If you are interested in buying a Tesla car you may be wondering how the heater works, among other things. Many people are unsure of how the heater would work since Tesla is known for energy efficiency, and typically car heaters are not always that efficient.
Heaters in Tesla cars work by using a resistance heater to warm up the car. As the Tesla vehicle is heating up, the resistance heater will use 400 volts of energy to increase a decline in currents. This allows for the inside of the car to be cozy while being much more efficient than most cars.
You probably would still like to have an in-depth explanation of how the car heaters work for Tesla. Throughout the rest of this article, the process of heating a Tesla car will be explained along with other questions you may be pondering as well.
How Are Tesla Cars Heated?
Tesla vehicles use a method of heating that many cars do not have the luxury of using. Because Tesla is electric, there is not as much energy being wasted while heat is trying to circulate throughout the car.
There are several steps that go into heating up a Tesla. Keep reading to find out what happens.
- Tesla has a heater that uses energy instead of antifreeze that is normally used.
- They use a resistance heater, which reduces the currents typically happening that warm a car up.
- Since there are 400 extra volts available, Tesla uses them to reduce the amount of energy that regular cars take to produce heat.
Do All Teslas Use a Resistance Heater?
All Teslas do not use a resistance heater. Since the Model Y Tesla has made its first appearance, the concept of a heat pump has been brought to the attention of all Tesla car owners. The pump has been around for much longer, though.
Even though Tesla by themselves are more energy-efficient than most vehicles, whenever the heat is on, the resistance heaters decrease the amount of distance a Tesla can drive. Heat pumps change the game by saving you the extra miles that are lost when a resistance pump is doing its job.
Does it Really Matter Which Heater I Have in My Tesla?
The answer to this question really depends on what matters to you. However, most people would agree that a pump heater is better than having a resistance heater. Here are some of the reasons why people believe this.
- Resistance heaters take away the electricity that can be used to drive the car and heat the interior instead.
- Heat is made by recycling the colder out from the outside of the car.
- Heater pumps are being improved upon
People are more likely to invest in an electric vehicle that has a heat pump, especially those who live in colder climates. Many have been cautious about switching to a more energy-efficient car because of many reasons, one being that they are unsure of how efficient the car actually is. Having a heat pump helps eliminate those suspicions and demonstrates a positive environmental impact.
Some Helpful Tips For The Cold
If you are not able to have a pump heater in your Tesla, that is not necessarily a horrible thing. You may, however, want to know of some tips that will be of great benefit to you when the weather gets chilly.
Let The Charging Finish Right Before You Go
Basically, the battery needs to be heated up before it can charge at the perfect rate. When the battery is warm, that means your car will become warmer quicker.
You can do this by scheduling your charging time through the Tesla app on your phone. Whenever you tell the app to charge your car, it will complete all but a small percentage so that it will be completed right as you are preparing to go.
Be Cautious of Where You Leave Your Car
Your Tesla will keep heat in your car even if it is turned off, as long as you are smart about where you park it. Here is a list of some places that are recommended to leave your Tesla:
- Garages
- Areas shielded from the weather
- A dry, confined space
Ensure Your Battery is Warm Enough
Like previously mentioned, the battery needs to be warmed up before the car can go anywhere. It is crucial that this process happens so all energy is released.
If the battery is too cold, you will probably see a snowflake icon on your screen that is blue. Whenever the battery is hot enough, the snowflake will go away and your available energy will be used.
Be Prepared to Brake Normally
Any person who has been driving a Tesla for a while now is accustomed to the regen braking that is so loved. While it is nice, be sure to remember that it is not always effective in frosty weather.
In fact, regen braking may not be able to work at all until you have been driving for a bit and the car is warmer. Be prepared to switch to the braking you learned when you were practicing for your driver’s license at sixteen.
Be Energy Savvy While Driving
Just like you need to consider conserving energy while at home, the same needs to be done on the road. When you are driving, here are a few things you can do to help preserve your Tesla energy.
- Do not accelerate often
- Keep the inside of your car cooler
- Stay at a consistent speed
These ideas are helpful during any time of the year, but they are especially important during the winter season.
Be Sure To Defrost
Give your car ample time to warm up before anything happens. Just like the car battery needs to be heated, your windshield needs to be clear before you can travel anywhere.
On both our Model X and Nissan LEAF, we’ve noticed it can take the vehicle longer to defrost a windshield when it becomes fogged than your average internal combustion engine vehicle.
So, What is the Heating Process For Tesla Cars?
Tesla cars are normally heated by using a resistance heater, while some use a heating pump. There are many pros to using a heat pump, but all in all a resistance pump will work fine as well.
Your Tesla in the winter needs to be carefully taken care of and looked over. Remember that there are many different tips you can use to keep your car at an optimum level.