New Tesla Owner FAQs: Range, Charging, Updates & Support

Immaculate Paint Protection helps new car owners protect their future classic cars, so they look awesome and stay looking new for years to come.

Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with Jon Shevelew, founding member of the Tesla Owners Club of Pennsylvania (TOCPA), about one of our favorite topics: Teslas.

A main mission of TOCPA is educating Tesla owners. Last year alone, hundreds of owners attended the club’s virtual classes. Jon and his team have also fielded hundreds, if not thousands, of questions.

At Immaculate Paint Protection, we direct Tesla owners to the club because we experienced first-hand all the great information and activities they provide. Here are the top questions new Tesla owners ask—and Jon’s answers.

Q: How far can I drive my Tesla on a charge?

Jon: When you buy a Tesla, you go through a paradigm shift in the way you think about travel. You can no longer just stop anywhere, fill up your tank, and keep going. Travel in a Tesla takes a bit of planning.

That said, today’s Teslas are light years ahead of the first Tesla I bought in 2014. These days, it’s rare to drive anywhere in the United States and be more than 120 miles from a Supercharger.

• Level 1 (110v Outlet): This is when you plug into a standard house outlet. It takes about 20 hours to charge a Model Y from empty.
• Level 2 (240v Outlet): Similar to an electric dryer outlet. I can charge my Tesla using this type of line in 6 to 7 hours.
• Supercharging (DC Fast Charge): This power goes directly into the battery. It’s easy to find them via the Tesla app. I can charge my Tesla from 12% to 80% in about 20 minutes at a Supercharger.

Real-World Range Factors

The textbook answer for range calculation is simple math, but the real world is more complicated. Your Tesla makes instant adjustments based on:

• Speed: Driving 40mph is the efficient “sweet spot.” Highway speeds use more power.
• Weight: Carrying more people or cargo requires more power.
• Weather: Rain, snow, and headwinds increase resistance. However, your Tesla checks the local weather forecast and adjusts your estimated range automatically!

Q: How do I get the latest updates?

Jon: Everyone gets updates automatically via Over the Air (OTA) software updates. They broadcast the update through the internet, your Tesla downloads it, and asks when you want to install it.

Note: It’s not unusual for brand new Tesla owners to wait 4 to 8 weeks before they begin getting their first software updates.

Q: How can I get support for my new Tesla?

Jon: Tesla owners are passionate people who love helping. That’s why we founded our Tesla Owners Club. Tesla took notice and asked us to be the only club in the entire state of Pennsylvania with direct communication with them.

Membership Benefits:

• Facebook Groups: We have active groups for the state and local chapters to share info.
• 24/7 Owner Hotline: Free to members. You can call anytime. We once even helped an owner who managed to lock his key card inside his car!

For more information about TOCPA—and to join—visit them at www.tocpa.club.

For paint protection film and ceramic coating packages designed specifically for your EV, visit our Tesla Protection Page.