Pick your Tesla if you want the chip filled in. The checklist still works without it.
Trip type — tap any that apply. Extra sections show or hide. Core steps stay.
Step 0 — Before you leave
Key Card is included with the car. Keep one on you. Phone key in the Tesla app is the backup. We don’t sell a Key Card.
Put a payment method on file in the Tesla app so Supercharging can start when you plug in.
Step 1 — Plan
Use Tesla’s Trip Planner in the car: enter the destination in navigation. The car adds Supercharger stops. Follow those Supercharger pins — not a generic address down the street — so the battery can precondition.
A Better Routeplanner and PlugShare are useful as a backup look at third-party plugs. Tesla’s Trip Planner is the one the car will actually follow.
Towing. Turn on Trailer Mode when you are towing. Energy use goes up. Do not invent a tow rating from this page — use the car’s towing documentation for your year.
Step 2 — Precondition
Navigate to the Supercharger as a Supercharger POI. That is what tells the car to warm or cool the battery. Start about 30–45 minutes before you arrive.
Typing a nearby coffee shop is not the same as navigating to the charger pin.
Step 3 — Night before
Charge to the car’s trip recommendation — not a hardcoded 100%. Open Controls → Charging and set the limit there.
Snapshot chemistry: nickel-based packs are typically ~80% for daily use. LFP can take 100% daily. The Charging screen is the source, not a blog number. For a trip, use the trip recommendation.
Step 4 — 60-second check
Tap each one. Saved on this phone. 0 / 0
Step 5 — What to pack
ALWAYS / USUALLY / ONLY IF / NOT NEEDED follows the trip chips. Packed boxes save on this phone.
We are not ranking cargo organizers, sunshades, fridges, pillows, or camping mattresses on this page. Those live on their own aisles if you actually want them.
Jack pads — always in the car
Purpose: a shop lift interface. Not a compressor. Not for yanking a wheel on the shoulder as your plan A.
Pick
3YList Pick
Spigen jack pads
Evidence: Strong
Best cheap insurance before a shop lift.
Spigen$38.99, seen Aug 13, 20264.6 · 127
✓ Fits: any Model 3 or YNot a tire inflator.
Watch out. Shop lift interface, not a tire inflator. Measure the lift hole before you buy. Some 2024–26 cars are ~19 mm; older cars are ~24 mm. A puck that rattles or will not seat is the wrong diameter, not a “break-in.”
Four heavy-duty lift pucks with a compact magnetic case.
Any 3 / Y
Checked Aug 13, 2026. Four heavy-duty lift pucks with a compact magnetic case. Amazon title: Tesla Model Y Juniper & YL & 3/Y/X/S. 4.6 from 127. No spare on any 3 or Y — shops miss the lift hole and dent the battery rail. This is the puck, not a compressor. Measure the lift hole before you buy. Some 2024–26 cars are ~19 mm; older cars are ~24 mm. A puck that rattles or will not seat is the wrong diameter, not a “break-in.” Not a tire inflator.
Step 6 — Tire emergency
Get the car out of traffic. Hazards on. People away from the lane.
Do not yank a nail or screw.
Sidewall damage: do not plug it. Tow.
Tread puncture: Tesla’s kit is a temporary repair. Then a proper tire.
Plug kits are for people who already know how to plug a tire — not a first-flat tutorial.
No spare on a Model 3 or Model Y. Jack pads are for the shop lift, not a substitute for a spare.
Pick
3YList Pick
OEM PICK
Tesla tire kit 3.0
Evidence: Moderate
OEM compressor plus sealant if you have no spare.
Tesla
✓ Fits: any Model 3 or YNot Fanttik.
Watch out. Temporary tread repair only. Sidewall still means a tow. Confirm compressor vs sealant-only on Tesla Shop. Live check Sep 5, 2026 evening: Tesla Shop showed In Stock at $110. Still temporary tread-only — confirm listing before you buy. Not Fanttik, not AUTOWN, not a USB inflator.
Tesla Shop 3.0 roadside kit family — compressor plus sealant, not a cordless aftermarket inflator. No spare on any 3 or Y. Pair with jack pads. Confirm compressor vs sealant-only bottle on the page before you buy. Temporary tread repair only; sidewall punctures still mean a tow.
Step 7 — Charging trees
Three trees. Superchargers need no adapter. Public Level 2 usually needs the included J1772. Outlets need a Mobile Connector plus the matching dongle. Full ranking: charging.
Watch out. Do not use an extension cord with the Mobile Connector. CCS1 → NACS is one direction only — not a Supercharger adapter for CCS cars.
Outlet cheat sheet
Plug
What it is
Adapter on this list
5-15
Household 120V
LENZ 5-15 — ships with the current MC; spare only
14-50
RV / range 240V
LENZ 14-50 — ships with the current MC; spare only
14-30
4-prong dryer 240V
WenStorm 14-30 Gen 2
10-30
Old 3-prong dryer 240V
MECMO 10-30 Gen 2
TT-30
RV 30A pedestal, still 120V
WenStorm TT-30 — Level 1, not Level 2
Tesla Shop — check stock
No Amazon for OEM. Live browser check Sep 5, 2026 evening: Mobile Connector ($300), J1772 ($50), and CCS1→NACS ($200) showed In Stock. Stock moves — confirm on Tesla Shop.
OEM
Tesla Mobile Connector
The car does not include one. Needed for outlet charging. Current kit includes 5-15 and 14-50 dongles.
Watch out. Not an extension-cord problem-solver. Check Tesla Shop for stock.
UL 2252. AC only. Most Teslas already include J1772.
Any current Model 3 / Y NACS
J1772 charger into a NACS Tesla. UL 2252. 80A AC. Not CCS, not Supercharger. Most Teslas include J1772 at delivery — this is extra / replacement only. Check the frunk before you buy a spare.
Mobile Connector outlet adapters
These snap onto a Tesla Mobile Connector. The car does not include a Mobile Connector. 5-15 and 14-50 ship with the current MC — buy those only as a spare. Requires compatible Tesla Gen 2/Gen 3 Mobile Connector (WenStorm and MECMO listings are Gen 2 only).
Alt
Best Amazon alternative
LENZ NEMA 14-50
Best Amazon alternative / spare — Tesla Gen 2 NEMA 14-50 ships with the current Mobile Connector.
LENZ240V · 32A max on the Mobile Connectorabout $45, seen Aug 30, 2026
✓ Fits: any Model 3 or YDoes not fit: Requires compatible Tesla Gen 2/Gen 3 Mobile Connector.
Watch out. Included with the current Tesla Mobile Connector — buy separately only if you need a replacement/spare. The car itself does not include a Mobile Connector.
Best Amazon alternative / spare. Tesla Gen 2 NEMA 14-50 ships with the current MC.
Gen 2 / Gen 3 Mobile Connector
NEMA 14-50 at RV parks, garages, and ranges. 240V 32A on the Mobile Connector. LENZ Size 14-50 SHORT. Tesla Gen 2 NEMA 14-50 ships with the current Mobile Connector — this is a Best Amazon alternative / spare, not something every new owner must buy. Requires a compatible Tesla Gen 2 or Gen 3 Mobile Connector — this is the dongle, not the charger.
5-15
LENZ NEMA 5-15
Standard household outlet — overnight trickle.
LENZ120V · 12A max on the Mobile Connectorabout $35, seen Aug 30, 2026
✓ Fits: any Model 3 or YDoes not fit: Requires compatible Tesla Gen 2/Gen 3 Mobile Connector.
Watch out. Included with the current Mobile Connector — replacement/spare only. Parallel-blade 120V household, not a 6-50 welder outlet.
120V 12A. Size 05-15 LONG. The everyday wall outlet.
Gen 2 / Gen 3 Mobile Connector
Hotels, homes, offices — the regular 120V wall outlet. Size 05-15 LONG. Requires a compatible Tesla Gen 2 or Gen 3 Mobile Connector. The current MC already includes this plug.
14-30
WenStorm NEMA 14-30
Newer 4-prong dryer outlet.
WenStorm240V · 24A max on the Mobile Connectorabout $47, seen Aug 30, 2026
✓ Fits: any Model 3 or YDoes not fit: Gen 2 Mobile Connector only. Not 14-50.
Watch out. 24A, not 32A. 4-prong dryer — do not confuse with 14-50. Listing is Gen 2 only.
Old 3-prong dryer (10-30), not the 4-prong 14-30. 240V 24A. Tesla Gen 2 Mobile Connector only. Use with the cert and amp-signal caveat — confirm the outlet before you buy.
TT-30
WenStorm TT-30
RV / campground 30A pedestal — still Level 1.
WenStorm120V · 24A max on the Mobile Connectorabout $70, seen Aug 30, 2026
✓ Fits: any Model 3 or YDoes not fit: 120V. Not 240V. Not Level 2.
Watch out. TT-30 is 120V 24A Level 1 — about 2× a wall outlet, not Level 2. Never use a cheap TT-30 to 14-50 dogbone.
Size: CCS to Tesla & NACS / For Tesla Vehicle and NACS EVs. DC only. Not AC, not J1772, not Supercharger. Tesla sells CCS1-to-NACS as the OEM default; this card is a Best Amazon alternative. Confirm the car lists CCS adapter support before you buy.
Step 8 — During the drive
Follow the trip on the screen. Do not aim for a made-up arrival percent. The planner already has a buffer.
Keep navigating to the Supercharger POI so preconditioning stays on.
No product in this step.
Winter. Cold cuts range and slows charging until the pack is warm. Precondition by navigating to the Supercharger. Tire pressure still comes from the door sticker — check it cold.
Towing. Trailer Mode on. Expect more stops. Still follow the car’s trip, not a guessed arrival percent.
Step 9 — Supercharger stop
Plug in, wait, then move. Superchargers may add an idle fee after charging finishes if you stay in the stall, especially when the site is busy. We don’t quote dollar amounts — they vary by site.
Step 10 — Destination charging
Hotels and homes: J1772 on a Level 2 pedestal, or a Tesla Mobile Connector on a matching outlet. Never an extension cord.
Camping and overnight trips are why the Mobile Connector and the matching dongle earn an ONLY IF on the pack list. TT-30 is still 120V Level 1.
Step 11 — Bugs and glass
Invisible Glass on a dedicated Diamond Weave towel. Spray the towel, wipe, flip to a dry side. Same-day bugs — don’t let them bake on.
Watch out. No Rain-X / Clean & Repel on the front windshield. Tesla advises against hydrophobic coatings there because they may affect the forward cameras. Side and rear glass only. Full wash process: car care.
Our picks for glass
3YLIST PICK
Invisible Glass
Why we chose it Residue-free ammonia-free glass cleaner — not Clean & Repel, not a hydrophobic windshield coating Tesla’s care notes steer you away from.
When you use it Bugs and film on the trip. Spray the towel, not the cameras.
Tesla Roadside Assistance is not always free. Coverage depends on warranty and the service. Some help — including out-of-charge tows — may not be financially covered.
Finish the 60-second check. Pack the ALWAYS / USUALLY / ONLY IF items — or leave the NOT NEEDED ones packed-unchecked.
0 packed · 0 not needed
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Mobile Connector?
The car does not include one. You need it for outlet charging (overnight, camping, some rural stays). Supercharger-only highway trips do not.
Do I need CCS?
Only for CCS1 DC fast chargers. Confirm support in Controls → Software. CCS1 → NACS only — not the reverse Supercharger adapter. Superchargers do not need it.
