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Tesla Articles & Guides
Articles 201–300, newest first.
Articles
Do you need to replace your Tesla’s wiper blades? Here’s how to tell, and what to buy.
Streaking, chattering, or squealing wipers are an easy fix. Here’s the exact size to buy for a Model 3 or Model Y, and how to swap them without fighting the wiper arm.
Tesla just recalled 3 million cars in China over door handles. Here’s what it means for US owners.
China ordered a recall of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles over hard-to-find emergency door releases. It’s not a US recall, but the same issue is already reshaping US safety rules.
Tesla Semi just landed its biggest order yet — 500 trucks.
A Swedish freight company ordered 500 Tesla Semi trucks, the largest Semi deal to date. Here’s who’s actually buying and why.
What actually happens when you remove a Tesla wrap after years of sun.
A vinyl wrap has a real shelf life. Here’s how long a quality wrap actually lasts, and what removal looks like once it’s done its job.
Nevada approved up to 5,000 Tesla robotaxis in Las Vegas.
The Nevada Transportation Authority approved permits for Tesla, Waymo and Uber to run paid robotaxi service in Clark County. Here’s what was actually approved.
How much range does a Tesla actually lose over time?
Battery degradation is real but slower than most new owners expect. Here’s what the data actually shows, in miles and years.
Your utility might pay you to let it manage your Tesla’s charging.
Some utilities pay a bill credit just for enrolling your Tesla in a managed-charging program. Here’s how the payouts actually work.
What to set up in the Tesla app before your car arrives.
Your Tesla Account works before delivery day. Here’s what you can and can’t do in the app while your order is still pending.
Can FSD actually cut your Tesla insurance bill in half?
Lemonade will discount FSD-engaged miles by 50 percent, but only for Tesla owners with Hardware 4 in five states: Arizona, Oregon, Indiana, Colorado, and Tennessee.
How much fits in the Model Y L with the seats folded?
Tesla rates the six-seat Model Y L at up to 89 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded flat, and a hands-on video shows what that looks like loaded.
FSD Supervised vs. a robotaxi ride: what’s actually different.
Tesla says FSD (Supervised) never makes the car fully autonomous and still requires an attentive driver, while Waymo’s robotaxis operate with no driver at all.
Model 3 vs. Model X: which one actually fits you.
The Model 3 is Tesla’s affordable, high-volume sedan, while the Model X is a three-row flagship SUV that’s no longer in production and getting more expensive as inventory shrinks.
Tesla has discontinued Solar Roof.
Tesla has stopped taking new orders for its Solar Roof tiles, telling installers the product isn’t financially viable, and will sell only standard solar panels going forward.
How far does the Model Y L really go, and how fast does it charge?
The Model Y L’s official EPA range is 325 miles with a peak DC fast-charging rate around 256 kW, and a Dirty Tesla real-world test on August 20, 2026 shows how those numbers hold up on the road.
Model 3 vs. Model S: which one actually fits you.
The Model 3 is the affordable, practical daily driver, while the Model S now means paying six figures for one of Tesla’s last leftover flagship sedans.
New York still pays you to buy a Tesla. Here’s how much.
New York’s Drive Clean Rebate still pays up to $2,000 toward a new Tesla in 2026, but whether you get the full amount or the flat $500 minimum depends on which trim and options push your price past the program’s $42,000 MSRP cap.
Tesla’s Caraoke Feature Now Scores Your Singing
Tesla’s 2026 Summer Update adds a scoring system to its Caraoke app that only works in Park, requires a Premium Connectivity subscription, and is still rolling out to the fleet.
Model S vs. Model Y: which one actually fits you.
The Model S starts about $70,000 higher than the Model Y and is now in its final, discontinued model year, while the Model Y offers more seating flexibility and everyday range at a fraction of the price.
What upgrading a Hardware 3 Tesla to AI4 actually involves right now
There’s no way to buy a Hardware 3-to-AI4 computer upgrade today; here’s what Tesla has actually promised and what the headline retrofit really is.
How Tesla’s FSD software actually handles rain and standing water
Tesla’s FSD software locks the car into slower Chill or Sloth driving modes when it detects a hydroplaning risk, and the version tested here added a vision upgrade for low-visibility scenes.
Tesla’s Summer Update lets some cars join Google Meet and Teams calls
Tesla’s 2026.26 Summer Update opens the in-car browser’s camera and microphone to services like Google Meet, Teams, and Discord, but only on newer AMD-equipped cars and only while parked.
Cold weather cuts your Tesla’s range. Plan winter road trips around it.
Cold weather can cut a Tesla’s range by 15-30%, mostly from cabin heating rather than the battery itself. Here’s what the data shows and how to plan around it.
The Real 5-Year Cost of Owning a Tesla, Line by Line
A breakdown of what a Tesla actually costs over five years, using sourced figures for purchase price, depreciation, insurance, charging, and maintenance.
Do you need a center console organizer for your Tesla?
A buyer’s guide to Tesla center console organizers: why fit varies by console generation, what Tesla’s own factory trays cost, and how a top-rated aftermarket option compares.
How Tesla’s ordering process actually works, step by step
A step-by-step look at how Tesla’s online ordering process actually works, from configuring the car to the order fee to the pending tasks in the Tesla app.
How Tesla decides whether your problem needs mobile service or a shop visit.
Tesla service requests start in the app, and Tesla, not the owner, decides whether the fix happens at your driveway or a service center.
Tesla’s V2L power adapter costs $80 for some owners and $1,750 for others
Tesla’s V2L power adapter is an $80 accessory for newer Model Y Premium and Performance trims, but a roughly $1,750 parts-and-labor retrofit for older PCS1 cars with no formal customer program yet.
Tesla is auctioning off its leftover Model S and Model X parts inventory.
Tesla is selling bulk pallets of unused Model S and Model X parts through B-Stock auctions following the end of production and the Fremont line teardown for Optimus.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving still needs an attentive driver. Here’s why.
Tesla’s own documentation describes Full Self-Driving (Supervised) as a driver assistance system, not an autonomous one, and requires a fully attentive driver ready to take over.
Colorado’s EV tax credit dropped this year. Here’s what a Tesla buyer actually gets.
Colorado’s base EV tax credit fell to $750 in 2026, but vehicles under $35,000 MSRP still qualify for an extra $2,500 — here’s what that means for a Tesla purchase.
Model X vs. Cybertruck: which one actually fits you.
The Cybertruck wins on price and towing capacity, but a real-world test shows the Model X keeps far more of its range while towing a trailer.
Tesla’s Automatic Navigation now learns your routine, not just Home and Work.
Tesla’s 2026.26 Summer Update teaches Automatic Navigation to recognize regular stops like school and the gym, and adds Preferred Routes for owners with Online Routing enabled.
Charging your Tesla at work: the etiquette that keeps a shared charger usable.
Workplace Level 2 chargers are shared resources with no built-in congestion fee, which makes basic etiquette the thing that keeps them usable for everyone.
Model Y L’s power seats and liftgate reverse when they hit resistance
On the Model Y L, the powered rear seats and liftgate stop and reverse when they sense an obstruction, a pinch-protection feature Tesla built in for hands, pets, and cargo.
Tesla launches a $35-a-month Powerwall lease for Texas homeowners
Tesla now leases two Powerwall units in Texas for an effective $35 a month when bundled with its Tesla Electric plan, according to Tesla’s own support page and reporting on the program’s pricing.
Do you need winter tires for your Tesla? Buy them before the rush.
Winter tires matter for a Tesla’s instant torque and cold-weather grip, but the real reason to shop now is that popular sizes and installer slots disappear once the weather turns.
Model Y vs. Model X: which one actually fits you.
The Model Y and Model X differ far more than size suggests, from price and seating to towing capacity, so here is how to tell which SUV actually fits your life.
Floor protection for your Tesla costs $25 or $300, depending on what you buy
Tesla’s own all-weather liners run into the hundreds of dollars. A lot of owners get similar coverage from a molded aftermarket mat set instead.
How to add a driver to your Tesla and share access without handing over your key
The Tesla app lets you add up to five drivers to a car, each with their own phone key and their own limits. Here’s what they can and can’t do.
Your utility probably has a cheaper electricity rate for charging your Tesla
Most major utilities offer a separate, discounted rate plan for EV owners who charge overnight. Switching is usually free, if you can commit to charging off-peak.
Your Tesla doesn’t come with a spare tire, and the repair kit isn’t included either
Tesla sells its own tire repair kit as a separate $110 accessory. Here’s what it can actually fix, and what Roadside Assistance covers if you’re stuck.
Tesla now sells an $80 adapter that turns your Model Y Premium into a power outlet
Tesla’s new V2L Outlet Adapter draws 2.4 kW from the car’s battery, but only some Model Y Premium builds have the hardware to use it.
Is the six-seat Model Y L worth $61,990 over a regular Model Y?
Tesla’s stretched, three-row Model Y L costs about $15,000 more than a standard Model Y Long Range. Here’s what the extra length and money actually buy.
EVgo is adding Superchargers to its network. Here’s what that means for your road trip.
EVgo is deploying its own Tesla V4-hardware Superchargers, routable from your car’s Trip Planner, starting this fall.
Tesla files plans for a $10.1 billion solar factory in Texas.
Tesla has filed state paperwork for a $10.1 billion vertically integrated solar cell plant in Fort Bend County, Texas, called Project Crystal Sun.
Tesla is using its cameras to start deploying airbags earlier
Tesla Vision can now tell the restraint system a crash is coming up to 70 milliseconds before the impact sensors do — but the sensors still make the call.
Is the cheaper Model Y the one to buy?
The Standard trim takes about $6,400 off a Model Y. What you give up decides whether that’s a bargain or a false economy.
Running a fridge in your Tesla: what the 12V socket will and won’t do
A parked Tesla can keep a cooler running, but only with the right setting turned on and only down to a battery floor.
What the charging stops look like on a 2,600-mile road trip
On a long drive the stops are shorter and more frequent than most new owners picture — and the rhythm is set by the charging curve, not by the range number.
The maintenance Tesla actually schedules
There’s no oil change and no annual service, but Tesla does publish intervals — tires, cabin filter, and a short list of the rest.
What your first ride with Full Self-Driving is actually like
The first FSD drive surprises most people twice: the car does more than they expected, and it still needs them the whole time.
How many days of driving one charge actually covers
For most drivers a single charge covers close to a week of ordinary driving, which is why home charging stops being something you think about.
What to buy first for a new Model 3 or Model Y
Charging comes first, protection second, and most of the accessory list can wait until you have driven the car for a month.
Can you buy a Tesla for under $40,000 in 2026?
The Model 3 Standard starts under $40,000 with destination included, but the federal credit is gone and the real number depends on fees, taxes and where you live.
Tesla is shipping a second FSD v14 Lite build to Hardware 3 cars
FSD v14.1 Lite arrives as firmware 2026.21.6 for older Hardware 3 Model 3 and Model Y cars, following reports of Autopilot computer overheating on the first v14 Lite release.
Moving to a new state with your Tesla? Here’s what to update.
Registration, insurance, and your home charging setup all need a second look after a move. Tesla Insurance in particular doesn’t follow you everywhere.
Do you need a USB hub for your Tesla?
Model 3 and Model Y only have one USB port that actually works for Sentry Mode and Dashcam. Here’s when a hub solves that.
Tesla’s new Stuck Assist mode is here. Here’s whether your Model 3 has it.
Tesla’s 2026.26 update adds three selectable traction control modes, but so far it’s only reaching new Model 3 cars.
Grok can now make calls and open your glovebox. Here’s whether your Tesla has it.
Tesla’s Summer Update expanded what its Grok voice assistant can control in the car — but the feature is gated by hardware, not just software version.
Do you need running boards for your Tesla?
Running boards help some Tesla owners more than others. Here’s who actually benefits, and what to check before you buy a set.
Tesla burned through its California EV rebate money in five days.
California’s $3,500 MyFirstEV rebate for Tesla buyers ran dry less than a week after it opened. Here’s what that means if you were counting on it.
Do you still need PlugShare or ABRP if you have a Tesla?
Tesla’s built-in Trip Planner handles Superchargers well, but two free third-party apps still earn a spot on longer or mixed-network trips. Here’s when each one actually helps.
Oregon’s EV rebate reopens August 25. Here’s what a Tesla buyer gets.
Oregon’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program reopens for a limited window this fall, with smaller rebates than before and a hard MSRP cap. Here’s what actually applies if you’re buying a Tesla.
Tesla recalls 20,349 Model 3 and Model Y cars for headlights that shine too bright.
Tesla is recalling 20,349 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles because certain headlamp assemblies exceed federal brightness limits. Here’s who’s affected and what happens next.
Illinois reopened its EV rebate for 2026. Here’s how a Tesla buyer qualifies.
Illinois’ EV Rebate Program opened a new application cycle on August 1, 2026, paying up to $4,000 toward a new or used Tesla. Here’s who qualifies, the price cap, and the deadline that matters most.
Where the LATCH anchors are in your Tesla, and how to install a car seat correctly.
Every current Tesla has LATCH anchors in the outboard second-row seats, and Model X adds them to the third row. Here’s where to find them and what to know before you install a seat, straight from Tesla’s owner’s manuals.
Tesla ships FSD v14.3.7 with a rewritten AI compiler for faster reaction time.
Tesla’s 2026.21.5 update brings FSD (Supervised) v14.3.7 to eligible vehicles, with a rebuilt AI compiler, better traffic light handling, and Actually Smart Summon on Cybertruck.
Your Tesla lease is ending. Here are the four options Tesla actually gives you.
Return it, buy it, extend it, or trade up. Tesla’s lease-end process has four paths, and each one has its own deadlines and fine print.
Towing cuts your Tesla’s range hard. Plan charging stops around it, not your dashboard estimate.
A trailer can cut a Tesla’s real-world range by half or more. Here’s what actually changes, and how to plan charging stops so you don’t run short.
California will knock $3,500 off your first Tesla, while the funding lasts.
California’s MyFirstEV program takes $3,500 off a qualifying Model 3 or Model Y for first-time EV buyers, but the money is limited and Tesla is only one of more than a dozen automakers splitting it.
Model S vs. Model X: which one actually fits you.
Both are sold from remaining inventory only. Here’s how the flagship sedan and SUV actually compare.
Do you need rain guards for your Tesla?
Window deflectors let you crack a window in the rain. Here’s what they cost and whether they’re worth it.
What charging your Tesla actually costs compared to gas.
A mile of home charging costs a fraction of a mile of gas. Here’s the math, with current rates.
Tesla’s Supercharger prices change with congestion now. Here’s how to pay less.
Tesla is rolling out Supercharger pricing that moves with real-time congestion instead of a fixed time-of-day schedule. Here’s how it works and how to actually pay less.
What Tesla’s Dog Mode actually does, and how to turn it on.
Dog Mode keeps your Tesla’s climate running and shows the cabin temperature to passersby, but it has real limits. Here’s how it actually works, straight from Tesla’s owner’s manual.
Tesla extends Cybertruck warranty to 8 years after admitting a charging defect.
Tesla is extending the Cybertruck’s charging-hardware warranty to 8 years and reimbursing owners who already paid for repairs, after admitting a widespread power conversion system defect.
Tesla voided Musk’s $29 billion ‘interim’ pay package after a Delaware court restored his original 2018 award.
Tesla canceled a backup pay package for Elon Musk after Delaware’s Supreme Court reinstated his larger 2018 compensation award. Here’s what changed and what it doesn’t.
Set Scheduled Departure so your Tesla is warm and charged exactly when you leave.
Scheduled Departure times your Tesla’s preconditioning and charging to finish right before you leave, instead of hours early. Here’s how to set it up.
Get your home ready before your Tesla arrives.
Home charging installation takes longer than delivery does. Line up an electrician, a permit, and your HOA before your Tesla shows up.
Do you need a charge port lock or cover for your Tesla?
Tesla’s charge port already has a motorized door and a locking latch, so an aftermarket cover or lock only makes sense once you know which specific problem — weather, freezing, or someone unplugging your car — you’re trying to solve.
Which Tesla holds the most cargo and tows the most? Compare the lineup.
A trim-by-trim look at cargo volume and towing capacity across the Model 3, Model Y, Model Y L, and Cybertruck to help you figure out which Tesla actually hauls the most.
What Tesla’s destination and order fees actually cover.
Every new Tesla order adds a mandatory destination fee and order fee on top of the vehicle price, and neither one is negotiable or refundable.
Check Supercharger availability before you leave, not after you arrive.
Both the Tesla app and Google Maps now show whether a Supercharger will actually have an open stall when you get there.
How Tesla’s Safety Score actually changes your insurance bill.
Tesla Insurance doesn’t price you like a normal insurer. Here’s how the Safety Score works, what it rewards, and where it isn’t available.
Tesla built its 10 millionth vehicle. Here’s what that means for owners.
Tesla produced its 10 millionth vehicle at the Fremont factory on July 30, 2026 — a scale milestone that matters more for owners than it might seem.
Model 3 trims: which one should you buy.
Tesla now sells four Model 3 trims, and the old “Long Range” name is gone. Here’s what Standard, Premium RWD, Premium AWD, and Performance actually get you.
Do you need all-weather floor mats for your Tesla?
Factory carpet mats don’t hold up to daily spills, snow, and mud. Here’s what all-weather mats actually protect, what to look for, and a fit issue worth taking seriously.
Trading in your car when you buy a Tesla: what to expect.
Tesla handles trade-ins inside the app, tied to your delivery appointment. Here’s how the process works, what paperwork to prepare, and why it’s worth comparing the offer before you accept.
Supercharger etiquette: what to do when you pull up, and when to leave.
Small habits at a busy Supercharger keep stalls open for everyone, and keep you from paying a fee you didn’t need to.
What Tesla’s Full Self-Driving actually costs you now.
FSD (Supervised) is subscription-only in 2026. Here’s the current monthly price, who qualifies for a discount, and what changed.
Tesla’s robotaxi service reaches seven cities. Its driverless fleet still isn’t growing.
Tesla added Tampa and Orlando to its robotaxi map in July, but the flagship Austin fleet has stalled well below its spring peak.
Do you need a windshield sunshade for your Tesla this summer?
Tesla’s big glass roof and windshield let in a lot of sun. A sunshade is cheap, and the case for one is mostly about protecting the interior, not just comfort.
Can you return a new Tesla after delivery? What actually applies now.
Tesla used to offer a 7-day, 1,000-mile return window on new cars. It doesn’t anymore. Here’s what happens if you take delivery and change your mind.
Why your Tesla’s rated range and your actual range don’t match.
The number on the window sticker comes from a lab test, not your commute. Here’s how the EPA gets it, and what actually eats into it on the road.
Model 3 vs. Model Y: which one actually fits you.
The Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV share a platform but differ on cargo space, starting price, and range — here is how they actually compare as of August 2026.
NHTSA suspension investigation: what it means for Model 3 and Model Y owners
NHTSA has opened a preliminary investigation into 1.2 million Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles over reports of a front suspension part detaching, though it stresses no recall has been issued yet.
State and utility EV incentives are still out there. Here’s how to find yours.
Beyond the expired federal tax credit, a handful of state and utility programs are verified active in 2026, while two well-known California perks have quietly ended.
Cybertruck vs. Model Y: which one is actually for you.
Tesla’s truck and its compact SUV solve different problems. Here’s how price, range, and towing actually compare for 2026.
Do you need a car cover for your Tesla?
When a car cover is worth it for a Tesla parked outside, and what to look for so it doesn’t do more harm than good.
What to expect at a Tesla test drive, and how to prepare.
How to schedule a Tesla demo drive, what documents and age requirements apply, and how to use your 30 minutes well.
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