This article was originally written in 2017 and applied to Model S only.
We have an updated version of this available for Model 3 & Y here
Out of the showroom, the car is pretty much ready to go but here are a few things that many Tesla owners buy straight after or just before collecting.
Full list (click for details):
The Must Have products:
- Home Charger
- Decent car cleaning kit
- A Snow Foam Lance
- Tyre Pump
- Decent phone holder
- Decent phone cable and charger
- A front and rear camera system
Optional but useful for many people:
- A Type 2 Cable
- A decent extension cable + Dribox 330
- Tesla Remote S App
- Paint Protection
- Alloy Wheel Protection
Not necessary but a nice touch:
- Trunk Mat Kit
- Brighter Puddle Lights (when doors open)
- Brighter rear boot lights
- Extra LED panels in boot
- Custom Puddle Lights
- Boot Liner
- Coat Hooks
- Spare Battery
- Spare Tyre / Wheel
- Torque Wrench
- Locking Wheel Nuts
- Sleeping Bag
- Personal Vinyl Touches
- Other customisations
The Must Have products:
A home charger
Please read our updated guide to home chargers
A decent car cleaning kit (or just show your butler / get a local valet company to clean)
The basics: Two bucket technique (possibly cheaper via Amazon) or just buy two cheap buckets locally + Wash Mitt (or this one)
Amazon Links
- Millaissolutions Car Detailing Valeters Wash and Rinse Two Bucket System - 20 litre Buckets **LIMITED TIME - NOW SUPPLIED WITH SCATCHSHIELD GUARDS **
- Set of 2 Buckets and Grit Guards, Premium Quality, Prevent Swirls and Scratches when Washing Your Car, 20 Litre Buckets with Lids
- AUTO RAE-CHEM GRIT SHIELD & HEAVY DUTY 20L BUCKET WHITE - For 2 Bucket Car Wash Method + FREE SHAMPOO + WASH MIT + MICROFIBRE TOWEL
The car shampoo etc that you will use will vary depending on if you’ve got the car paint protected or not. If it is just the bare paintwork then you will want one that leaves a slight wax finish, if you have paint protection you probably want no-wax/films etc left on the paint. I recommend you research paint protection further, it is best done when you first get the car.
Never use a sponge – they’re flat surfaces and if when dirt gets attached they can leave awful looking swirls, get a stone caught and you’ve just ruined your paint. Use a wash mitt instead.
Learn more about cleaning your Tesla Model S
A snow foam lance
Even if you’re not serious about cleaning cars, using one of these is extremely fun but actually it will give a superior clean because the more dirt you remove before you clean the car by hand the less likely you’re to scratch or mark your paint. So grab a Pressure Washer + Snowfoam Lance (make sure it has the correct fitment for your pressure washer) + the actual snow foam (or this brand), spray and then leave for 10 minutes, then pressure wash off and continue to wash the car using the Two Bucket Technique.
Amazon Links
Learn more about cleaning your Tesla Model S
Tyre Pump / Repair Kit
These tyre pumps are popular in the group, simply keep it in the frunk or garage and check the tyres every month or so, it will save you energy (increase in distance) + reduce tyre wear.
Tesla sells a tyre repair kit (cheaper versions below) which you might find useful for emergency situations where you cannot call for assistance or don’t have any other option, it’s important to remember that although these are effective once you’ve used it it’s unlikely that it will be possible to make a more permanent fix to a tyre afterwards, alternatively a more traditional fix might be better suited.
Amazon Links
- Ring RAC635 Preset Digital Tyre Inflator, Air Compressor Tyre Pump, 3 Min Tyre Inflation, LED Light, Carry Case, Valve Adaptors, 12 V
- Ring RAC630 12V Digital Tyre Inflator, Air Compressor with Auto stop, Tyre Pump with LED Light, Case and Adaptor Set
- Slime CRK0305-IN Flat Tyre Puncture Repair, Smart Repair, Emergency Kit for Car Tyres, Includes Sealant and Tyre Inflator Pump, Suitable for Cars and Other Highway Vehicles, 15 Min Fix
- Holts LOYHT4YA Emergency Puncture Repair, 500ml
- Silverline 380153 Tyre Valve Repair Tool 4 - Way
A decent phone holder
The Tesla built in system is OK but you can’t access the screen easily so grab one of these if you want to use Waze Maps etc (in order of popularity of UK Tesla Owners)
- Abstract Ocean (Magnetic Slimline) or cheaper Amazon version
- Brodit Pro Clip Angled Mount 654922 (Lower Screen) (Amazon Link)
- Brodit Pro Clip 654921 Center mount (Vent mount)
- Kenu Airframe (be careful if you have a P car, likely to come off)
Amazon Links
- Wuteku Best Car Phone Holder Universal Magnetic Dashboard Mount - Compatible with iPhone X XS XR MAX 8 Galaxy S10 S9 S8 More Mobiles - Top Rated by Pro Drivers
- JUNWER Universal Magnetic Car Mount Ultra-Compact Phone Holder for iPhone X / 8/8 Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus / 6s / Samsung Galaxy S8 / S7 / S6 and more
A decent phone charger and cable
Model 3 comes with a wireless charger in the centre console, but many owners need USB chargers.
Amazon Links
Depending on where you plan to store your phone you may want a longer cable:
Amazon Links
A front and rear camera aka dash camera
Teslas have Sentry mode which records when the car is parked up, but many owners also install front and rear dash cams which record 24×7, including when driving.
Install and forget it is there, one day it might save you a massive insurance hassle. The beauty of the Tesla is you can have this recording 24/7!
The recommended cameras:
Amazon Links
- Thinkware F770 Dash Cam Full HD 1080p Front and Rear Car Camera Dashcam - Super Night Vision, Includes 32GB SD Card & Hardwire lead for Battery Safe Parking Mode Install - Android/iOS App
- Blackvue DR650S-2CH 16 GB Dashcam
- BlackVue DR750LW-2CH (16GB)
- Goluk T1 Wifi FHD 1080P Mini Car Dash Cam Recorder, with 16G TF Card, Night Vision, Motion Detection, Parking Monitor
- Goluk T2 FHD 1080P 152° WDR Car Dash Cam with Night Vision, G-sensor for Real Time Video Sharing, Motion Detection, Traffic Accident Disputes, Parking Monitor Loop Recording
You might want to grab a decent MicroSD card as well, you should aim for as much as possible but 32GB-64GB should be fine for most people.
You can install yourself or do what most Tesla owners do and get a 3rd party to install:
Optional but useful for many people
A DECENT extension cable + Dribox 330
This will depend on your requirements but I’ve had to use an extension cable around 10 times this year.
It is ideal for weekend trips away, AirBnb* trips or charging at family/friends overnight where the standard Tesla cable won’t reach (common issue).
Lots of UK members (including myself) buy cables from Industrial Extension Leads, remember you MUST always unwind all cables when charging. I personally own the Double Socket 20M 2.5mm 13amp Heavy Duty Cable (pictured above) and would highly recommend it. Ensure you buy one with at least a 2.5mm thick cable (like the one above) and remember anything over 20M should be 4mm minimum to reduce voltage drop.
Don’t use a standard extension lead unless you’re desperate as they can & will overheat (potentially causing a fire etc), if you have no option ensure you unwind completely, reduce the amps down to 5amps and check the plug for excess heat often, if you NEED the speed then slowly increase the amps up whilst checking for excess heat often.
A Dribox 330 (pictured above)
To place your UMC / extension cable in whilst charging to ensure they don’t get soaked, the UMC is water resistant but can’t be submerged in water. Buy from Amazon (+ fits in rear dropped trunk so ideal for storage as well)
Tesla Remote S app by Rego apps (mixed reviews from owners)
Download from iOS Apple app store. Quicker to load than the Tesla app, more functions (e.g. open sunroof more than vent, Apple watch, Breadcrumb tracking, Camp Mode, Vampire Drain, Trip Statistics, Website to control your car etc). Worth the money in my opinion all the UX is a bit fiddly.
Get the paint protected
See my guide on my paint protection (third party website)
Alloygators or RimProTec (Alloy Wheel Protection)
Read this guide on alloy wheel protection
Not necessary but a nice touch
Trunk mat kit
Brighter lighting in the puddle lights
You can upgrade the existing puddle lights with ones from Abstract Ocean (around £35 delivered to UK), alternatively consider replacings these with custom Puddle Lights (See below)
Brighter LEDs in the rear boot
You can upgrade the existing LEDs in the boot with ones from Abstract Ocean (around £35 delivered to UK) – The photo above shows before and after upgrading the LEDS.
Extra LED panels in the boot
Alternatively, install some extra lighting in the rear boot, Simon Holbon charges £50 if you’re having a dash camera installed at the same time, it made a massive difference in my car. More installers on here.
Custom Puddle lights
Do not drill any holes into the door, it will invalidate your warranty! The Tesla already has holes ready for these, although it’s not officially for this. Car Door Ground Shadow set from eBay – Photo thanks to Sam Elsokari
Boot Liner / All Weather Mats etc
Coat hooks
Anyone moving from pretty much any other car will notice the lack of coat hooks in the Model S, you can 3D print some or buy from Evannex (USA) or EVHooks (Aluminum and pictured)
Spare CR2032 battery
You may never use it, but it might be useful if you don’t get your car serviced every year. 2 pack for £1.60
A spare tyre/wheel + Torque Wrench
Torque Wrench
129 lb. ft (175 Nm) is the correct setting and mine were nowhere near that, make sure this is checked when the car goes in for service/tyre change etc or do what I just did & do it yourself by purchasing:
– a 21mm Draper Expert Hi-Torq® Wheel Nut Socket for £14 from local store, however, in hindsight I should have purchased this set for £19
– a Halfords Professional Torque Wrench 60-300Nm (with lifetime warranty) for £89.99 > http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/spanners-wrenches/halfords-professional-torque-wrench-8-60nm*https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership
↪ Remember 10% off everything at Halfords for Cycling membership (anyone can get this for reference from https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership for £21)
↪ They also do a smaller version (40-200Nm) for £10 less > http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/spanners-wrenches/halfords-professional-torque-wrench-40-200nm*
Replacement tyres for Model S can be difficult to find sometimes, so having one stored at your local tyre depot is a good idea, failing that buy one and put in the garage.
Spare Wheel
Learn how to replace a wheel and consider carrying a spare space saver (thanks to Steve).
Locking wheel nuts (depending on your location)
If you get them, spray with silicon as they often go rusty! Many owners don’t bother as aesthetically they’re not great, you can buy the tool to unlock for less at Halfords and someone would need a lot of time and effort to remove your wheels.
Sleeping bag
For the inevitable charging at 2am at a supercharger in Norway or for other road trips where you want to lay under the stars. Use the Remote S app to keep the car fans running.
Add your own personal touch
From the outside many Teslas look identical. Try something different like wheel stickers etc. http://www.rpmtesla.com/ with discount code 15%OFFMP should get you all of these.
You might find these useful:
A big thank you to everyone who helped supply photographs, I’ve contacted everyone for permission.
*the majority of links on this page generate funds for the group if you purchase however some of them currently don’t and the money is generated to the writer of the article. This doesn’t change the price you pay (in fact some of the links will save you money) but this automatically helps to pay for equipment to produce better videos on YouTube etc. So for that I thank you, if you do buy something please let me know in the comments.
updated 20th Nov 2020 – by Simon Verona but requires further review