Are Tesla Model 3 Good in Snow? (Read This First)
Teslas are one of the most efficient electric vehicles in the world, with features to satisfy its users.
Regardless, knowing the capabilities of a Tesla is essential to prolong its lifespan.
Cold weather is not friendly for many cars, especially most electric vehicles. Hence the need to know if a Tesla Model 3 is good in snow.
So if you own a Tesla and live in a cold zone, this article is for you.
Tesla Model 3 has an all-wheel drive system that provides good traction and control in snow. Other features that help the Tesla Model 3 in the winter season are ground clearance, tires, and weight distribution. However, battery performance reduces due to heating the car when it’s cold, which reduces the range. But overall, the Model 3 can survive snowy weather.
Read on to the end, as this article will explain in depth on driving a Tesla Model 3 in snow. Also, you’ll get to know how far the Tesla 3 can go in winter.
By the end of the article, you will also know other Tesla models that are good in winter.
Are Tesla Model 3 Vehicles Good in the Snow?
Yes, Tesla Model 3 is good in the snow because it has good traction control. Aside from this, the Model 3 has other features that make it good in the snow.
Firstly, the Tesla Model 3 has an all-wheel drive (AWD) system, which makes it suitable for snowy roads.
Additionally, being an AWD vehicle, the Tesla Model 3 has advanced traction control, which makes it effective in snow.
Reviews from customers further prove that Tesla 3 is good and safe on snowy conditions/roads.
Secondly, Tesla Model 3 has a good weight distribution. The Tesla 3 has its battery under the floor, in a centered position, which helps to center the Tesla’s weight.
A good weight distribution enhances traction control, further improving the ability of the Model 3 to function regardless of snow.
Thirdly, the Model 3 has good ground clearance, essential for survival in the snow. The more clearance a car has, the easier it is to drive in snow.
Tesla Model 3 has a clearance of 5.5 inches. However, other models like Model X and Y have higher clearance than Tesla 3, making all Tesla models excellent winter cars.
However, Model 3’s clearance level is quite good. The amount of clearance needed depends on the snow condition.
Any Tesla Model 3 has enough clearance to handle a minimum amount of snow.
Lastly, driving any car in snow doesn’t fully depend on its model or brand, but the tires and wheels are of main concern.
Proper winter tires enhance the driver’s control, and good threading enhances tire quality.
Interestingly, Tesla Model 3 is known to have quality and good treaded tires and a design to thrive in the snow. Tesla 3 has wheels of 19 or 20 inches.
However, supposing you want to purchase winter tires, they’re many snow tire options for any Tesla.
For Tesla Model 3, check out the Kumho winter-craft WP71 tires. These tires have good treading that enables stability and flexibility on the road.
Changing your Model 3’s tires isn’t necessary because the vehicle’s tires are durable, but it’s still advisable.
So before hitting the snowy road, ensure you have proper snow tires for your Tesla and that the wheels/tires are in good condition.
Whether it’s an RWD or AWD vehicle with a good snow tire, you’re good to go even in the frostiest winter.
But in the absence of snow tires, an AWD tesla model 3 is better in the snow due to its ease and effectiveness of braking and steering.
With the AWD system, your driving control will be intact.
In summary, the major factors that determine a good car in snow or cold conditions are;
- All-wheel drive control
- Ground clearance
- Tires
- Weight distribution
Additional features of the Tesla Model 3 that sustains it in snow include; the heated windscreen wiper blade and its quality tires.
However, besides the above, there are many more reasons why the Tesla 3 stands out in the snow. If you want to survive the cold months with a car, Tesla 3 is reliable.
How Far Can Tesla 3 Go in Winter?
A tesla model 3 can go between 200 and 2500 miles in winter. While in warmer conditions, you can cover an average of 321 miles with a Tesla 3.
The weather conditions and driving behavior can affect the range of a Tesla in winter.
Also, heat production is one of the main factors that reduce the Tesla Model 3’s range in winter.
Temperature is a key determinant of how far a Tesla will go, and cold conditions greatly affect a Tesla’s battery performance.
For instance, the Tesla Model 3 in cold weather can keep its interior warm at around 65° for up to two days, and this activity reduces the battery’s charge per hour by 2%.
The Tesla battery works between 50% and 80% in low temperatures, which reduces its range in winter.
The battery carries out an extra heating function, which consumes more energy.
To drive safely in winter with your Tesla 3, avoid excessive braking or acceleration while driving.
Also, apply little pressure when accelerating by depressing the pedals slowly.
On the other hand, breaking in your Tesla is easy with the regenerative speaking system present.
The regenerative brakes will reduce the speed of the Tesla car when you’re not braking.
Although Tesla Model 3 vehicles are good in winter, observing some safety precautions is ideal. So, you should take caution and drive safely in winter.
Before driving your Tesla out in winter, warm up your car and battery using the ‘Defrost car’ settings on the mobile app.
The defrost setting helps to heat the windscreen, windows, and mirrors.
The range of your Tesla Model 3 during winter will also depend on the version, whether it has single or dual motors.
A dual motor is more effective as one motor controls the front and the other controls the rear sides.
What Other Tesla Models Are Good in the Snow?
Tesla Model 3 delivers excellent performance regardless of snow. However, it’s not the only Tesla model capable of withstanding snow.
Other Tesla models with good ground clearance in snow are Tesla Model X and Tesla Model Y.
#1. Tesla Model X
Of all the Tesla models, the Tesla X is the best in the snow; it has the best traction and control. And you can drive an average distance of 351 miles.
Firstly, the AWD system is a main feature the Tesla X has to strive for better in snow.
However, an additional feature that makes the Tesla X stand out is its ground clearance of about eight inches.
#2. Tesla Model Y
Tesla Model Y also has specs that make it stand out from the other models.
The Model Y enables a lengthy distance of about 350 miles having a ground clearance of 6.5 inches.
Another good feature of a Tesla Y is its cargo room space, which helps carry safety tools around. The Tesla Model Y is a good alternative to the X model.
Although Teslas are good in winter, there are equally downsides to riding them in the snow.
Below is a table showing some pros and cons of driving a Tesla in the snow.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| They have efficient heating systems such as energy-efficient heat pumps. | There’s a problem of snow buildup on exterior parts like the camera sensors. |
| Tesla’s regenerative brakes help to restore some energy while driving. | There’s an Extra cost on the purchase of winter tires. |
| Tesla receives Over-the-air updates which help in range management. | The battery runs down faster. |
| They have fast charging stations. |
The pros outweigh the cons, so feel free to cruise with your Tesla Model 3 even in the snow.
