Tesla’s basic roadside is included with every new car for four years. Some add-ons and protections cost extra. Here’s what comes standard in 2026 and what doesn’t for Tesla drivers in LA County.
What’s included with every Tesla
Every new Tesla includes the basic roadside program for the first four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. The basic program covers lockouts, tire changes for cars with run-flat tires or the tire repair kit, and tows to a Tesla Service Center.
The basic program covers tows to a public charger for out-of-charge situations as a courtesy in many cases. The cost isn’t always guaranteed. Long-distance out-of-range tows may not be covered.
The basic program doesn’t cover accidents, flat tires without run-flats or the repair kit, lost keys, or vandalism. Those situations need a different kind of help.
What costs extra
Tesla Insurance adds roadside coverage in some states. Tesla Insurance isn’t available in California. California Tesla drivers don’t get that add-on.
The Tesla Vehicle Protection Plan is a service contract that covers certain repairs after the warranty expires. It’s not a roadside program. It covers mechanical failures inside the plan terms.
Tesla’s Extended Service Agreement (ESA) is a separate purchase. It extends the warranty coverage on certain items. It doesn’t add roadside coverage.
What about Flat Tire Help
Tesla’s basic program includes tire changes for cars with run-flat tires. Most Model 3 and Model Y cars don’t have run-flats. They have the tire repair kit. The kit inflates the tire and seals small punctures. The basic program doesn’t cover on-site flat tire changes for cars without run-flats.
A Model 3 driver with a flat tire on the shoulder of the 405 gets a tow to a tire shop. The basic program covers the tow. The driver pays for the tire repair at the shop.
Do Teslas have run-flat tires, and what that means on the shoulder covers the run-flat situation in more detail.
What about Lockout Help
Tesla’s basic program includes lockouts. A driver who locked the key fob in the car or who has a dead fob can call Tesla roadside. The dispatch sends a contractor or, in some cases, a remote unlock through the Tesla app.
The Tesla app can unlock the car remotely in some cases. The driver uses the app to unlock the doors without a contractor visit. This is faster and free under the basic program.
A driver with a dead 12V can’t use the app to unlock. The contractor needs to come out and access the car manually.
What about Out-of-Range Towing
Tesla’s basic program covers tows to a charger as a courtesy. The driver may pay out of pocket for long-distance tows. A tow from the Antelope Valley to a charger in Burbank is a long tow. The basic program may cover a short tow to the nearest charger, but not the long tow across the county.
A driver who runs out of charge on the Grapevine or in the Antelope Valley should call the basic program first. If the courtesy doesn’t cover the tow, the driver pays out of pocket or calls a local mobile rescue for a charge at the pin.
EV rescue on the Grapevine near Castaic covers the Grapevine version of this.
What about Trip Planning and Routing
Tesla’s navigation includes trip planning that biases toward chargers. The basic program doesn’t add trip planning. The navigation is part of the car, not part of the roadside program.
Tesla Premium Connectivity adds live traffic visualization and satellite maps. It doesn’t add roadside coverage. The basic roadside is included regardless of connectivity.
What local mobile rescue adds
A local mobile rescue fills the gaps the basic program leaves. The local operator brings a charger to the car. The driver gets 10 to 20 miles at the curb.
We’re a referral line for Los Angeles County. We match stranded EV drivers with independent local operators. The pros we connect you with are licensed and insured. We hold no license for the work. We own no trucks and employ no technicians. We set no prices and publish no arrival time.
The operator quotes you before they start. They bill you directly. No dollar figure belongs here. They quote you on the phone and confirm access before they roll.
Tesla, AAA, or a local mobile rescue: how the three actually differ compares the three columns in more detail.
The combined answer
Tesla’s basic roadside is included with the car for four years. It covers lockouts, tire changes for cars with run-flats, and tows to a Service Center. Out-of-range tows are covered as a courtesy. Add-ons like Extended Service Agreements don’t add roadside coverage. A local mobile rescue fills the gap when the basic program sends a tow instead of a charger.
The number to call is (213) 410-1991. We’ll match you with a local operator. They quote before any cable goes in.