As always, this is Matt from Frunk To Trunk. Winter is when a Tesla asks the most of you, and a few settings and accessories make a big difference. The tips below follow Tesla’s own winter driving guidance, and the accessories are ones my partners sell for the refreshed Model Y and Model 3.

Before you drive

  • Precondition on a schedule. Set a preconditioning schedule in the Tesla app or under Controls > Schedule so the cabin and battery are warm when you leave.
  • Schedule charging to finish near departure. Tesla says ending a charge closer to your departure time reduces the energy needed to warm the battery.
  • Keep it plugged in. When plugged in, preconditioning uses power from the wall instead of the battery. Tesla also suggests keeping the charge above 50% when you are not plugged in.
  • Use seat heaters. Tesla notes seat heaters use less energy than heating the whole cabin.

Snow and ice

  • Defrost from the app. Climate > Defrost Car clears the windshield before you get in.
  • Wipers: use the wiper defrost if your car has it, or put the wipers in service mode so they defrost with the windshield.
  • Mirrors: turn off Mirror Auto-Fold if ice is expected while you are parked.
  • Frozen door: on the Model 3 and Model Y you can add an Unlatch Door button to the app’s quick controls to pop the driver door.
  • Frozen charge port: use Controls > Service > Charge Port Heater, or Defrost from the app.
  • Clear the car. Brush snow off the roof, hood and tailgate, and clear the cameras, sensors and cabin air intake.

Charging and range in the cold

Cold weather means more energy for heating and drag, so expect less range. A blue snowflake icon means the battery is too cold for full power; charging, driving or preconditioning warms it. On road trips, navigating to a Supercharger with Trip Planner preheats the battery on the way. At home, a Level 2 charger makes the biggest difference in winter, since Tesla notes a household 120 V outlet may not keep up in deep cold. See Best Tesla Home Charger (2026); the EVDance Flux Pro is EVDance (code EVDFTT, 25% off).

Tires and fluids

  • Tire pressure drops as it gets colder. Check and top up regularly.
  • Winter tires: if you drive on snow and ice often, consider a winter wheel and tire package, then update the tire setting under Controls > Service > Wheel & Tire.
  • Washer fluid: use fluid rated for freezing temperatures and top it off often.

Winter accessories worth buying

  • All-weather floor and trunk liners. Salt and slush ruin carpet fast. 3W Auto Life (code FRUNKTOTRUNK, 33% off) makes custom-fit liners for the Model Y Juniper and Model 3 Highland. More in Best Tesla Floor Mats.
  • Mud flaps. Tesla itself suggests mud flaps for winter roads. REEVAA (code FRUNKTOTRUNK, 10% off) has no-drill mud flaps for the Model 3 Highland and Model Y Juniper.
  • Paint protection film. Also on Tesla’s winter list. Blackout Empire (code FRUNKTOTRUNK, 10% off) does PPF and ceramic coating.

For more fit tips on the refreshed Model Y, see Best Model Y Juniper Accessories (2026).

FAQ

Precondition it from the Tesla app or set a preconditioning schedule under Controls > Schedule, ideally while it is plugged in so it uses wall power instead of the battery.

Yes. Tesla recommends leaving it plugged in when possible, and keeping the charge above 50% when it is not plugged in, to reduce the impact of cold temperatures.

On the Model 3 and Model Y you can add Unlatch Door to the app's quick controls. For a frozen charge port, use Controls > Service > Charge Port Heater or Defrost Car in the app.

The battery is too cold for full power and ideal range, so regenerative braking and acceleration may be limited. Charging, driving or preconditioning warms it up.

All-weather floor and trunk liners (3W Auto Life, code FRUNKTOTRUNK), mud flaps (REEVAA, code FRUNKTOTRUNK) and paint protection film (Blackout Empire, code FRUNKTOTRUNK).