Model S (2021 and newer): Charging & Battery

In Park, we press the button on the Tesla charge cable, touch Controls > Charging > Open Charge Port, or hold the key fob rear trunk button for 1–2 seconds. If the cable will not release: 1) Stop charging. 2) Open the rear trunk. 3) Pull the charge port release cable down. 4) Pull the cable out. Tesla warns to pull the release first, never during charging, and never to close the port door by hand.

Yes, if supported. Every Tesla has an NACS port, but third-party DC fast chargers need CCS support. In Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Information, Enabled means CCS stations (with an adapter) and third-party NACS stations work, Not enabled means a retrofit may be offered in the Tesla app, and Not compatible means they cannot be used. Controls > Navigation > Third-Party Charging Stations shows them, but Trip Planner will not route to them automatically.

White or light blue: the door is open and ready, or the latch is unlocked. Blue: connected but not charging, for example when scheduled. Blinking blue: talking to the charger. Blinking green: charging, slowing as the battery fills. Solid green: charging complete. Solid amber: the connector is not fully inserted, so we reinsert it. Blinking amber: charging at reduced current (AC only). Red: a fault stopped charging, so we check the touchscreen or instrument panel.

In Park, we set it in Controls > Charging or the Tesla app, which show Tesla's recommended daily and trip ranges. Sliding past the daily range gives a one-time higher limit for a long trip, which resets afterward. We can also save a separate limit for the current location. Tesla advises not letting the battery drop to 20% or below, when the icon turns yellow, and leaving Model S plugged in when not in use.

The charging screen shows the session location, start time and estimated cost; the final price appears in our Tesla account. Congestion fees apply only when a site is at capacity and our battery is above the congestion limit, or after our session ends; the first 5 minutes are free, then fees run until we move Model S. Each site's rates show in its popup or the app, and busy sites may cap charging at 80% unless we use Trip Planner.

1) Touch Controls > Schedule, also found on the climate and charging screens and in the Tesla app. 2) Pick Current Location, Home or Work. 3) Under Precondition, set the departure time and days. 4) Under Charge, set the start and stop times. 5) Touch Create. Tesla recommends setting the End-by time to our departure so charging finishes just before we leave and the battery stays warm. Schedules are ignored at Superchargers and other fast chargers.

Tesla lists three kinds. The Wall Connector is installed where we park and is the fastest option for daily charging. The Mobile Connector plugs into common outlets, with its smart adapter attached before plugging into the outlet. Adapters connect to the most common public charging stations in our region and go on the station's connector first. They are sold at shop.tesla.com, depending on region. Tesla warns the high voltage system has no user-serviceable parts.

Tesla's tips: drive more slowly and avoid fast acceleration, using Chill in Controls > Dynamics > Acceleration if we like. Ease off the accelerator instead of braking so regenerative braking recovers energy. Use seat and yoke or steering wheel heaters rather than cabin heat, and precondition while plugged in. Keep tires at the right pressure, remove extra cargo, close the windows, turn off Sentry Mode and Cabin Overheat Protection when not needed, and stay plugged in when parked.

Low Power Mode saves energy when range drops below a threshold we set in Controls > Charging > Low Power Mode, from 10% to 20% (20% by default). While it is active, Sentry Mode, Keep Accessory Power On, Actually Smart Summon Standby Mode, Keep Climate On and Camp, Cabin Overheat Protection and Preconditioning turn off and cannot be enabled. Tesla notes that standby functions, screen use and app checks still use energy, and cold weather drains it faster.

Model S must be on an AC charger of at least 5 kW, below 20% charge, in Park, with no battery or thermal alerts, no pending update and a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. We touch Controls > Service > Battery Health Test and Start Test. It takes up to 24 hours, discharges the battery below 10% and disables Sentry Mode and climate. Tesla warns not to leave anyone inside and to cancel before unplugging. Some cars lack this feature.

Tesla advises keeping Model S plugged in when not in use, charging regularly and saving Supercharging for road trips. Where the car recommends an 80% daily limit, we set about 80% and use 100% only before long drives. We avoid sitting near 0% or 100% for long periods and store it at about 50%, plugged in. Unplugged, it loses about 1% per day. Tesla cautions that reaching 0% can damage components, so we plug in right away.

Range Assurance keeps watch over our energy level and how close we are to known charging locations. If we risk driving beyond reach of a charger, the touchscreen offers a list of reachable charging locations; choosing one starts navigation and shows the predicted energy on arrival. Touching Chargers in the navigation search bar switches charger types, such as Superchargers or destination chargers. Tesla notes the displayed range uses EPA-rated consumption and may drop faster than the distance we drive.