Tesla workers reveal 6 surprising things customers should know about their cars

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Tesla workers reveal 6 surprising things customers should know about their cars
Tesla employee

Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images

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A Tesla employee talks to a potential customer.

  • Tesla vehicles have features that may be unfamiliar to new owners.
  • Business Insider asked five current and former Tesla employees what customers should know about their cars that might surprise them.
  • Their answers touched on production quality, regenerative braking, and durability.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Tesla vehicles have a variety features that may be unfamiliar to customers who are used to driving gas-powered cars.

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Business Insider asked five current and former Tesla employees what customers should know about their cars that they might not know already. Each is either a current employee or worked for Tesla in 2019. All of them asked for anonymity due to a fear of reprisal from Tesla, but their identities are known to Business Insider.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment on this story.

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Here's what the current and former employees said.

Are you a current or former Tesla employee? Do you have an opinion about what it's like to work there? Contact this reporter at mmatousek@businessinsider.com. You can also reach out on Signal at 646-768-4712 or email this reporter's encrypted address at mmatousek@protonmail.com.

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It's durable

It's durable

Despite the fact that some customers worry about their vehicle's battery wearing out, "Teslas are made to last a long time," a former salesperson said.

It can teach you how to use it

It can teach you how to use it

"A lot of people don't know that there are tutorials inside their cars now," a current salesperson said. "Those are a really good thing to review after they get the vehicle."

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But it helps to do your research before taking delivery

But it helps to do your research before taking delivery

"We're only given 10-15 minutes to deliver their car and do their paperwork," the current salesperson added. "It's very important that they do their research beforehand because we don't have much time to spend with them."

The delivery timelines on Tesla's website aren't always accurate

The delivery timelines on Tesla's website aren't always accurate

Tesla's website might say that your vehicle will be ready for delivery in two weeks, but "we actually have no idea," a former salesperson said. "It'll show up when it shows up."

"Sometimes, it's two days. Sometimes, it's four weeks. Sometimes, it's five weeks," he added.

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Turn off regenerative braking at least once a week

Turn off regenerative braking at least once a week

You should turn off regenerative braking at least once a week, because using the brakes cleans them and extends their longevity, a former service manager said.

The production quality isn't always great

The production quality isn't always great

A former salesperson said the fit and finish and the quality of the materials in a Tesla vehicle aren't always great.

"I sold a Model S to my friend's father and I think he's got less than 5,000 miles on it and his door handles have already broken three times," he said.

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