Welcome, Jalopnik readers, to one thing utterly totally different: a Tesla article that has nothing to do with controversial frontman Elon Musk and his function within the Trump Administration or DOGE. As a substitute, we will deal with the burning query of what occurs if a Tesla proprietor encounters an inside combustion engine (ICE) automobile with a useless battery? The temptation could also be sturdy to go away that polluting, earth-wrecking heap stranded by the aspect of the street. However assuming that you are a good individual and truly need to assist a fellow motorist out of a jam, are you able to and must you?
To be clear, Tesla strictly forbids jump-starting different autos, ICE or in any other case. In truth, the house owners handbook for a Mannequin 3 could not be clearer. It particularly states, “Mannequin 3 can’t be used to jumpstart one other automobile. Doing so may end up in injury.” For those who try and jumpstart an ICE automobile along with your Tesla, Jalopnik will certainly not be chargeable for any monetary destruction that ensues. With these disclaimers out of the way in which, sure, you may in all probability jumpstart a gasoline-powered automobile with a Tesla. However did we point out that you simply should not?
Soar-starting will in all probability work, but it surely’s dangerous
In addition to the high-voltage traction battery that powers the drive wheels, many Teslas even have a standard 12-volt battery like common vehicles underneath the hood. There’s additionally a DC/DC converter on board that enables auxiliary techniques like lighting and audio to faucet into the massive lithium-ion traction battery. The danger begins with utilizing a Tesla’s 12-volt battery to jumpstart a gasoline automobile as a result of the high-amperage load from the opposite automobile’s starter motor is able to stressing the small-ish Tesla battery.
Nonetheless, wrecking a Tesla’s 12-volt battery is nothing in comparison with what occurs for those who injury the DC/DC converter within the strategy of jump-starting. Granted, the DC/DC converter is rated for a wholesome 200 amps, however there’s all the time a small danger of a sudden surge that bricks this expensive element and sends you to the dealership on a tow truck for an costly restore. That is significantly true in chilly climate, when an ICE automobile could require extra cranking amps to get going. Ditto for bigger engines like V8s or diesels that require larger cranking amps.
This is what Tesla house owners can safely do to assist
So what must you do if you wish to safely assist a gasoline automobile driver with a useless battery? This subsequent suggestion is not endorsed by Tesla both, however some house owners point out that it is a lot much less dangerous to let the ICE automobile’s battery cost from Tesla’s 12-volt battery for some time, like 10 to fifteen minutes. When the gasoline automobile is able to try beginning, disconnect the jumper cables (used as charging leads) from the Tesla first.
Now can be a very good time to say that some current Tesla fashions are transferring away from common 12-volt automobile batteries altogether in favor of a 16-volt lithium-ion auxiliary battery. In case you have the brand new 16-volt structure otherwise you’re undecided which sort you might have, positively don’t try to hook up with an ICE automobile. On one Tesla discussion board, some significantly good-hearted EV house owners point out carrying a small, cheap lithium-ion jumpstart pack to help stranded gasoline automobile drivers with out risking injury to their very own whips. Maybe Tesla house owners aren’t so dangerous, in any case?
