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2018 Model 3 Long Range - Sudden Range Drop & Slow Charging

0

Heather Y. · rep 0 · May 22, 5:28 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range

My 2018 Model 3 Long Range has recently started showing a significant drop in its estimated range, and charging seems much slower than usual, especially at Superchargers. I used to get around 280 miles, now it's closer to 240-250 fully charged.

I've tried rebooting the car, but it hasn't helped. There are no error messages on the screen. Is this normal battery degradation, or could something else be going on?

I'm worried about long trips. Any ideas on what to check or if this is a known issue for early Model 3s?

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 5:28 AM

0

ClearTheCode admin answer:

  1. Check Battery Health in Service Menu: Access the service menu (usually by tapping the Tesla logo on the screen for a few seconds) and look for battery health information. While not always precise, it can give an indication of degradation.
  2. Review Charging Habits: Frequent charging to 100% and discharging to very low levels can accelerate degradation. Tesla recommends daily charging to 80-90% for optimal battery longevity.
  3. Software Updates: Ensure your vehicle's software is up to date. Tesla frequently releases updates that optimize battery management and charging algorithms.
  4. Environmental Factors: Extreme hot or cold weather can temporarily affect battery performance and charging speeds.
  5. Diagnostic Logging: If the issue persists, schedule a service appointment through your Tesla app. They can remotely access your vehicle's logs and perform diagnostics.
  • When to See a Shop: If the range drop is sudden and significant (more than 10-15% over a short period), or if you experience consistent charging failures or error messages, it's crucial to have Tesla service inspect the vehicle. They can perform a comprehensive battery health check and determine if a component like the battery management system (BMS) or a specific battery module is failing. This is especially important for vehicles still under battery warranty. While there isn't a standard OBD-II code for general battery degradation, Tesla's internal diagnostics can pinpoint issues like cell imbalance or thermal management system problems.
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