Newbie to EVs. Please help me with charging and other issues.

[planuntilthefisthits]

Happy New Year! For reasons unrelated to the calendar, I got my first EV car on 12/31/25. It is a Tesla Y Premium. It is a marvel of a computer that has wheels!

I'd appreciate some ongoing tech support from those inclined to help an EV Newbie.

My first question is related to charging: I live in a townhome without any high speed charging. This is a temporary living situation for me, but right now, I will need to find charging options. I can see where the Tesla Superchargers and destination chargers are located, and some are in convenient locations close to my regular travel patterns. But, I anticipate that I will need to occasionally find non-Tesla chargers. How to do this? I have Googled and found a host of apps that purport to guide me to chargers, but which apps are the best/reliable/not scams? One I downloaded is Shell, but that app is alerting me that their network is phasing out.

I'd appreciate any guidance the community might provide.

Thank you!

 

[Koolau]

DIL has a Kia EV of some kind. She moved into an apartment on the 3rd floor. No charging options other than a free charger (slow-rate) a few miles away. She would often take our granddaughter over to the free charger and they'd play in the parking lot while the car charged.

She's a rather clever girl and found a very long extension cord at a resale shop. She was able to plug into her 110, throw the cord out the window and plug in her Kia. Of course, it didn't give her very many miles over night. The real issue came when the manager told her to knock it off or he'd kick her out of the apartment.

Sorry I can't be more help.

 

[warbial]

I anticipate that I will need to occasionally find non-Tesla chargers. How to do this?

PlugShare (plugshare.com and app). I use it for planning long-distance trips, and I use it during the trip if I need to change plans en route.

 

[DayDreaming]

If you haven't already found it, Tesla Motor Club has a lot of forums for Tesla issues and you can learn a lot from browsing there: Model Y

 

[RetMD21]

People with access to a conveniently located US type electric dryer outlet have been able to do level 2 charging with an adapter. IDK if that would work for you

 

[Gallaher]

Tesla didn’t help you with this stuff?

 

[REWahoo]

As RetMD21 says, look at using your dryer outlet as a possible level 2 charging source.

Also, the PlugShare app is very good for locating charging stations.

 

[planuntilthefisthits]

Tesla didn’t help you with this stuff?

Nope. I had a wonderful experience with my multiple test drives of different vehicles, but the pickup of the purchased car was not a good experience. The car was not in the shiny, "new car" spotless condition one would expect. The CSR who handled the pickup answered all our questions, but generally did not seem totally engaged or enthusiastic. Sort of like she was on a time schedule and had to get us out "soon." After she departed and we were still in the lot, I had a question which I directed to the salesperson I used, not the woman who "kicked us to the curb."

 

[RetiredHappy]

Nope. I had a wonderful experience with my multiple test drives of different vehicles, but the pickup of the purchased car was not a good experience. The car was not in the shiny, "new car" spotless condition one would expect. The CSR who handled the pickup answered all our questions, but generally did not seem totally engaged or enthusiastic. Sort of like she was on a time schedule and had to get us out "soon." After she departed and we were still in the lot, I had a question which I directed to the salesperson I used, not the woman who "kicked us to the curb."

We had horrible show room/salespeople experiencem at Tesla, after we were ready to order a Model X at end of 2024. We got so irritated that we left and headed over to the Cadillac and bought a Lyriq Sport 3 EV. We regret not buying a Model X because of significant reliability issue with the Lyriq. It has been into service 7 times for the past 12 months, with failure type issues.

 

[Zathras]

Happy New Year! For reasons unrelated to the calendar, I got my first EV car on 12/31/25. It is a Tesla Y Premium. It is a marvel of a computer that has wheels!

I'd appreciate some ongoing tech support from those inclined to help an EV Newbie.

My first question is related to charging: I live in a townhome without any high speed charging. This is a temporary living situation for me, but right now, I will need to find charging options. I can see where the Tesla Superchargers and destination chargers are located, and some are in convenient locations close to my regular travel patterns. But, I anticipate that I will need to occasionally find non-Tesla chargers. How to do this? I have Googled and found a host of apps that purport to guide me to chargers, but which apps are the best/reliable/not scams? One I downloaded is Shell, but that app is alerting me that their network is phasing out.

I'd appreciate any guidance the community might provide.

Thank you!

Congratulations!

As a general note, the more information you provide, the more specific people can be in their answers to any questions you may have.

When I last bought a Tesla, I got 6 months of free supercharging (up to some mileage limit). If you did get that, make use of it.
How often you need to charge depends on how much you drive. So if you only need to charge once a week, and you are anywhere near one of those superchargers at least once a week, charge then.

The supercharger network is the easiest way to charge away from home (and the cheapest if you got that incentive).

If the townhome's electrical work is up to standards, plugging into a 120V outlet will get you 20-50 miles overnight. Even if this isn't sufficient, it will lengthen the time between supercharger visits.

If you live in a colder region, the 120V outlet doesn't work as well in the winter.

Tesla used to have a series of videos available right on the center console. One of the current owners can give you more specifics about how to find them. They are quite good and cover a wide range of topics.

Plugshare is a good general app which shows most charging points. You can filter results, leave or read reviews, etc. For now though, I would highly recommend sticking with the Tesla superchargers. It is the simplest, most convenient system to use.

 

[Flieger]

Generally good experience for me with purchase of Used Model S from Tesla, but then it wasn't NYE either.

Flieger

 

[joesxm3]

If you got a free month of FSD, be sure to try it out. But if your car was delivered with FSD 13 you may want to wait until your version 14 update arrives to get the most shock value. You need to make sure your Tesla is connected to your WIFI to get the updates.

 

[Texas Proud]

Hmmm, I am interested in the dryer option... but the cord from Audi is not long enough....

What are people using instead?

I am fine with the 110 but from what I read it has a 25% overhead and 220 is maybe 5%... would love to save some if I could...

I am also wondering about Shell going kaput? I have not used any fast charger yet but have though about it to test.. but Plugshare seems to show more locations... I do not know if you can pay by that app or not..

Finally, look at my thread about MPGe and cost to 'fill up' on public chargers... you are not saving money doing that... just my opinion but EVs do not go with condos are apts without some kind of cheap charging...

 

[RetiredHappy]

We make alot of long road trips across statelines and do searches to find EV charges in the area. You can search to find what you have around where you live. From my experience, ChargePoint and Electrify America are pretty good. EVGo chargers are often broken. Our first choice is Tesla superchargers.

 

[audreyh1]

Hmmm, I am interested in the dryer option... but the cord from Audi is not long enough....

What are people using instead?

I am fine with the 110 but from what I read it has a 25% overhead and 220 is maybe 5%... would love to save some if I could...

I am also wondering about Shell going kaput? I have not used any fast charger yet but have though about it to test.. but Plugshare seems to show more locations... I do not know if you can pay by that app or not..

Finally, look at my thread about MPGe and cost to 'fill up' on public chargers... you are not saving money doing that... just my opinion but EVs do not go with condos are apts without some kind of cheap charging...

You can get a 240V 50A extension cord. We still have a high quality one from our motorhome. Tesla has a smart Mobile Connector cable with all sorts of plug adapters.

 

[Midpack]

Tesla Superchargers have historically been much more reliable than other EV charging networks, but the others are improving every day.

I would think you would identify some chargers you’ll use routinely and stick with them. Most people do the same with gas stations, go to a few routinely. As mentioned above Plugshare is a good resource. You won’t need to find chargers beyond that unless you’re taking a longer trip.

A dryer outlet will work in a pinch, but it’s not a good long term solution - don’t use that as your go to solution. Those outlets are not meant to cycled often (they’re meant to be plugged in and left for years, not in and out often) and they’re lower amperage than you install if you put in a dedicated 240V receptacle (I realize you’re not going to now).

 

[planuntilthefisthits]

If you got a free month of FSD, be sure to try it out. But if your car was delivered with FSD 13 you may want to wait until your version 14 update arrives to get the most shock value. You need to make sure your Tesla is connected to your WIFI to get the updates.

Thanks. One of the big selling points for me was the FSD. I tried it on all the test drives, and was amazed. We have the latest updates.

 

[joesxm3]

It is amazing what FSD has gotten to. When I first started FSD 11 in 2023 it was borderline scary.

I am not sure if this is new, or if I just did not notice. In the bottom right of the screen there is a little box saying something like "Navigate" on the top and "Home" on the bottom. I would tap the "Navigate" part and then key in my destination or tap "Home" to head home.

Well yesterday I was heading to church and when I pulled out of the garage the little box had "my church name" where "home" usually is. I tapped and it drove to church.

Coming out of church, I was planning to get some groceries. The little box had "name of my grocery store" where home usually is. I tapped and it drove to store. Coming out of store it was back to showing "home".

You are lucky to have missed the "oh no. Is it pulling out to get T-boned" era and jump right into the "oh i like to take a different route" or "i don't like that choice of parking space" era.

I saw that only 12% of eligible customers actually buy or rent FSD. I find that shocking.

 

[Luvtoride]

As mentioned by a couple responses above, PlugShare is a good app to identify charging locations other than Tesla Superchargers (it is not charging station). I would definitely recommend setting up accounts for Chargepoint, EV Go and Electrify America so that when you do “pull up” to one of these most common non- Tesla chargers you are ready to go with your credit card loaded on the app to pay for the charge. These all work very well.
You will love your Model Y (I’m on my 2nd one).

When you do move to a more permanent home, I would encourage you to install your own dedicated Level 2 charger such as a Chargepoint which I have. Many Utility company’s still offer rebates and incentives to purchase and have them installed by an electrician as well as offering discounted electric rates for charging at night. It is the most convenient way to charge your EV and you will rarely need to use Tesla or 3rd party chargers other than on long road trips.

 

[audreyh1]

It is amazing what FSD has gotten to. When I first started FSD 11 in 2023 it was borderline scary.

I am not sure if this is new, or if I just did not notice. In the bottom right of the screen there is a little box saying something like "Navigate" on the top and "Home" on the bottom. I would tap the "Navigate" part and then key in my destination or tap "Home" to head home.

Well yesterday I was heading to church and when I pulled out of the garage the little box had "my church name" where "home" usually is. I tapped and it drove to church.

Coming out of church, I was planning to get some groceries. The little box had "name of my grocery store" where home usually is. I tapped and it drove to store. Coming out of store it was back to showing "home".

You are lucky to have missed the "oh no. Is it pulling out to get T-boned" era and jump right into the "oh i like to take a different route" or "i don't like that choice of parking space" era.

I saw that only 12% of eligible customers actually buy or rent FSD. I find that shocking.

Even our navigation now has suggestions of where they think we might go. It’s right most of the time. It’s not FSDi don’t think. Seems like our navigation data updated recently and this is when it appeared.

 

[RetMD21]

Tesla Superchargers have historically been much more reliable than other EV charging networks, but the others are improving every day.

I would think you would identify some chargers you’ll use routinely and stick with them. Most people do the same with gas stations, go to a few routinely. As mentioned above Plugshare is a good resource. You won’t need to find chargers beyond that unless you’re taking a longer trip.

A dryer outlet will work in a pinch, but it’s not a good long term solution - don’t use that as your go to solution. Those outlets are not meant to cycled often (they’re meant to be plugged in and left for years, not in and out often) and they’re lower amperage than you install if you put in a dedicated 240V receptacle (I realize you’re not going to now).

Well, OP said the townhouse is temporary so I didn't think he would want a new circuit. There are split plugs so that you don't have to plug and unplug. There are even smart ones. I did 120 v charging for a while but I'm glad to have moved on. I could only add 4 miles of range for every hour of charging.

I have the ability to charge at 48 amps on 240 V but usually turn it down to 24 which gets me over 20 miles/hr or charging on my MY. 24 amps is achievable on a 30 amp dryer circuit. The dryer solution is only practical if the layout is just right. Having level 2 is great and as Luvtoride pointed out sometimes there are worthwhile incentives.

 

[planuntilthefisthits]

OP here. For those who have Teslas and use FSD: What driver profile do you find yourself using? We went out of the lot on "standard," and were quickly terrorized by some assertive lane maneuvering. One of the issues I have with FSD is the following distance from the car ahead of us. It seems to give you 2 seconds following distance, but I'd like it to be more when the road is open. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[RetiredHappy]

OP here. For those who have Teslas and use FSD: What driver profile do you find yourself using? We went out of the lot on "standard," and were quickly terrorized by some assertive lane maneuvering. One of the issues I have with FSD is the following distance from the car ahead of us. It seems to give you 2 seconds following distance, but I'd like it to be more when the road is open. Any suggestions? Thanks.

We don't have a Tesla but with all our cars with adaptive cruise control and Lyriq with Supercruise (their version of partial self-driving), you can set 1, 2 and 3 seconds. I normally set mine with 3 seconds, and it can be adjusted real time on the steering wheel, like in a 2 lane situation, I get annoyed when cars would try to overtake me when they perceive that there is too much room in front of my car, and I would switch it to 1 second.

 

[joesxm3]

We used to have more control of things but version 14 gives less options. I suggest setting it to Chill for now.

You are new to FSD and it takes a good month before you get accustomed enough to feel that it knows what it is doing.

I can sympathize with your feeling that it follows too close. I have the same feeling sometimes lately.

One thing it seems to be very good at is lane changing. So I don't worry about that. But it does seem to change lanes more than necessary.

Sloth mode is probably too slow.

 

[Route246]

Hmmm, I am interested in the dryer option... but the cord from Audi is not long enough....

What are people using instead?

I am fine with the 110 but from what I read it has a 25% overhead and 220 is maybe 5%... would love to save some if I could...

I am also wondering about Shell going kaput? I have not used any fast charger yet but have though about it to test.. but Plugshare seems to show more locations... I do not know if you can pay by that app or not..

Finally, look at my thread about MPGe and cost to 'fill up' on public chargers... you are not saving money doing that... just my opinion but EVs do not go with condos are apts without some kind of cheap charging...

You can use an extension cord with a Level 2 charger, but it must be heavy‑duty and correctly rated so it does not overheat or waste energy as heat. Level 1 (120 V) is fine in a pinch, but if you have a “dryer plug” (240 V) you are much better off using Level 2, since it charges several times faster at similar or better efficiency. Most portable EVSE cords are in the low‑20‑foot range, so an appropriately rated extension cord can be useful if your car is just out of reach.

If you have a NEMA 14‑50 outlet, look for a NEMA 14‑50 extension cord that is specifically marketed for EV charging, rated for 50 A, and made with at least 6 AWG conductors. On Amazon, searching “nema 14‑50 extension cord ev” will surface multiple options; pick the shortest length that meets your needs to minimize voltage drop and heat.

For the charger itself, search for “level 2 ev charger nema 14‑50” and you will see many units around the 32–40 A range in the roughly $150–$400 price band. A 40 A Level 2 EVSE is a good sweet spot for most home NEMA 14‑50 circuits; there are plenty of reliable options under $200 with thousands of reviews. Look for UL listing (or equivalent), solid star ratings, and recent positive reviews rather than paying extra for brand name alone.

Online warnings about extension cords are mostly aimed at undersized, general‑purpose cords, not properly rated EV‑specific cables. As long as the extension cord is rated for 50 A at 240 V, uses heavy‑gauge copper (typically 6 AWG), and you periodically check the plug ends for warmth or discoloration, it can be a reasonable solution. Remember that NEC guidance limits the EVSE output cable to about 25 ft, which is why most Level 2 units ship with cords in that range and use just enough copper to meet code and cost targets.