Articles & guides
model-y - Tesla Articles
Guides, reviews, and ownership tips — read by thousands of Tesla owners.
Articles
How often to rotate the tires on your Model 3 or Model Y
Tesla's service manuals say to rotate every 6,250 miles or sooner if tread wear differs. Here is the pattern to ask for and the reset step afterward.
What Model 3 and Model Y buyers paid in September 2026, and why EV discounts shrank
Kelley Blue Book says the average new EV cost $55,879 in September, while Tesla’s average was $54,345. Here is what the numbers mean for your budget.
Model Y and Model 3 drove almost all of Tesla’s U.S. sales in Q3 2026, Cox Automotive says
Cox Automotive’s Q3 2026 report says Tesla still sold more than half of U.S. EVs, even as its sales fell about 20% from a year earlier.
Already ordered a Tesla? Here’s what October’s Model 3 and Model Y refresh means for you.
Tesla updated the US Model 3 and Model Y configurator on October 1, 2026. If you ordered before that date, here’s what’s actually confirmed about whether your build includes the change, and how to check instead of guessing.
Which car seats actually fit in your Tesla’s back seat?
Tesla’s outboard rear seats have full LATCH hardware, but the center seat doesn’t — and a certified Cars.com test found three-across doesn’t fit comfortably. Here’s what the testing actually shows, and which narrow convertible seats make three-across possible.
What actually fits in the Model Y L’s third row.
The Model Y L’s third row has its own heated seats, power recline, and child-seat anchors. Here’s what the specs say, and what a family’s hands-on test showed.
Tesla’s Powershare home backup now works with Model 3 and Model Y.
Tesla turned on Powershare home backup for the Model 3 and Model Y on October 6, giving most owners a path to vehicle-to-home power for the first time, with real limits on eligibility and hardware.
Picking between the Model Y, Model 3, and Cybertruck in 2026.
With Model S and Model X gone, Tesla’s new-car lineup is down to three — here’s what each one actually costs and who it fits.
Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y just got a mid-cycle refresh in the US
Tesla’s October 1 refresh brings a bigger, sharper screen and quicker acceleration to the Model 3 and Model Y in the US, though V2L and the new interior color other markets get didn’t make the cut here.
Tesla raised Model Y financing rates again. Here’s what it costs you
Tesla quietly raised Model Y loan APRs from 1.49% to 1.99% in late September. On a typical 72-month loan, that’s roughly $800 to $1,000 more over the life of the loan.
Model Y L or Rivian R1S: how the specs actually compare
Both are three-row electric SUVs for a family, but they land in very different price brackets. Here’s how the Model Y L and Rivian R1S actually compare on seats, range, and towing.
What Tesla’s 2026.38 update changes for older cars
Tesla’s 2026.38 rollout adds auto-leveling headlights for legacy Hardware 3 cars and a new emergency way to leave a Supercharger. Here’s what’s actually in it and what it doesn’t do.
Delaware will pay you up to $2,500 toward a new Tesla.
Delaware’s Clean Vehicle Rebate pays $2,500 on a new Model 3 or Model Y, with no income cap. Here’s how the tiers work and how to apply.
Why your Tesla’s front license plate keeps falling off, and how to fix it
Tesla’s front plate bracket is held on with adhesive, not bolts, and the company’s own instructions explain why it comes loose so easily.
Tesla Model Y or Ford Mustang Mach-E: how the specs compare
If you’re cross-shopping electric SUVs, here’s how the Model Y and Mustang Mach-E stack up on price, range, cargo, and charging access.
Order a Tesla this week, and you may not see it until 2027.
Tesla’s order pages now show 2027 delivery windows for the Model 3 RWD and Model Y. Here’s what that means if you’re ordering with the quarter about to close.
Model Y L or Model X: how the specs actually compare
The Model Y L undercuts the Model X by nearly $28,000 and seats six with a usable third row. Here’s how the price, range and specs actually compare.
Tesla AWD vs. RWD: which drivetrain should you actually buy?
RWD Teslas cost less and go farther per charge than the AWD version of the same trim. Here’s what the extra motor on AWD actually buys you.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 seat covers for your Tesla?
Tesla’s owner’s manual has a specific warning about front-seat covers and airbags. Here’s what it says, and what’s actually lower-risk if you want to protect your interior.
Your Tesla’s cabin air filter: how often to change it, and how to tell it needs it.
Tesla skips oil changes and spark plugs, but the cabin air filter is real maintenance most owners forget about. Here’s Tesla’s own replacement schedule and how to tell yours is overdue.
How many people fit in a Tesla? Compare seating across the lineup.
From a five-seat Model 3 to a six-seat Model Y L, here’s how many people each current Tesla actually seats.
Model Y vs. Model Y L: which one actually fits you.
Tesla’s stretched, six-seat Model Y L costs about $20,000 more than a standard Model Y. Here’s who actually needs the extra row.
Mud flaps for your Tesla: do you need them, and how to pick a set that fits.
Tesla’s low ride height and smooth panels make road spray more noticeable. Here’s what mud flaps actually do and how to match them to your model year.
Do you need an aftermarket wireless charger for your Tesla?
Newer Model 3 and Model Y already have a wireless charging pad built in. Here’s how to check before you buy an accessory.
Which Tesla has the longest range? Compare the current lineup.
EPA range varies a lot across Tesla’s current lineup, and the trim you pick can matter as much as the model. Here’s how the options actually compare.
Tesla’s FSD v14 Lite is moving toward wide release for older-hardware cars.
A new build of FSD v14 Lite is rolling out to early testers with Hardware 3 computers, and Tesla’s AI chief says it’s likely the version that goes wide.
Compare Standard Range and Long Range trims.
Tesla’s entry-level Standard trims now top 320 miles of EPA range, so the real question is whether the extra $5,500-$6,000 for the trim formerly known as Long Range buys anything most drivers actually need.
Do You Need a Roof Rack for Your Tesla? A Summer Buyer’s Guide
A practical guide to whether you need a roof rack for your Tesla’s glass roof, what Tesla’s own racks cost and are rated to carry, and how aftermarket options compare.
Tesla Model Y trims compared: which one should you buy?
Standard, Long Range, Performance, or Launch Series. Here’s what actually separates Model Y’s trims, as of July 2026.
Custom Order vs. Inventory Tesla: Which One Fits You
A custom order lets you configure a Tesla exactly how you want it and wait weeks to months, while an inventory car is already built, ready in days, and sometimes discounted, but limited to what is already on the lot.
Do you need a screen protector for your Tesla’s touchscreen?
Tesla’s own owner’s manual says to skip it. Here’s why, and what to do instead.
What charging a Tesla at home actually costs, state by state.
Home charging costs depend almost entirely on your local electricity rate, and that rate varies more than 2x across the country. Here’s what it actually costs to fill up in a handful of representative states.
Phone key, key card, or key fob: which should you actually carry?
Tesla gives you three ways to unlock and drive your car. Here’s what each one does, what it costs, and why you should carry a backup even if your phone is your daily key.
Tesla issues two recalls this month. Here’s what owners need to do.
Tesla has two active recalls with owner notification letters going out in July 2026 — a rearview camera delay fixed by software, and a missing certification label on some Model Ys that requires a service visit.
Model 3 vs. Model Y: which one should you buy
A head-to-head look at how Tesla’s sedan and compact SUV compare on space, price, and range, to help you decide which one fits how you actually use a car.
Choosing the right floor mats for your Tesla: material, fit, and coverage.
A practical guide to picking Tesla floor mats based on material, custom-fit vs. universal sizing, and generation-specific fitment quirks like the Model 3 Highland and Model Y Juniper redesigns.
Tesla now sells a six-seat Model Y.
Tesla launched the Model Y L, a longer three-row version of the Model Y, priced from $61,990.
What Does It Cost to Insure a Tesla in 2026?
Tesla insurance runs higher than the average new car and even the average EV, mainly due to repair costs and vehicle value — here’s what recent data shows and how Tesla’s own real-time, Safety Score-based policy works.
Model Y vs. Model X: Which Fits Your Family
A practical, spec-by-spec look at how Tesla’s two SUVs compare for families in mid-2026, when Model X production has ended and Model Y just gained a six-seat long-wheelbase version.
Ready to order?
Three months of FSD (Supervised), on Tesla.
Get 3 months of FSD (Supervised) free when you order through our link.
GetTesla earns Tesla Credits when you order through this link. It costs you nothing extra and the benefit comes from Tesla. How the referral works