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Keeping a Model 3 outdoors during a Quebec winter; any issues?
- Thread starter Richard_YUL
- Start date
Thanks for your reply. Yes, I will be installing a charger and always parking outside overnight.
Kognos
Member
While I haven't been through a winter with my M3, I park outside constantly. And I've learned generally not to overthink these things. I usually charge to 80%, leave it plugged in overnight, and not worry. And I usually only charge overnight when my battery drops below 40% or so. That's just my practice based upon how I operate daily - if I drove more daily I'd change that.
It gets cold here in Oregon but not outrageously so. And even then, the battery will maintain itself. It's not a car that really "turns off"; it will do whatever it needs to do for its own health.
The general idea here is that we have a reflex to believe that water is bad, or snow is bad, because it's a battery. That's not really the case. The only absolute truth here is that while the battery is cold, the power in/out is diminished, but not the health.
It gets cold here in Oregon but not outrageously so. And even then, the battery will maintain itself. It's not a car that really "turns off"; it will do whatever it needs to do for its own health.
The general idea here is that we have a reflex to believe that water is bad, or snow is bad, because it's a battery. That's not really the case. The only absolute truth here is that while the battery is cold, the power in/out is diminished, but not the health.
I have parked my Model S outside here in Minnesota for 4 winters, plugged in at night, with no issues.
I have had one issue with my Model 3. An exceptionally cold night last year (-30 F), I started up the highest defrost on the front windshield, and within a minute of some heat coming up, a crack started at the glass bottom, and ran all the way to the top.
I have had one issue with my Model 3. An exceptionally cold night last year (-30 F), I started up the highest defrost on the front windshield, and within a minute of some heat coming up, a crack started at the glass bottom, and ran all the way to the top.
A couple of things...
- In the colder temperatures, assume that you will lose about 30% battery range.
- The door handles and auto-crack windows can be a little problematic in snow/ice, just as any other vehicles with the feature. When you open the door, the window will try to drop about a half inch to clear the trim. If it doesn't drop, it probably wont clear with not great results. Number of solutions, so icon spray, clear the windows, etc.
- Lots of talk about no regen, but that's not a issue, the car just doesn't slow as much as regen
- A cold battery isn't the happiest. You'll see some performance issues when cold. It's not necessarily the end of the world. Some people schedule charging to finish just before travel to help reduce impact. It is a little bigger issue in really cold weather though.
- An open charge port is susceptible to snow and ice. You have to unplug the car before you can go (duh) but if frozen, you can have an issue.
Yup you'll be good. As mentioned above, try not to overthink it. If it's plugged in overnight no issues especially with preconditioning capabilities.
M109Rider
Active Member
I’ve had my model 3 for a year now, and it’s never seen the inside of a garage.
Winters are pretty nasty here.
I have a HPWC on the side of my house, so charging is easy.
You’ll be fine.
Winters are pretty nasty here.
I have a HPWC on the side of my house, so charging is easy.
You’ll be fine.
Atari2600
Active Member
I wish I had a garageIf only we could have Tempo in Saint-Laurent
Are you happy with your Tesla ?
Some folks, Canadians, had issues with frozen door handles, frozen charger handle, frozen window. Since that time, there was a software update that cranked the heat, to help warm things up, but be aware that things can freeze. A quick rap on the door handle will unstick it. Some people put a cover on the charger handle. I think it's a common thing you can find in an autoparts store there, since I once looked, and they were all made in Canada. The other thing I've seen Canadians use is Gummi Pflege or similar to prevent the door window glass from sticking to the rubber gaskets.
Some people use an app, like Stats, to set preheating at a set time, before going to work, as well as charging, to warm up the battery. Of course, you can do it manually, like, turning it on before hopping in the shower, kind of thing. That's all I can remember.
Some people use an app, like Stats, to set preheating at a set time, before going to work, as well as charging, to warm up the battery. Of course, you can do it manually, like, turning it on before hopping in the shower, kind of thing. That's all I can remember.
Kognos
Member
I know it wasn't asked here, but I went with a standard 14-50 charger. While a wall connector is sexy, the other is more universal and can definitely charge a car overnight, easily.
In my humble and singular opinion, the only reason to get a wall connector is to recharge faster for whatever reason, and/or if you had multiple tesla cars in consideration.
I hear that timed pre-charging is coming in the next release which is greatly appreciated for situations like this.
In my humble and singular opinion, the only reason to get a wall connector is to recharge faster for whatever reason, and/or if you had multiple tesla cars in consideration.
I hear that timed pre-charging is coming in the next release which is greatly appreciated for situations like this.
240V * 40A = 9.6kW compared to the maximum Model 3 AC charging of 11kW. Just missed the numbers.
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