Why does the Model 3 lose battery power when exposed to the sun in summer?
2 Answers
Model 3 loses battery power when exposed to the sun in summer due to the power consumption of the overheat protection feature. Below are some relevant details about the Model 3: 1. Powertrain: The Model 3 is available in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions. The all-wheel-drive version is equipped with dual motors, while the rear-wheel-drive version has a single motor. The all-wheel-drive Model 3 has a combined motor power of 340 kW and a combined torque of 639 Nm. The rear-wheel-drive version has a maximum motor power of 202 kW and a maximum torque of 404 Nm. 2. Vehicle Positioning: The Model 3 is a mid-size electric vehicle with a wheelbase of 2875 mm. Its length, width, and height are 4694 mm, 1850 mm, and 1443 mm, respectively.
I've been driving a Tesla Model 3 for two years now, and the battery drain is quite noticeable during summer exposure. This is mainly because high temperatures trigger the battery management system to automatically activate cooling mechanisms to protect the battery, which increases power consumption. Additionally, when the car interior gets too hot, the air conditioning system has to work extra hard to cool it down, which is another major drain on the battery. I remember one time when I parked in direct sunlight for several hours and came back to find a 10% drop in battery level. That's when I realized it wasn't an issue but rather normal protective behavior. I've since made it a habit to park in shaded areas or use sunshades to block the windshield, which helps reduce interior temperature rise and saves a significant amount of power. You can always use the app to check battery status and temperature, helping you understand consumption patterns and avoid awkward situations during long trips. Pre-cooling the car via the app before driving on hot days can also reduce sudden power drains while driving, which is very helpful for maintaining overall battery level and comfort.
