Teslas are some of the most technologically advanced vehicles on the market. They come with autopilot features, state-of-the-art filters, and even touch screens.
Plus, they’re electric vehicles, which means they don’t rely on regular gas.
Because of that, people from all over the globe invest in Teslas. Yet, many owners aren’t familiar with the upkeep of an electric car.
For example, they’re not sure if the car needs oil changes. That brings me to today’s question: Do Teslas need oil changes?
If that’s what you’re wondering, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know about Tesla oil changes.
Does My Tesla Need Oil Changes?
The simple answer to this question is no, your Tesla won’t require oil changes. Let’s take a look at the internal components of a regular car to help you understand this.
Fuel-powered vehicles rely on a system of pistons, bearings, gear, and cylinders. All of these parts need proper lubrication to reduce friction.
This will extend the lifespan of the components and allow your car to run smoothly. Plus, the oil has a cooling effect on the parts to stop them from deforming.
As time goes on, the lubricant will break down and decrease in volume. When that happens, you’ll need to top off the oil.
Thankfully, this isn’t the case with a Tesla. If you pop the hood, you’ll find an electric motor and only a couple of moving parts.
Because of that, the vehicle doesn’t need large amounts of oil to run smoothly. So, you won’t have to change or replace the transmission oil.
Does My Tesla Need Oil?
While the engine doesn’t require lubrication, there are other moving components that may need oiling.
For example, Teslas come with a gearbox. This is similar to a transmission but only has a single-speed setting.
This component relies on gears and other metallic parts. So, to reduce friction, it needs a small amount of oil.
Although this lubricant is special. It’s a synthetic oil that doesn’t degrade or become contaminated by fumes.
Plus, gearboxes usually have an accompanying oil filter. This ensures the grease circulates without choking the moving parts.
Because of that, you won’t need to replace the lubricant frequently.
What Other Fluids Does a Tesla Need?
Even though Teslas don’t need oil to run, they require a few other fluids. In this section, I’ll walk you through what these are and how they help.
1. Coolant Fluid
Like all cars, Teslas can overheat in extreme weather conditions. Plus, if you overcharge the electric vehicle, its temperature can skyrocket.
So, to prevent the excess heat from doing any damage, the car relies on a coolant fluid.
This liquid circulates around the battery and other components to regulate their temperature. It’ll absorb extra heat and dissipate it in a way that’s not harmful to the vehicle.
Typically, the coolant fluid can last for an extended period and doesn’t require changing. Yet, this will depend on your car.
As a general rule, you should check the cooling fluid levels every few years.
However, some older Tesla models may need more frequent coolant top-offs. For that reason, it’s best to check the user manual that came with the vehicle.
It should outline precisely how often to replace the fluid.
2. Brake Fluid
While Teslas are incredibly different from normal fuel-powered cars, they share a few characteristics.
For instance, Teslas also rely on hydraulic brake systems. These elements use liquid to transfer energy to stop the rotating axle.
As you can guess, we call this liquid the brake fluid. Sadly, it can lose its effectiveness over time for several reasons.
For starters, it may be because of a leak in the system. If there are any holes in the rubber hoses, open fluid caps, or loose seals, you’ll lose some of the fluid over time.
Besides that, when water manages to make its way into the brake system, it can lead to corrosion.
Unfortunately, this will cause the brakes to become less responsive. So, changing the brake fluid regularly is a matter of safety.
Neglecting it may mean you’ll have issues stopping your car.
3. Windshield Washer Fluid
If you live in a particularly windy or dusty area, keeping your windshield clean can be a chore. That’s when washer fluid can come in handy.
This is a liquid that sprays over the glass and removes dust and debris with the help of your windshield wipers.
As you can tell, this fluid isn’t crucial to keep your car operational. That said, it’s still exceptionally important.
That’s because, without a clean windshield, you may have trouble navigating the road. To stay safe, it’s best to replace washer fluid regularly.
This can get pretty pricey quickly. For that reason, some people prefer to use regular water instead.
While this can work, it’s not the best idea. Water can leave streaks or traces of residue behind. When that happens, it can obscure your vision.
So, it’s good practice to stick to the recommended fluid. This is especially true if you live in a colder area where your windshield freezes over.
The washer fluid should have antifreeze properties that can help with that.
What Type of Maintenance Does a Tesla Need?
Aside from replacing a few fluids, your Tesla will need other types of maintenance. In this section, I’ll cover some of the most common upkeep procedures.
1. Air Filter Changes
Teslas come with a couple of filters to ensure the air supply in your car is clean. For starters, they have cabin air filters.
These can remove road dust, pollen, and even industrial fallout from the air. Over time, these components will collect a large amount of debris.
So, you’ll need to replace them. Tesla recommends that you change the filters every two to three years depending on your car and how you use it.
For that reason, it’s best to check the user manual for the exact schedule.
Besides that, some Tesla models come with HEPA filters. These components can remove up to 99.97% of all airborne particles. That includes bacteria and smoke.
HEPA filters are a little more heavy-duty than cabin filters. Because of that, they can last for longer periods.
However, to stay on the safe side, you should replace them every three years.
2. Tire Rotation and Wheel Alignment
Even though paved paths look straight to the naked eye, they’re never completely flat. Most of the time, the surface will be a little uneven.
So, after a while of driving on bumpy roads, your tires will shift out of place. This can make steering a bit tricky.
On top of that, uneven wheels will degrade faster and require more service. That’s why you need to rotate the tires and align the wheels.
Tesla recommends that you do that every 6,250 miles or if the tread depth difference is 2/32 or greater, whichever happens first.
3. Air Conditioning Service
Tesla’s air conditioning system relies on an A/C desiccant bag. It’s a pouch that can remove moisture from the air to reduce humidity.
After a while of use, the component becomes obsolete and won’t be able to keep your car cool. When that happens, it’s time for a replacement.
According to Tesla, you may need to change the bags every two to six years. This may seem like a large range, but it all depends on how often you use the A/C.
Wrapping Up
Do Teslas need oil changes? The simple answer to this question is no, Teslas don’t need oil changes in the traditional sense.
That’s because they’re electric cars that use electric engines. So, the motor won’t need lubrication changes.
Yet, the vehicle will need a few other fluid top-offs. This includes the coolant fluids, brake fluids, and windshield washer fluids.
Besides that, your car will require other types of maintenance. For instance, air filter changes, tire rotations, and wheel alignments.
