Overview............................................................. 2
Interior Overview.........................................................................2
Exterior Overview....................................................................... 3
Touchscreen Overview..............................................................4
Opening and Closing..................................... 6
Keys.................................................................................................. 6 Doors............................................................................................... 9Windows........................................................................................ 11 Rear Trunk.................................................................................... 12 Front Trunk.................................................................................. 14Interior Storage and Electronics.......................................... 16
Seating and Safety Restraints................... 18 Front and Rear Seats............................................................... 18Seat Belts...................................................................................... 21 Child Safety Seats.................................................................... 24
Airbags......................................................................................... 30
Driving...............................................................34 Driver
Profiles............................................................................ 34
Steering Wheel.......................................................................... 36 Mirrors........................................................................................... 38Starting and Powering
Off.................................................... 39
Gears.............................................................................................. 41 Car Status.................................................................................... 42Lights............................................................................................ 45 Wipers and Washers............................................................... 48Brakes........................................................................................... 49 Traction Control......................................................................... 51Park Assist................................................................................... 52 Vehicle Hold............................................................................... 54Getting Maximum Range....................................................... 55Rear View Camera....................................................................56
Cabin Camera.............................................................................57
Autopilot.......................................................... 58 About Autopilot........................................................................ 58
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control.................................................61
Autosteer..................................................................................... 67 Auto Lane Change................................................................... 70Autopark...................................................................................... 72Lane Assist.................................................................................. 74 Collision Avoidance Assist.................................................... 76Speed Assist............................................................................... 79
Using the Touchscreen.................................81 Controls and Settings.............................................................. 81Climate Controls....................................................................... 86Media and Audio...................................................................... 90 Phone............................................................................................ 93Maps and Navigation.............................................................. 95Using Voice Commands......................................................... 99Security Settings.................................................................... 100HomeLink
The features and information you need to drive Model 3 are displayed on the touchscreen. When
driving, the touchscreen displays driving-related information such as driving speed, vehicle range,
warnings, etc. The touchscreen is used to control many features that, in traditional cars, are controlled using physical buttons (for example, adjusting mirrors). You can also use the
touchscreen to customize Model 3 to suit your preferences.Warning: Always pay attention to road and traffic conditions when driving. To minimize driver
distraction and ensure the safety of vehicle occupants as well as other road users, avoid using
the touchscreen to adjust settings while the vehicle is in motion.
The main areas of the touchscreen are summarized here:
Note: The image below is provided for demonstration purposes only. Depending on vehicle
options, software version and market region, your touchscreen may appear slightly
different.
1. Car Status. This area dynamically displays the current status of Model 3 as you drive, park,
open doors, turn lights on, etc. Monitor this area when driving as it displays important
information such as driving speed and warning messages (see Car Status on page 42).
When the car is in Park, you can open the trunks or charge port door.
2. Cards. This area automatically updates to display certain information such as incoming calls,
seatbelt reminders, current state of the wipers, etc. Additionally, you can swipe to the right or
left to scroll through cards that you can use to quickly access:
Electronic stability control systems are
actively minimizing wheel spin by
controlling brake pressure and motor
power (indicator
flashes). See Traction
Control on page 51. If this indicator
stays illuminated, a fault is detected
(contact Tesla immediately).
Electronic stability control systems are
no longer minimizing wheel spin. See
Traction Control on page 51.Vehicle Hold is actively applying the
brakes. See Vehicle Hold on page
54.A door or trunk is open. See Doors on
page 9, Rear Trunk on page 12, or
Front Trunk on page 14.Flashes green when the left turn
signal is operating. Both turn signal
indicators
flash green when the
hazard warning flashers are operating.
Flashes green when the right turn
signal is operating. Both turn signal
indicators
flash green when the
hazard warning flashers are operating.
Driving Status
When Model 3 is driving (or ready to drive),
the touchscreen shows your current driving
status and a real-time visualization of the road
as detected by the Autopilot components (see About Autopilot on page 58).
Note: The following illustration is provided for
demonstration purposes only. Depending on vehicle options, software version, and market
region, the information displayed may be
slightly
different.
1. Driving speed.
2. On the energy bar, black (or white in night
brightness) represents energy being used
during acceleration and green indicates
energy being gained through regenerative
braking. A dashed line appears on the
energy bar when power available for
acceleration or power that can be gained
by regenerative braking is being limited. Model 3 limits power for many reasons.
Here are just a few examples:
Braking SystemsWarning: Properly functioning braking
systems are critical to ensure safety. If you experience a problem with the brake
pedal, brake caliper, or any component of
a Model 3 braking system, contact Tesla
immediately.
Model 3 has an anti-lock braking system (ABS)
that prevents the wheels from locking when
you apply maximum brake pressure. This improves steering control during heavy
braking in most road conditions.
During emergency braking conditions, the
ABS constantly monitors the speed of each
wheel and varies the brake pressure according to the grip available.
The alteration of brake pressure can be felt as
a pulsing sensation through the brake pedal.
This demonstrates that the ABS is operating
and is not a cause for concern. Keep
firm and
steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsing.
The ABS indicator flashes briefly on
the touchscreen when you first start
Model 3. If this indicator lights up at
any other time, an ABS fault has
occurred and the ABS is not
operating. Contact Tesla. The braking system remains fully operational and
is not
affected by an ABS failure.
However, braking distances may increase.
If the touchscreen displays this
indicator at any time other than
displaying
briefly when you first start
Model 3, a brake system fault is
detected or the brake
fluid level is
low. Contact Tesla immediately.
Emergency Braking
In an emergency, fully press the brake pedal and maintain
firm pressure, even on low
traction surfaces. The ABS varies the braking
pressure to each wheel according to the
amount of traction available. This prevents
wheels from locking and ensures that you stop
as safely as possible.
Warning: Do not pump the brake pedal.
Doing so interrupts operation of the ABS
and can increase braking distance.Warning: Always maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you and beaware of hazardous driving conditions.
While the ABS can improve stopping
distance, it cannot overcome the laws of physics. It also does not prevent the
danger of hydroplaning (where a layer of
water prevents direct contact between the tires and the road).
Automatic Emergency Braking automatically
applies full braking in situations where a
collision is considered imminent (see Automatic Emergency Braking on page 77).
Warning: Automatic Emergency Braking
is not designed to prevent a collision. At best, it can minimize the impact of a
frontal collision by attempting to reduce
your driving speed. Depending on Automatic Emergency Braking to avoid a
collision can result in serious injury or death.
Brake Wear
Model 3 brake pads are equipped with wear
indicators. A wear indicator is a thin metal
strip attached to the brake pad that squeals as
it rubs against the rotor when the pad wears
down. This squealing sound indicates that the
brake pads have reached the end of their service life and require replacement. To
replace the brake pads, contact Tesla Service.
Warning: Neglecting to replace worn
brake pads damages the braking system
and can result in a braking hazard.
Regenerative Braking
Whenever Model 3 is moving and your foot is
off the accelerator, regenerative braking slows
down Model 3 and feeds any surplus energy back to the Battery.
By anticipating your stops and reducing or
removing pressure from the accelerator pedal
to slow down, you can take advantage of regenerative braking to increase driving range.
Of course, this is no substitute for regular
braking when needed for safety.
Note: If regenerative braking is aggressively
slowing Model 3 (such as when your foot is
completely
off the accelerator pedal at
highway speeds), the brake lights turn on to
alert others that you are slowing down.
Warning: In snowy or icy conditions
Model 3 may experience traction loss
during regenerative braking, particularly
when in the Standard setting and/or not
using winter tires. Tesla recommends
Brakes
Driving49
How It WorksThe traction control system constantly
monitors the speed of the front and rear
wheels. If Model 3 experiences a loss of
traction, the system minimizes wheel spin by
controlling brake pressure and motor power.
By default, the traction control system is on.
Under normal conditions, it should remain on
to ensure maximum safety.This indicator flashes on the
touchscreen whenever the traction
control system is actively controlling
brake pressure and motor power to
minimize wheel spin. If the indicator
stays on, a fault is detected with the
traction control system. Contact
Tesla Service.Warning: If the above indicator remains
illuminated in situations in which you have
not enabled Slip Start (described next), the traction control system may not be
operating correctly. Contact Tesla Service immediately.Warning: Traction control cannot prevent
collisions caused by driving dangerously
or turning too sharply at high speeds.
Allowing Wheel Slip
To allow the wheels to spin at a limited speed,
you can enable Slip Start. Slip Start can be
enabled at any speed, however it is less
effective at higher speeds.
Under normal conditions, Slip Start should not
be enabled. Enable it only in circumstances where you deliberately want the wheels tospin, such as:
DrivingAcceleration: Adjust the amount of acceleration. Chill limits acceleration for
a slightly smoother and gentler ride, whereas Standard provides the normal
level of acceleration.
Note: When Chill is selected, Chill displays on the touchscreen above the
driving speed.
Steering Mode : Adjust the amount of
effort required to turn the steering
wheel. Sport feels more responsive whereas Comfort feels easier to drive
and park (see Adjusting Steering
Effort on page 36).
Regenerative Braking : When you release the accelerator when driving,
regenerative braking slows Model 3 and feeds any surplus energy back to
the Battery. If set to LOW, Model 3 does not slow down as quickly, but also
feeds less energy back to the Battery (see Regenerative Braking on page
49).
Note: Regardless of the setting selected, the energy gained by regenerative
braking is reduced if the Battery is full, or is extremely cold or hot (in which
case, surplus energy is used to heat or cool it).
Traction Control : Turn slip start on to allow wheels to spin (see Traction
Control on page 51).
Creep : When on, Model 3 applies forward torque in Drive and backwards
torque in Reverse when you release the brake pedal (similar to a conventional vehicle with an automatic transmission). The torque moves the
vehicle slowly on
flat roads, but may require you to press the accelerator
pedal in some situations (for example, when on a steep hill or driveway).
When
off, Model 3 is free rolling when you let your foot off the brake pedal
and the motor does not apply torque until the accelerator pedal is pressed.
You can adjust this setting only when Model 3 is in Park.
Warning: Never rely on Creep to apply enough torque to prevent your
vehicle from rolling down a hill. Always apply brakes to remain stopped
or the accelerator to proceed up the hill. Failure can result in property
damage and/or a collision.
Controls and Settings
Using the Touchscreen83
tires (continued)balancing 114
chains 117
inspecting and maintaining 114
pressures, how to check 113
quality grading 141
replacing 115
replacing a tire sensor 118
rotation 114
specification 138
summer 116
temperature grades 141
tire markings 139
traction grade 141
treadwear grade 141
winter 116
toll system transponders, attaching 127
touch up body 120
touchscreenclean mode 120
cleaning 120
overview 4
restarting 36
software updates 104
tow eye, locating 147
towing a trailer 132
towing instructions 146
TPMSFCC certification 156
overview of 117
Tracking Disabled 95
traction control 51
trademarks 151
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control 61
trailer hitches 132
transmission
specifications 136
transponders, attaching 127
Transport Canada, contacting 154
Transport Mode 146
transporting 146
Trip Planner 97
trunk, front 14
trunk, rear 12
TuneIn radio 91
turn signals 46
U ultrasonic sensors 58
uniform tire quality grading 141
Unlock On Park 10
unlocking 9
USB devicesconnecting 16
playing audio files from 92
USB ports 16
V
Valet mode 34
vehicle
certification label 131
Vehicle Hold 54
Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) 130
vehicle loading 131
ventilation 88
VIN (Vehicle
Identification Number) 130
volume control 4
volume control (media) 90
W Walk Away Lock 10
Wall Connector 106
warning
flashers 47
washer fluid, topping up 125
washer jets, cleaning 122
washers, using 48
weight
specifications 135
wheel chocks 147
wheelsaero covers, removing and installing 115
alignment 114
lug nut covers, removing and installing
116
replacing 115
specifications 138
torque 138
Wi-Fi, connecting to 103
windshield washer fluid, topping up 125
winter tires 116
wiper blades, replacing 122
wipers, using 48
Work location 98
Index
162Model 3 Owner