My Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (SR+) is 3 months away from its 4-year birthday. I had the air filter changed today, which means it’s time for another update on the car’s operation and maintenance costs.
The last time I wrote an update on my Model 3 maintenance costs was in August 2022, when I had the tires rotated. Since then, I’ve had one other service visit before today — for the same thing, replacing the air filter. The cost was $57.78. That was in October 2022, and the air filter was completely filthy. I was quite sure that I’d previously been advised to change the air filter once a year, but the service technician in this case said it was the dirtiest air filter he’d seen in quite a while and that I should have the filter changed every 6 months or so. So, 7 months later, I just had it changed again. In this case, the total cost was $64.63 — labor costs went up a bit.
The dirty (correction: filthy) Tesla Model 3 air filter replaced in October 2022. Photo by Zach Shahan | CleanTechnica.
I also had some service provided without cost. The little buttons on the left of the driver’s seat for adjusting seat position started falling off quite easily a few months or so ago. Those were replaced pro bono. It took a few seconds.
Tesla Model 3 buttons for adjusting the driver’s seat kept falling off after 3½ years of use. Photo by Zach Shahan | CleanTechnica.
So, if you add those October 2022 and May 2023 costs ($57.78 + $64.63) to my previous lifetime service and maintenance cost total for the Model 3 SR+ ($1,866.89), you get up to $1,989.10, with most of that cost being the cost of my second set of tires.
Oh, wait, I forgot about one expense — washer fluid. I spent $2.48 in December on windshield washer fluid. So, the cost is up to $1,991.58.
Our Tesla Model 3 is in the back row — unfortunately, we don’t have this wicked cool green wrap. Photo by Zach Shahan | CleanTechnica.
Now, this is not going to last for long, as the Tesla service tech told me that my tires need replaced again (about 20,000 miles after the first set of tires were replaced). So, expect the 4-year maintenance and service costs to be a fairly big chunk above $2,000. Side note: Any suggestions for new Tesla Model 3 tires and where to get them?
Photo by Zach Shahan | CleanTechnica.
Aside from Tesla service and maintenance costs, to look at total cost of ownership, we’d need to examine operational costs (i.e., charging costs). However, I’m not well equipped for that. I’ve had many free Supercharging miles almost since I got the Model 3 thanks to all of the Tesla referrals I’ve made. Also, there’s plenty of free level 2 charging via ChargePoint stations at shopping centers in my area. In other words, I seldom pay anything for charging, and measuring my charging costs would not be representative of what normal Tesla owners pay.
In theory, one should also consider depreciation, or resale value, but I think that’s best to examine only at the end of ownership. And last but not least, there are the financing and interest costs. However, that’s a personalized matter and it’s a very easy thing for anyone looking to buy a Tesla to estimate based on the amount of cash they’d spend up front and the financing terms available to them.
So, I’m just sharing Tesla service and maintenance costs here. Though, perhaps I’ll reconsider those other factors when I get to my 4-year review of the Tesla Model 3 SR+ in a few months.
Read more Tesla Model 3 long-term review articles here.
Also see: “15 Years” With The Tesla Model 3
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