The ‘Wet Towel Trick’: A Dangerous Hack for Tesla Superchargers

The “wet towel trick” at Tesla Superchargers is an informal hack some Tesla owners use to try to improve charging speeds when their car is overheating or charging slower than expected due to high temperatures. Here’s how it works:

1. Car Overheating at Supercharger: If your Tesla is too hot (due to the weather or driving), it may slow down its charging speed to prevent overheating. The car’s battery management system automatically adjusts for safety.
   
2. Using a Wet Towel: To help cool down the car’s battery and system faster, some owners place a wet towel over the rear part of the car, near the trunk where the cooling fans are located. The idea is that the wet towel can help dissipate heat and improve the airflow into the cooling system, helping the car cool down faster.
   
3. Effect: In theory, this could allow the car to increase charging speed by preventing the battery from overheating.

Cooling systems in Teslas are sophisticated and Tesla doesn’t condone this trick. Rely only on built-in systems for maintaining optimal temperature. If you’re experiencing slow charging often, it could be due to a number of factors beyond temperature.

Tesla warns that the wet towel trick can interfere with the charger’s temperature monitoring system, potentially leading to overheating or damage. Additionally, Tesla has indicated that the trick does not actually increase charging speed and could even be harmful to the charger.

THE TAKEAWAY

It’s important to follow Tesla’s guidelines and avoid using the wet towel trick to ensure the safety and optimal performance of your Tesla and the Supercharger station.

Sources: EV Car Answers Editors, ChatGPT, Gemini, Tesla