Image via Jeff K. via Facebook
Some Tesla owners have noticed the company has started to automatically adjust battery charging limits, overriding existing user preferences.
According to Jeff K. on Facebook, he received the message above on Thursday evening. The pop up notice reads, “the charge limit in your vehicle has been automatically adjusted to 100% in order to perform battery calibration.”
“Please charge your vehicle at the earliest opportunity and allow it to continue until ‘Charging Complete’ is displayed to maximize the performance of your battery,” reads the notice from Tesla.
The vehicle that received the pop up message was a Model 3 Standard Range Plus with newer lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that debuted last fall in the United States. LFP batteries are made by Tesla’s Chinese supplier CATL and first debuted at Giga Shanghai for the Model 3 and Model Y.
Compared to former nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA) cells used at Tesla’s Fremont factory, made by Panasonic, LFP cells do not degrade as quickly, allowing owners to charge to 100% (versus 90% for NCA cells).
Another new Tesla owner who took delivery on February 14, also received the message on Thursday.
“Just came up on my screen today. Switched me from 86% to 100% and rebooted computer. Told me charge ASAP to 100%. It was strange because I drove 8 miles to work today and went from 86% to 60%. I got home and that message showed up,” said Mark J.
For battery packs not calibrated by charging up to 100%, range estimates are not displayed accurately, as in the experience explained by Mark.
Why is Tesla automatically adjusting charging rates to 100%? It may be part of the company’s fix for 12V lithium-ion batteries shutting down in new Tesla deliveries. Cars are delivered that do not charge to 100%, also will not charge up the 12V li-ion battery, apparently. Elon Musk said Tesla was “investigating” the matter on Tuesday.
Have you seen this charge limit notice pop up in your new Tesla?
