2020 TESLA MODEL 3 Owner's Manuals

Charging
If Model 3 is charging when the software
update begins, charging stops. Charging
resumes automatically when the software
update is complete. If you are driving Model 3
at the scheduled update time, the update is
canceled and must be rescheduled.
Viewing Release Notes
When a software update is complete, read the
release notes displayed on the touchscreen to
learn about changes or new features. To
display release notes about the current
version of your vehicle

Charging
Electric Vehicle Components
High Voltage Components
1. Air Conditioning Compressor
2. Front Motor (Dual Motor vehicles only)
3. Cabin Heater
4. High Voltage Battery
5. High Voltage Battery Service Panel
6. Rear Motor
7. High Voltage Cabling
8. Charge Port
Warning:
The high voltage system has no user serviceable parts. Do not disassemble, remove
or replace high voltage components, cables or connectors. High voltage cables are typically colored orange for easy identification.Warning: Read and follow all instructions provided on the labels that are attached to Model 3.
These labels are there for your safety.Warning: In the unlikely event that a fire occurs, immediately contact your local fire
emergency responders.
Electric Vehicle Components
Charging153

Charging Equipment
Charging equipment designed specifically to
charge your Model 3 is available from Tesla. A
Tesla Wall Connector, which installs in your
garage, is the fastest way to charge Model 3 at
home.
In most market regions, Model 3 is equipped with a Mobile Connector and the adapter(s)
needed to plug into the most commonly used power outlets. When using the MobileConnector, first plug the Mobile Connector
into the power outlet, and then plug in Model 3. For more information about your Mobile
Connector, see the Mobile Connector Owner’s
Manual (available on the touchscreen).
Additional adapters can be purchased from
Tesla.
Tesla offers adapters (for example, J1772 and
CHAdeMO) to allow you to plug into the most commonly used public charging stations in
your region. Open the charge port door using the touchscreen (see Charging Instructions on
page 157), plug the adapter into the charging
port on Model 3, and then connect the
station

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 you allow the Battery to discharge to
0%, other components may become damaged
or require replacement (for example, the 12V
battery). In these cases, you are responsible for repair and/or transporting expenses.
Discharge-related expenses are not covered
by the warranty or 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

also result in permanent Battery damage.
If you are unable to charge Model 3,
contact Tesla immediately.Caution: The Battery requires no owner
maintenance. Do not remove the coolant filler cap and do not add

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:

wall outlet instead of using energy stored in
the Battery. For example, if you are sitting in
Model 3 and using the touchscreen while
parked and plugged in, Model 3 draws energy
from 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 unlockedor able to recognize your authenticated phone
before you can disconnect the charge cable.
However, in cold ambient temperatures below
41

4.Pull the charge cable from the charge
port.Caution: The release cable is designed for
use only in situations where the charge
cable cannot be released from the charge
port using the usual methods. Continuous
use may result in damage to the release
cable or charging equipment.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 your closest Service Center.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