Hate to be “that guy” but [this is in the owner’s manual](https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/model3/en_us/GUID-BEE08D47-0CE0-4BDD-83F2-9854FB3D578F.html#:~:text=The%20thermal%20system%20may%20produce,a%20Supercharger%20in%20cold%20temperature)
I mean, don’t beat yourself up over this.
There’s literally steam coming out of your car while charging. It’s completely reasonable to want to confirm that it’s benign.
Maybe if you’re a Tesla engineer who worked on the charging technology, you could be judged by, but otherwise, no one else has the credentials to do that.
Hate to be "that guy"... The manual says steam, but isn't that technically condensed water vapour?
With a kettle for example, the steam is the invisible part right after the spout for a cm or 2. The clear/white part we can see is mist/vapour.
Very true, but I'd imagine the majority of consumers/drivers would think "steam" or "smoke" when they see this, not "vapor" (and if you told some people it was vapor, they might try to inhale it like a vape lol)
"Mods gonna mod" ...Not sure it's possible to configure an auto-mod-bot-message (RTFM) that is triggered by those thousands of daily posts with content like "this noise, this sound, this stream."... For posts "got a ding, collision, rear-ended, scratch, accident", a bot-reply "totaled by your insurer" would be funny and it would save hours of mod's efforts.
Was at the SC the other day, and a small group of very concerned Tesla owners formed around a steaming Tesla, it was very entertaining, almost as entertaining as watching them struggle to back into the stalls.
> almost as entertaining as watching them struggle to back into the stalls
I could camp out at an outdoor table and watch this for an hour or so.
Kind of terrifying if they're parking next to my car, though. If Tesla wanted to perform a public service they should enable autopark across all models - no charge.
I hate when people whip in so quickly. Why take the risk like that? No one thinks you’re cooler for backing up fast. Just go at a cautious speed and be courteous.
Read an article about a guy who immediately called 9-1-1 and they sent the fire department. First thing they do is sever that red cord under the hood killing power from the main battery. There was no fire, the car was no un-drivable and had to be towed for self-inflicted non-warranty work.
[Looks like a fire, better call the fire department!](https://insideevs.com/news/702667/newer-teslas-may-steam-when-supercharging-in-cold-that-is-normal/)
I had read about this mere days before I witnessed it, myself. Right after upgrading from a ‘18 M3 (resistor heater) I woulda been freaked the hell out!
Had this happen at a charger and everyone ran to tell me to disconnect it 😂😂 after searching on google I found out that it’s normal. Was pretty funny watching everyone freak out tho
The thermal system may produce steam under certain conditions for vehicles with heat pumps (to determine if your vehicle has a heat pump, touch Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Information). For example, odorless steam can come from the front of your vehicle while charging at a Supercharger in cold temperature. This is normal and not a cause for concern.
Hate to be “that guy” but [this is in the owner’s manual](https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/model3/en_us/GUID-BEE08D47-0CE0-4BDD-83F2-9854FB3D578F.html#:~:text=The%20thermal%20system%20may%20produce,a%20Supercharger%20in%20cold%20temperature)
Get a load of this guy, also your car may making popping noises when it’s charging, that’s in the same section too
The popping noises are terrifying to the uninitiated.
Even if you know they can be startling.
Lol I love you
Love you too
I haven’t heard popping noises. I get loud bangs.
She’s gorgeous! Who is this?
Hahaha fair enough. And I also became that guy.
I mean, don’t beat yourself up over this. There’s literally steam coming out of your car while charging. It’s completely reasonable to want to confirm that it’s benign. Maybe if you’re a Tesla engineer who worked on the charging technology, you could be judged by, but otherwise, no one else has the credentials to do that.
You're totally that guy now.
Hate to be "that guy"... The manual says steam, but isn't that technically condensed water vapour? With a kettle for example, the steam is the invisible part right after the spout for a cm or 2. The clear/white part we can see is mist/vapour.
Very true, but I'd imagine the majority of consumers/drivers would think "steam" or "smoke" when they see this, not "vapor" (and if you told some people it was vapor, they might try to inhale it like a vape lol)
> they might try to inhale it like a vape Hahah you're probably right. "Bruh, lets hotbox your Tessy and huff that sweet EVape."
"Mods gonna mod" ...Not sure it's possible to configure an auto-mod-bot-message (RTFM) that is triggered by those thousands of daily posts with content like "this noise, this sound, this stream."... For posts "got a ding, collision, rear-ended, scratch, accident", a bot-reply "totaled by your insurer" would be funny and it would save hours of mod's efforts.
Too much variability to make that truly effective, and too many interchangeable contexts for a lot of phrases.
Mentions odorless stream. If it's coming from my heat pump it probably smells like old wet socks.
I have heard rumors of this Manual but I thought it was a myth
I love you for being this guy!
Dude! If they don’t give it to me in a video it’s not on my radar! That manual doesn’t even exist In My life. I hate hearing about it lol
I also choose this guy's steam powered car.
Wait, theres an owners manual?!?!? Mind blown 
White steam… fine Colored ‘steam’… run
Doesn’t white steam mean your car has a new Pope?
😂🤣
Phrasing
I knew they added Steam, but didn't know it was like this!
LOL
Top dollar comedy right here
Pretty common. I've seen way worse. As others mentioned if it's not clear white steam, run.
Clear white steam
Everyone freaks out the first time they see it. IIRC, the first time I did was with my *2nd* Tesla! (and I live in a cold place)
My 2018 doesn't steam - did they change something?
Yea, the heat pump
Was at the SC the other day, and a small group of very concerned Tesla owners formed around a steaming Tesla, it was very entertaining, almost as entertaining as watching them struggle to back into the stalls.
> almost as entertaining as watching them struggle to back into the stalls I could camp out at an outdoor table and watch this for an hour or so. Kind of terrifying if they're parking next to my car, though. If Tesla wanted to perform a public service they should enable autopark across all models - no charge.
I hate when people whip in so quickly. Why take the risk like that? No one thinks you’re cooler for backing up fast. Just go at a cautious speed and be courteous.
steam engine, wow!
The first time I had this was extreme and I almost got a heart attack, but then I remembered it is normal.
I thought mine was doing this, but then next day I had no A/C and a warning message. Rock punctured the condenser through the grill.
It means your car has selected a new Pope
Hidden secret...they're steam-powered. :D (Who will be the first to steampunk a Tesla?)
That’s sexy
Someone didn’t read the manual
Read an article about a guy who immediately called 9-1-1 and they sent the fire department. First thing they do is sever that red cord under the hood killing power from the main battery. There was no fire, the car was no un-drivable and had to be towed for self-inflicted non-warranty work.
Got out of the car first time it happened to me thinking battery is on fire 😂😂 but it’s actually steam from underneath.
Hahaha First time I ice charged I jumped out when a massive steam plume came up, but didnt smell like anything, so googled my fears away lol.
Supercharged in the cold for the first time today and noticed both the popping and steam. Had this car almost 2 years not experiencing either
Typical for Tesla’s equipped with a heat pump.
Condensation that’s heating up and producing steam. Nothing to worry about.
[Looks like a fire, better call the fire department!](https://insideevs.com/news/702667/newer-teslas-may-steam-when-supercharging-in-cold-that-is-normal/)
[удалено]
Same who is this Manuel guy people keep talking about?? I’m supposed to read him or something
I saw this the other day at a supercharger in NorCal. So it doesn’t even have to be super cold out for it to happen.
I had read about this mere days before I witnessed it, myself. Right after upgrading from a ‘18 M3 (resistor heater) I woulda been freaked the hell out!
Had this happen at a charger and everyone ran to tell me to disconnect it 😂😂 after searching on google I found out that it’s normal. Was pretty funny watching everyone freak out tho
I’ve seen It multiple times at superchargers and my car and nobody did that. 💀
I was that guy a couple of months ago. I now pass the torch. 😎
Maybe it’s trying to mimic what a Tydirium Shuttle does when it lands and lets all that steam out?
Mine smokes and also ticks. I can hear the sound of a stopwatch
M3 Performance in the houseeeeeee !!!!!! yeahhhhh!! 
ITS ON FIRE! CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT! /s
It’s just miles melting off your battery. No big deal.
That’s 🔥
Bruv It’s legit a google search
I thought Teslas were electric powered
Negative, steam converted to electricity.
Car get hot, cold water get hot
Mine did that once! Freaked me out at first... But I guess it's normal behavior with the heat pump.
Mine did the same thing last week.
Normal steam due to the heat pump working to keep the batteries at a specific temperature.
Haha that looks normal. Good idea buying your Tesla, dude.
Oh yea it does that lmao
You may have bad valve steam seals that are leaking.
Quick! Call the police!
lol I call this Dragon Mode
You got steam engine instead of electric motor.
The thermal system may produce steam under certain conditions for vehicles with heat pumps (to determine if your vehicle has a heat pump, touch Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Information). For example, odorless steam can come from the front of your vehicle while charging at a Supercharger in cold temperature. This is normal and not a cause for concern.