Owning a Tesla means no oil changes and far fewer engine‑related tasks—but low maintenance ≠ no maintenance. A handful of wear items and patterns show up across models. Catch them early, and you’ll prevent bigger repairs (and keep range and ride quality where they should be).
1) Tires & Alignment
What to watch: EV torque, rear‑axle weight bias (on many trims), and factory negative rear camber can encourage inside‑edge and rear‑tire wear if you don’t rotate on schedule. Tesla Service
Do this:
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Rotate every 6,250 miles (10,000 km) or when tread depth differs by ≥ 2/32 in (1.5 mm)—whichever comes first. You can set this up in the touchscreen so you know when it needs to be replaced. Tesla Service
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Treat alignment as condition‑based: check it after curb/pothole hits or if you see uneven wear/pulling or off‑center steering. (Tesla emphasizes “as‑needed” service overall.) Tesla Service
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Keep tires at the door‑jamb placard pressures; it affects both range and wear. Tesla Service
Pro tip: Record tread depth at each rotation. If the rears are fading faster, shorten your rotation interval a bit.
2) Brakes & Regenerative Braking
What to watch: Regen means your pads are used less—great for longevity—but rotors may not heat up often enough to keep surface rust at bay, especially in humid or salty areas. Tesla
Do this:
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If you hear light squeal or see orange surface rust, follow Tesla’s “Burnishing the Brakes” procedure: multiple moderate 50–55 mph stops with cool‑down between. Tesla Service
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Brake fluid: Check every 4 years; replace if necessary. Tesla Service
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In winter‑salt regions, clean/lube calipers annually or every 12,500 miles (20,000 km). Tesla Service
3) HVAC & Air Filters
What to watch: Cabin air quality and evaporator moisture management.
Do this:
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Cabin filters (Model 3/Y): Replace every 2 years (more often in dusty or damp areas). Tesla Service
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HEPA (where equipped, e.g., many Model Y since 2021): Replace every 3 years. Tesla
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A/C desiccant/receiver‑dryer: The interval is model‑ and year‑specific—examples from Tesla docs:
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Model 3 (built prior to ~2021): Every 6 years. Tesla Service
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Model X (2015–2020): Every 4 years. Tesla Service
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Model S (2012–2020) and current service guidance: Every 2 years. Tesla Service
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Odors: Replace cabin filters on schedule; if smells persist, have the evaporator cleaned per service procedure. Our kit comes with an evaporator cleaner so you can ensure a clean smelling car after you change your filters. No more dirty sock smell!
4) Suspension & Steering
What to watch: As mileage climbs, bushing/ball‑joint wear is normal. One well‑documented item on early Model 3/Y/X: a front upper control‑arm squeak from water ingress at the ball joint; Tesla issued a service bulletin and updated parts/procedures. NHTSA Static
Do this:
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Investigate squeaks/clunks over bumps or during low‑speed steering, especially turning—don’t wait for it to “go away” because it won’t.
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After suspension work or a big impact, have the alignment checked/adjusted to spec.
- The front upper control arms can easily be replaced at a Tesla certified body shop or by Tesla service if it does start squeaking. It’ll be ~$500 for each one, but that varies depending on shop and state.
5) Body & Exterior
What to watch: Chip‑prone zones like the front as well as along the rockers, plus occasional trim/panel variance. Tesla paint is very soft and thin, meaning chips are more likely to happen before you know it.
Do this:
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Add PPF or mud flaps to high‑chip areas like the front and rockers. You can PPF the entire car for even more peace of mind.
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Build quality on newer cars has improved, though small variances can still occur—inspect at delivery and address anything obvious via service.
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If a window misbehaves (e.g., doesn’t “drop” slightly when opening the door), run Tesla’s window calibration procedure. Tesla Service
6) Electrical & Software
What to watch: Occasional UI hiccups and low‑voltage (12V/LV) battery aging.
Do this:
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Frozen/unresponsive screen? With the car in Park, hold both steering‑wheel scroll buttons until the display restarts. Tesla Service
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Cameras acting up after glass/camera service? Use Controls > Service > Camera Calibration > Clear Calibration and drive to complete re‑cal. Tesla Service
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Low‑voltage battery: Tesla does not specify a fixed replacement interval; vehicles surface alerts and replacement is as needed (many newer cars use lithium LV packs that typically last longer than legacy lead‑acid). Tesla Service
7) Charging System
What to watch: Charge‑port behavior and outlet quality for mobile charging.
Do this:
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If a cable won’t release, use the manual charge‑cable release procedure for your model. Tesla Service
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The Mobile Connector will reduce current if it detects high temperature at the plug/outlet—a sign the receptacle is worn or unsuitable. Inspect the outlet and wiring; for daily home use, Tesla recommends a Wall Connector (faster and more robust). Tesla Service
- Charge Tesla vehicles with Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries to 100% for daily use, while those with Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC/NCA) batteries (most Long Range and Performance models) should be charged to 80% for daily driving to preserve battery health. To determine your battery type, check your car’s settings or contact Tesla, as charging to 100% with NMC/NCA batteries is only recommended before long trips to avoid prolonged stress on the battery.
Quick Checklist
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Rotate tires: Every 6,250 mi (10,000 km) or when tread delta ≥ 2/32 in. Watch for inside‑edge wear, especially at the rear.
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Brake care: Burnish rotors if you get squeal/rust; fluid check every 4 years; caliper lube yearly in salty climates.
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HVAC: Replace cabin filters every 2 years (3/Y) or sooner if climate is typically wet or humid. (You’ll smell dirty socks when it’s time.) HEPA (where equipped) every 3 years. Desiccant varies by model/year (S ~2 yrs, X 4 yrs, early 3 6 yrs).
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Suspension: Investigate squeaks/clunks; early 3/Y/X had a FUCA water‑ingress TSB—address promptly.
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Software/UI: Reboot with both scroll wheels (in Park) if needed. Re‑calibrate cameras/windows if needed.
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Charging: If the Mobile Connector flags high temp, fix the outlet and consider a Wall Connector for daily charging.
- Windshield Washer Fluid: Fill reservoir as needed.
- Windshield Wipers: Replace every 6 months or when they stutter. Pro tip: Before replacing them, clean them first. You may get a couple more months out of them.