

Pro tip: Download movies and shows on Netflix or Hulu before your trip to avoid buffering issues in areas with poor connectivity.

With these tips in mind, you can enjoy a comfortable and stress-free road trip in your Tesla. Remember to plan ahead, charge your vehicle before you hit the road, pack smartly within cargo capacity limits, maintain range through steady driving and have fun!