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Security Settings
About the Security System
If Model 3 does not detect an authenticated
phone or the key card and a locked door or
trunk is opened, an alarm sounds and the
headlights and turn signals
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Troubleshooting HomeLinkWhen programming a HomeLink device, the
touchscreen walks you through a two-part programming process:
1. Model 3 records the signal from the
remote. The touchscreen instructs you to
stand in front of the vehicle, point the
remote at the front bumper and press and
hold the button until the headlights
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Battery Information
About the Battery
Model 3 has one of the most sophisticated
battery systems in the world. The most
important way to preserve the Battery is to LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE PLUGGED IN when
you are not using it. This is particularly important if you are not planning to drive
Model 3 for several weeks. When plugged in,
Model 3 wakes up when needed to
automatically maintain a charge level that
maximizes the lifetime of the Battery.
Note: When left idle and unplugged, your
vehicle periodically uses energy from the Battery for system tests and recharging the
12V battery when necessary.
There is no advantage to waiting until the
Battery’s level is low before charging. In fact, the Battery performs best when charged
regularly.
Note: If the Model 3 Battery becomes
completely discharged in a situation in which
towing is required, the owner is responsible
for towing expenses. Discharge-related towing
expenses are not covered under the Roadside
Assistance policy.
The peak charging rate of the Battery may
decrease slightly after a large number of DC
Fast Charging sessions, such as those at
Superchargers. To ensure maximum driving
range and Battery safety, the Battery charge
rate is decreased when the Battery is too cold,
when the Battery’s charge is nearly full, and when the Battery conditions change with
usage and age. These changes in the condition of the Battery are driven by battery physics
and may increase the total Supercharging
duration by a few minutes over time.
Battery Care
Never allow the Battery to fully discharge.
Even when Model 3 is not being driven, its
Battery discharges very slowly to power the
onboard electronics. The Battery can
discharge at a rate of approximately 1% per day, though the discharge rate may vary
depending on environmental factors (such as
cold weather), vehicle configuration, and your
selected settings on the touchscreen.
Situations can arise in which you must leave
Model 3 unplugged for an extended period of time (for example, at an airport when
traveling). In these situations, keep the 1% in
mind to ensure that you leave the Battery with a sufficient charge level. For example, over a
two week period (14 days), the Battery may
discharge by approximately 14%.
Discharging the Battery to 0% may result in
damage to vehicle components. To protect
against a complete discharge, Model 3 enters
a low-power consumption mode when the
displayed charge level drops to approximately
0%. In this mode, the Battery stops supporting
the onboard electronics and auxiliary 12V
battery. Once this low-power consumption
mode is active, immediately plug in Model 3 to
prevent a jump-start and 12V battery
replacement.
Note: If the vehicle is unresponsive and will
not unlock, open, or charge, then the 12V
battery may have become discharged. In this
situation, contact Tesla.
Temperature Limits
For better long-term performance, avoid
exposing Model 3 to ambient temperatures
above 140
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Charging Instructions
Opening the Charge Port The charge port is located on the left side of
Model 3, behind a door that is part of the rear
tail light assembly. Before charging, park
Model 3 to ensure that the charge cable easily reaches the charge port.
With Model 3 unlocked (or an authenticated
phone is within range) and in Park, press and
release the button on the Tesla charge cable
to open the charge port door.
You can also open the charge port door using
any of these methods:
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Model 3 and using the touchscreen whileparked and plugged in, Model 3 draws energyfrom the wall outlet instead of the Battery.Caution: The connector end of the charge
cable can damage the paint if dropped
onto the vehicle.
During Charging
During charging, the charge port light (the Tesla "T" logo) pulses green, and thetouchscreen displays the charging status. The
frequency at which the charge port light
pulses slows down as the charge level
approaches full. When charging is complete,
the light stops pulsing and is solid green.
Note: If Model 3 is locked, the charge port
light does not light up.
If the charge port light turns red while
charging, a fault is detected. Check the
touchscreen for a message describing the
fault. A fault can occur due to something as
common as a power outage. If a power outage
occurs, charging resumes automatically when
power is restored.
Note: When charging, particularly at high
currents, the refrigerant compressor and fan
operate as needed to keep the Battery cool.
Therefore, it is normal to hear sounds during
charging.
Note: Air conditioning performance is
generally not affected by charging. However,
under certain circumstances (for example, you
are charging at high currents during a
particularly warm day), the air coming from
the vents may not be as cool as expected and
a message displays on the touchscreen. This is
normal behavior and ensures that the Battery stays within an optimum temperature range
while charging to support longevity and optimum performance.
Warning: Never spray liquid at a high
velocity (for example, if using a pressure
washer) towards the charge port while
charging. Failure to follow these
instructions can result in serious injury or
damage to the vehicle, charging
equipment, or property.
Stopping Charging
Stop charging at any time by disconnecting
the charge cable or touching Stop Charging
on the touchscreen.
Note: To prevent unauthorized unplugging of
the charge cable, the charge cable latch
remains locked and Model 3 must be unlocked or able to recognize your authenticated phone
before you can disconnect the charge cable.
To disconnect the charge cable:
1. Press and hold the button on a Tesla
connector to release the latch. You can
also touch Stop Charging on the
touchscreen (see Charging Status and
Settings on page 128).
2. Pull the connector from the charge port.
Note: The charge port automatically closes
within approximately 10 seconds of removing the connector from the charge port.Caution: Tesla strongly recommends
leaving Model 3 plugged in when not in use. This maintains the Battery at the
optimum level of charge.
Manually Releasing Charge Cable
If the usual methods for releasing a charge
cable from the charge port (using the charge
handle release button, touchscreen, or mobile
app) do not work, carefully follow these steps:
1. Ensure that Model 3 is not actively
charging by displaying the charging
screen on the touchscreen. If necessary,
touch Stop Charging .
2. Open the rear trunk.
3. Pull the charge port
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Warning: Do not perform this procedure
while your vehicle is charging or if any
orange high voltage conductors are
exposed. Failure to follow these
instructions can result in electric shock and serious injury or damage to the
vehicle. If you have any uncertainty as to
how to safely perform this procedure,
contact Tesla.Warning: Do not attempt to remove the
charge cable while simultaneously pulling the release cable. Always pull the release
cable before attempting to remove the
charge cable from the charge port.
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in electric shock and serious injury.
Charge Port Light
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Replacing Tires and Wheels
Tires degrade over time due to the effects of
ultraviolet light, extreme temperatures, high
loads, and environmental conditions. It is
recommended that tires are replaced every six
years, or sooner if required.
Wheel and tires are matched to suit thehandling characteristics of the vehicle.
Replacement tires must comply with the
original specification. If tires other than those
specified are used, ensure that the load and
speed ratings marked on the tire (see Understanding Tire Markings on page 154)
equal or exceed those of the original
specification.
Ideally, you should replace all four tires at the same time. If this is not possible, replace the
tires in pairs, placing the new tires on the rear.
Always balance the wheel after replacing a
tire.
If you replace a wheel, the TPMS (Tire Pressure
Monitoring System) sensors need to be reset to ensure they provide accurate warnings
when tires are under- or over-in
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driven 15 mph (25 km/h) for longer than 10
minutes.
Replacing a Tire Sensor
If the Tire Pressure warning indicator displays frequently, contact Tesla to determine if a tire
sensor needs to be replaced. If a non-Tesla
Service Center repairs or replaces a tire, the
tire sensor may not work until Tesla performs
the setup procedure.
TPMS Malfunction
Model 3 has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly.The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the tire pressure
indicator light. When the system
detects a malfunction, the indicator