Tesla’s iPhone app was recently updated to now include an icon to indicate when your battery heater is on. This update is not available on the Tesla Android yet it appears.
The feature is available for Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y owners, according to Reddit.
For cold weather driving, Tesla says “warming your battery before each trip can conserve energy. The ‘Scheduled Departure’ feature on your touchscreen allows you to select a time for when you want your car warmed and ready to drive. You can also preheat your car by activating preconditioning or defrost in the Tesla app.”
If your Tesla battery is too cold, all of its stored energy may not be able to be accessed.
Tesla says it recommends owners keep their cars plugged in during the winter. “We recommend leaving your Tesla plugged in as much as possible when it’s not in use. This uses the charging system, rather than your battery, to retain heat,” says the company.
Tesla’s iPhone app was last updated on October 29, so this icon update looks like it was pushed through an over-the-air update and not through the App Store.
