Winter Problems...

Why your (ongoing) negativity?
What Winter problems? Chicago is expecting -20 tomorrow ... I, for one, see no issues.

Mayhemm said:

Looking back, there has been a more negative bent to my posts the last little while. :redface: Sorry about that. I'm not looking for dirt or anything; just soliciting experience from actual owners. My big day is approaching ever closer, so I guess I'm developing a case of cold feet. Do I really want to spend $150K on a car, or should I spend it on something more appropriate: you know, like a house(!) or, heaven forbid, just SAVE it?! :wink:

My rampant Tesla enthusiasm has also been somewhat dampened of late (price increases, [unjustly]negative press, battery problems, tire problems, retrograde firmware, now charging problems, etc). I'm still 100% behind the company and its mission, and still a pretty big fanboy, just not as passionately as I was 6 months ago.

Click to expand...

Most of us, way back when, having made our deposit and waited for the car of our dreams, increased our passion during the wait ... there were no cold feet.
Not reading back over your posts, ... have you actually driven a Model S? Actually ordered one?
If so, stop worrying and please cease and desist your worrying until your car has arrived. For your own benefit. And blood pressure.
Then vent all you want.

Mayhemm just restore your old scary avatar and problems will never think of knocking on your door.
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Plan and prepare and you will be fine... Research and order tires the day you place your order for your model s.

10 000 km in real winter without any issues so far. Awesome car, 100% winter-ready.

At this point, I think all of the early issues with the Model S have been worked out, I brought mine in for it's first annual service, there where plenty of "TSB"s to apply/install (Technical Service Bulletins), but my car was built in December of 2012, delivered in January of 2013, it's been an entire year since then, so I'd be confident all of these early issues have been addressed now.

15k km, car has been reliable in the cold and have no concerns about it not working. Leave it out side at work everyday, -30 C or colder, unplugged (which is not the case for all of the ice cars) and no issues. The cold weather package added some of the key missing items, heated steering wheel still on my want list.

Fogging does happen pretty easily on the side windows but the upgraded vents work well with the defrost feature. Wish they had dedicated side window vents though as the defrost feature would not be needed most of the time.

Wash your car in the cold and don't dry and yes things freeze shut like the charge port as it relays on a simple spring to open it, no suprise though.

Preheat is great and car has no problems keeping the interior warm but range does suffer greatly in very cold weather, more than I expected. I now plan for no more than half of ideal range available on cold days when we are out and about for the day, (180km for our 60, even less as the battery ages). My only regret in our purchase, not getting the 85k.

Approaching 11,000 miles in seven months, first winter, and had about 7 to 10 days with temps as low as 10, and highs during the day of 25 F or so. It was dry weather then, but the car ran flawlessly. Just some regen limits until the car warmed up, but that is absolutely normal.

Drive it 60+ miles everyday on my commute.

I have had mine for about two weeks now.

The only issues I am having are somewhat annoying.

Both side mirrors don't open consistently, and sometimes when they do open they don't open all the way. Also a minor irritating tick from above the review mirror area.

The car preforms excellent in the snow and I have the 21" summer tires still on it (winter tires should arrive next week).

Love what I bought.

This may put your mind at ease.

I have a crazy lane way and have always worried about the Model S. Shot this video on the first week I had the car, a few weeks back. I still have had no trouble.
Tesla Winter Driving - My Crazy Laneway - YouTube

View attachment 39984

Oh no, not again!! [scurries back into woodwork . . . .]
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I love the car. But after the charging issues I've had, and the huge difference between summer and winter, I have to admit, this car (and any electric) is not for my grandmother for now.

Do you really see a difference between normal and Range driving mode on the heater consumption. I see the same energy burnt if ON (ECO) or OFF. I see the term ECO on my ventilation screen but today with 3-5C, I still see the car burning 4KW when I'm at light or stopped. Am I missing something?