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Significant Range Loss on My 2018 Model S 75D

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Melissa G. · rep 0 · May 22, 5:21 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2018 Tesla Model S 75D

Hey everyone,

I've been noticing a pretty significant drop in the usable range of my 2018 Tesla Model S 75D lately. When I first got it, a full charge would easily get me around 230-240 miles, but now it's struggling to hit 200 miles, even with careful driving.

I primarily charge at home using a Wall Connector, usually to 80-90%, and only occasionally to 100% for longer trips. I've tried recalibrating the battery by charging to 100% and driving down to a very low state of charge, but it hasn't made much difference.

Is this normal degradation for a car of this age and mileage (around 75,000 miles)? Or could it be a sign of a more serious battery issue? I haven't seen any specific error messages on the display.

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 5:21 AM

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

Experiencing range loss on an electric vehicle like your 2018 Tesla Model S 75D is a common concern, but it's important to understand the factors involved. Battery degradation is a natural process, but significant or sudden drops can indicate underlying issues.

Here's what you should consider:

  1. Normal Battery Degradation:

    • Lithium-ion batteries naturally lose capacity over time and cycles. For a 2018 Model S with 75,000 miles, a 10-15% degradation from original EPA range is not uncommon.
    • Factors like frequent DC fast charging, consistent charging to 100% (especially if left at 100% for extended periods), and extreme temperatures can accelerate this process.

  2. Check Your Battery Health:

    • Service Menu: While Tesla doesn't provide a direct 'State of Health' percentage to owners, you can monitor your full charge range over time.
    • Charging Habits: Ensure you're following Tesla's recommendations for daily charging (typically 80-90%) and only charging to 100% when needed for long trips.
    • Software Updates: Ensure your vehicle's software is up to date, as updates can sometimes optimize battery management.

  3. Potential Causes for Accelerated Degradation/Issues:

    • Cell Imbalance: Individual battery cells or modules can become imbalanced, reducing overall usable capacity.
    • Faulty Temperature Management: Issues with the battery's thermal management system can lead to inefficient operation and accelerated degradation.
    • Software Glitches: Rarely, a software bug might misreport range or capacity.

  4. When to See a Shop (Tesla Service Center):

    • Sudden or Drastic Drop: If the range loss was very sudden or significantly exceeds typical degradation (e.g., more than 20% in a short period without changes in driving/charging habits).
    • Error Messages: If any battery-related error messages appear on your display (e.g., 'Battery System Warning,' 'Reduced Performance').
    • Charging Issues: If you also notice issues with charging speed or consistency.
    • Warranty: Your 2018 Model S 75D's battery and drive unit warranty is 8 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first. If your issue falls within these parameters, it's definitely worth having Tesla diagnose it. They can run detailed diagnostics to check individual cell voltages and overall battery health.
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