I have never fully charged the battery. Should I?

[Ciditad]

I got my car from Tesla with 177 miles range left on the battery. Since I took her home it's been 70 to 80% charge only. I've actually never seen the car fully charged. Should I at least do it once and see what the full range is?

 

[Derek Kessler]

Wouldn't hurt. Best to do that before a long drive so it doesn't sit at a high state of charge for too long.

 

[hpartsch]

I got my car from Tesla with 177 miles range left on the battery. Since I took her home it's been 70 to 80% charge only. I've actually never seen the car fully charged. Should I at least do it once and see what the full range is?

If you don't need the range -- I wouldn't bother until you do.

 

[Big Earl]

I haven't fully charged it in 11,000 miles. I think the highest we've had it up to was 97 or 98%.

 

[Snow Drift]

Elon said the sweet spot is 30-80%, but some people talk about battery balancing above 90%. Would like to hear everyone's thought. I rarely go above 80%.

 

[dhrivnak]

At least on the Roadster you need to be above 80% for balancing. I think it needs 82% for balancing to happen. With lithium batteries the voltage curve is so flat between 30 and 80% you are not able to balance. It is at the extremes that we see the differences between cells.

 

[dhanson865]

Theoretically it helps to let the BMS adjust it's estimates and balance the pack but (as said above) If you don't need the range why bother?

Maybe do it once or twice a year just to say you did? You can always do it later, it isn't something you have to do as a preventative measure.

Best time to do it is in the Winter when the car is cold soaked. Full batteries and heat are a bad combination.

 

[judyjetson]

I have charged it to 100% probably 3-4 times just before I'm about to go on a longer trip, There aren't that many superchargers in NC/SC so it does help to have that little extra range. Other than that, i usually charge to 70% for daily commuting.

 

[hoang51]

To answer your curiosity, go ahead and charge it fully. But since it's not a critical need to have the battery at 100%, why bother your time, effort, and money?

 

[brianman]

.QUOTE="Big Earl, post: 3227709, member: 62630"]I haven't fully charged it in 11,000 miles. I think the highest we've had it up to was 97 or 98%.[/QUOTE]
Just another data point...

My 2012 Sig S P85 hasn't charged to 100% in 47k miles (and I don't plan to do so). No battery related issues (incl. excess degradation) observed.

~224 rated miles @ 90% with 47742 miles on the odometer; 6yr and 15d since delivery.

 

[Stellavator]

I think the on board BMS handles any balancing needed.