Tesla Model 3 driver faces unexpected consequence from driving on Autobahn
Published on Jun 11, 2025 at 11:57 AM (UTC+4)
by Jason Fan
Last updated on Jun 11, 2025 at 5:39 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
A Tesla Model 3 recently took on the Autobahn and came back with more than just high-speed bragging rights.
A Reddit user shared photos of their car after the trip, revealing the front bumper absolutely plastered with dead bugs.
The sleek EV looked more like a rolling insect collection than a futuristic car.
Naturally, it got people talking about why this happened and what you can do to prevent it.
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First off, speed plays a big role in such incidents.
On the Autobahn, certain sections have no speed limits, meaning drivers reach record-breaking speeds on the highway.
When you drive at very high speeds, bugs have no chance of dodging the car, so they hit fast and hard.
Essentially, the faster you go, the more bug casualties you’re likely to collect.
Also, you need to consider Tesla’s commitment to making aerodynamic cars.
The Tesla Model 3 has a smooth, aerodynamic front end that channels air efficiently.

However, that same feature also tends to funnel bugs straight onto the bumper and hood.
Unlike older cars with grilles or bumpers that break up airflow, the Model 3’s curved nose is a perfect bug-splat zone.
According to the Redditor, this took place on his drive from Nuremberg to Paris.
While it’s unclear where exactly he picked up these unwanted guests, rural areas and open fields are known to bring out clouds of flying insects.
Warm weather may also exacerbate the bug problem.
Combine that with high-speed night driving or sunset cruising (when bugs are most active), and your EV becomes an unwilling bug vacuum.

Luckily, there’s a couple of things you can do to avoid turning your Tesla into a bug-covered mess.
For starters, you can use paint protection film (PPF) or ceramic coatings, which can help prevent the bugs from sticking to the car.
While they might still hit your car, cleaning up becomes much easier.
You can also opt for bug deflectors or specialty films for the front bumper, although they may be difficult to find for Teslas.
If you’re driving a long distance, keeping a spray bottle and a microfiber cloth ready for a quick wipe-down at Superchargers or rest stops can help to prevent the build-up of bugs.
Lastly, if all else fails, you should wash your car as soon as you can after a bug-heavy drive.
Bug residue can damage paint if left for too long, especially when baked on by the sun, so you may need a professional cleaning service to rectify this.
The original Reddit post sparked plenty of laughs and shared experiences from other high-speed EV drivers.
It turns out, even cutting-edge electric vehicles aren’t immune to the humble insect.
So, if you’re planning your own Autobahn adventure in a Tesla Model 3, maybe you should pack a sponge.
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Jason Fan is an experienced content creator who graduated from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore with a degree in communications. He then relocated to Australia during a millennial mid-life crisis. A fan of luxury travel and high-performance machines, he politely thanks chatbots just in case the AI apocalypse ever arrives. Jason covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on technology, planes and luxury.