How long does it take to precondition a Tesla battery?

It typically takes 30-45 minutes to fully precondition a Tesla battery and cabin. The exact time depends on outside temperature, battery temperature, and whether the car is plugged in. Colder temperatures require longer preconditioning times.

Does preconditioning use a lot of electricity?

Preconditioning uses 3-8 kWh depending on outside temperature and duration. At $0.15/kWh, this costs $0.45-$1.20 per session. However, it saves much more battery range (worth $2-5) by using grid power instead of battery power for heating.

Can I precondition without being plugged in?

Yes, you can precondition without being plugged in using the Tesla app, but it will use battery power and reduce your range. It is only recommended when plugged in, or in emergency situations when you need to defrost windows or warm the cabin quickly.

Should I precondition every day?

Yes, if you charge at home and temperatures are below 50°F, preconditioning every day is recommended. Use Scheduled Departure to automate this process. The range and performance benefits far outweigh the small electricity cost.

Tesla Battery Preconditioning Guide

Save 20-30% Battery Range with One Simple Habit

Preconditioning is the single most effective way to maximize your Tesla's range in cold weather. By warming the battery and cabin while plugged in, you use grid power instead of battery power—saving significant range and improving performance.

What is Preconditioning?

Preconditioning is the process of warming your Tesla's battery and cabin before you drive. When plugged in, the car uses electricity from the grid instead of the battery to heat everything up.

Why It Matters in Cold Weather

20-30%

Range loss when starting with a cold battery

3-5 kW

Power needed to heat cabin from cold start

Limited

Regenerative braking when battery is cold

Reduced

Acceleration and top speed (snowflake icon appears)

By preconditioning while plugged in, you eliminate all these issues and start your drive with maximum range and performance.

Method 1: Scheduled Departure (Recommended)

Scheduled Departure is the best way to precondition because it's automatic. Set it once, and your car will be ready every day.

Setup Steps

1.In your Tesla, tap Controls → Charging
2.Tap Scheduled Departure
3.Enable Preconditioning
4.Set your departure time (e.g., 8:00 AM)
5.Choose which days (weekdays, weekends, or all days)
6.Optionally enable Off-Peak Charging to charge during cheaper electricity hours

The car will automatically start preconditioning 30-45 minutes before your departure time. You'll get in to a warm cabin and a warm battery every morning.

Method 2: Tesla App (On-Demand)

For irregular schedules or one-time trips, use the Tesla app to precondition on demand.

How to Use

1.Open the Tesla app on your phone
2.Tap the Climate icon (fan symbol)
3.The car will start warming the cabin and battery
4.Start this 30-45 minutes before you plan to leave

Important: Make sure the car is plugged in. If not plugged in, preconditioning will use battery power and reduce your range.

How Long and How Much Does It Cost?

Preconditioning Time by Temperature

40-50°F (mild cold)15-20 minutes

20-40°F (cold)30-35 minutes

0-20°F (very cold)40-45 minutes

Below 0°F (extreme cold)45-60 minutes

Electricity Cost per Session

Mild cold (40-50°F)$0.45-$0.60

Cold (20-40°F)$0.60-$0.90

Very cold (0-20°F)$0.90-$1.20

The savings: Preconditioning saves you 15-25 miles of range, which is worth $2-5 in electricity. You're actually saving money by preconditioning, not spending it.

Preconditioning Before Supercharging

When you navigate to a Supercharger, the car automatically preconditions the battery to the optimal temperature for fast charging. This can increase charging speed by 30-50%.

Pro tip: Always use the car's navigation to route to Superchargers so it can precondition the battery. Manual navigation or third-party apps won't trigger this feature.

Pro Tips

Always Precondition When Plugged In

Never precondition on battery power unless it's an emergency. The whole point is to use grid power instead of battery power.

Use Scheduled Departure for Daily Commutes

Set it once and forget it. Your car will be ready every morning without any manual intervention.

Start 30-45 Minutes Before Departure

This gives enough time for full warming. Starting too late means you'll drive with a partially cold battery.

Combine with Off-Peak Charging

Save money by charging and preconditioning during cheaper electricity hours. Scheduled Departure handles this automatically.

Use the App for Irregular Trips

Manual preconditioning via the Tesla app is perfect for weekend trips or irregular schedules when Scheduled Departure doesn't fit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Preconditioning on Battery Power

This defeats the purpose and reduces your range. Always plug in first before starting preconditioning.

Not Allowing Enough Time

Starting preconditioning 10 minutes before departure isn't enough. Allow 30-45 minutes for full warming.

Forgetting to Enable Scheduled Departure

Set it up once and it works automatically every day. Don't rely on manual preconditioning for daily commutes.

Not Using Navigation for Superchargers

Manual routing won't trigger battery preconditioning for fast charging. Always use the car's built-in navigation.

Skipping Preconditioning to Save Money

The small electricity cost ($0.45-$1.20) saves you much more in battery range ($2-5). Preconditioning is a net savings, not an expense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Calculate Your Charging Costs

See how preconditioning affects your electricity bill