WARNING: Do not rely on regenerative braking
and your chosen Stopping Mode to keep you and
your vehicle safe. Various factors such as driving
with a heavy vehicle load, on a steep hill, or on wet
or icy roads affect deceleration rate and the
distance at which Model 3 will come to a stop.
Drive attentively and always stay prepared to use
the brake pedal to stop as appropriate based on
traffic and road conditions.
WARNING: Forward Collision Warning and
Automatic Emergency Braking (if equipped) do
not operate when driving at very low speeds (see
Collision Avoidance Assist on page 112). Do not
rely on these features to warn you, or to prevent or
reduce the impact of a collision.
NOTE: Your chosen setting is retained in your Driver
Profile until you manually change it.
Parking Brake
To engage the parking brake, touch Controls > Safety &
Security > Parking Brake. Follow the onscreen
instructions.
You can also engage the parking brake by
pressing and holding the button on the end of the drive
stalk while in Park.
NOTE: The parking brake operates on the rear wheels
only, and is independent of the pedal-operated brake
system.
WARNING: In snowy or icy conditions the rear
wheels may not have sufficient traction to prevent
Model 3 from sliding down a slope, particularly if
not using winter tires. Avoid parking on hills in
snowy or icy conditions. You are always
responsible for parking safely.
WARNING: Your Model 3 may display an alert if
the road is too steep to safely park on, or if the
parking brakes are not properly engaged. These
alerts are for guidance purposes only and are not a
substitute for the driver
Cleaning the Exterior
To prevent damage to the paint, immediately remove
corrosive substances (bird droppings, tree resin, dead insects, tar spots, road salt, industrial fallout, etc.). Do not wait until
Model 3 is due for a complete wash. If
necessary, use denatured alcohol to remove tar spots
and stubborn grease stains, then immediately wash the area with water and a mild, non-detergent soap to remove the alcohol.
Keep the exterior cameras free of dirt, condensation, or obstructions. These substances can cause unclear pictures or Autopilot and safety features to stop working (see
Cleaning a Camera on page 167).
Follow these steps when washing the exterior of Model
3:
1.
Rinse Thoroughly
Before washing, flush grime and grit from the vehicle
using a hose. Flush away accumulations of mud in areas where debris easily collects (such as wheel wells and panel seams). If salt has been used on the highways (such as during winter months), thoroughly
rinse all traces of road salt from the underside of the
vehicle, wheel wells, and brakes.
2.
Hand Wash
Hand wash Model 3 using a clean soft cloth and cold
or lukewarm water containing a mild, high-quality car shampoo.
CAUTION: Some cleaners and car shampoos
contain chemicals that can cause damage or
discoloration, especially to plastic trim pieces,
lamps, or camera lenses. For example, some car
cleaning formulas contain hydroxide or other
highly alkaline or caustic ingredients that can
damage exterior components. Damage or
discoloration resulting from cleaning products
is not covered by the warranty.
3.
Rinse with Clean Water
After washing, rinse with clean water to prevent soap from drying on the surfaces.
4.
Dry Thoroughly and Clean Exterior Glass
After washing and rinsing, dry thoroughly with a chamois. If necessary, dry the brakes by going on a
short drive and applying the brakes multiple times.
Clean windows and mirrors using an automotive glass cleaner. Do not scrape, or use any abrasive cleaning
fluid on glass or mirrored surfaces.
Car Wash Mode
When taking Model 3 to a car wash, Car Wash Mode
closes all windows, locks the charge port door, and disables windshield wipers, Sentry Mode, walk-away door locking, and parking sensor chimes. To enable, touch
Controls > Service > Car Wash Mode. Your vehicle
must be in Park and not actively charging.
If using an automatic car wash, Enable Free Roll keeps
your vehicle in Neutral and prevents
Model 3 from
applying the Parking brake if you leave the driver
Motor Type(s)
Rear motor: AC permanent magnet synchronous motor, liquid-cooled, with variable frequency drive.
Front motor (AWD vehicles): AC induction motor, liquid-cooled, with variable frequency drive.
Transmission
TypeSingle speed fixed gearGearbox Ratio9:1
Steering
SteeringSpecificationsTypeRack and pinion with electronic power steering, speed sensitiveNumber of turns lock to lock2.00Turning Circle (curb to curb)38 ft (11.6 m)
Brakes
Type4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Integrated Advanced Stability Control and Electronic
Accelerator pedal actuated regenerative braking systemCalipers
Front: Four piston fixed
Rear: Integrated Electronic Parking Brake Sliding
Rotor Diameter (ventilated)
Front (non-Performance): 12.6"/320 mm
Front (Performance): 13.98"/355 mm
Rear (non-Performance): 13.2"/335 mm
Rear (Performance): 13.2”/335 mm
Front Rotor thickness
New: 0.98"/25 mm
Service limit: 0.91”/23 mm
Rear Rotor thickness
New: 0.79"/20 mm
Service limit: 0.71”/18 mm
Non-Performance Front Brake Pad
Thickness (excluding back plate)
New: 0.393"/10 mm
Service limit: 0.110"/2.8 mm
Subsystems
184MODEL 3 Owner
Non-Performance Rear Brake Pad
Thickness (excluding back plate)
New: 0.354"/9 mm
Service limit: 0.078"/2 mm
Performance Front Brake Pad
Thickness (excluding back plate)
New: 0.393"/10 mm
Service limit: 0.085"/2.15 mm
Performance Rear Brake Pad
Thickness (excluding back plate)
New: 0.393"/10 mm
Service limit: 0.071"/1.8 mm
Parking brakeElectrically actuated parking brake integrated into rear caliper
Suspension
SuspensionSpecificationsFrontIndependent, double wishbone, coil spring/telescopic damper, sway barRearIndependent, multi-link, coil spring/telescopic damper
Battery - Low Voltage
Battery - 12VSpecificationsRating33 amp hour or higherVoltage and Polarity12V negative (-) ground
Battery - High Voltage
TypeLiquid-cooled lithium ion (Li-ion)Nominal Voltage (cars
manufactured in U.S.)360V DCTemperature RangeDo not expose Model 3 to ambient temperatures above 140
DO NOT TRANSPORT WITH
WHEELS ON THE GROUND
The rear motor in Model 3 generates power when the
wheels spin. Always transport
Model 3 with all four tires
off the ground. Ensure that the tires are unable to spin at
any time during transport.
WARNING: NEVER TRANSPORT YOUR VEHICLE
WITH THE TIRES IN A POSITION WHERE THEY
CAN SPIN. DOING SO CAN LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT
DAMAGE AND OVERHEATING. IN RARE CASES
EXTREME OVERHEATING MAY CAUSE THE
SURROUNDING COMPONENTS TO IGNITE.
Do not transport Model 3 using any method that is not
specified by Tesla. Adhere to the instructions provided in
the following sections and observe all warnings and
cautions provided. Damage caused by improper
transporting of your vehicle is not covered by the
warranty.
NOTE: Tesla is not liable or responsible for reimbursing
services not dispatched through Tesla Roadside Assistance.
Approved Methods for Transporting
NOTE: The tires are allowed to rotate slowly (under 3
mph or 5 km/h) and for a very short distance (less than
30 feet or 10 meters) only when Transport Mode is
enabled (see
Activate Transport Mode on page )
while the vehicle is being winched onto a
flatbed truck
or pulled out of a parking space for repositioning.
Exceeding these boundaries can lead to
significant
damage and overheating that is not covered by the
warranty.
A flatbed truck or comparable transport vehicle is the
recommended method of transporting
Model 3. The
vehicle can face either direction when using a
flatbed.
If Model 3 must be transported without a flatbed truck,
then wheel lifts and dollies must be used to ensure that
all four wheels are
off of the ground. This method may
only be used for a maximum of
35 miles (55 km), and
must not exceed the manufacturer speed rating of the
dollies. With this method, Tesla recommends the vehicle
facing forward so that the front wheels are lifted and the rear wheels are on dollies.
CAUTION: Enable Transport Mode (see Activate
Transport Mode on page ) before winching
Model 3 onto a flatbed truck (see Pull onto the
Flatbed Truck on page ). If Transport Mode is
not available or the touchscreen is not accessible,
self-loading dollies or tire skates must be used to
load the vehicle into the approved transportation
position. Tesla is not responsible for any damage
caused by or during the transport of Model 3,
including personal property damage or damage
caused by using self-loading dollies or tire skates.
WARNING: Model 3 is equipped with high voltage
components that may be compromised as a result
of a collision (see High Voltage Components on
page 151). Before transporting Model 3, it is
important to assume these components are
energized. Always follow high voltage safety
precautions (wearing personal protection
equipment, etc.) until emergency response
professionals have evaluated the vehicle and can
accurately confirm that all high voltage systems
are no longer energized. Failure to do so may
result in serious injury.
Activate Transport Mode
Transport Mode keeps the parking brake disengaged
while winching
Model 3 onto a flatbed truck. When
active, Transport Mode displays a message indicating that the vehicle will remain free-rolling. The following are
required to enable Transport Mode:
CCS (Combo): 152
CE certifications: 203
CHAdeMO: 152
chains: 166
change of ownership: 122
charge port: 154
charge port light: 155
charge port manual release: 156
charge port release cable: 156
charging: 151, 152, 154, 156
charge settings: 156
charging status: 156
components and equipment: 151
instructions: 154
public charging stations: 152
scheduling: 156
charging locations, finding: 130
child protection: 13
disabling rear window switches: 13
child seats: 30
installing and using: 30
child-protection locks: 12
cleaning: 167
climate controls: 123
coat hangers: 21
cold weather best practices: 74
collision avoidance assist: 112
connecting to Wi-Fi: 147
console: 19, 21
12V power socket: 21
opening: 19
rear: 19
USB ports: 19
consumption chart: 68
contact information: 194, 203
roadside assistance: 194
Tesla: 203
copyrights: 199
cruise control: 81
D
dashboard overview: 4
Dashcam: 70
data recording: 200
data sharing: 200
declarations of conformity: 203
delivery mileage: 201
devices: 134
Bluetooth, playing audio files: 134
playing audio files from: 134
dimensions: 182
Dog Mode: 125
dome (map) lights: 51
door handles: 11
door labels: 180
doors: 11, 12
Child Lock: 12
exterior door handles: 11
interior locking and unlocking: 12
locking: 11
opening from exterior: 11
opening from interior: 11
Unlock on Park: 12
unlocking: 11
doors function: 12
Walk-Away Door Lock: 12
drive away locking: 12
Drive gear: 50
driver: 43
profiles: 43
driving: 23, 48, 67
seating position: 23
starting: 48
tips to maximize range: 67
E
Easter Eggs: 197
easy entry, driver profile: 43
EDR (event data recorder): 200
electric parking brake: 60
emergency braking: 112
emergency flashers: 53
Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance: 109
emission label: 179
energy: 54, 59
gained from regenerative braking: 59
range information: 54
Energy app: 68
energy use predictions (navigating): 131
Entertainment: 197
Erase & Reset: 122
event data recording: 200
exterior: 2, 51, 167, 169, 182
car cover: 169
cleaning: 167
dimensions: 182
lights: 51
overview: 2
polishing, touch up, & repair: 169
Index
license plate bracket: 177
lifting: 173
lights: 51, 52, 53
hazard warning: 53
headlights after exit: 52
turn signals: 53
load limits: 180
location tracking: 128
locking: 11
lug nut covers: 163
lumbar adjustment: 23
M
maintenance: 159, 161, 167, 170, 171
brake fluid, checking: 171
cleaning: 167
daily checks: 159
fluid replacement intervals: 159
monthly checks: 159
panel, removing: 171
replacing wiper blades: 170
service intervals: 159
tires: 161
washer fluid, topping up: 171
washer jets, cleaning: 170
map orientation: 128
map updates: 132
mats: 169
media: 133
mileage upon delivery: 201
mirrors: 47
mobile app: 149
mobile app access: 149
Mobile Connector: 152, 154
description: 152
using: 154
modifications: 174
motor specifications: 184
my car does what?: 197
N
naming: 121
Navigate on Autopilot: 91
navigating: 128, 129
NCC certifications: 203
Neutral gear: 50
NHTSA, contacting: 203
O
Obstacle-Aware Acceleration: 112
occupancy sensor: 38
occupant classification: 40
Off-Peak Charging: 157
offset from speed limit: 115
Online Routing: 131
opening hood without power: 196
overhang dimensions: 182
overtake acceleration: 81
Owner Information, about: 199
P
Park Assist: 62
Park gear: 50
parking brake: 60
parking, using Autopark: 101
parking, using Summon: 103
parts replacement: 174
passenger detection: 38
passenger front airbag: 38
pedestrian warning: 73
personal data, erasing: 122
phone: 6, 136
authenticating as a key: 6
using: 136
phone app: 137
phone key: 6, 9
adding as a key: 9
removing as a key: 9
PIN: 43
PIN to Drive: 140
Post-drive Cooling (Track Mode): 65
power cycling: 48
power socket: 21
power windows: 13
powering on and off: 48
Preconditioning: 157
Proposition 65: 201
public charging stations: 152
R
radio: 133
Radio Frequency information: 203
range: 59, 67
driving tips to maximize: 67
regenerative braking: 59
range assurance: 68
Re-route: 131
rear seats, folding and raising: 24
rear view camera: 69
rear window switches, disabling: 13
Index