Man with frozen Tesla Model Y sees how quickly he can get the car defrosted and working with pre-conditioning in freezing temperatures

Published on Dec 07, 2025 at 7:44 PM (UTC+4)
by Grace Donohoe

Last updated on Dec 05, 2025 at 5:22 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Emma Matthews

This Tesla Model Y was frozen over in the peak of winter, but luckily, there was a handy solution.

The Model Y was equipped with a pre-conditioning mode, which allows the owner to safely defrost the EV without causing any damage.

However, this can take precious time to kick into action.

So, one driver decided to put his Tesla to the test and see how long it really took to defrost.

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The Tesla Model Y has some impressive features

The Model Y stands to be one of Tesla’s most popular models, and with a whole host of powerful features, it is easy to see why.

The midsize EV has a standard range of 321 miles and a top speed of 125mph.

The car can zoom from 0-50 in just 6.8 seconds, meaning it not only looks the part, but can back up its shiny aerodynamic shell with a stellar performance.

Alongside the output from the powertrain, the EV also comes readily equipped with impressive modes such as Full Self Driving, so the car can drive you to your destination without you putting in effort behind the wheel.

But one mode that a few of the models are equipped with is the ability to precondition the battery in cold conditions.

So, to see if it would really work, one content creator, Go Green Autos, tested it out in sub-zero temperatures.

The test took place across the pond to try to defrost the frozen Tesla Model Y as quickly as possible.

So, how long did the EV really take to defrost?

Well, using the app, the car enthusiasts had the mammoth task of taking the cabin temperature from -2 degrees all the way up to 20 degrees, which was no easy task considering the icy exterior and -4 degrees outside temperature.

Using the app, he boosted the mode into action, starting the timer at 8.35am.

Miraculously, just five minutes later at 8.40am, the man received a notification saying it was ready.

After investigating, he found that it was at 18 degrees, meaning it rose from -2 to 18 degrees in just five minutes.

It was an impressive result, and to ensure that the car was cared for in the cold weather, he also offered some advice when it came to getting into the car.

He advised venting the windows to avoid any damage when entering, before unlatching the door if the handle was still frozen.

So, there you have it, in sub-zero temperatures, the Model Y takes five minutes to defrost.

Tesla Full Self-Driving timeline

2020: FSD ‘beta’ first released to select testers in the US

2021 – 2022: Rollout expands, as hardware updates come in

Early 2024: FSD ‘beta’ is now labelled ‘supervised’, meaning driver supervision is still required

2025: International expansion targets for FSD (Supervised) set in regions like Europe and China

Mid-2025: FSD v14 update announced

Late 2025: Roll-out of FSD v14 builds

Early 2026: Unsupervised FSD rollout goal

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Grace started her career writing about the weird and wonderful for the international press. She's covered everything from lifestyle to sports and hard news and now finds herself pursuing her main interest - cars. She's loved cars from a young age and has a keen interest in luxury travel too.