Model S maintenance

[srram]

Does anyone know what 'regular maintenance' means for the S? I asked at the showroom in Menlo Park, and the answer I got was very vague (' you come in for software upgrades').

What other maintenance applies to the S? Tire rotation, adjustments, software upgrades.. Also, any ideas on how much associated costs are?

 

[jerry33]

Does anyone know what 'regular maintenance' means for the S? I asked at the showroom in Menlo Park, and the answer I got was very vague (' you come in for software upgrades').

What other maintenance applies to the S? Tire rotation, adjustments, software upgrades.. Also, any ideas on how much associated costs are?

The Roadster has a required annual maintenance of $600. There is only speculation about what the Model S will be. It's been bandied about that most of the Model S service will happen over WiFi in the form of software upgrades similar to an iPhone. It's also been speculated that the annual service cost will be less than the Roadster. So far there has been no official statement.

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

Just noticed this post on the parallel thread over on the TM forums:

nickjhowe | AUGUST 26, 2012

Just got an email from Mr Blankenship, responding to my polite request for clarity from TM on maintenance costs.

He said that this topic will be addressed in an official Tesla Communication coming "soon". Be on the lookout!

Annual Maintenance Costs | Forums | Tesla Motors

 

[neroden]

We can expect to have to do at least the following on our Teslas yearly or more often:
- annual safety inspection (required by law); any inspection shop can do this
- Tire rotation, balancing, and inflation (and occasional tire replacement); any tire shop can do this
- Replacement of windshield wiper fluid; you can do this

I presume that the software can be upgraded when we wish it to be upgraded and not before. If it's a "recall" issue they'll have to upgrade it for free, obviously.
I certainly hope that the official "annual service" cost is far less than $600, as $600 wipes out most of the financial benefits of an electric car except for very heavy drivers.

We can expect at least the following on a longer-term basis, mostly after the warranty ends:
- Replacement of windshield wiper blades; you can do this
- Replacement of the standard automotive lead-acid battery used as a "buffer" for the accessories, every 5 years at LEAST; probably any shop can do this
- Replacement of brake pads; any shop can do this
- Replacement of air filters (don't get me started on this... really, just don't...) -- guessing only Tesla can do this, right now
- Checking the active air suspension for leaks and repairing/replacing it -- expensive and certainly only Tesla can do this, right now
- Replacing rubber gaskets and seals as the rubber wears out due to age (thankfully fewer than in an ICE, but it's still got them) -- likely only Tesla can do this, right now

 

[DriverOne]

I should hope $600 is not the annual price. That makes the car $50,000 + $600/year, and certainly removes one of the big tenets of the EV sale - low ongoing maintenance.

 

[chmod a+wrx]

I should hope $600 is not the annual price. That makes the car $50,000 + $600/year, and certainly removes one of the big tenets of the EV sale - low ongoing maintenance.

Yes.....not sure why they are holding on to this dollar amount....especially given that we're into the 5000s now of people locking in their orders without knowing the full disclosure.....


I know maintenance of luxury/premium sedans is expensive.....but in 6 years of owning my car....I change the oil 2-3 times per year and haven't had a single maintenance issue....other than rotating the tires, which I have done a couple of times.....not much to maintain....

EDIT: sorry.....blades and one new battery....

 

[mnx]

We can expect at least the following on a longer-term basis, mostly after the warranty ends:
- Replacement of windshield wiper blades; you can do this

Are wiper blades covered under warranty? Or do you only replace your wiper blades every 4 years?????

 

[contaygious]

New photo

 

[neroden]

Are wiper blades covered under warranty? Or do you only replace your wiper blades every 4 years?????

I only replace them every two years or so. They don't burn out that fast.

 

[Robert.Boston]

View attachment 9488

Call me a nitpick, but shouldn't that be 24/7/52? Or 24/365?

 

[NigelM]

Call me a nitpick, but shouldn't that be 24/7/52? Or 24/365?

You're a nitpick who is also correct. :smile:

 

[zdre]

Do the service centers actually never close?

 

[cinergi]

Call me a nitpick, but shouldn't that be 24/7/52? Or 24/365?

24/7 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Being in the service industry, I find it common to see it written this way.

 

[mknox]

Do the service centers actually never close?

Drove by the Toronto service center on Sunday, and it was closed.

 

[scole04]

I should hope $600 is not the annual price. That makes the car $50,000 + $600/year, and certainly removes one of the big tenets of the EV sale - low ongoing maintenance.

Need confirmation. Test drived the Model S in DC. 5 employees including the manager told me that the first 4 years of maintenance is covered free of charge under the warranty agreement.

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

Need confirmation. Test drived the Model S in DC. 5 employees including the manager told me that the first 4 years of maintenance is covered free of charge under the warranty agreement.

No official word on that. But, if Tesla wants to stay on par with the BMWs of the world, then, it might happen.