Tesla vehicles are known for their advanced battery technology and impressive longevity. However, like any battery-powered device, Tesla batteries degrade over time. If you own a Tesla Model Y or Model 3 and want to check your battery’s health, Tesla provides an inbuilt Battery Health Test within its Service Mode. This test allows you to measure the current battery capacity compared to its original state, helping you determine any degradation.

In this guide, we will walk you through the entire process of checking your Tesla’s battery health using Tesla’s Battery Health Test and what the results mean.

Why Should You Check Your Tesla Battery Health?

Over time, lithium-ion batteries in Teslas degrade due to various factors, including charging habits, driving conditions, and overall vehicle usage. Understanding your battery’s health can help you:

• Determine battery degradation percentage.
• Plan for future maintenance or battery replacements.
• Improve charging habits to extend battery life.
• Understand resale value for a used Tesla.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Check Your Tesla Battery Health

Tesla provides a built-in Battery Health Test feature inside Service Mode that allows you to evaluate your battery condition. Follow these steps carefully to perform the test.

Step 1: Enter Tesla Service Mode

To access the battery health test, you first need to enter Tesla’s Service Mode. Here’s how:

1. Go to the touchscreen display inside your Tesla.
2. Tap the ‘Car’ icon on the bottom left of the screen.
3. Navigate to ‘Software’ instead of ‘Service.’
4. Press and hold the ‘Model 3’ (or Model Y) icon at the top of the software page.
5. A prompt will appear asking for an access code. Type in “service” and press Enter.
6. A warning message will appear stating, “This mode should only be used by personnel for repair or a stationary vehicle.” Click Enable to proceed.

Once enabled, your Tesla screen will have a red border, and certain vehicle functions (such as AC) may turn off temporarily.

Step 2: Initiate the Battery Health Test

1. Go to the ‘Battery’ section in the Service Mode menu.
2. Select ‘High Voltage’, where you will see an option for ‘Battery Health.’
3. If your vehicle shows ‘100% battery health,’ don’t assume this is accurate—Tesla requires a full test to measure actual battery degradation.
4. Click on ‘Health Test’ to start the process.
5. Authorize the test by holding up on the turn signal stalk and pressing the brake pedal at the same time.
6. A message will confirm that the test is now unlocking and will begin shortly.

Step 3: Ensure Proper Testing Conditions

Before the test starts, you must meet the following conditions:

• State of Charge (SOC) must be below 50% (recommended 20-30%).
• The vehicle must be plugged into a Level 2 charger (Supercharging is not supported).
• The test may take up to 24 hours to complete.

During the test, Tesla will discharge and then fully recharge your battery. Heat and noise will be generated, similar to when Supercharging.

After confirming these requirements, hit ‘OK’ to start the test, close the door, and leave the vehicle overnight.

Step 4: Check the Battery Health Test Results

The next morning, check your Tesla screen for the updated Battery Health percentage:

• In the video demonstration, the Tesla initially displayed 100% battery health, but after running the test, it showed 85% actual battery health.
• The owner also used a third-party Tesla app, Tessi, which reported an 88.1% battery health (with a margin of 3% error).
• This means that after 50,000 miles, the battery had degraded by 11-15%—which is within the normal range for a Tesla of this age and mileage.

How to Interpret Tesla Battery Health Results

After running the battery health test, you may see a number between 70% to 100%. But what does this mean?

Tesla considers battery degradation up to 30% as normal over time. However, if your battery percentage is much lower than expected for your mileage, consider contacting Tesla Service.

Tips to Prolong Tesla Battery Life

To minimize battery degradation and maintain high efficiency, follow these best practices:

1. Keep State of Charge (SOC) between 20%-80% for daily use.
2. Limit Supercharging to long trips only—use Level 2 chargers more often.
3. Avoid keeping the battery at 100% for extended periods.
4. Store the car in moderate temperatures—extreme cold or heat accelerates degradation.
5. Enable ‘Scheduled Charging’ to reduce stress on the battery.
6. Use ‘Range Mode’ or ‘Chill Mode’ to optimize battery longevity.

Final Thoughts: Is Tesla’s Battery Health Test Accurate?

The Tesla Battery Health Test is a useful tool, but it’s not 100% precise. Factors like:

• Battery temperature during the test
• State of charge history
• External third-party software readings

…can slightly affect the displayed results. However, this test is still a great way to get a general idea of your battery’s health and ensure it is within normal degradation limits.

If you find significant degradation beyond Tesla’s warranty limits, contact Tesla Support to discuss potential battery replacements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Checking your Tesla’s battery health is a simple yet powerful tool to assess your EV’s longevity. By following this guide, you can gain valuable insights into your battery’s condition, helping you optimize charging habits and ensure long-term performance.

Would you like more Tesla guides like this? Stay tuned for more expert insights!