Although Tesla cars charge pretty fast, the charging process isn’t always straightforward for new users. When using the feature, Tesla owners often notice white smoke or steam coming from their wheels and become panicked. But why does your Tesla smoke while charging?
Tesla cars create steam or white smoke while charging due to the function of the heat pump. It’s perfectly normal for a Tesla to smoke while charging as it’s only water vapor created by the rising temperature. However, if the smoke is black and smelly, you must stop driving your Tesla and service it.
Let’s dive into the details and find out the reasons why your Tesla smokes while charging and when it’s concerning.
Tesla Smoking When Charging: When Is It Normal?
In most cases, the smoke is a result of evaporation. As the HVAC system of your Tesla runs, it absorbs heat from the air and causes moisture to build up on the radiator.
When you charge the vehicle, its temperature rises, and the moisture evaporates in the form of white smoke. Here’s when it’s absolutely normal for a Tesla to smoke while charging:
It’s Only White Odorless Smoke
Whether the smoke is a result of a malfunction or just normal vapor depends on its looks and smell. You can easily distinguish water vapor or steam from its white and odorless appearance.
No matter how much white smoke you notice, it’s completely normal while charging as long as it’s not black and smelly.
Your Tesla Has a Heat Pump
From what I’ve seen so far, most modern Tesla owners have reported the smoking issue while charging. That’s because older Tesla cars manufactured before the year 2021 don’t have a heat pump.
As the name suggests, the heat pump warms up the vehicle for better charging. Hence, the condensed moisture on the vehicle surface turns into steam or white smoke.
To find out if your Tesla has a heat pump, go to the ‘Controls’ menu from your touchscreen and tap ‘Software’. Choose the ‘Additional Vehicle Information’ option and you’ll find everything about the heat pump there.
In Cold and Humid Climates
When it’s cold and humid, moisture from the air condenses on the heat pump’s coil as it operates. As the car charges, the heat pump warms up and melts the accumulated ice. The melted ice evaporates rapidly due to the temperature difference and creates smoke.
Tesla Preconditioning During Supercharging
According to the Tesla website, it’s normal to notice smoke or steam during supercharging your Tesla. You need to turn on preconditioning before supercharging to make the car ready for faster charging.
While charging, the evaporated water from the car’s surface creates a visible cloud of what appears to be smoke.
Tesla Smoking While Charging: When Is It Concerning?
Although it’s normal for Tesla cars to smoke while charging, it can also indicate a safety concern. Here’s when the smoke is considered unusual:
- The smoke is black, blue, or grey instead of white
- It has a bad smell of burned plastic or metal
- Unusual loud popping noises accompany the smoke
- Smoke coming from different areas of the car other than the wheels
- Your vehicle triggers a warning light
- Reduced performance
Below are some reasons why you might notice unusual smoke while charging your Tesla:
Overheating
As mentioned, the temperature of your Tesla rises while charging. If it’s a particularly hot day or you’re overcharging the vehicle, it can cause the battery pack to overheat. Eventually, overheating leads to the release of smoke from the battery compartment.
Electrical Component Failure
Almost all the functions of your Tesla are carried by electrical components like wiring harnesses and electric connectors. Due to excessive heat or electricity flow, the electrical components of your Tesla might fail.
Wiring issues, loose connections, or electrical shorts within the vehicle’s electrical system produce burning odors and smoke.
Faulty Charging Equipment
Over time, your charging cable or connectors can wear out. Such worn or malfunctioning charging equipment might lead to overheating and electrical fires. As a result, your Tesla starts smoking with a burning smell.
Battery Damage
Physical damage or internal defects within the battery pack and battery cells can result in short circuits, reduced integrity, or electrolyte leakage. It often leads to thermal fluctuations and internal fires, resulting in unusual smoke emissions.
Contaminants in the System
Exposure to environmental contaminants, dust, debris, or moisture can cause electrical arcing or insulation breakdown. Besides, these foreign objects might lodge themselves in the charging port.
As you connect the charger, sparks are created during the connection which ignites the contaminants and creates smoke.
What to Do If You Notice Unusual Smelly Smoke While Charging Your Tesla?
Any emissions apart from odorless steam can be dangerous for you and your vehicle. So, if you notice any unusual smoke or burning smell while charging your Tesla, here’s what you need to do:
Stop Charging Immediately
Before anything else, get out of your car and stop charging as soon as you notice any unusual smoke. Unplug the charging cable from both the vehicle and the charging station.
There might be a burned wire or short circuit, so make sure you wear rubber gloves or any other insulating material while unplugging the charger.
Move Away from Heat Sources
Now, if your car isn’t on fire already, try to move it to a safe location. You must take the vehicle away from sources of heat, sparks, and flammable objects. Make sure there’s no building or vegetation around. Park your Tesla in a well-ventilated area.
Maintain a Safe Distance
To avoid smoke and related dangers, get out of the vehicle and move to a safe distance (at least 100 feet away). Don’t look for the source of smoke and never attempt to fix the problem by yourself.
Call Tesla Roadside Assistance
To diagnose your vehicle, contact Tesla roadside assistance. It’s equipped to handle these situations safely. If the situation seems critical, call emergency services to report the incident.
FAQs
Got more queries? Let’s address some commonly asked questions regarding Tesla cars smoking while charging:
If your Tesla’s battery itself is smoking while charging, it indicates overcharging and overheating. In this case, your vehicle’s voltage regulator might be malfunctioning.
Yes, Tesla battery smoke is highly toxic. Tesla cars have rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Upon coming in contact, the smoke can cause skin burning. If inhaled, it will irritate your nostrils and cause lung damage in extreme cases.
If your car charger is smoking, unplug the charger from the car and the power outlet using rubber gloves. Dispose of the charger and use a different charger the next time to charge your Tesla.
Parting Words
If you’ve been wondering why your Tesla smokes while charging, you now know that it’s nothing to worry about. The white fog cloud you see coming from your wheel arches is actually evaporated water.
Tesla cars are well-equipped with safety features and advanced technologies. So, noticing black or grey smoke with a burning smell is very rare. However, to avoid this, always use a Tesla-provided charger and never overcharge your vehicle.
I am an experienced guide in electric mobility, offering clear and expert guidance for those venturing into the world of electric vehicles.
Through collaborations, research, and hands-on experience, I navigate readers through the evolving landscape of smart automobile technologies and the significance of renewables.