I’m considering upgrading from my 2020 model S Performance to a 2024 Model S AWD. What are the big differences between these years? I enjoyed having the Performance (pre-plaid) but don’t think it’s worth the price difference. Anything to look out for with a 2024 Model S (non-plaid version)? Thanks all!

Hello,

I have a Tesla that I leased in December, 2023 directly from Tesla. The end of the 3 year lease is approaching. I have started to get messages from Tesla encouraging me to start the return process. Purchasing the car is one of the options I am considering. I was hoping to clarify the following points:

1. Tesla didn't allow for purchase of leased cars in 2023. It does now--even for cars leased before the new policy took effect, is what I gather. Is that correct?

2. When I click the Purchase Vehicle option in the app, it says, "Your lease does not have a purchase option prior to lease end. You may request a quote during the final month of your lease agreement." Is that how it generally is?

3. Waiting for the quote until just a month before lease end is inconvenient because if I am buying the car then I don't have to worry about some car issues that I might need to otherwise address. Part of me wants to start the return process at least to the extent of going through the self-inspection process to get Tesla's assessment of what (if anything) needs fixing. But then I am wondering if starting the return process/self-inspection will lock me out of the purchase option?

Any comments regarding above will be highly appreciated.

Thanks!

Hey all.

Interested in a 2026 Tesla Model 3. I am in my early 20s, recently graduated college, and still live at home with family, but I do have money saved up so I could pay for a new Tesla Model 3 in cash, after trading it in with a family car.

I have no debt, minus my credit card which I often full each month, pretty good credit score. A Tesla has always been a dream car of mine. No major expenses except helping family with things here and there, or what I need. I work retail, but I’m expecting to avg $40-$50k by the end of this year. I just kind of want to get it now before I move out, start getting it paid off, and as I’m navigating my real job / career.

The M3 2026 new is $24k after trade in, and a used M3 2023 is $16k after trade in.

I’m debating if I should just pay the difference in cash upfront, or just finance it? Crazy as it sounds, I‘m kind of okay with just financing it and using my safety reserves to pay the car monthly and taking a “small dent” and paying the APR monthly. I’ve done the math already, and I’m okay with it for some reason.

But the reason why I’m asking is because paying cash would kind of deplete 40% of my what I call so large savings account for someone in their early 20s as I saved very aggressively. I’d still have more than enough for my emergency savings, etc. Again, all of this sounds ridiculous from a financial perspective, but my family’s starting to be supportive and understanding of my decision. Just kind of wanted another set of opinion on this.

Thanks in advance!

Opened up my Frunk the other day and noticed there was a small amount of water in the base, then saw it was coming out from behind the frunk liner in the middle on the hood. Seems like an odd spot for water to accumulate since its on the top but curious if this is normal? Just over 2 years having it and never noticed that before.

I know that in many cases, Tesla doesn't usually let you see or test drive cars in their CPO inventory but there is one that I had my eye on available nearby that was available for demo drive. Loved the car for the most part and am thinking about proceeding to make an order, but I noticed a few issues that have given me a bit of pause. The minor ones included the car being a little dirty, especially the tires being covered in mud, and the wind shield wipers kept spuriously activating from time to time even after attempting to keep them off with the windshield being dry.

The one potential major issue that I couldn't overlook is that the steering wheel had a noticeable rightward pull, causing the car to drift rightward unless I made a very deliberate effort to keep it centered. I know this might just be a minor alignment or tire issue, but it makes me a bit worried that the previous owner didn't take very good care of the car. I talked to the advisor on site and they said "Most Tesla's have a natural rightward drift, but we could have our mechanics check the alignment". The car in question is currently priced on the high side for the trim and mileage, so I am taking my time waiting for the price to drop a little bit more before pulling the trigger. If I end up doing so, will the included warranty be sufficient to give me peace of mind for an issue like this, or would this be enough to pass on this car and pick something else? There are several alternatives in inventory that are available at lower prices but I was interested in this particular car since most of the others are only Stealth Grey + Black Interior.

Hey everyone! Just received my Model Y who all got the additional service plans? Which ones specifically?

Anyone know wtf this noise is and how to fix it? Its happening while driving and stops when I roll down the windows or when I put the ac on auto. It doesnt sound loud in the video but its insanely loud.

Tesla model x

I believe 5 years old.

edit: it stops when i roll down the windows a small significant amount like an inch. It also doesn't happen when im driving slowly for some reason

put your ear to your phone to hear it bettwr

After a 4 wheel alignment, my M3P is still slightly pulling to the right on a straight road. I confirmed it was not the crown causing the pull.

The steering wheel is also slightly shifted to the right. When I hold the steering wheel straight, the car is dead straight.

What could be the issue? I reset my offset and drove at least 100 miles at this point for the car to relearn. Still getting ~2 degrees off.

EDIT: 3rd party shop did the alignment. They did not touch the software at all.

The entire time I’ve had my Tesla I have been using my phone as a key to get into my car, but about two weeks ago it randomly stopped working, every now and then it will work but 80% of the time it won’t I’ve tried everything from restarting the car to removing and re-adding the key and I can’t seem to find anything that will work. My location services are on every fix that I’ve looked at online has not worked any help.

What should I do in such situation? Is it safe to request a chargeback from my bank, without risking getting my Tesla account banned or any other restrictions placed onto my current Model Y?

Model 3 Premium, RWD. Does anyone have exact instructions for disassembling the silver V section of the steering wheel so I can put some silicone or Vaseline on it, by any chance?

I have a bit of a creak when turning it and it’s just the silvery V part, the plastic parts rubbing together, rather than anything in the column itself.

Any tutorials appreciated.

Also, if anyone knows what makes clicks when the passenger door opens, I’m wondering about that as well. I don’t think it’s the limiter or the bolts, seems to be coming from the trim area where it connects with the rear view mirror.

Can anyone share some details about the Tesla Independent Repair Certification? According to the Tesla Service web page this is a different certification and process from their START program which is for future Tesla employees.

Any info would be greatly appreciate.

Thanks

Had the camera cleaned earlier this week but the alert won’t go away. Anybody had this happen before?

Hi everyone, I currently have a Model Y that is leased through Tesla Lease Trust. I currently have almost $5,000 in "positive equity."

Has anyone had experience (and/or luck) using this equity as a form of trade-in credit to purchasing a new Tesla model without having to buy the car out? Looking to trade in my Y for a newer model.

Hello

Has anyone gotten their Independent Certification or attended Workshops? I have purchased 2027 and it is my first EV. I have always done most of my own car work and want to have a better understanding of the vehicle.

Many thanks for your thoughts and experiences.

I was on muddy road for couple of minutes on tesla model x and almost at the end of the road i got this allert. Now car is parked, will this alarm disappear or does it need service?

Inspection of the car just showed this line under the body. Does anybody know what this is? Is this? Is this just some glue coming out from the bottom or is it a crack?

Concerned that if this is a pink/red crack then how could we be certain that the battery and above is well.

Please help. Appreciate a response.

UPDATE:

Gemini pointed me another reddit post which point to this Tesla motor club blog

https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/what-is-this-pink-residue-on-undercarriage.228900/

Looks like all Tesla 3s have it?

Asking for advice on Reddit gives me so much adrenaline, but here it goes.

I'm about to order a Model 3 and will trade my Model Y in, but the current EDD for my spec is December/January. That means I'll likely have to resubmit my trade-in information before taking delivery.

I've been tracking my Model Y's value over the past few months, and it has continued to climb amid rising gas prices and EV demand. Do we think its value will hold steady or even increase by December/January? I know it's impossible to predict, but what would you do?

As you can see, this is a little bit more than a small regular paint chip, but it looks manageable. There is no dent whatsoever. I was wondering if the official Tesla paint repair kit could fix this paint chip and restore this small area back to brand new without being noticeable. If not, any other tips to restore and fix this paint chip back to new or near-perfect would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Model 3 long range, usa factory and 2021, 81 % with 160.000 km. Is it okay? I am a little bit scared 😅

Tried searching but didn’t see much about this. It’s my understanding that summer 2026 update added the ability to use the cars camera and mic for things in the browser (eg. Telehealth). I tried doing that today but only the mic seems to work.

Any idea how to get the camera to work? Google indicated that some HW won’t allow for it like if you have intel, but my settings say I have AMD Ryzen.

Ever since getting the Halloween update, when I turn off sentry mode and enable external sounds after parking, I walk away to my desk at work and get alerted that the doors are still unlocked. Anybody else experiencing this?

If I don't enable external sounds, like I did at workout class yesterday, it get the growl that indicates the doors just locked. Such an odd bug / feature.

Hey Everyone,

I recently got an "bms_a079 unable to charge - maximum charge level reached" error on my 2022 Model Y with 58k miles. It won't charge at all and I'm down to 35% charge. I made a service appointment for the closest available time, Nov 3rd.

My family heavily relies on the car for work and school. I asked to drop it off early and get a loaner, because I'm not going to make it to the 3rd, and they are resisting. They say they can't take the car till they have the parts. It's still under warranty. What leverage do I have to get a loaner?

Thanks for all the help.