Did You Know These 5 Money-Saving Tips for Your Tesla Model Y?

By Ant-L

Published: Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Table of Contents

1. Register Your Tires

2. Take Advantage of Form 8911

3. Protect Your Air Intake

4. Maximizing Your Range

5. Home Charging vs Supercharging Cost Insights

6. Final Thoughts

1. Register Your Tires

Many Model Y owners are unaware that they can register their tires with the respective manufacturers. This simple step can save you money if your tires don’t reach their expected mileage. You might be eligible for warranty claims, covering 10-25% of the cost.

I’ve personally had success with both Goodyear and Michelin tires. For example, after 33,000 miles, my tires still have a tread depth of 4-5mm. Registering your tires is usually done online through the manufacturer’s website. While it doesn’t work in all cases, it’s worth the effort.

2. Take Advantage of Form 8911

If you’ve installed a home EV charger, you may qualify for a federal tax credit using IRS Form 8911. This credit can offset up to 30% of the cost, with a maximum of $1,000. It’s a significant saving, so make sure to check it out if you haven’t already.

Consult with a tax professional to ensure you’re taking full advantage of this opportunity. It’s a simple step that can lead to substantial savings.

3. Protect Your Air Intake

One of the most common out-of-warranty repairs I’ve seen involves debris getting into the air intake. This can cause costly damage, but it’s easily preventable. You can install grill covers or mesh to protect your air intake and keep out debris. It’s a small investment that could save you a lot of money.

Note: Repairs due to debris damage typically cost 2,500−3,500 and are not covered under warranty.

For clarity, the air intake is located on the front fascia below the frunk. Regular cleaning and protection can go a long way in maintaining your vehicle’s health.

4. Maximizing Your Range

If you’re not hitting the desired range with your Model Y, here are two easy ways to improve it:

Proper Tire Inflation
Keep your tires inflated to the recommended PSI (usually 42-44 PSI). Underinflated tires can significantly reduce your range. For example, my Goodyear tires showed visible wear at 33,000 miles, but I still received a 20% discount on my next set through the warranty.

Precondition While Charging
Precondition your car while it’s still plugged in. This uses less battery power to warm up the vehicle, helping to extend your range. I’ve consistently achieved 270-280 miles by doing this, even at highway speeds of 75-77 MPH, with the air/heat set between 1-3.

5. Home Charging vs Supercharging Cost Insights

95% of charging is at home, costing $0.16 per KWH.

Supercharging won't save money vs gas.

The lifetime home charging cost is ~$1500. All - supercharging would be ~$3200.

A $1700 difference, and home - charging covered the install cost (excluding tax credit).

6. Final Thoughts

I hope these tips are helpful! If anyone has questions or their own advice to share, let’s hear it. This Model Y community is fantastic, and I’m always happy to contribute.

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