A car cigarette lighter was designed to power up an electrically heated cigarette lighter in cars. But, later, the protocol was changed, and the cigarette lighter became a DC connector to power up accessories, which is also known as an automobile auxiliary power outlet.
But does Tesla have cigarette lighters? No, Tesla doesn’t have a cigarette lighter. Instead, Tesla vehicles have 12-volt low-voltage power sockets. The power sockets in Tesla are suitable for accessories that continuously draw 12A and go up to 16A.
In this guide, we will know the details of power sockets in Tesla vehicles, including their locations, usages, and more. Without further ado, let’s dig deep into the topic.
Does Tesla Have Cigarette Lighters? No, But Power Socket
As I mentioned earlier, Tesla vehicles don’t have any cigarette lighters. Even they didn’t have any cigarette lighters in any of their models till now from the beginning.
Rather, Tesla features low-voltage power sockets in its vehicles.
How Do Tesla Low Voltage Power Sockets Work?
The low-voltage power sockets are used to power up portable accessories. The accessories get the power directly from the Tesla’s electricity through the power socket. The accessories that can get power from Tesla’s traditional 12V power socket include but are not limited to, the following.
- Mobile phone charger
- Electric air pumps
- Lights
- Cooling fans.
The low-voltage power sockets in Tesla work when the vehicle is “awake.” The Tesla vehicles are considered awake when the following features are enabled:
- Summon
- Cabin Overheating
- Preconditioning
- Keep Climate On
- Camp Mode
- Dog Mode
- Sentry Mode.
The Tesla vehicles are considered awake in the following situations as well.
- During charging low-voltage battery or the battery is in use
- The vehicle communicates with the mobile app
- During High Voltage Battery Charging, and so on.
Note: Tesla warns that during the low-voltage power socket being used with other accessories, they can produce heat, and become hot.
Differences Between Tesla Low Voltage Power Socket and Typical Electric Cigarette Lighter
Here are the basic differences between Tesla’s low-voltage power socket and a typical electric cigarette lighter.
| Comparing Aspects | Tesla’s 12V Low-voltage Power Socket | Cigarette Lighter |
| How they look |  |  Source |
| The attachment | Attached in-built in the car’s compartment | Need to plug into the power socket |
| Use | Powers and charges low-volt devices | It is an electrically heated cigarette lighter that lights cigarettes |
Where Are Tesla Low-Voltage Power Sockets Located?
Let’s see the locations of Tesla’s power outlets.
1. Tesla Model 3’s Low Voltage Power Socket Location
Tesla Model 3 has one low-voltage power socket. It is located in the rear compartment of the center console. It is a 12-volt power socket that can power up accessories that require continuous 12A.
It also can power up to 16A.
Photo Credit: Tesla.com
Special Note About Model 3 Low Voltage Power Socket
- Power inverters that support 12v to 15v DC input can be connected to Tesla Model 3 power sockets that are manufactured before November 2021.
- But, if your Tesla Model 3 is manufactured around or after November 2021, your power inverters must support 16V DC input to connect to the power socket.
- Don’t try to jump-start your Model 3 through the low-voltage power socket. This can damage your car’s batteries and other electrical accessories.
2. Model Y’s Low Voltage Power Socket Location
Tesla Model Y has two low-voltage power sockets in two different locations.
- The First One: Like the Model 3, Model Y has its front power socket in the rear compartment of the center console. It is also a 12v power socket, providing power to accessories that require a 12A continuous power supply and can go up to 16A.
The video shows the front power socket location.
- The Second One: Model Y has another power socket on the rear trunk. The exact location is on the left side of the trunk. The power supply is the same as the previous one.
Figure: The rear power socket in Model Y (Photo credit: Tesla.com)
Special Note Model Y’s Low Voltage Power Socket
- Power inverters that support 12v to 15v DC input can be connected to Tesla Model Y power sockets that are manufactured before November 2021.
- But, if your Tesla Model Y is manufactured around or after November 2021, your power inverters must support 16V DC input to connect to the power socket.
- Don’t try to jump-start your Model Y through the low-voltage power socket. This can damage your car’s batteries and other electrical accessories.
3. Tesla Model S’s Low Voltage Power Socket Location
Tesla Model S has a power socket in the center console’s rear compartment. You can access the power socket by opening the front console of the center console.
Photo credit: Tesla.com
It is also a 12v power socket providing electricity accessories that continuously require up to 12A. Accessories that can go up to 16 in peak can also be powered up from the power socket.
Special Note Model S’s Low Voltage Power Socket
- The power inverters must support 16V DC input to be connected to the Tesla Model S power socket regardless of manufacturing years.
- Don’t try to jump-start your Model S through the low-voltage power socket. This can damage your car’s batteries and other electrical accessories.
4. Tesla Model X’s Low Voltage Power Socket Location
If you have a Tesla Model X, check the front of the center console. You will see a low-voltage power socket there.
Figure: Model X’s front power socket (Photo credit: Tesla.com)
An additional power socket is on the rear trunk’s left side.
The suitable accessories you can use to connect to the Model X’s power socket require a continuous 11A electricity draw. The maximum power draw can go up to 15A.
Related Questions
See some of the most asked queries about Tesla’s power socket below.
No, you can’t. Because Tesla doesn’t recommend attaching any non-Tesla accessories to its vehicles. So, if you attach a non-Tesla cigarette lighter to Tsla’s 12V power socket, this can damage your Tesla electrical system.
No, Tesla VCybertruck doesn’t have the typical 12v power socket. Instead, it has two 110v and one 220v powerful power outlet in the back, which is far more powerful than the low-voltage power socket. Also, it has another 48v auxiliary power outlet on the rooftop.
Wrapping Up
So, does Tesla have cigarette lighters? No, they don’t. Instead, Tesla vehicles have low-voltage power sockets. They power up and charge small devices. On the other hand, the Tesla Cybertruck has multiple powerful power outlets. By the way, you can’t even connect any non-Tesla cigarette lighters to the Tesla’s power sockets since they can damage your Tesla.
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