A Tesla owner sees that her Tesla's battery goes down by 1% overnight and wonders what she can do to avoid this. We'll explain everything.
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Sue Davis is a Tesla Model 3 recent owner, and is concerned about her Model 3 dropping 1% in its battery charge overnight. She says it is weird and that she has turned off sentry mode and wonders what else can she do as the 1% charge dropping is stressing her out. We've got you covered, Sue, in everything you need to know about this.
Here is her exact question to a Model 3/Y Facebook group:
Can somebody please offer advice. I charge my Model 3 to 85% sometimes, as per photo below. Then when I wake up, its at 84% charge! So it basically loses 1% charge. It's weird. I would need to set it at 81% for instance if I wanted 80% charge. I've turned off sentry mode, what else could be draining my battery? Also when I'm one mile down the road it drops another percentage, but i know that's normal as its just starting up and uses more on short journeys. It's stressing me out a bit as surely it shouldn't lose 1% charge when sat in my drive for a few hours?
The Curious Case of the Vanishing 1% Battery Charge in Tesla Owners
In the ever-evolving world of electric vehicles (EVs), where technology meets daily life, Tesla owners often find themselves navigating through a labyrinth of features, settings, and battery management systems.
A recent discussion on a Tesla owner's query about a 1% battery drop overnight has sparked a lively debate, shedding light on the nuances of EV ownership and the community's diverse perspectives.
The original post, shared on a social platform, detailed a Tesla Model 3 owner's concern over her vehicle's battery charge dropping from 85% to 84% overnight.
This seemingly minor issue, however, opened a Pandora's box of advice, humor, and sometimes, a touch of exasperation from fellow Tesla enthusiasts.
Tip: Set the charge limit 1% higher overnight to compensate for the nightly 1% drop.
The Technical Insights
Several respondents, like Jonathan Hayes and Chad Ventura, quickly pointed out that the battery percentage displayed is not an exact science but an estimate. This estimate can fluctuate due to various factors including temperature changes, battery management system (BMS) activities, and even the act of checking the app, which wakes the car from its slumber.
Dennis Wolf explained that the BMS might be balancing the batteries, a process that can lead to minor discrepancies in the displayed charge.
Tip: Don't check your Tesla app when you are not using your Tesla in order to save battery.
Community Reactions
The responses ranged from empathetic to outright dismissive. Tommy Sawyer's initial comment suggested that if 1% loss was causing stress, perhaps an EV wasn't the right choice, which drew a mix of agreement and rebuttal.
Juan Pablo Guevara countered this by advocating for understanding and support for new EV owners, highlighting the community's role in education rather than judgment.
John Young, a seasoned Tesla owner, expressed a more laid-back approach, advising not to sweat the small stuff, a sentiment echoed by many who've grown accustomed to the quirks of their electric steeds.
However, this perspective was not universally shared, with some like Charles Liu and Truc Mai delving into the technical specifics, reassuring that such minor losses are part of normal battery behavior.
Tip: Don't leave sentry mode on overnight to save battery drain.
Practical Advice and Humor
The thread was not devoid of practical advice. Suggestions included setting the charge limit slightly higher to compensate for the drop, ensuring features like Sentry Mode or Cabin Overheat Protection are turned off, and even humorously advising to "enjoy the ride" rather than fret over minor battery fluctuations.
The community's humor was evident in comments like those from John Johnson, who mistook a typo for a curse, adding a light-hearted tone to the discussion.
Tip: Tint the windows or employ a windshield visor in order to save battery from Cabin Overheat Protection being used in hot weather.
The Bigger Picture
This discussion underscores a broader theme in the EV community: the learning curve associated with new technology.
While some see the 1% drop as a non-issue, others find it a point of curiosity or concern, reflecting different levels of comfort with technology.
It also highlights the importance of community forums where knowledge is shared, myths are debunked, and sometimes, a bit of humor is injected into the conversation.
The Tesla community's response to the 1% battery drop query reveals a microcosm of EV ownership: a blend of technical expertise, practical advice, and a dash of humor.
Tip: 1% is a normal overnight drop in a Tesla's battery, even when not running the app or sentry mode.
For new EV owners, such discussions serve as both a learning ground and a support network, illustrating that while the technology might be cutting-edge, the human element of curiosity, concern, and camaraderie remains timeless.
As EVs become more mainstream, these interactions will continue to shape how owners perceive and interact with their vehicles, turning each minor concern into a shared learning experience.
Tip: When parking your car for a long period of time, turn off Cabin Overheat Protection and sentry mode to save battery.
Is a 1% battery charge drop overnight an acceptable part of owning an EV? What other tips would you offer Sue on her question?
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Hi! I'm Jeremy Noel Johnson, and I am a Tesla investor and supporter and own a 2022 Model 3 RWD EV and I don't have range anxiety :). I enjoy bringing you breaking Tesla news as well as anything about Tesla or other EV companies I can find, like Aptera. Other interests of mine are AI, Tesla Energy and the Tesla Bot! You can follow me on X.COM or LinkedIn to stay in touch and follow my Tesla and EV news coverage.
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