The TRUE Cost of Tesla Maintenance | You'll Be Surprised

TLDR;

This video provides a comprehensive overview of Tesla maintenance, comparing it to traditional gas-powered cars. It covers essential maintenance tasks, associated costs, warranty details, battery life, and service options, including mobile service. The video also introduces Recurrent, a service for tracking EV battery health.

• Teslas require less maintenance than gas-powered cars due to fewer moving parts and no need for oil changes or belt replacements.
• Key maintenance tasks include cabin filter replacement, tire rotation, brake fluid checks, and AC desiccant bag replacement.
• Tesla's warranty covers the vehicle for four years or 50,000 miles, with extended coverage for the battery and drive unit.
• Recurrent offers battery performance reports to provide insights into EV battery health and range.

Intro [0:00]

Mike Seuss introduces a video about Tesla maintenance, covering service, warranty, and cost of ownership. He aims to educate current and potential Tesla owners by comparing Tesla maintenance to that of gas-powered cars, highlighting the reduced maintenance needs of Teslas due to fewer moving parts and the absence of fluids and belts.

Cabin Filter Maintenance [1:30]

Tesla recommends replacing the cabin air filter to prevent pollen, dust, and other particles from entering the vehicle. For Model 3 and Model Y, the replacement should occur every two years, while for Model S and Model X, it's every three years. Upgrading to a HEPA filter is also an option, which Tesla recommends replacing every three years if the vehicle is already equipped with one.

Tire Maintenance [2:05]

Tesla recommends tire rotation every 6,250 miles. Due to the heavier weight of Teslas, tires typically last two and a half to three years or about 30,000 miles, which is less than on gas-powered cars. Tire rotation can be conveniently performed by Tesla's mobile service at the owner's location.

Brake Maintenance [2:59]

Tesla recommends a brake fluid test for contamination every two years and replacement as needed. Brake pads on a Tesla can last over 300,000 miles due to regenerative braking, which uses the electric motors to slow the car and regenerate energy. In cold climates, cleaning and lubricating the calipers every 12 months or 12,500 miles is also recommended.

Air Conditioning Maintenance [3:55]

The AC desiccant bag, which maintains the efficiency of the air conditioning system, should be replaced every six years for the Model 3, every four years for the Model Y, and every three years for the Model S and Model X. The Tesla app reminds owners when to perform each recommended maintenance task.

Tesla Maintenance Costs [4:28]

The average cost for the five recommended maintenance tasks, including a car inspection, is $1,490 every five years, which is less than $300 per year. This cost is relatively low compared to the maintenance costs of other cars.

Tesla Warranty [4:46]

Every Tesla comes with a basic limited warranty covering the car for four years or 50,000 miles. The Supplemental Restraint System limited warranty for the Model S covers the vehicle for five years or 60,000 miles. The battery and drive unit are covered for eight years or 150,000 miles, with a minimum 70% retention of battery capacity over the warranty period.

Battery [5:26]

Tesla batteries are expected to last between 300,000 and 500,000 miles, outlasting the average gas-powered car. Replacing a battery costs around $13,500 for the battery and $2,300 for labor, totaling approximately $15,800.

Recurrent Battery Reports [6:06]

Recurrent provides free monthly battery performance reports to track battery health, offering EV Owner Insights, Range Scores, and Recurrent Reports. EV Owner Insights compare daily battery data to similar vehicles. Range Scores give a snapshot of the current expected range compared to when the vehicle was new. Recurrent Reports, a paid service, are like Carfax reports for EVs, providing data to show the car has a good battery. These reports address questions about the actual range of an electric car, how it changes in different seasons, and what the range will be in the future.

Tesla Service [7:47]

Tesla service teams can come directly to the owner's home or work to fix issues. Owners can report issues through the Tesla app, and the service team will determine if the problem can be fixed remotely or if a mobile service appointment or service center visit is needed. Mobile service is available across the US and expanding worldwide. A downside is that scheduling appointments can be difficult, and it may take a long time to get the car back due to Tesla technicians being the only ones who can service a Tesla.

Outro [9:09]

Mike Seuss concludes the video by asking viewers for their thoughts on whether the information makes them more likely to buy a Tesla. He encourages viewers to like the video and subscribe to the channel for more Tesla information.