How much have you paid in “maintenance” so far and how old is your car? Which model and year? Do you intend on keeping it much longer?
My friend got his model 3 new in 2023, so far he's put on one set of tires and added some wiper fluid after 35k. I got my 2021 model y a few months ago, and according to the service history the only things it's had done in 75k miles is a few camera cleanings and some tires. Although I am currently dealing with an airflow restriction when the AC system calls for outside air. Pretty much have to force it into recirculate to get any air movement, but I'll be diagnosing that myself soon. Pretty low maintenance if nothing's catastrophically wrong with them!
Almost a year, a $20 bottle of windshield fluid
I've owned a couple Tesla's, a 2022 Long Range M3 2 years and a second 2022 RWD M3 for 1 year. I haven't had to do any maintenance. My only cost has been the $10,000 battery replacement for the 2022 Long Range after a random and surprising BMS\_a079 error code. Tesla wanted to charge $16,000 for the battery replacement but I just sold it for $10k less than blue book value.
2023 Model Y LR. Just one set of tires and one set of air filters in 3 years. Going to keep it until the wheels fall off.
2018 Model 3. 120k miles. Just tires, wiper blades and cabin air filter. Have done no “maintenance”. Plan to keep it until repairs don’t make sense.
2021 model y 3 row. Just the tires mostly. I recently took it in and did several of the recommended maintenance jobs for 2-300.
2021 M3. Just looking at previous service receipts its like 2022 ; $250 2023 : $334 2024: $1882 2025 $773+$910 With the 2024-2025 being a trunk-unable-to-close-properly saga that took me about a year and a half to resolve. Overall other than tire rotation and other small maintenance it’s not as pricey as when I owned a 2009 Camry or 2014 Lexus IS250 Still intending on keeping it as I did a few QOL Mods on it like the HDMI mod and the screen swivel mod.
I have a 2021 model Y long range. I got early in that model year. I’m at 100,000 miles right now I’ve done three cabin filter replacement replacements all on my own since it’s really easy and only takes about 15 minutes The filter and the deodorizing spray on Amazon are about $35 total so that’s $105 for air filter I’ve replaced the windshield washer fluid three times as well at six dollars per, so that’s $18 Every tire rotation I’ve done has been free at my local tire shop And at 90,000 miles since I’m in a cold state with salt on the roads, I got a break cleaning, and had my brake fluid flushed and replaced and that total for both was $500 The brake fluid maintenance was excellent, the brakes definitely lost some power overtime and after getting it flushed and replaced, the actual brake feel feels so much better. In addition, I’m still at about 85% life left on my brake pads and rotors which is amazing for any kind of car and just shows you that regenerative breaking and one pedal driving is absolutely the way to go So in five years, I’ve spent less than $650 for maintenance items Does getting new tires count? If so, I get the continental DWS06 plus, which are excellent tires, they are not EV specific and don’t have the foam, but are very great, good in light snow, and are not noisy. I’m on my second set and each set, including balancing, alignment, and installation at my local tire shop have been around $1000 each time
'23 MS, 60k miles, had to get some new tires and windshield wiper fluid. Just recently picked up a '26 MY, no issues yet!
That’s expensive - I pay $6 at my local BMW
Look Into brake fluid flush and replace - I did that and the brakes are so much better now
22 MYP w/ 69k miles * 2 sets of tires ~ $3k/total (1x Michelin Pilot & 1x GoodYear Electric Drive) * 1 set of filters/cabin ~ $300 (Tesla) * 1 cracked rim replacement ~ $700 (Discount Tire) * Aeroshield replacement - $200 Other items: * Rear passenger wheel was out of alignment and needed two upper links to fix - $600 + $250 for wheel alignment * Cracked Sunroof (dog leash slid down roof into open trunk and got stuck when the trunk closes) ~ $1600 (insurance paid $1k of it) * Cracked windshield from NC's Bomb Cyclone ~ $600 after insurance. Basically whatever has savings and maintence savings I have are null and void due to tires 😭🤣
For maintenance, new tires, new cabin filter, and replaced the 12 volt battery I have a 2020 with 58k miles. Some repairs also - lower control arms were the most significant
2020 Model 3 (2023-2025): - Tires (All-Weather) ($1200) - 12V Battery ($150) - Cabin Air Filter ($50) 2025 Model 3 (Jan 2025 - present): - Tires (All-Weather) ($1200) Lease for my 25' Model 3 is up in 2028. I have the option to buy it out, but I am not sure what I will do yet. Perhaps I will want a newer Model 3, or even a Model Y. Kind of hoping HW5 is out by then, but we'll see
2025 Model 3 Long Range RWD. Owned it for about 7 months now. Got a steering alignment warning about 3 months in. No available service appointments for a couple months after that. Cost me \~$275. My lease will be up June of 2027, depending on the state of Tesla then (features that are actually still present) I'd consider getting another.
2015 model s: filters, wipers, on my 3rd set of tires 127k miles. Absolutely nothing else.
Owner of new model y since 2022. Wow, crazy how the years flew past. Maintenance: cabin air filter twice, all season tires once(I also have a winter set will need replacement after next year), washer fluid 2x a year, wiper blades have been changes twice and third time with silicon which are holding off longer. That’s it.
2023 Model YL just set if tires..
the largest part of my TCO (other the car cost) turned out to be insurance and everything else was pretty much negligible around $0.72/mi all-in cost with about $0.03/mi of that being tires
I have a 2018 Model 3 LR, outside of tires, I paid to have some cable thing repaired/replaced for $400 that impacted my front motor, and I have replaced the 12v battery 1x for about $100 plus a few air filter which i replaced on my own, for about $30 each time.
You're local tire shop did alignment? Id love to not go to tesla for that but my understanding was u had to.
Same here. I buy a car to use it. I don’t buy it to have it sit there, and I don’t buy it as some kind of an asset. I drive like crazy because I love my car. I’ve driven across the country in Tesla 6×4 with my first car and two with my latest model three Highland. My model three is now 14 months old and has 42,000 miles on it already. It looks like the day I bought it the inside the outside everything about it. I can’t tell that it has more than 0.1 miles on the car because that’s how it lasts.
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$4 at the local bmw here :)
2019 model 3. 7dollars maintenance for WD40 because my door handle stuck once, and about 50bucks for the 12v after 5 years, two filters for the air con when it smelt like dirty socks. All up $97. 😅 plus tyres of course.
Are we supposed to use actual windshield fluid? I’m not sure that’s what I’m using. I guess I’ve never filled it. Can you just use water? I’ve had my Tesla six years now.
The filters are really easy to replace. I have zero experience on cars and I managed to do it in 15 minutes.
Oh I'm sure I could do them but I was already having my car inspected anyways so I figured I'd have them do it.
How on God's green earth have you gone 100k miles and replaced washer fluid only THREE TIMES!? I'd go through a resi every month or so 😂
You put tires on a 2025 already?? How many miles?
Bought the both out of warranty. The battery warranty is only 120k miles.
Yeah ... I thought the OEM (Primacy A/S) tires would do better in the snow. \~8000 miles, they were already worn to 6/32'' I put on CrossClimate 2 since I live in an area where it snows, but not enough for a dedicated winter set IMO Normally I wouldn't want to put tires on a lease like that, but they were definitely not going to last another two winters on the OEMs. My buddy who also got a 25' Model 3 had \~12000 miles and a tread depth of 4/32'' 1 year in. Not super impressed with the Michelin Primacy A/S
2021 june model 3 LR 111k miles Tires: ~$1600-2000(2 sets so far. Might need to buy a 3rd set soon) 12V battery: $140 cabin air filter: $80x3=$240 Brushing Brake pads: $80 Tire rotation: $60x3 =180 Replacing broken windshield: $1000
Two teslas with 100k each. Tires every 35 to 40k. Are we really counting wiper fluid? One had a 12v battery replacent. Cabin filters once each. That's it.
Why did you think you have to? A simple Google or Reddit search would show you multiple people not using Tesla.
Maybe it’s been four times? But I get my washer fluid from my local BMW dealership, they sell the entire bottle for six dollars, and looking at my credit card statements. It’s only showed up three times lol
You lucky duck
2023 MYLR - $2 for windshield washer fluid.
2021 model y. Rotated tires and refilled washer fluid. Low mileage.
2020 performance: - 50k miles - 3 sets of tires ($1000/set) - 2 new rims ($300/1, $1000 by Tesla) - new control arms ($2500, warranty) - windshield wiper fluid - new wipers every 6-8 months - Full Solar maybe $200-500 a year on charging it Has every upgrade, no plans to sell it. I see no reason to.
Do you use special fluid or something? Just about any gas station or convenience store sells windshield washer fluid for a few bucks.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/bmw-windshield-washer-fluid/83192361205/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19426658802&gbraid=0AAAAAD-pFG5nC-lZlLphd0cDCbQz89yHn&gclid=CjwKCAiAncvMBhBEEiwA9GU_fuYy-9rdjV_6_7EvIIU-B7nQaIgjpzB1UvOezEA4TlziB6ft1qgYsRoCL58QAvD_BwE This is what I use, my dads best friend is a car guy and recommended this years ago (even before my Tesla) It’s cheap too so I always get it lol
Since 2018 on my 3? $2.5k PTC heater, control links, and 6 year AC maintenance were biggest. The number above doesn’t include tires
2018 Model X. Tires and windshield washer fluid. Likely will need brakes in a year or two.
2021 MY LR AWD Tires Air filters Wiper blades Washer fluid (In order of cost) Just took delivery now on a 2026 MY Premium LR AWD
Naw, buy the blue stuff at the gas station, it works better and will not freeze on you
Haha fair enough good for you! Do you mean a bottle you then further dilute? Or just dump it in? Like I've probably burned 4 bottles of concentrate but like that'd be over 100L of actual dilute solution
What's your efficiency in Wh/mile for the Continental tires?
The thing about getting a local garage to do it is that you need to ensure they are familiar with alignment on Tesla - recommend they also have the "Hunter" alignment system. I had mine done locally and it was not good. This was because they are not used to the precision required and just old schooled what "dead centre" was based on the steering wheel position. After alignment the car pulled slightly to the right when the car centered the steering and when it tried to auto calculate an offset to use to correct the issue it found it was too far out and put up an alert message that alignment was required. The problem is that the car needs to know that when the steering is at 0 degrees, dead centre, that the car will run straight so when it is controlling the steering it is happy. Good news was I went back, for a free alignment, and I went through service mode with them to show them when the steering was at 0 degrees and they used that as the reference for the alignment process. After alignment the car auto calculated the offset needed it was 0.1 degrees so pretty good. I did hear that Tesla alignment is more advanced with weighted seats that are put in the vehicle to simulate passengers during the alignment process. For me it is a 100 mile round trip and they cost more than my local garage too.
2015 Model S. Not including tires, wipers, and alignments over 10yrs 85k miles…maybe $5k. I’ve replaced a wall charger as well so add $500 if you must. For a $100k car very cheap to own. Not replacing anytime soon
Model 3..2021. Have had the alignment done twice (New England potholes), new tires & changed the cabin air filter 3 times (its due). Total of about $1500 spent in 5 years. Almost paid off-keeping her!
2021 MYP. 59k miles. 1 set of tires $2k. Air filters. Alignment, and wipers. 12v battery and small repairs were under warranty.
2019 Model 3 LR AWD. 48K miles. I’ve had Tesla mobile service replace the 12V battery and my cabin air filters at Year 3 and Year 6 at my expense. I’ve had to do an alignment twice at my expense. Wiper blades once. Top off washer fluid. One new set of tires at Year 4. One new wheel rim at Year 6.5. Warranty Work: Tesla had to do a recall repair for the rear camera harness at Year 6. Most notably, at Year 6.5, the HV battery failed and Tesla replaced the battery (with a remanufactured battery) under warranty. Other: Got hail damage at Year 4 on every panel. Insurance paid $5200 for PDR after my $500 deductible. Longevity: I may consider selling it before the 8 yr warranty expires, but I also bought FSD *Unsupervised* with the car and part of me wants to hold on to the car until Tesla fulfills their obligation to me.
This is pre mixed
Never did the math or checked - saw no efficiency difference with stock tires vs these There should be YouTube videos on it I bet tho
That’s a lot of nonsense I’m not reading Many people don’t go to Tesla for alignments Google and Reddit search shows all the info
I was simply confirming that you don't have to go to Tesla for wheel alignment - my local garage did it with guidance referencing real time steering degree information in service mode.
For the third time … you don’t
Only new tires and windshield washer fluid in 2.5 years and nearly 70k miles.
2018 model S 75D - 220,000km - yearly set of tires - 1x 12v battery replacement (1.5 years ago) - 3 way valve replacement
I have tons of issues with mine. 8 service visits in 1.5 years 24k miles. 24 model Y LR. Everything covered in warranty but I get issues every couple months and its so frustrating. The car is amazing but the build quality is really just not there. Im finally fed up and just letting it go
2022 model Y, 45000 miles in. Paid for a new set of tires and wiper fluid, and that's it. No plans to move on from the car anytime soon.
2018 Model 3 RWD Long Range. Only Maintenance I’ve spent money on is: Tires, 12 Volt Battery, Cabin Air Filter Coming up on 8 years and the battery/powertrain warranty (8 years/120k miles) expires so i just placed an order for a new MYP. I figure I’ve kept this car for 8 years and thats probably the longest I’ve ever kept a car and by far the least I’ve spent in maintenance, so I’m pretty happy with my first EV purchase and Tesla in general.
Wild
2022 model y. 3.5 years of ownership, about 58k miles. replaced new set of tires around 38k. just bought a cabin air filter that i still need to replace on my own. probably spent $3-4 putting more wiper fluid in.
2016 X 90. 100k miles. Just paid to replace front sensors and cable harness when wheel well got torn off in deep water. Also recently replaced a front seat sensor. Total OOW costs so far have been about $2500. Keeping forever. Also, 2018 M3P with 70k miles. Have spent $400 for body control module out of warranty.
I owned a 2020 M3 for 5 years. I put new tires on it once, and replaced the cabin air filter. Also had some stuff done under warranty (rattle coming from the A/C, drivers side camera disconnecting randomly).
2018 M3. 110k miles. Aside from tires (40k mile life) total maintenance about $300 ( 12V battery ($80) and control arms($220)) 2022 MY 35,000 miles. $0
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