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Tesla Articles & Guides
Articles 101–200, newest first.
Articles
Checking your Tesla financing rate won’t hurt your credit score.
Tesla’s pre-qualification tool uses a soft credit check, but the actual financing application requires a hard pull — here is how the two differ and how to time outside loan quotes around them.
Why doesn’t the European Tesla Semi have side mirrors?
Europe lets trucks swap mirrors for cameras and Tesla’s European Semi does exactly that, while U.S. federal rules still require physical mirrors.
Model 3 vs. Model Y: how to choose based on what you actually need
Model 3 and Model Y are close on price and nearly identical on base range, so the real decision comes down to how much cargo space you actually need.
Tesla to run public Megachargers at four California truck depots
Tesla will operate public Megachargers at three new Forum Mobility truck depots in California, adding about 30 MW of heavy-duty charging capacity for the Tesla Semi.
Do you need a side-camera rain shield for your Tesla?
A $30 aftermarket cover keeps rain off your Tesla’s side repeater cameras and the ‘camera visibility limited’ warning at bay — but only on Hardware 4 cars, and only for the rain problem, not the bigger FSD visibility question regulators are investigating.
Your order price isn’t locked in until delivery.
Tesla changes prices on its configurator without notice, and three 2026 price hikes show why the number you saw at order time isn’t guaranteed to hold until delivery.
Why doesn’t Tesla use LiDAR for self-driving?
Tesla skips LiDAR entirely, betting on cameras and AI instead — and just used a 1-million-mile Robotaxi milestone to make its case.
Rhode Island will still pay you up to $3,000 toward a new Tesla
Rhode Island’s DRIVE EV program still pays up to $3,000 toward a new Tesla Model 3 or Model Y, with no income requirement and no expiration announced as of September 2026.
How much highway speed actually costs your Tesla’s range.
Highway speed has an outsized, nonlinear effect on a Tesla’s range, and a recent test shows exactly how much each 10 mph costs you.
Two Tesla settings that quietly drain your battery when you’re not driving.
Sentry Mode and Keep Accessory Power both keep your Tesla partly awake while parked. Here’s what each one actually costs you in range.
NHTSA just escalated its Cybercab investigation. Tesla has until September 30 to answer.
NHTSA issued a formal special order on September 10 demanding sworn answers on how the Cybercab meets federal safety standards. Here’s what it’s asking and what’s at stake.
Tesla’s new ‘Accordion’ Supercharger folds out in half the time. It isn’t in the US yet.
Tesla deployed its first prefabricated ‘Accordion’ Supercharger in Europe on September 15, cutting install costs 20%. Here’s what it is and why it isn’t confirmed for US sites yet.
Tesla reveals European Semi specs: 550 km range, 800 kW charging.
Tesla revealed European Semi specs at IAA Transportation in Hannover: 550 km of range, 800 kW Megacharging, and no price yet.
Thinking about a Model Y L instead of a Model X? Read this first.
Tesla’s six-seat Model Y L and the three-row Model X both fit a family, but only one of them Tesla will still sell you new.
The 2026 Model Y just earned IIHS’s top safety award. Here’s what that covers.
The redesigned 2026-27 Model Y earned IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ award. Here’s exactly what it scored well on, and the one category where it didn’t.
California will pay some Uber and Lyft drivers up to $20,300 toward an EV.
California’s new RIDE program pays qualifying rideshare drivers up to $20,300 toward a new EV like a Model Y, plus yearly charging help. Here’s who qualifies and what’s still unconfirmed.
Tesla and SpaceX broke ground on a chip factory built for Cybercab and Optimus
Terafab, a planned 100-million-square-foot chip plant in Texas, is meant to supply the compute hardware behind Tesla’s self-driving and robotics programs.
These aftermarket Tesla Model Y floor mats add a metal plate to stop pedal jams
A new aftermarket mat design adds a rigid metal plate to keep the pedal-side edge from curling into the pedal. Here’s the actual safety standard behind it.
Tesla just opened 32 more Supercharger ports to non-Tesla drivers on the Mass Pike
Tesla and MassDOT opened fast chargers at four Massachusetts rest stops to every EV brand. Here’s what the added traffic means for your next charging stop.
Tesla wants to sell you car insurance in Washington. Here’s what’s proposed.
Tesla has filed to launch its own auto insurance program in Washington state, with a new FSD-based discount track. Here’s what’s actually confirmed, and what isn’t yet.
Tesla’s 2026.32.3 update redesigns the touchscreen’s wheel picker and adds Apple Music library search
Tesla’s 2026.32.3 software update reworks the Wheel & Tire configuration screen into a visual grid and lets owners search their Apple Music library directly.
Your Tesla floor mat can jam your pedal. Here’s how to make sure yours can’t.
An unanchored floor mat can jam your Tesla’s accelerator or brake pedal. Here’s what actually prevents that, and one owner’s look at a popular mat-and-pedal-plate combo.
France is now road-testing Tesla’s FSD, and regulators say it found no major problems.
France’s transport ministry says its first road tests of Tesla FSD found no major obstacles, though a full EU-wide approval decision isn’t expected before October 2026.
The 2026 Tesla lineup, explained.
With Model S and Model X production over, the current Tesla lineup is Model 3, Model Y, Model Y L, and Cybertruck. Here’s what each one costs right now.
Do you need special wiper blades for your Tesla?
Tesla wiper blades aren’t proprietary, but the sizes differ between a Model 3 and a Model Y, and the wrong connector can damage more than the blade.
San Jose’s EV rebate drops after September 14. Here’s what that means for a Tesla.
San José Clean Energy’s EV Instant Rebate drops from $4,000 to $3,000 on a new EV after September 14, and adds a $50,000 price cap that rules out pricier Tesla trims.
Tesla will unveil the next-generation Roadster on October 1.
Tesla says it will unveil the next-generation Roadster on October 1, 2026 — its first concrete reveal date after nearly nine years and at least eight missed targets.
PG&E will pay you up to $4,000 to turn your EV into a home battery.
PG&E’s expanded V2X pilot pays California customers to let an EV back up their home. Here’s what qualifies, and where a Tesla actually fits.
Tesla key card, key fob, or phone key: which should you actually carry?
Your Tesla comes with two ways to get in for free, and a third you can buy. Here’s what each one actually does, and which to keep as backup.
Tesla’s Cybertruck Powershare can now back up your home alongside a Powerwall 3.
Cybertruck owners no longer have to choose between Powershare and a Powerwall 3 for home backup power — Tesla says the two can now run together.
Tesla’s Cybertruck Off-Road Light Bar is no longer Foundation Series-only.
The $1,950 roof-mounted light bar, once exclusive to Foundation Series Cyberbeasts, is now available to any Cybertruck owner through the Tesla Shop.
A new federal deduction can cut up to $10,000 off the interest on your Tesla loan.
The federal EV purchase credit is gone, but a new deduction on car loan interest can still save financed buyers real money — here’s who qualifies.
Do you need a cargo net for your Tesla’s trunk?
A trunk cargo net keeps groceries and loose gear from sliding around — here’s what it does and what to check before buying one.
Plan your fall Tesla road trip before the weather turns.
September and October are some of the easiest months to road-trip a Tesla — here’s how to plan stops and what changes once it gets cold.
Tesla’s 2026.32 update adds a built-in ad blocker to the browser.
Update 2026.32 strips ads and pop-ups from the in-car browser, redesigns the wheel-selection screen, and adds Apple Music library search.
Tesla is deploying Megapack batteries at a record pace.
Tesla’s grid-scale battery business is growing faster than its car business right now. Here’s what that has to do with the power behind your home charger.
Do you need a cargo barrier for your Tesla?
If your dog rides loose in the trunk or cargo area, a barrier keeps them out of the front seats and out of your field of view. Here’s what to look for before you buy one.
How one-pedal driving works in a Tesla, and what it does to your range.
Lift off the accelerator and a Tesla slows itself down, feeding energy back into the battery instead of losing it as heat. Here’s how to turn that into true one-pedal driving.
Tesla’s 0.99% APR deal on the Model Y ends September 30.
The 0% APR Tesla ran on the Model Y earlier this year is gone. Here’s the rate advertised now, and the deadline attached to it.
Tesla will open its dedicated Semi factory in Nevada on September 24.
Tesla is holding an invite-only rollout event at its new Semi factory in Sparks, Nevada, on September 24 — five months after the plant’s high-volume line began shipping trucks.
What the Model Y L’s glass roof actually blocks.
The Model Y L’s panoramic glass roof stretches over both rows. Here’s what Tesla actually says it protects you from, and what it doesn’t.
Tesla just started large-scale cathode production in Texas.
Tesla is now processing battery cathode material at Gigafactory Texas, a step toward building more of its battery supply chain in the US.
Can you take your Tesla through a car wash?
Yes, but the type of wash and one setting on the touchscreen make the difference between a clean car and a damaged one.
The federal tax credit for business Tesla purchases is gone too.
If you were planning to write off a Tesla through a business purchase, the federal commercial clean vehicle credit expired alongside the consumer one.
What actually happens if your Tesla runs out of charge.
Running a Tesla to 0% is rare, but here’s what the car does, and what to do next, if it happens to you.
NHTSA opens an investigation into Tesla’s Cybercab safety certification.
Federal regulators are examining how Tesla certified the driverless Cybercab as meeting safety standards that assume a human-operated vehicle.
Can swapping your Tesla’s wheels actually add range?
Wheel choice measurably affects a Tesla’s range. Here’s what independent testing has found, and a look at one owner’s real-world wheel swap.
Do you need wheel spacers for your Tesla?
Wheel spacers push your wheels outward to fit wider aftermarket wheels or fix rubbing. Here’s when your Tesla actually needs them, and what to check before you buy a set.
Is the Model 3 Performance worth $7,500 more than Long Range?
Performance costs $7,500 more than Premium AWD (formerly Long Range) and trades about 37 miles of range for a 2.9-second 0-60 time, bigger brakes, adaptive suspension, and Track Mode.
What Tesla’s Adaptive Headlights actually do
Tesla’s Adaptive Headlights dim individual segments of the matrix LED headlight to cut glare for oncoming drivers, but the feature requires specific hardware and isn’t active on every Tesla in North America yet.
What Tesla’s FSD 14.3.9 update actually changes
Tesla’s FSD 14.3.9 update, rolling out in North America starting September 6, 2026, adds a new Automatic Collision Evasion safety feature along with neural network and driving-behavior improvements.
Here’s what the 2026 Model Y actually costs, trim by trim.
The 2026 Model Y runs from $41,380 to $58,880 across five trims. Here’s what each one gets you, plus one owner’s real-world complaints on video.
Tesla launched Cybercab in Austin. Here’s what it actually does for riders.
Tesla opened Cybercab rides to the public in Austin on September 3, 2026. Here’s what the two-seat, driverless vehicle actually is, and how riders hail one.
Is Tesla’s Acceleration Boost worth buying?
Acceleration Boost is a $2,000 software purchase that shaves about four-tenths of a second off your Tesla’s 0-60 time. Here’s who can buy it, how, and whether it’s worth it.
What Tesla’s tire pressure sensors actually monitor, and when one needs replacing.
Tesla’s TPMS sensors run on a sealed battery that lasts 5 to 7 years. Here’s how the warning actually works, and what a replacement costs at a Service Center versus an independent shop.
Smart Summon can drive your Tesla to you. Here’s what it actually requires.
Smart Summon can drive your Tesla out of a parking spot to meet you — within a strict set of limits on speed, range, and where it’s meant to be used.
Hurricane season peaks September 10. Here’s how to get your Tesla ready.
Hurricane season peaks September 10. A few Tesla charging habits now can matter if an evacuation order comes.
What Tesla’s new San Francisco and Queens Superchargers mean for your road trip.
Tesla’s biggest new Superchargers are showing up in cities, not just on highways, and that changes what’s worth checking in the app before you drive through one.
Tesla’s biggest-ever China recall adds eye tracking to 2.74 million cars
China’s market regulator ordered Tesla to add cabin-camera eye tracking to 2.74 million Model 3 and Y cars, ruling that steering-wheel torque alone doesn’t prove a driver is watching the road.
What charging a Tesla at home actually costs compared to gas
A full home charge runs about $12 to $16 at the national average electricity rate — roughly a third the per-mile cost of gas, though your state’s rate can swing that a lot.
Maine’s low-income EV rebate bonus expires September 30. Here’s what a Tesla buyer gets.
A $1,000 bonus on Maine’s low-income EV rebate ends September 30, 2026 — here’s who qualifies and what it means for buying a Tesla.
What Tesla Home actually does with your Powerwall and EV charging
Tesla Home uses an AI engine called Opticaster to automate your Powerwall, solar, and EV charging around the cheapest electricity rates. Here’s what it actually controls.
Tesla renamed Dog Mode to Pet Mode. Here’s what actually changed.
Tesla renamed Dog Mode to Pet Mode with the Spring 2026 update, adding pet avatars and name display. Here’s what the feature actually requires and how much range it uses.
Do you need snow chains for your Tesla? Here’s when the law actually requires them.
Most Tesla owners never need snow chains, but mountain-pass chain-control laws in states like California and Colorado can make them mandatory. Here’s how to know if you need them and what type fits.
Cybercab event guest rules and fleet registrations, two days out
Ahead of Thursday’s Cybercab event, Tesla has confirmed guest and age rules, registered 45 production Cybercabs in Texas, and grown its robotaxi fleet — while pricing remains an unconfirmed target Musk has floated, not an official number.
New Jersey’s Charge Up rebate can be worth $4,000 on a Tesla in 2026
New Jersey’s Charge Up rebate can still add up to $4,000 to a new Tesla purchase, but the state’s EV sales tax break is gone and the rebate itself runs on funding that can close mid-year.
Model Y L Launch Series: what’s included, and when it actually shows up
What the $61,990 Model Y L Launch Series includes, and what the latest delivery windows actually say as US deliveries begin in September 2026.
Is the six-seat Model Y L worth $12,000 more than a standard Model Y?
The Model Y L starts at $61,990, about $12,000 over a standard Model Y, for a third row with 4.7 inches more legroom. Dirty Tesla’s hands-on take, plus the specs behind it.
Texas’s EV purchase rebate is closed. Here’s what that means if you’re buying a Tesla.
Texas’s state EV purchase rebate, the LDPLIP program, is currently closed according to TCEQ. Here’s what was available, why it’s closed, and what that means for your Tesla budget.
The Model Y L just posted the longest range Edmunds has tested in a Model Y.
Edmunds’ real-world test put the 2027 Tesla Model Y L AWD at 358 miles on a charge — 11.8% past Tesla’s own estimate and the longest range Edmunds has recorded for a Model Y.
Model 3 vs. Cybertruck: which one actually fits you.
A sedan built to be cheap, efficient, and easy to park versus a truck built to haul and tow — how the Model 3 and Cybertruck actually compare on price, size, range, cargo, and towing.
Why one Supercharger stall can charge faster than the one next to it.
Charging speed at a Supercharger depends on the stall’s hardware generation and whether it shares power with a neighbor, not just which site you picked.
What the Q3 delivery push means if you’re ordering a Tesla now.
Tesla’s third quarter ends September 30. Here’s what quarter-end pressure has meant for buyers before, and what it actually means for a September 2026 order.
What a base Cybertruck AWD delivery actually looks like.
The base Cybertruck AWD now starts at $74,990 and skips air suspension, leather seats, and bed tie-down rails compared to Premium — here’s what that means walking into a real delivery.
Tesla says Optimus robot production has started at its Fremont factory.
Tesla has begun building its Optimus humanoid robot on the converted Model S and Model X line at Fremont, though Elon Musk says output will start slowly given roughly 10,000 unique parts and an all-new supply chain.
What Tesla’s app update 4.60 actually adds, and what’s still coming.
Tesla app 4.60 adds Passkey support and hints at Cybertruck Powershare with Powerwall — Ryan Shaw breaks down what’s live and what’s still just code.
Tesla adds official underseat and center console storage trays for the new Model Y.
Tesla’s shop now sells a $40 underseat tray and a $40 center console tray set for the redesigned Model Y built in the second half of 2025 or later.
Tesla’s Robotaxi service now runs 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. across six cities.
Tesla standardized Robotaxi hours to 6 a.m.–10 p.m. in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, saying its unsupervised fleet is bigger and routing is smarter.
Tesla is raising Wheel and Tire Protection Plan prices — but only on Performance trims.
Tesla’s Wheel and Tire Protection Plan jumps to $24 a month for Model 3 and Model Y Performance trims on October 1 — other trims are unchanged.
An owner retrofitted Hardware 4 into an older Model 3 — ahead of Tesla’s own upgrade program.
A software engineer swapped a Hardware 4 computer into his 2022 Model 3, months before Tesla’s own paid HW3 retrofit program is expected to exist.
Tesla plans one of its biggest Superchargers yet, in San Francisco.
Tesla has filed planning permits for a 124-stall V4 Supercharger station in San Francisco, one of the largest urban charging sites the company has proposed.
Do you need aero wheel covers for your Tesla?
Tesla’s plastic aero wheel covers look like a cosmetic afterthought, but they measurably change your range. Here’s what the testing actually shows and what they cost.
Massachusetts wants to shrink its EV rebate. Here’s what’s proposed.
Massachusetts has proposed changes to its MOR-EV rebate program. Nothing has changed yet for buyers, but here’s what’s on the table and when it could take effect.
What Tesla’s FSD 14.3.8 and the Summer Update actually change
Tesla shipped FSD 14.3.8 alongside the Summer Update on August 26, but only Hardware 4 cars get the full version. Here’s what’s new.
What it actually costs to get a Level 2 charger installed at home.
Buying the charger is the easy part. Here’s what electrician labor, permits, and a possible panel upgrade actually add to the bill.
Plan around Supercharger crowds this Labor Day weekend.
Labor Day is one of the busiest road-trip weekends of the year. Here’s how to plan a Tesla road trip around Supercharger congestion.
The base Model 3 is sold out for 2026. Here’s what to expect if you order now.
Tesla’s cheapest Model 3 is now showing delivery dates in early 2027. Here’s why, and what it means for your order timeline.
Tesla raised Cybertruck prices by $5,000. Here’s what it means for buyers.
Tesla quietly raised Cybertruck Dual Motor and Premium pricing by $5,000 on August 24. Here’s the new pricing and what’s behind it.
Do you need a jump starter for your Tesla? Here’s how to pick one.
A dead 12-volt battery can lock you out of a Tesla even with a full charge in the main pack — here’s why, and which portable jump starter to keep in the frunk.
Avoid these first-week Tesla mistakes.
A handful of small, avoidable mistakes cause most of the frustration new Tesla owners run into in their first week, from charging habits to backup keys.
What Tesla has actually confirmed about FSD v15
Tesla says FSD v15 will run on today’s Hardware 4 computers and is targeting a late-2026 to early-2027 launch. Here’s what’s actually confirmed, and why the hardware promise deserves some skepticism.
Tesla names 36 new Supercharger sites picked by owner vote
Tesla revealed 36 new Supercharger locations chosen through its quarterly owner-voting program, spanning 18 countries, though sites still need permits and construction before opening.
What riding in the Model Y L’s third row is actually like on a real road trip.
The Model Y L’s six-seat layout is built for trips like this. Here’s what the seating actually offers, and one family’s real road-trip take on it.
Tesla’s Austin robotaxis went a full reporting window without an at-fault crash. Here’s the context.
New federal data shows zero at-fault incidents for Tesla’s Austin robotaxi fleet in one reporting window. The number is real, but it comes with caveats worth knowing.
Tesla’s certified pre-owned program, explained.
Tesla launched a real certified pre-owned program in August 2026. Here’s what the inspection, warranty, and pricing actually cover if you’re shopping used.
Cybertruck vs. Model S: which one actually fits you.
A stainless-steel truck and a performance sedan aren’t really cross-shopped, but if you are choosing between them, here’s how they actually compare on price, range, and what they’re built to do.
Tesla confirms a Cybercab launch event for September 3 in Austin.
Tesla has set a date and invited riders to a Cybercab launch event in Austin, where the two-seat robotaxi is set to join the Model Y fleet already running there.
What FSD 14.3.7 actually feels like in the new Model Y L.
FSD 14.3.7 shipped with a rewritten AI compiler for faster reaction time. Here’s what that update is meant to change, and one owner’s first drive with it in a Model Y L.
Tesla is building one of the East Coast’s biggest Superchargers, right in Queens.
A new Supercharger going up in Maspeth, Queens will tie for the largest on the East Coast, with dedicated pull-through stalls for trailers.
What Tesla’s financing rates actually look like right now.
Tesla’s advertised APR changes month to month, and the headline rate isn’t always the one you’ll qualify for. Here’s how to read the offer before you sign.
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