Hot weather driving and charging

UK heatwaves are short but intense. A Tesla copes well, with a few quirks worth knowing.

Why the air con sometimes feels weaker

The same system cools the cabin and the battery. During hard driving or fast charging on a hot day, the car may prioritise cooling the battery for a few minutes. The cabin will catch up once the battery temperature is under control.

Charging in the heat

• A hot battery can charge more slowly at a Supercharger as the car manages its temperature.
• Fans and pumps run loudly during and after charging. This is normal.
• Charging in the shade helps a little; the battery's own cooling does most of the work.

Keeping the cabin cool when parked

• Cabin Overheat Protection keeps the cabin below a set temperature when parked for a time after you leave. It uses some battery. See Keep Climate On and Cabin Overheat Protection.
• Pre-cool from the app a few minutes before you return.
• Sunshades for the glass roof make a noticeable difference. See Glass roof heat.

Pets and people

Never leave a child alone in a car. For dogs, Dog Mode keeps the cabin cool and shows a message on the screen, but it depends on the battery and the car's systems. See Dog Mode.