Ah, the joys (and sometimes frustrations!) of winter driving. Getting a Tesla out of snow can be a bit different from a traditional gasoline car, thanks to its electric powertrain and advanced software. Don't worry, we'll get you unstuck. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Assess the Situation and Stay Calm ♀️
Before you do anything, take a deep breath. Getting stuck in the snow can be stressful, but panicking will only make it worse.
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| How To Get Tesla Out Of Snow |
Sub-heading: Initial Observation
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How deep is the snow? Is it just a light dusting, or are you truly buried?
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What kind of snow is it? Is it fluffy powder, heavy wet snow, or slick ice? This affects how much traction you can gain.
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Are your tires spinning freely, or are they completely bogged down? Listen for the sound and feel the car's movement.
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Is anyone with you who can help? An extra set of hands can be invaluable for shoveling or pushing.
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Is your Tesla plugged in? If so, unplug it before attempting to move it. You don't want to drag the charging cable.
Step 2: Utilize Your Tesla's Smart Features
One of the biggest advantages of a Tesla in snow is its sophisticated software. Don't underestimate these built-in tools!
Sub-heading: Preconditioning for a Head Start
If you're still in the house and anticipating a snowy departure, this is your first line of defense.
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Open the Tesla App: From your mobile device, navigate to the Climate section.
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Activate "Defrost Car": Look for the "Defrost Car" option (often represented by a snowflake icon or a fan with swirling lines). Tapping this will begin to melt snow and ice from your windshield, windows, mirrors, and even warm the high voltage battery and charge port! ❄️
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Pro-tip: Tesla recommends activating climate settings at least 30-45 minutes before departure for optimal results. This not only clears the ice but also warms the battery, ensuring better performance and regenerative braking. If your car is plugged in, it'll use external power for this, preserving your range.
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Sub-heading: Leveraging Traction Control Modes
Teslas have advanced traction control systems designed to optimize grip.
QuickTip: Pause when something clicks.
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Access Controls: On your Tesla's touchscreen, tap Controls.
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Navigate to Dynamics: Select Dynamics.
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Explore Traction Settings:
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Slippery Surface Mode: This mode is designed to distribute traction evenly across all tires for better stability in rain, snow, or ice. Even if this specific setting isn't manually selected, your Tesla's system continuously adapts to the surface conditions. To enable, go to
Controls > Dynamics > Slippery Surface. -
Slip Start (Model 3/Y) / Stuck Assist (Model S/X): This is your go-to for when you're truly stuck. It allows a limited amount of wheel spin, which can be crucial for rocking the car free from deep snow, mud, or gravel.
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To enable:
Controls > Dynamics > Slip Start(orStuck Assist). -
Important Note: This feature is designed for situations where you deliberately want the wheels to spin to gain momentum. It will automatically disable once you reach a certain speed (e.g., 50 mph for Model S/X, or automatically on your next drive). Remember to disable it once you're unstuck.
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Sub-heading: Adjusting Suspension (Model S/X/Cybertruck)
If your Tesla has adjustable air suspension, use it to your advantage.
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Raise the Ride Height: Increase your ground clearance by selecting a "Very High" or even "Extract" mode (Cybertruck specific) from the suspension settings. This can help prevent the undercarriage from dragging in deep snow.
Step 3: Manual Snow Removal and Tire Grip Enhancement ️
Sometimes, technology needs a little help from good old elbow grease.
Sub-heading: Clear the Path
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Shovel Around the Tires: Use a sturdy snow shovel to clear snow from around all four tires. Aim to clear enough space for the tires to move forward and backward a few feet.
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Clear Under the Vehicle: Remove any snow that's higher than your Tesla's ground clearance, especially directly under the car. Packed snow under the vehicle can lift the tires off the ground, making traction impossible.
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Clear Exhaust and Sensors (if applicable): While Teslas don't have traditional exhausts, ensure no snow is blocking any sensors (like those for Autopilot) or the charging port if you're trying to access it later.
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Clear Windows, Lights, and Mirrors: For visibility and safety, completely clear your windshield, rear window, side windows, headlights, taillights, and side mirrors. Use an ice scraper if needed.
Sub-heading: Enhance Tire Grip
If your tires are just spinning on ice or packed snow, they need something to grab onto.
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Material Under Tires: Place material directly in front of and behind the drive wheels (all wheels for AWD Teslas). Good options include:
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Floor mats: Your car's own floor mats can provide surprisingly good temporary traction.
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Sand or cat litter: These provide excellent grit. Keep a bag in your trunk during winter months.
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Cardboard or old rugs: These can also work in a pinch.
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Snow chains: If you live in an area with severe snow and have them, now's the time to install them. Ensure they are Tesla-approved and installed correctly according to your owner's manual.
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Avoid Spinning: When attempting to move, do not floor the accelerator. This will only cause the wheels to spin more, digging you deeper into the snow.
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Step 4: The "Rocking" Method and Gentle Acceleration
This technique is effective for many stuck vehicles, including Teslas.
Tip: Read aloud to improve understanding.
Sub-heading: The Gentle Rock
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Engage "Slip Start" / "Stuck Assist": Ensure this mode is active as described in Step 2.
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Shift to Reverse (R): Gently press the accelerator to move backward a few inches or feet. As soon as you feel the tires losing traction or digging in, release the accelerator.
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Shift to Drive (D): Immediately shift to Drive and gently press the accelerator to move forward a few inches or feet. Again, release as soon as you feel slip.
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Repeat: Continue to alternate between R and D, gradually increasing the distance you move in each direction. The goal is to build momentum and create a compacted path under your tires. Be very gentle with the accelerator pedal.
Sub-heading: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
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Once you gain a little momentum, try to drive slowly and steadily out of the snowy patch. Avoid sudden turns or rapid acceleration.
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Keep your steering wheel as straight as possible to maximize forward traction.
Step 5: When All Else Fails – Call for Help
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you might need professional assistance.
Sub-heading: Roadside Assistance
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Tesla Roadside Assistance: If you're a Tesla owner, you have access to their roadside assistance. They are familiar with EV towing requirements.
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Local Towing Service: If using a third-party service, make sure to inform them you have a Tesla EV so they can send the appropriate equipment (like a flatbed truck) to avoid damage. EVs cannot be towed in the same manner as internal combustion engine vehicles with their drive wheels on the ground.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to prepare my Tesla for winter driving?
Prepare your Tesla for winter by installing winter tires if temperatures consistently drop below 7°C, ensuring your tire pressure is correct (it drops in cold weather), using cold-weather windshield washer fluid, activating wiper service mode when parked in anticipation of snow, and routinely preconditioning your battery and cabin using the Tesla app before driving.
Tip: Read the whole thing before forming an opinion.
How to use the Tesla app to clear snow and ice?
Open the Tesla app, navigate to the Climate section, and select the "Defrost Car" option. This will warm the cabin, battery, and defrost the windshield, windows, and mirrors, helping to melt snow and ice.
How to prevent my Tesla's door handles from freezing shut?
Tesla door handles can freeze in cold weather. You can try gently bumping the handle to break up ice. Some Model X doors have "ice breakers." Also, you can precondition your car via the app which helps warm the handles, and ensure "Auto-Present Handles" is enabled in settings (Controls > Locks > Auto-Present Handles). Applying a rubber seal protectant to the door seals can also help.
How to prevent my Tesla's charge port from freezing?
Many Tesla models have a charge port heater. You can activate it from your vehicle's touchscreen (Controls > Service > Charge Port Heater) or by using the Defrost feature in the Tesla app. Keeping the car plugged in while parked in cold weather also helps maintain battery temperature and prevents the port from freezing.
How to use "Slip Start" or "Stuck Assist" in my Tesla?
To enable "Slip Start" (Model 3/Y) or "Stuck Assist" (Model S/X), go to Controls > Dynamics on your touchscreen and select the respective option. This mode allows for controlled wheel spin to help free the vehicle from snow, mud, or gravel. Remember to disable it once you are unstuck.
How to optimize Tesla range in cold weather?
Tip: Don’t skip — flow matters.
To optimize range, precondition your Tesla's battery and cabin while plugged in, use Chill Mode for more gradual acceleration, rely more on heated seats and steering wheel (which use less energy) than the cabin heater, and avoid frequent app checks which wake the car.
How to choose the right tires for winter driving in a Tesla?
For optimal performance in snowy or icy conditions, invest in dedicated winter tires. These tires have a softer rubber compound and unique tread patterns designed for superior grip in cold temperatures. Ensure they are the correct size and load rating for your Tesla.
How to use regenerative braking effectively in snow?
Tesla's regenerative braking can feel strong. In slippery conditions, avoid sudden lifts off the accelerator which can act like hard braking and cause skids. Instead, gradually ease off the pedal or use Chill Mode to lessen the intensity of regen braking. Newer Teslas may automatically adjust regen braking for slip.
How to safely clear snow from around my Tesla's charging cable and port?
Before plugging in or unplugging, always clear away snow and ice from the charge port and connector. Use a dry cloth to wipe down the connector. Never force a connector into a frozen port. Use your car's preconditioning or charge port heater to thaw it if frozen.
How to get my Tesla towed if it's completely stuck in deep snow?
If all else fails, contact Tesla Roadside Assistance or a local towing service. It is crucial to inform the towing service that you have an electric vehicle and that it requires a flatbed tow truck to prevent damage to the drivetrain.
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