55,000 Miles In, I Absolutely Love My Tesla Model 3, But I Am Only Getting 145 Miles At Full Charge

Today, I was scrolling through a Tesla Model 3 owners group on Facebook when I saw a thread that made me do a double take. You know that feeling when you expect one thing, but reality gives you something entirely different? That’s exactly what happened to Ricce Ade, a new Tesla owner who recently bought a 2020 Standard Range Model 3. He knew there’d be some battery degradation, but what he actually got was beyond what he anticipated.

"Hey guys. New to the Tesla world. I recently bought a 2020 Standard Range Model 3. It’s got 55k miles. On the website, it showed an estimated range of 250 miles. I knew there would be some degradation, and I assumed I’d be able to get around 200 miles realistically. However, I am getting 145 miles at full charge and 115 at 80 percent. Is this normal? I absolutely love the car and wish I had bought one sooner, but I did think I would get more range. 115 miles is more than enough for my daily driving, so it’s not that big of a deal, but it just makes trips over an hour one way difficult since there aren’t many Superchargers in my location," Ricce wrote.

Now, that’s a head-scratcher. A Tesla Model 3 with only 55,000 miles should not be seeing range numbers this low. Or should it? Let’s dig into what’s going on here, because what Ricce is experiencing is an issue that many Tesla owners have run into - sometimes unexpectedly.

Is 145 Miles at Full Charge Normal for a 2020 Model 3?

Some group members immediately chimed in, saying Ricce’s situation didn’t seem right for a five-year-old Tesla. However, others weren’t surprised.

Gamaliel, another Model 3 owner, commented: “It’s absolutely believable. At 100% mine says 259 miles, but the real-world is around 175 miles. I don't run Sentry Mode either.”

That’s an interesting point. The estimated range and real-world range can be two completely different stories. But a drop from an advertised 250 miles to 145? That’s a little too steep.

It's always interesting how expectations and real-world experiences with EVs can be so different. Whether it's battery range that falls short of estimates or features that sound great on paper but don't quite deliver in practice, owning an EV comes with a few surprises. Take, for example, the Kia EV9’s famous second-row leg rests, which many expected to be a game-changer for long road trips. But as one EV9 owner quickly found out, they weren’t as useful for his height as advertised because his feet hit the front seats even when fully extended. If you’ve ever been excited about a feature only to find it doesn’t work as expected, you’ll want to read about his experience.

So, what’s eating away at Ricce’s Model 3's range? There are a few possibilities.

1. Battery Management System (BMS) Calibration Might Be Off

Robert Mathews, another commenter, suggested a method to recalibrate the battery estimates: “An easy and ‘quick’ way to get a true battery BMS calibration - your battery will have to drain to 0% and charge all the way to 100%. It takes about 14-20 hours to run, depending on what % you start the test at. You won’t technically get range back, but the estimates will be more accurate. The BMS will know how much of the battery has truly degraded.”

That’s a solid tip. Tesla’s BMS can sometimes miscalculate the battery’s actual capacity, making it seem like the car has lost more range than it actually has.

2. Driving Habits and Energy Consumption

Austin Smith added another key factor: “Going over 55mph or stop-and-go traffic will deplete the battery significantly.”

This is something Tesla owners know well. Unlike gas cars, where speed mostly impacts fuel efficiency at higher speeds, EVs suffer range loss even at moderate speeds. Fast acceleration, regenerative braking habits, and external conditions all play a role.

3. Fast Charging vs. Slow Charging

Then there’s Daniel Michael Ramirez’s advice: “Buy the home charger if you can. I personally don't believe in Supercharging. Heat is not a friend to your battery. I have a 2021 SR+, and I still get the same range as I did on day one. I charge slowly at 12A, and I charge every second or third day. I do drive fast because I like how fast the car accelerates, but never from a dead stop. I get to 30 mp,h then hit the pedal. I've never Supercharged and I never will.”

Supercharging is convenient, but frequent fast charging can degrade lithium-ion batteries over time. Slow, steady charging at home is a much safer bet if you want to maximize battery longevity.

What Can Ricce Do About It?

If Ricce wants to regain some lost range—or at least get a clearer picture of his battery’s health—there are a few things he should try:

• Run a BMS calibration test (as Robert suggested)
• Check battery health through the Tesla app
• Look at energy consumption patterns (Does he have Sentry Mode on all the time? Is he driving in extreme cold?)
• Reduce Supercharging frequency if possible
• Schedule a service visit if the problem persists

Is a Battery Replacement an Option?

Pedro R Mojica pointed out a crucial step: “Go to the service tab and do a battery health test. If less than 70%, you will get a new battery. Your car should still be under warranty for the batteries and powertrain. Check the Tesla app on your phone. It shows if you have a warranty and when it expires.”

If Ricce’s battery is under 70% capacity, he may be eligible for a replacement under Tesla’s battery warranty, which could be a game-changer.

Other Tesla Owners Have Faced Similar Issues

Ricce’s experience isn’t unique. Many Tesla owners have reported significant range degradation over time. One Tesla owner even managed to recover half of his lost battery capacity (read the full discussion here).

Also, check out this article on what happens if there’s an emergency when your Tesla is at 5% battery. It’s something every Tesla owner should be aware of!

Final Thoughts: Is This Range Loss Normal?

At 55,000 miles, a Tesla Model 3 should still have solid range, but unchecked factors like Supercharging habits, battery management miscalibrations, and driving style can all contribute to unexpected degradation. If Ricce follows the steps outlined above, he might just be able to squeeze some extra miles out of his battery.

Have you ever experienced significant range loss in your Tesla? How did you deal with it? Drop a comment below and share your experience.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.