18:39 27-01-2026

Tesla Model Y Performance defrost system tested in heavy snow

A practical winter test of the Tesla Model Y Performance was conducted in the U.S. to see how long its Defrost system takes to melt a dense layer of snow. The experiment took place in Pennsylvania following a snowstorm that brought 25 to 30 cm of precipitation. For the test, about 20 cm of snow was used, completely covering the car's windshield.

The test condition was straightforward: avoid manual cleaning and rely solely on the standard Defrost function, activated via the Tesla mobile app. The test began around 10:30 a.m. under cloudy skies and low temperatures. Within 20 minutes, melting snow became noticeable near the windshield pillars.

Complete clearing to a condition safe for driving took about 3 hours and 40 minutes. The experiment's author noted that in real-world use, this method is inefficient, and manual cleaning remains faster.

In practice, this means the Defrost system can handle heavy snowfall without driver intervention but requires significant time. For urban electric car owners, especially in regions with harsh winters, such details are important to consider.