150,000 Miles, 5 Years, & 5+ Months on My 2019 Tesla Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary — The place Do I Stand Now?

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My odometer simply hit 150,218. Under explains why we nonetheless love our 2019 Mannequin 3 after 150,000 miles and almost 5½ years.

We’re about to make our annual 1500-mile spring migration from Utah to northern Wisconsin and Tesla remains to be the one model of EVs that may make that journey with little or no thought on the place to cost. Nonetheless, I simply learn how Tesla gross sales in Europe have dropped like a rock. With ultra-billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk gleefully waving a chainsaw as he fires odd folks from their jobs, if I have been out there, I might be amongst these searching for one other model of EV to buy.

Despite Elon dropping $200,000 on the Wisconsin judges’ race, the Democrat received by 10% the opposite night time. Musk could even have damage the Republican fairly than serving to him. We all know that Musk may be very unpopular in Europe now, and along with his DOGE excesses, he’s unpopular with folks like me who’ve been shopping for his vehicles within the US.

The $64,000 query on everybody’s thoughts about an EV of this age and mileage is: what’s the state of the $15,000 drive battery?

The EPA vary of my automotive was given as 310 miles when new. When your Tesla is charging, you was once in a position set the cost restrict to 100% and your automotive gave you a battery vary estimate. Nonetheless, with the newest software program replace, I needed to really cost to 100% to get the estimate. Mine is studying 261 miles now. 310−261 = 49 miles, 49/310= ~15% battery loss at 150,000 miles. Is that good? I don’t know?

I now have the vary of the Mannequin 3 Commonplace Vary. It’s nonetheless lots to get from one Supercharger to the subsequent, since they’re normally spaced at 100 miles or much less. Nonetheless, with two ebikes on a rack on the again, it’s a stretch when the spacing is 125 miles. I will probably be 85 this 12 months. I can most likely make the 1500-mile Utah to Wisconsin trek for an additional 7 years. If the vary continues to drop on the identical price, I’ll most likely must ditch the bikes. Which means shopping for at the very least another bike in order that I don’t have to hold them anymore.

By this technique, let’s take a look at my vary over time.

Odometer/Vary/Vary Loss

• 150,000/261/15%
• 138,856/271/12.5%
• 122,000/280/9.6%
• 112,00/285/8%
• 90,000/278/10%
• 0/310/0% EPA vary when new, however I by no means measured it myself.

All of it strains up besides the 90,000-mile estimate, which I can’t clarify.

Which means I’ve misplaced 4.5% within the final 26,856 miles. That’s not nice. I had hoped that battery degradation can be slowing down at larger mileage. The drive system and battery guarantee on my Mannequin 3 ran out at 130,000 miles. Subsequently, I’m on the hook for something that goes unsuitable going ahead. I’ve photo voltaic panels on my roof, so when at my Utah residence, I’m driving on sunshine. Driving cross nation utilizing Tesla Superchargers, your electrical energy price will probably be just like driving a gasoline automotive. Very fortuitously, various our readers have used my referral code (see final paragraph), so for the final 12 months, I’ve been getting free charging at Superchargers. Nonetheless, the heavy EV battery and fabulous acceleration causes tires to wear down extra rapidly than for an ICE automobile, so that’s an elevated price for EV upkeep.

The second query is: What have repairs and repair price been? An enormous plus: the one two restore/service objects apart from tires within the final 25 months have been $112 for the 12-volt battery and $294 to repair an issue with my seatbelts. You might be shocked to listen to that the majority Teslas have a 12V lead-acid battery similar to a gasoline automotive has. In a Tesla, it’s wanted in addition the electronics whenever you begin the automotive. Mine wanted to get replaced after 5 years, simply as anticipated. Nonetheless, new Teslas use a small, for much longer life lithium-ion battery for this objective.

Please discover beneath a complete overview of my possession prices. Don’t cease studying earlier than you get to the elephant within the room. My editor, Zach Shahan, not too long ago reviewed his Mannequin 3 Commonplace Vary Plus on its 5^th anniversary. You should utilize this text as one other knowledge level on the reliability of Tesla Mannequin 3s and what you possibly can count on one to price you as time goes on. In my price estimate, I haven’t included complete gas prices, curiosity prices, insurance coverage prices, resale worth, and many others. You possibly can learn Zach’s article for a few of these objects.

The bodily look of the automotive remains to be good, however not nice. I really like the look of the automotive’s entrance fascia (bumper) and I by no means put in the entrance license plate which might destroy that look. Nonetheless, that good, almost flat white floor collects bugs like loopy, particularly in moist Wisconsin. It additionally has some small dings that appear like bugs the place the paint has chipped. I must had put in an unsightly front-end bra to keep away from these chips. Nonetheless, a brand new entrance fascia for $650 would give me a brand-new entrance floor. I’ve the usual black vegan leather-based seats, which nonetheless look good. The automotive has two USB charging retailers below the entrance console that are now not working. Luckily, it has two behind the automotive which nonetheless work, so we plug our telephones in there. Additionally, my steering wheel is pealing a bit. Subsequent time I must go in for service I’ll ask for the value to restore. An alternative choice is an organization that did new seat covers for my previous Toyota Highlander.

An enormous plus! Solely $406 service bills within the final 20 months.

Except you depend tires. My tires would have gone one other 5,000 miles, however I’m nonetheless snow snowboarding at 84 years of age. Alta provides skiers at 80+ a free ticket every day. Nonetheless, Little Cottonwood Canyon requires four-wheel drive and first rate tires to make it up the hill on snowy days. On November 26, 2024, as soon as once more I bought probably the most economical set of 4 tires at Huge O tires for $644.15. That might imply my 5^th set of tires obtained ~30,000 miles. If I hadn’t been going through a snowy canyon highway, I may have completed 150,000 miles on 4 units, which might have been 37,500 miles/set. Not nice, but when I had purchased the Michelin manufacturing unit tires at $202/tire at Low cost Tires, I might have paid $808/set. Perhaps I might have gotten sufficient further mileage out of every set to make that extra economical.

I’m an enormous proponent of inexperienced expertise, and particularly electrical autos. I’m additionally an enormous Tesla fanboy! Though, Elon Musk is doing his greatest to drive me away. I nonetheless get a giant kick out of my Tesla Mannequin 3. Cause 1) The large acceleration. Cause 2) I’ve had “Full Self Driving” now for 4 years. FSD makes my automotive drive completely mechanically, at the very least usually, as described beneath.

Full Self Driving (FSD) Supervised V12.5.4

I’ve the spectacular Full Self Driving Supervised V12.5.4, which is able to completely drive my automotive to any location I put within the navigation in addition to an excellent human driver in most circumstances. Nonetheless, sadly, it nonetheless screws up often, so it is advisable to be ready to intervene instantaneously. In the event you don’t intervene on these events, you may find yourself in a severe accident. I’ve had no accidents within the 4 years I’ve been utilizing FSD, however I’m nonetheless studying the way it works. My newest discovery: FSD has three settings: 1) Chill, 2) Commonplace, and three) Hurry. I had been working on Chill as a result of even then it follows the automotive forward of me too shut for my consolation. Nonetheless, it was very annoying that I couldn’t set the pace that I needed (say 10 mph over the pace restrict). It might seldom go various mph over the pace restrict. After switching to the Hurry mode, it’s going to now go the pace I’ve set. One other long-time criticism: FSD received’t maintain me within the HOV lane on I-15. I’ve even seen it illegally cross the double white line marking the HOV lane. I’ve given up simply currently — if site visitors will not be too heavy, I let FSD select the lane it desires.

FSD has been improved quite a few instances over the past two years. For instance: 1) It now navigates rotaries correctly. 2) It goes round vehicles and obstacles protruding into your lane. 4) It now responds correctly to development barrels closing a lane of site visitors on a 4-lane freeway. 5) It normally slows down for pace bumps. 6) New: It passes slower shifting vehicles on 4-lane highways and returns promptly to the right-hand lane. 7) It aggressively modifications lanes (not too long ago it squeezed right into a lane with no more than ~15 ft of room in entrance of and behind me).

Nonetheless, some remaining issues: 1) It nonetheless ignores 20-mph faculty zone indicators and the double flashing lights. 2) It received’t mechanically decelerate for the drainage dips now we have right here in Utah. Hit these at 30 mph and they’ll take the underside off your automotive. 3) It would often get in a lane inconsistent with the navigation at a cease signal or cease mild. 4) It would additionally often miss a flip specified by the navigation.

Please see my upkeep prices beneath. I’ve solely had $406 in upkeep prices since my report at 90,000 miles, 60,000 miles in the past.

I do know that in principal EVs are a lot much less advanced than vehicles with inside combustion engines. An inside combustion engine (rebuild price ~$9000) is rather more advanced than an electrical motor, they usually seldom run over 200,000 miles with no very costly rebuild or substitute. As well as, ICE vehicles have very advanced transmissions (substitute price ~$5000). You even have exhaust and emission management methods, the radiator/cooling system, and many others., and many others., and many others. which EVs should not have.

Nonetheless, an EV has a really costly battery. Do I have to be anxious about changing it? I’m treating mine with child gloves and count on it to final over 10 years and over 500,000 miles. I virtually by no means cost over 80%, and at the very least ¾ of my charging is finished at a slower Degree 2 price in my storage. Nonetheless, I’ve used Tesla’s fabulous sooner charging Degree 3 Supercharger community usually for lengthy cross-country highway journeys. [Editor’s note: Research in recent years has determined that Supercharging does not create extra degradation to the battery — at least, it doesn’t seem to do so based on the data seen so far.]

In ~150,000 miles, the full price of the tires and unforced out of guarantee repairs for my Mannequin 3 has been $5,748.65. For 4 of the 5 units of tires, I purchased economic system tires, which labored out simply tremendous. Nonetheless, I needed to pay ~$1200 for my third set of tires as a result of I had a tire go flat on the freeway and I simply barely made it to the closest tire retailer. I had no probability to buy an excellent deal. Thus, my complete price is greater than I anticipated however most likely no more than what I might have paid driving a gasoline automotive with prices for repairs, tires, oil modifications, emission inspections, brakes, different miscellaneous objects, and better price for gas. The massive financial savings will come going ahead to the place the gasoline automotive would see these prices repeated, plus the timing belt, muffler, exhaust and emission management system substitute and finally transmission and engine rebuild. If I dwell lengthy sufficient, I count on to drive my Tesla over 500,000 miles. It isn’t unrealistic to count on the electrical drive system and battery to final that lengthy.

Within the photograph above, you possibly can see my spouse with our canine Zuni, our Tesla Mannequin 3, and my ebike on again at Zion Nationwide Park. We spend a great deal of the winter at our daughter’s residence in Saint George, Utah, solely 40 miles away.

See my itemized service prices by way of 150,000 miles. Aside from a brand new 12V battery at $112, and $294 for a seatbelt situation, I’ve had no further service prices since 90,000 miles.

Conveniently, I used to be in a position to get hold of the dates, mileage, and actual price of my Tesla repairs from the Tesla app on my telephone. Not conveniently, it seems to return solely two years. Under, you will discover what I paid for unforced points with my automotive not lined by the guarantee.

1. I needed to substitute the tires 5 instances. The fourth set may have taken me to 150,000 miles. Nonetheless, with winter approaching, I needed to get tires earlier in order that I didn’t get caught on my method up the canyon to go snowboarding. I’ve paid $578.93 + $565.44 + $1252.23+ $644.15+ $644.15 = $3,040.15 for the 5 units of tires.
2. I additionally changed the cabin air filter for $29.00. The cellular service man didn’t cost for the set up. Additionally observe: the cabin air filter comes as two items. I watched the cellular service man do it and I wouldn’t suggest doing it your self until you’ve the correct instruments and are very helpful with DIY repairs.
3. ~April 2020 and April 2021: 4-wheel alignment (twice): ~$280.
4. November 3, 2021 — 54,131 miles: Reseal Proper Entrance Higher Management Arm Ball Joint (Squeaking): $49
5. November 3, 2021 — 54,131 miles: 4-wheel alignment: $90.75
6. July 22, 2022 — 73,149 miles: Take away and substitute Superbottle (Battery and drive system cooling valve) as a result of the automotive wouldn’t go over 50 mph: $672.75.
7. February 2, 2023 — 88,705 Miles: I had the cellular service man substitute the windshield wipers for $23.00. This was a easy operation which most anybody may do themselves.
8. Feb 20, 2023 — 90,029 Miles: Take away and substitute PTC/cabin heater (automotive received’t go into drive) $1148.00
9. March 2024 — changed the automotive’s ground mats. The unique fabric ground mat would now not keep in place by the driving force’s left foot. The Velcro was now not working. I purchased a set of rubber ground mats on Amazon for $49. These look significantly better, clear simpler, and keep in place. Nonetheless, they cowl the rear trunk nicely which makes it a bit more durable to make use of. Additionally, there’s a slight buckle in one of many mats, however in any other case I’m glad I didn’t pay extra.
10. Notice: Satirically, regardless of all of the excessive tech, my Mannequin 3 has an old school 12V lead-acid battery that’s used in addition the electronics when my automotive begins up. This battery is meant to final 4 to five years. Mine went out at 5 years for a value of $112, together with set up by Tesla’s cellular restore man on October 21, 2024.
11. Seatbelt security situation restore: December 4, 2024 $294.

Restore/Upkeep Price Summation

• 5 units of tires: $578,93 + $565.44 + $1252.23+ $644.15 +644.15 = $3,040.15
• 4-wheel alignment x 3: $370.75
• Substitute Superbottle (Battery and Drive System Cooling Valve): $672.75
• Substitute PTC (The Cabin Heater Failure induced the Drive System to freeze up): $1148
• Substitute cabin air filter: $29.00
• Substitute windshield wipers $23.00
• New ground mats: $49
• New 12V battery: $112
• Seat-belt security situation: $294
• Getting choosy: 4 bottles of windshield wiper fluid at $2.50 every for a complete of $10.00
• Complete: $5748.65

Different Prices

The annual registration in Utah for my 2019 Tesla Mannequin 3 is $318.25. A part of that is the electrical automobile price of $188. Utah has levied this price on EV drivers to make up for the truth that we don’t use gasoline and due to this fact don’t pay the highway use tax. Utah provides a mileage-based price which saves cash for low mileage vehicles. Mine is excessive mileage, so I paid the mounted $188 price.

The elephant within the room

Final 12 months I checked on the price of my Bear River insurance coverage coverage on my Tesla. Previously, Bear River Insurance coverage was at all times low price. I used to be shocked to study that I used to be paying $,3089 per 12 months, but it surely has gone down currently to $2319 (Notice: I’ve 4 vehicles insured by Bear River). Tesla quoted me $2632.20 to insure my automotive, so that might not save me something. Subsequently, for five.5 years, my insurance coverage price can be almost $17,000. This dwarfs the ~$5748 for tires and out of warrantee repairs by a big margin. It’s clear that if I assumed shopping for an costly electrical automotive can be saving me cash, I’d been sadly mistaken. Nonetheless, since Bear River has simply changed my roof and siding due to hail injury for $30,000 and rebuilt my workplace for an additional $15,000 due to a plumbing leak. I’m not anxious to look to alter to a unique insurance coverage firm to strive to save cash.

Please add your experiences with repairs in your Tesla autos within the feedback part beneath.

Referral Program

In the event you discover any of my articles useful to you and also you wish to purchase a Tesla, be happy to make use of my referral hyperlink: https://ts.la/arthur73734. If you’re shopping for a brand new Tesla and use my hyperlink (remember to use it whenever you make your order), you’ll obtain $1,000 off your buy value of a Mannequin 3 or Mannequin Y and three months of Full Self-Driving. (Simply be ready to intervene instantly if it screws up.)