Regarding contemporary electric cars such as Tesla, people are always eager to know their potential. Among the most frequent questions that Tesla owners pose is the question of whether I can use my Tesla to jump-start another car. You can be stuck by the side of the road or be assisting a friend in need but it is important to know whether your Tesla can jump start a standard gas powered vehicle or not. We shall enter into the answer and talk about how you can use your Tesla in such a scenario.
What Is Jump Starting a Car?
We cannot look too deeply into what Tesla can do without first reviewing what jump-starting any car entails. Jump-starting refers to the procedure of starting a car with a dead or a weak battery with the help of a charged battery of another car (or some other source of power). This is aimed at charging the battery with the aim of giving the starter motor a burst of energy that will enable the engine to turn on and begin running.
Usually, they do that using jumper cables and a second car with a good battery. However, will an electric car such as a Tesla come to the rescue and extend a helping hand?
Tesla’s Battery and Power Systems
There is a significant difference in the functioning of a Tesla, an electric vehicle (EV) as compared to a conventional car with internal combustion engine (ICE). Teslas use battery packs with large capacities to turn the electric motor(s), in contrast to conventional vehicles that use 12V batteries in order to start the vehicle.
The battery is also big (50 to 100 kWh, depending on the model), with Tesla cars, specifically, the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y, using high-voltage (around 100 V) batteries. This battery is tasked with powering the motors of the car and storing energy to the other operations of the car.
Moreover, Tesla cars also possess less powerful 12 V battery, which is the same battery as in the gas-powered cars. This 12V battery serves to power the vehicle electronics, lights among other accessories. This is the aspect that most typical jump-starting jobs concentrate on, yet, the true issue is, are you able to assist using this lesser 12V battery to jump-start another automobile?
Can a Tesla Jump Start Another Car?
That is the easy question, and the answer to it is: Yes, it is not impossible to use a Tesla to jump-start another car, though a few conditions and considerations are important. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Tesla’s 12V Battery Can Provide Power to Other Vehicles
Though the high-voltage battery pack (the main pack) of Tesla cannot jump-start a car in the conventional sense of this term, this can be done with the battery of the car (12V). It is the same 12V battery, which is used to charge the vehicle electronics and accessories.
Similarly to a normal gas-powered vehicle, the 12V battery in your Tesla will be able to charge a dead or weak 12V battery of another car. It implies that should you run out of charge and have to assist another car with a dead battery, you can use the Tesla 12V battery to ensure that there is sufficient charge to start the other car.
2. The Limitations of Jump Starting with a Tesla
Although technically a Tesla can help with jump-starting, there are some limitations to it:
- Battery Capacity: Your Tesla might not have the same power capacity as the one on a 12V system on a traditional car, and thus it may not work in all instances, particularly when the battery of the other car is really drained.
- Time and Risk: Repeated use of the 12V battery in your Tesla may drain it and run dry. Some Tesla models have a 12V battery that is not quite as strong as in certain conventional cars, and jump-starting could have problems in the future.
- No Jumper Cables Included: Teslas do not include jumper cables like regular cars, and thus you might need to bring your own set of jumper cables in case you want to use it to do so.
3. Jump-Starting Process: How It Works
In case you should ever need to give a boost to another vehicle, you can use your 12V battery in Tesla to do so:
- Locate the 12V Battery: Tesla 12V battery is located in the front trunk (or the frunk). To get into the battery, you will be required to open the frunk and remove any covers that might be present.
- Get the Jumper Cables Ready: You will need some jumper cables, as with any car you would, because you will need two jumper cables to get your Tesla 12V battery to the other car with the dead battery.
- Hook up the Cables: Firstly, hook up the positive (red) Cable to the positive terminal of your 12V battery of Tesla and the other vehicle positive terminal. Thereupon, attach the negative (black) cable to the negative lead of the battery in the dead car and a metal component of your Tesla that you would consider grounded (say the frame).
- Turn on the Other Car: Once the cables are connected, turn on the Tesla (unless it was already running) and give it some time to recharge the dead battery of the battery. Now, attempt to power the other automobile.
- Removal of Cables: Once the other car has been started then remove the jumper cables in reverse order.
4. When Not to Jump-Start a Car with a Tesla
Even though the process is possible, there are instances that you need to not attempt to jump start another car with your Tesla. Here are a few examples:
- Severely Dead Battery: When the other car has a dead battery then it might need more than the 12V battery in your Tesla can deliver.
- Damage Risk: There is a threat of breaking your 12 V Tesla battery in case of excess use in jump-starting. It may also get depleted abnormally quick and a replacement may be needed sooner than thought.
- Batteries with a higher 12V requirement: This is a more demanding 12V requirement that could exist in some electric vehicles especially older models or those with bigger engines.. When this happens then the Tesla might not be effective and your battery might be overworked.
Tips for Safely Jump-Starting with Your Tesla
When you are planning to jump-start another car with your Tesla, you can follow a few tips so that the process will go easy:
- Carry Jumper Cables: It is advisable to have a good set of jumper cables in your car, in case there are times when you are going to far places
- Test the Battery Health of Check Your Tesla: Testing the 12 V battery health is a regular feature of the Tesla car software, and is a way to check whether the battery is in action.
Battery Use: Battery can be used sparingly during operation, like in the 12V battery, since it will run out too fast. This is a method that should be used, provided that the professional help comes, otherwise, it is a temporary solution.
Can one jump start a Tesla with the other vehicle?
A typical meaning of jump-starting of a Tesla into another car does not exist. You would be required to charge your Tesla 12V battery using a suitable charge solution or jump to another electric vehicle or a jump starter in case the battery has been dead.
Will I jump start a car and break my Tesla?
Otherwise, it may stand a possibility of damaging the 12V battery or the electric systems of your Tesla. Always keep the correct procedure and always do not use the 12V battery more than is necessary to jump start anything.
How do I know that my Tesla has a 12V battery that requires replacing?
The automobile program will make you aware of it through the low battery charge on your Tesla or that you need to change the 12V battery. The interface of the car also allows checking the health of the battery.
Conclusion
Although Teslas are predominantly electric car models, its 12V battery can be utilized in order to jump-start another car in an emergency. Note, however, that the process has its limitations and risks and it is imperative that care should be taken. Be careful to ensure that you have the appropriate equipment and that you know how the jump-starting process works before using your Tesla as your source of such.
Being aware of the abilities and limitations of your Tesla, you could make a high-quality decision when you are confronted with a scenario that requires jump-starting. Your Tesla can be a useful resource in case of an emergency, whether you need to use it personally or assist other people.
