It'a hard to believe, but I’m approaching three years of owning my Tesla Model 3. During that time, it’s been incredibly reliable. Aside from a tire rotation—done conveniently at my house by Tesla’s mobile service—I’ve never needed to take the car in for any major service.

Still, after hearing horror stories about people stranded on the side of the road due to a sudden 12v battery failure (yes, even EVs have a smaller battery like regular cars, in addition to their main high-voltage one), The car usually tells you when the battery is about to die and it gives you about a week before it gives up the ghost but this isn't foolproof so I decided to be proactive and replace it. The thought of being stuck in subzero temperatures because of a dead battery? I'll avoid that experience if I can, thanks.

I also had a few minor annoyances crop up recently that I wanted Tesla’s technicians to check out. The fan cooling the high-voltage battery started making a rubbing noise after a car wash during single-digit weather (thanks, winter). On top of that, the telescoping steering wheel developed a slight vibration when retracting.

Booking a service appointment with Tesla is almost like setting up a coffee date for your car. Everything is handled through the app you usually use to control the vehicle. Once you approve the cost estimate, you select the service center, date, and time. For this visit, I chose Tesla’s brand-new service center in Lake Elmo, just 10 miles away.

When you arrive, the app guides you through the check-in process. You notify them you’re there, park where instructed, and head to the waiting room.

The techs take care of everything from there. They don’t even need the key card; they pull the car into the service bay while the app keeps you updated with progress notes and an estimated completion time. You can ask questions and communicate with the mechanic in real-time at any time throughout the service appointment via in-app messaging.

As for my car’s issues: the fan noise couldn’t be reproduced (likely just ice build-up from the car wash), the steering column simply needed lubrication, and the 12v battery was replaced with a new lithium-ion one. Everything but the battery swap was covered under warranty. Payment was seamless—I used the credit card linked to my app, which also told me where my car was parked afterward.

The entire process was impressively smooth, if a bit surreal. My Model 3 was serviced without me speaking to a single person, which was both convenient and, admittedly, a little strange.

The Lake Elmo service center itself was immaculate—sparkling clean with complimentary snacks and drinks in the waiting area. The service bays resembled an operating room more than a typical garage.

Being a brand-new location, they only had one Tesla on display: a stunning 2025 Model 3 Performance with carbon fiber accents. Compared to my 2022 Model 3, it felt like a next-generation leap. Double-paned glass makes the cabin whisper-quiet, and the build quality has noticeably improved with this model refresh. It’s no wonder this car has been gathering awards and setting speed records—it’s a masterpiece of engineering.

Tesla’s contactless service felt like a glimpse into the future, and it’s only a matter of time before other automakers adopt similar systems. With Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) improving rapidly, I wouldn’t be surprised if, in the very near future, Teslas will have the ability to drive themselves to service appointments. Knowing Elon Musk, it’s probably already well in the works.

~Eric Vance Walton~

Be well, make the most of this day. Thank you for reading!

(Images are original.)

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