Shocking battery drain

[VOLT4GE]

OK, let me say this to start: I’m fully aware of how batteries react in cold weather. But what I experienced last night initially made me think that my high voltage pack was malfunctioning/dying.

I left my home with a fresh 85 percent charge, and an estimated 202 miles of driving available. By the time I arrived at the top of my street one mile away, I was already down to 187 miles. The ambient temperature was about 24 degrees Fahrenheit, and the heat was on in the car. As I sat at a red light, I lost four more miles off the range estimator.

Since it had snowed all day and the roads weren’t in the greatest condition, I never once exceeded 50-55mph over my 45 mile round-trip journey. And I arrived back at home with 133 miles on the range estimator.

Just a cautionary tale until we get through the cold weather and can see a more legitimate 285 miles on the estimator!

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[caslca]

What was the % discharged for the 45 mile trip in this extreme weather?

Another thing to consider is that you probably had most systems on in the car (heaters, defrosters, stereo, lights, etc). This is a very significant drain on battery. Recent carwow benchmark recorded 37% worse range with all systems on vs all systems off.

 

[Jancha]

During the first 5miles you will have the battery warming itself actively. After initial bite it will get better and range will stabilise. Its kind of the same when you hit the front window heating mode, estimated range drops while its on.

 

[AnloTaycan2022]

I live in Montreal Canada. I get that and it is quite normal. Your car probably sits in the garage at a much higher temperature than the outside. The car computer simply adjusts based on the new measured temperature outside. I got that all the time this winter. The range tends to improve and stabalize in the warmer days.

 

[VOLT4GE]

What was the % discharged for the 45 mile trip in this extreme weather?

Another thing to consider is that you probably had most systems on in the car (heaters, defrosters, stereo, lights, etc). This is a very significant drain on battery. Recent carwow benchmark recorded 37% worse range with all systems on vs all systems off.

It went from 85 percent pulling out of the garage to about 55 percent upon returning home.

 

[W1NGE]

OK, let me say this to start: I’m fully aware of how batteries react in cold weather. But what I experienced last night initially made me think that my high voltage pack was malfunctioning/dying.

I left my home with a fresh 85 percent charge, and an estimated 202 miles of driving available. By the time I arrived at the top of my street one mile away, I was already down to 187 miles. The ambient temperature was about 24 degrees Fahrenheit, and the heat was on in the car. As I sat at a red light, I lost four more miles off the range estimator.

Since it had snowed all day and the roads weren’t in the greatest condition, I never once exceeded 50-55mph over my 45 mile round-trip journey. And I arrived back at home with 133 miles on the range estimator.

Just a cautionary tale until we get through the cold weather and can see a more legitimate 285 miles on the estimator!

Yep - normal behaviour given the conditions.

 

[RobToTheT]

Just logged on looking for info on this exact scenario as I just had the same experience.

It's the first decently cold night here (Northeast US) in a while. Turned the car on starting at 242. Turned the heat on fan level 2 - immediate drop to 212. Turned the heat up to Auto - literally watched over 30 miles tick off the range counter in one minute. Turned the heat down - back up to 202. Drove 8 miles - finished up at 183. Until I turned off all the systems and it went back to 242!!!

So I guess my takeaway was - heavy on the heat will crush the battery to the point it is not usable. Have to stay at fan speed 1 or 2. Alternately, I wonder if the right move is to preheat it in the garage then maintain that temp once on the road.

Still though - that is horrible performance-wise.

Does that track with your4 experiences?

Thanks.

 

[Archimedes]

Did you have the defroster running? That kills my range in cold weather. I turn it off as soon as the windshield clears.

 

[RobToTheT]

Did you have the defroster running? That kills my range in cold weather. I turn it off as soon as the windshield clears.

Just the regular cabin heat and the driver-side seat heat. Nothing else on as I was trying to isolate the issue and figured it had to be the heater/heating mechanism. I'm not quite sure how that system works - but maybe the issue is at the onset the battery has to heat itself quickly to heat the air?

 

[Archimedes]

Just the regular cabin heat and the driver-side seat heat. Nothing else on as I was trying to isolate the issue and figured it had to be the heater/heating mechanism. I'm not quite sure how that system works - but maybe the issue is at the onset the battery has to heat itself quickly to heat the air?

Next time it happens, turn it off and wait for the estimator to recalibrate. See what that tells you. Also, as I noted in another thread, on a recent trip my estimator would constantly lower range estimates based on my route, temp, heat, etc., and every time it was wrong. It was always too conservative relative to the mileage I actually drove.

 

[RobToTheT]

Next time it happens, turn it off and wait for the estimator to recalibrate. See what that tells you. Also, as I noted in another thread, on a recent trip my estimator would constantly lower range estimates based on my route, temp, heat, etc., and every time it was wrong. It was always too conservative relative to the mileage I actually drove.

good one - will try as much. thanks.

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