Best Tesla Winter Accessories for Model 3 and Model Y
Attention, fellow Tesla owners: Winter is coming!
Are you looking to brave the icy roads and put your EV to sleep out in the snow with peace of mind? If yes, see the best Tesla winter accessories for 2023-2024.
Everyone is promoting the same stuff. Chances are you already have upgrades like a screen protector, center console organizer, and jack pads to prevent damaging your battery pack.
So, besides the Tesla cold weather guide, I’ll also share what we bought to protect our Model 3 during the colder months. My buddy Pete also prepped his Tesla Model Y for the winter. I made this round-up based on his feedback, my personal experience, and some research.
Here, you’ll see the best Model 3 and Model Y winter mats, mud flaps, and door sill protector deals we got on Amazon.
But first, let me show you three essential winter accessories for your Tesla.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, it won’t cost you a penny more. It will help DMotus keep the lights on, as I may get a small commission. Thanks!
The 3 Must-Have Tesla Accessories for the Winter
These three Tesla accessories will make all the difference. The first two can be used on all Teslas in the winter, and the third is only compatible with Model 3 and Model Y. I have all three of them and will share my experience with you.
- Snow Socks – Throw them in the trunk, and you’ll never get stuck in the snow.
- Windshield Cover – No more scraping and defrosting on those cold mornings.
- Hood Water Barrier – Protects your Model 3/Y frunk from the melting snow.
Best Snow Socks for All Tesla Models
If you live in an area where temperatures get very low, you need winter tires. Snow socks are an alternative to tire chains designed only for roads covered in snow or ice – a great solution for those taking road trips during the winter.
The best snow socks you can get for your Tesla are the AutoSock 697.
This Winter Traction Aid is the only alternative to chains approved by the USDOT in all 50 States. It’s compact, light, super easy to install, and much cheaper than the Konig tire chains offered by Tesla.
Why bother with tire chains that are hard to put on, cost more, and could damage your suspension?
While the winter is mild in our area, we often go on ski trips and visit my parents every other weekend. This year, we decided to save on fuel and use our Model 3 for those trips. But we wouldn’t save anything if we spent two grand on an 18″ Tesla winter package or buy 19″ winter tires.
That’s why we decided to get these from AutoSock.
Tesla Snow Socks
Best Tesla Windshield Cover for Snow
I got the EcoNour all-weather windshield cover for our Model 3 in 2021. It does the job, and it’s still a #1 Best Seller on Amazon with 4.5 stars based on 8,000 reviews.
Now, they offer a new windshield cover for snow compatible with all Tesla vehicles. It’s the best product I’ve seen in terms of functionality, price, and design.
Our old one is still in decent condition, and it also fits on my BMWs. So, we spent $30 on the newer one for my wife’s Tesla because it also covers the side mirrors. It’s much better secured with hooks to the wheels and comes with anti-theft buckles.
If you have a lot of snow in your area and keep your Tesla outside, this windshield cover is essential winter equipment. It will save you a ton of time and effort every single morning.
Windshield Cover
Tesla Model 3/Y Hood Water Barrier
I’ve never heard about a hood water barrier before. It turns out it’s a useful and cost-effective Tesla accessory not only for the winter but for the whole year.
The Motrobe seal strip is offered in two versions (for Model 3 and Model Y), and its sole purpose is to keep your frunk clean. It’s an easy install with no tools required, and video guides are available on the product page.
It took me less than 30 minutes to put the three pieces together and mount the Motrobe hood water barrier on our Tesla Model 3. They could’ve used better ABS plastic, but it looks durable and works. After two days of heavy rainfall, the frunk had no water or leaves.
My man Pete also bought and installed it on his Tesla Model Y with no fitment issues. Some guy on Amazon said it won’t fit properly on their 2023 Model Y, but it might be him not reading the instructions. Just something to keep in mind.
Overall, we’re happy with the Tesla hood water barrier. A cheap accessory that we had no idea about does a great job protecting the frunk and looks OEM. I’m sure it will also keep the water from the melting snow away from the frunk.
Frunk Protection
Frunk Protection
Best Tesla Model 3 Winter Accessories
In this section, I’ll tell you about the winter accessories I bought for our Tesla Model 3. I do a lot of research before buying anything for my cars. Thus, I believe these are the best you can find on the market.
Best Winter Floor Mats Model 3
We had the carpet mats in our Model 3 for a couple of years, but an upgrade was a must now that we decided to drive it during the winter. I wouldn’t go for the cheap options as I want them to fit properly and keep the interior clean.
At first, I thought about the 3D Maxpider, but then I discovered that Taptes has an Amazon store. I know the Tesla community trusts these guys, so I checked their all-weather mats. And that’s where my floor mat journey ended.
The Tesla Model 3 floor mats from Taptes are by far your best option for the winter.
The material looks much better than rubber and complements my carbon fiber interior accents. The absence of a logo is also a plus for me, as the mats look original for the car. There was also a coupon, making it an excellent deal for a 6-pack.
I don’t think you can find anything better at that price. And they come with a 1-year warranty. Here are the options for prior June 2020 cars and the later models.
Model 3 Floor Mats
Model 3 Floor Mats
Best Model 3 Mud Flaps for the Winter
Finding the best mud flaps for our Model 3 didn’t take me too long. As soon as I came across Basenor’s product, I looked no further. Their mud flaps are Amazon’s #1 Best Seller with over 4,500 reviews and nearly 1,000 bought every month.
I think you get the point.
When it comes to exterior mods, I wouldn’t go for what everyone else is buying. I want my car to turn heads. But that’s mud flaps/splash guards we’re talking about here.
If thousands of Teslas have these on, they probably work, right?
It’s worth mentioning that some buyers reported fitment issues in the past, but for me, it was a perfect fit. I guess Basenor made some adjustments to their Tesla mud flaps.
After watching the videos on their product page, installing all four of them took me about 45 minutes. Our Model 3 is now protected from dirt and paint damage.
Model 3 Mud Flaps
Best Tesla Model 3 Door Sill Protectors
I’ve been thinking about illuminated door sill protectors for a while, as we have a couple of scratches on the driver’s side. Now that I struck a few deals on Amazon and didn’t spend the entire budget on winter accessories, I decided to get it.
First, I checked the Tesla online store, but they don’t offer carbon fiber door sill protectors for Model 3, and that’s what I wanted. After looking at a few other websites selling aftermarket Tesla accessories, I found the best Model 3 door sill protector deal on Amazon again.
The TSLAUCAY Model 3 illuminated door sill protector fits like a dream, looks OEM, and with the $20 coupon, I paid half the official Tesla store price.
They also have it in silver and a matte finish, and if you worry about the installation, don’t. There is a 10-minute unboxing/installation video on the product page.
Model 3 Door Sills
Best Tesla Winter Accessories for Model Y
As mentioned above, here I’ll show you what my man Pete bought to protect his Tesla Model Y during the winter. These are not the cheapest or the most expensive accessories, but they’re proven to fit precisely. Quality and perfect fitment are the most important on my watch.
Best Floor Mats for the Winter Model Y
Model Y 5-Seater Full Set
Pete has a Tesla Model Y 5-seater and got a pretty good deal on a full set of 6 mats. He likes the ones I bought from the Taptes Amazon store but bought his from Maysoo because they look very similar and the price was lower.
Comparing the floor mats on our Model 3 and the ones he got for his Model Y, I see no major differences. I’m sure they’ll do a great job protecting his car interior in the winter.
He says the material is high-quality, there is no smell, and cleaning is a piece of cake. Pete gave me one tip to share with you. If any of the mats arrive folded, you should leave it under the sun for a while. After that, you’ll get the perfect fit.
After doing some more research, I share his opinion that in this price range, the full set of Maysoo floor mats for Model Y 5-seater is the best you could get for the winter.
Model Y 5-Seater
Model Y 7-Seater Full Set
I know that many of you reading this are 7-seater Model Y owners, but Maysoo doesn’t have that option. So, I spent another hour or so to spot the top deal for 7-seater winter floor mats.
After checking various products, comparing the prices, and reading customer reviews, I believe that KIKIMO’s Tesla Model Y 7-seater floor mats are the best for the winter.
Everyone says that these are lightweight, easy to install and clean, and look much better than the stock carpet mats. The only drawback a few buyers report is that the trunk mat slides a bit.
The seller recommends leaving the mats in a warm area for a few days before installing. What I can tell you for sure is that the price for 9 pieces of good quality floor mats is hard to beat.
Model Y 7-Seater
Best Winter Mud Flaps Model Y
Are you looking for good quality Model Y winter mud flaps/splash guards that resemble those from Tesla? I have good news for you. My buddy, Pete, found a hot deal on Amazon.
He already bought and installed the Vugosson mud flaps on his Model Y. That’s a good enough verification for me. Hence, I can recommend those to you as the best for the winter. If I didn’t have the ones from Basenor, I would’ve got the Vugosson.
- These are 4 mud flaps for the price you’d pay for 2 in the official Tesla store.
- The frame is made of ABS, while the flaps are made of more flexible material.
- Flexibility means the flaps won’t break, and cleaning the snow and ice is easy.
- No need to drill or use special tools. A short installation video is available.
Model Y Mud Flaps
Best Door Sill Protection Model Y
When my buddy Pete saw the cool illuminated door sill protectors I got for our Model 3, he immediately went online to buy the same for his Model Y. He had no luck. They only had the carbon fiber and the silver ones, and he wanted black.
At the time of writing, the black ones are out of stock even in the Tesla shop. We looked at some other options, but there were multiple complaints about the quality and installation from people who bought and tested those.
That said, it only makes sense to recommend the door sill protection I purchased for our Tesla Model 3. I know these work, and all other buyers confirmed it.
Hopefully, all three finishes will be available when you’re reading this.
Model Y Door Sills
Two More Tips for Your Tesla in the Winter
Put Your Wheel Covers On
Many Tesla owners remove the hubcaps because they like the look of the alloy wheels better. If you’re one of them, and there is a lot of snow in your area, I encourage you to put your hubcaps back on.
They’ll protect your rims from the salt and chemicals used on the road.
In case you no longer have those, there are great aftermarket options at reasonable prices. Check out my round-up post for Model 3 and Model Y wheel covers.
Check Your Wheel Lug Nuts
Have you checked your wheel lug nuts recently? If you still have the stock Tesla lug nuts, they’re probably swollen. And if not, they’ll certainly will if you drive in the snow.
I have a complete Tesla lug nuts guide where you can read more on the topic. Long story short, the OEM lug nuts of all Teslas are made of soft alloy and have a two-piece design. That’s why they easily get skewed or swollen during the winter.
The solution is aftermarket lug nuts made of solid steel or titanium, like the ones I recommend in my best Tesla wheel accessories article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AutoSocks Work in Deep Snow and Ice?
AutoSocks are designed to provide extra traction on snowy and icy roads. While snow socks are a great alternative to tire chains, they may not be as effective in extreme winter conditions. AutoSocks are an essential vehicle accessory to help you avoid being stuck in snow during road trips.
Will Mud Flaps Reduce Your Tesla Range?
Mud flaps can reduce your Tesla’s range by creating extra drag and wind resistance, especially at higher speeds. However, the impact on range will be minimal, and the benefits of protecting your car’s paint and reducing road debris during the winter outweigh the potential range loss. If you’re concerned about range and performance, buy lightweight mud flaps and remove them after the winter.
Are Plastic or Rubber Mud Flaps Better for Tesla?
Both plastic and rubber mud flaps can protect your Tesla’s paint from road debris and snow. Generally speaking, plastic mud flaps are considered more durable and are the more common option. However, rubber mud flaps are more flexible and resistant to cracking during the winter.