Tesla Maintenance - broken down to dollars and sense

[comanchepilot]

Here is the scheduled maintenance first 4: We are going to have a Model S AWD delivered

Maintenance Plans

Year 1 cost:

Est. Tesla $550

DIY: Drive Unit service: $275 [Tesla cost]
Batteries: $5
Inspection: $0 - Tesla will do it for free
Tire Rotation: $0 - many tires shops offer it for free- make sure they hand torque
Verify wheel alignment: $0 - lots of shops do it for free - check your tire wear
Wiper Blades: amazon, $30.

Cabin air replacement - do it - $30 - its a good idea to keep the air moving.

DIY: $345. - Savings -$205.

Year 2:
TESLA: $725
AC dessicant bag: $50 - easy peasy to get access.
Brake Fluid: $15. Very easy to purge air from the lines at the house
Cabin Air Filter: $30
Batteries: $5
Inspection - bring it in - they'l inspect if for free.
Tire rotation: $0
Wheel alignment: $199 pay Tesla
Wiper blades: $30

DIY Savings: $395

Year 3:
TESLA: $475
Batteries: $10 inflaton
Inspection: $0 - Tesla will do it for free
Tire Rotation: $0 - many tires shops offer it for free- make sure they hand torque
Verify wheel alignment: $0 - lots of shops do it for free - check your tire wear
Wiper Blades: amazon, $35 - inflation
Cabin Air Filter: $$35

DIY savings: $395.

Year 4:
TESLA $850

Bring it to them - last year of the warranty - need specialty items fixed / maintained -

Total $850.

Also - buy the extended CPO warranty- to 100k and 4 more years.

4 year DIY total: $1605.

4 Year contract total: $2400.

$800 buys a lot of meals out when you are cruising in your TESLA. It's gonna offset a 1/5th of the extended warranty cost . . .

If you CANT perform an oil and filter change, give the money to Elon I guess . ..

 

[jelloslug]

You left out the panoramic roof service and the suspension & steering bolt torque checks at every service.
You also left out the brake caliper pad slide service that is recommended for areas that salt roads regularly.
Lastly you left off the washer fluid top off.
Step one of the AC desiccant bag is to recover the refrigerant. That is not something that your average DIY mechanic can do.

 

[GaryREM]

Free alignment check and rotation? Most tire shops have deals on alignment and rotation IF you bought the tires from them. Otherwise, you pay. And I guess your time is free including trips.

Where do you see that they will do the annual inspection checklist for free?

 

[busaman]

if you have a preowned tesla how can you check its service history as there is no book as such..

 

[comanchepilot]

You left out the panoramic roof service and the suspension & steering bolt torque checks at every service.
You also left out the brake caliper pad slide service that is recommended for areas that salt roads regularly.
Lastly you left off the washer fluid top off.
Step one of the AC desiccant bag is to recover the refrigerant. That is not something that your average DIY mechanic can do.

I was ONLY using the actual TESLA maintenance schedule referred to in my post.

 

[comanchepilot]

Free alignment check and rotation? Most tire shops have deals on alignment and rotation IF you bought the tires from them. Otherwise, you pay. And I guess your time is free including trips.

Where do you see that they will do the annual inspection checklist for free?

let know where you live - I know of several nationwide tire chains which will check air pressure, and rotate for free REGARDLESS of whether you bought the tires there. . . .

I actually do this with vehicles under warranty since they make $$$ off of discovering faults - take the list to the dealer for repair.

As for free inspection - service is a profit center - they'll inspect to see what they can charge you for!

A car under warranty is ENTITLED to a safety inspection - you really don't think they'll poke around?

"Dear Dealer: It's time for my maintenance, can you look around and see what else might need fixing or attention?"

 

[jelloslug]

I was ONLY using the actual TESLA maintenance schedule referred to in my post.

I'm going by the maintenance procedure outlined in the Tesla service manual.

 

[jelloslug]

Here is the procedure as listed in the service manual:

Note: Not all of the procedures listed here need to be performed at each Annual Service. Refer to SC-15-00-001 for a list of the procedures to perform at the relevant service interval.

Check for Alerts, Repair any Issues Found, Clear Alerts

1. Connect a laptop with Toolbox to the vehicle.
2. In Toolbox, select Perspectives > Predefined Perspectives > Service Default.
3. Check the Currently Active Alerts, Alert History, and DTCs panels.
4. After performing any necessary repairs, clear any DTCs:
   1. In the DTCs panel, select the "Clear DTC" radio button.
   2. Click the Start/Play button.

Panoramic Roof

1. Fully open the sliding glass.
2. Use compressed air to blow out the drain hoses.

Caution: Do not exceed 25 PSI (1.7 Bar).

1. Wrap a clean cloth around a plastic pry tool or other thin tool, then use it to remove dirt and old grease from the 4 channels on each side of the panoramic roof.
2. Apply Klübersynth noise reduction grease to the 4 channels. Caution: Use only Klübersynth noise reduction grease, Tesla part number 1031102-00-A. Other greases can permanently damage the roof seals.
3. Move the sliding glass to the 30% open position.
4. Remove the sliding glass.
5. Apply Klübersynth noise reduction grease to the sections of the tracks that were blocked by the sliding glass.
6. Visually inspect the links and shoes for damage.
7. Reinstall the sliding glass.
8. Calibrate the panoramic roof.
9. Use alcohol wipes to remove any grease from the glass and appliques. Use a clean, dry cloth to remove grease from the rubber seals. Caution: Do not use alcohol to remove grease from rubber seals. Alcohol degrades the rubber seals.

Wiper Blades
Replace the wiper blades.

Cabin Air Filter
Replace the particulate filter.

Coolant
Drain and refill the cooling system.


Steering Gear Bolts

Ensure that the bolts (x2) that secure the steering rack to the subframe are torqued to 175 Nm.

Note: Components have been removed in this graphic to aid clarity.

Hood Release Latch
RWD vehicles: Clean the secondary latch, then apply the proper lubricant.

Dual Motor vehicles: Clean the latch, then apply the proper lubricant.

A/C Desiccant Bag
Replace the desiccant bag.

Brake Fluid
Perform the full system bleed procedure.

Brake Caliper Pad Slides
Note: This is recommended for cold weather regions.

Note: Cleaning and lubricating the caliper pad slides/abutments is not included in the Annual Service price.

Note: Perform the following steps on all 4 calipers.

1. Remove the pad retaining pins and collect the anti-rattle spring.

Note: Always check that the anti-rattle clip has not been damaged. This part is easily damaged and is important to help eliminate squeaks.

1. Use a suitable tool to gently push the pistons back into caliper.
2. Remove the brake pads from the caliper.
3. Thoroughly clean the caliper pad slides and abutments with a hand brush (1057223-00-A) and soapy water.

Caution: If there is rust or pitting on the caliper that cannot be removed with a hand brush, replace the caliper.

1. • Front brake caliper.
   • Rear brake caliper.
2. Apply an even layer of Silaramic lubricant (1063021-00-A) to the caliper pad slides. Remove any excess lubricant.
3. Apply an even layer of copper paste between the shim and the backing plate. Remove any paste that squeezes out after installing the shim.

Caution: Ensure that the brake pads move freely.

Caution: Do not apply copper paste to the caliper, seals, or any component other than the shim and backing plate.

Transmission Fluid

Drain and refill the fluid from the gearbox(es):

• Rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicles:
  • Drain and refill the fluid from the large rear drive unit.
• Non-Performance Dual Motor vehicles:
  • Drain and refill the fluid from the front drive unit.
  • Drain and refill the fluid from the small rear drive unit.
• Performance Dual Motor vehicles:
  • Drain and refill the fluid from the front drive unit.
  • Drain and refill the fluid from the large rear drive unit.

Tire Rotation

1. Refer to the recommended tire rotation pattern for the vehicle.
2. Remove the wheels and reinstall them in the appropriate positions.

Thermal System Test

1. Connect a laptop with Toolbox 2.0 or later to the vehicle.
2. Navigate to Panels > Thermal > Thermal System Test.
3. Click the Start/Play button.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions.

Suspension Fasteners

1. Check the torque of the front suspension bolts.
2. Check the torque of the rear suspension bolts.

Wheel Alignment Check

Perform a wheel alignment check

Wheel Alignment Adjustment

Note: This is recommended if the wheel alignment check determines the wheel alignment is out of specification.

Note: Wheel alignment adjustment is not included in the Annual Service price.

Perform a wheel alignment adjustment.

 

[Max*]

Since your time is free, and you don't charge for labor, PM me your address, I'll bring my car over for service too!

 

[comanchepilot]

Since your time is free, and you don't charge for labor, PM me your address, I'll bring my car over for service too!

I'd like to take you up on that - I'll learn on your car!

 

[davinci2017]

Where are you accounting for your time spent and the effort for driving to multiple shops stores? My time is not free so I don't save money by doing it myself.

I for one would rather spend the 800 bucks over 4 years and blame it on Tesla if anything goes wrong and have a clean bill of health.

But if you love working on your car, I guess sure its a good way to spend sometime and learn something.

 

[lux_cars]

For a car that’s supposed to be nearly maintainence free, Tesla maintenance is awfully expensive. Comparable gas car maintenance plans costs less!

 

[jelloslug]

For a car that’s supposed to be nearly maintainence free, Tesla maintenance is awfully expensive. Comparable gas car maintenance plans costs less!

For a $100,000 car, it's cheap.

 

[lux_cars]

For a $100,000 car, it's cheap.

Not really. For comparison, Audi’s 50,000 mile service plan for their most expensive vehicles with big stinking V8s including A8, R8 and RS7 is only $1,179. And the R8 can cost $200,000.

This bothers me because we are promised simpler and less costly maintainence with BEVs but this is clearly not the case with Tesla service plans.

 

[jelloslug]

Not really. For comparison, Audi’s 50,000 mile service plan for their most expensive vehicles with big stinking V8s including A8, R8 and RS7 is only $1,179. And the R8 can cost $200,000.

This bothers me because we are promised simpler and less costly maintainence with BEVs but this is clearly not the case with Tesla service plans.

The Audi Care plan only covers labor and certain fluid and filter changes. Wear item parts that are found to be bad (and installation of said parts) are not included in their service plan.

 

[Max*]

The Audi Care plan only covers labor and certain fluid and filter changes. Wear item parts that are found to be bad (and installation of said parts) are not included in their service plan.

But should still be covered under the 50k mile warranty, no?

Just like Tesla's plan.

 

[lux_cars]

The Audi Care plan only covers labor and certain fluid and filter changes. Wear item parts that are found to be bad (and installation of said parts) are not included in their service plan.

Wear items aren’t included in Tesla plans either.

 

[whitex]

When I was buying, Tesla stated any maintenance is optional. They've also been inconsistent as to what they recommend to do - different list for 2015 vs. 2017 - 2017 had some extra drive unit fluid replacement recommended. Why would I pay for Drive fluid replacement if they aren't even sure it's needed, it is not required for warranty, and is covered for 8 years unlimited mileage? If they really thought it would cause trouble to not do it, they'd do it for free to save themselves warranty cost.

 

[jelloslug]

Wear items aren’t included in Tesla plans either.

The only wear items on the Tesla list are brake pads and wiper blades. The pads should last the life of the car and the blades are included.

 

[jelloslug]

But should still be covered under the 50k mile warranty, no?

Just like Tesla's plan.

Belts, blades, batteries, and brakes are not included on the Audi plan. The Audi plan is a once a year oil change/inspection/and fluid top off. In fact, they offer a different service plan that covers the things that their normal plan does not cover for more than double the price of their standard offering.