WARNING: If seating a child in the front passenger seat is legally permissible in your market region, it is the
driver
Inflation EffectsWARNING: When airbags inflate, a fine powder is
released. This powder can irritate the skin and
should be thoroughly flushed from the eyes and
from any cuts or abrasions.
After inflation, the airbags deflate to provide a gradual
cushioning
effect for the occupants and to ensure the
driver
5. If you turn on Auto High Beam, your vehicle
automatically switches from high beam headlights to low beam headlights when light is detected in front of
Model 3. See High Beam Headlights on page 52.
6.
If you turn on Headlights after Exit, the exterior lights
remain on for a short period of time after you stop driving and park
Model 3 in low lighting conditions.
See
Headlights After Exit on page 52.
7.
If you turn on Steering Wheel Lights, the arrows
associated with the scroll buttons are backlit in low ambient lighting conditions.
High Beam Headlights
Push the turn signal stalk away from you and release to turn the high beam headlights on continuously. To cancel, push the stalk away from you again.
To briefly flash the high beam headlights, pull the stalk
towards you and release.
The high beam headlights can automatically switch to low beam when there is light detected in front of
Model
3 (for example, from an oncoming vehicle). To turn this
feature on or
off, go to Quick Controls or touch Controls
> Lights > Auto High Beam.
NOTE: Your chosen setting is retained until you manually
change it.
In situations where Auto High Beam is turned on but the
high beams are turned
off because light is detected in
front of
Model 3, you can temporarily turn on the high
beams by pulling the turn signal stalk toward you.
NOTE: For vehicles manufactured after approximately
April 27, 2021,
Auto High Beam is automatically enabled
when Autosteer is engaged.
The following indicator lights are visible on the
touchscreen to show the status of the headlights:Low beam headlights are on.High beam headlights are on and Auto
High Beam is disabled or currently
unavailable.Auto High Beam is enabled and high
beams are on.
Model 3 is ready to turn off
the high beams if light is detected.
Auto High Beam is enabled but high beams
are not on because light is detected in front of
Model 3. When light is no longer
detected, high beams automatically turn
back on.
WARNING: Auto High Beam is an aid only and is
subject to limitations. It is the driver
WARNING: Proceed with caution when adjusting
headlights. Tesla has carefully calibrated the
position of the headlights to be in an optimum
position for most driving scenarios. Tesla
recommends that you do not adjust headlights
unless you are familiar with how headlights should
be adjusted. Once adjusted, you will be unable to
automatically restore them to their originally
calibrated position. Contact Tesla for assistance
when adjusting headlights.
Turn Signals
The turn signals flash three times or continuously,
depending on how far up or down you move the stalk.
Lightly push the turn signal stalk up or down for a
three-
flash sequence. For a continuous signal, push the stalk
fully up or down.
The turn signals stop operating when canceled by the steering wheel, by moving the stalk in the opposite direction, or lightly pushing the stalk in the same
direction once more.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lights up on the touchscreen when a turn
signal is operating.
Model 3 also emits a
clicking sound.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lights up on the touchscreen when a turn
signal is operating.
Model 3 also emits a
clicking sound.
WARNING: When actively using Traffic-Aware
Cruise Control, engaging a turn signal can cause
Model 3 to accelerate in specific situations (see
Overtake Acceleration on page 84).
WARNING: When actively using Autosteer,
engaging a turn signal can cause Model 3 to
change lanes (see Auto Lane Change on page
88).
Hazard Warning Flashers
To turn on the hazard warning flashers, press the button
located above the rear view mirror. All turn signals
flash.
Press the button again to turn off the hazard warning
flashers.
NOTE: Hazard warning flashers operate even when
Model 3 cannot detect a key.
Lights
53Driving
Braking SystemsWARNING: Properly functioning braking systems
are critical to ensure safety. If you experience a
problem with the brake pedal, brake calipers, 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 briefly flashes yellow 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. Drive cautiously and avoid heavy braking.
If the touchscreen displays this red brake
indicator at any time other than
briefly
when you first start Model 3, a brake
system fault is detected, or the level of the
brake
fluid is low. Contact Tesla
immediately. Apply steady pressure and
keep the brakes
firm to bring the vehicle to
a stop when safe to do so.
The touchscreen displays this yellow brake
indicator if a brake booster fault is detected. Apply steady pressure and keep
the brakes
firm to stop the vehicle when
safety permits. Hydraulic Boost
Compensation will be active (see
Hydraulic
Boost Compensation on page 59).
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 be aware 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).
NOTE: Automatic Emergency Braking (see Automatic
Emergency Braking on page 113) may intervene to
automatically brake in situations where a collision is considered imminent. 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. .
CAUTION: In emergency situations, if the brakes
are not functioning properly, press and hold the
Park button on the drive stalk to bring the vehicle
to a stop. Do not use this method to stop the
vehicle unless absolutely necessary.
Brake Disc Wiping
To ensure brakes remain responsive in cold and wet
weather,
Model 3 is equipped with brake disc wiping.
When cold and wet weather is detected, this feature repeatedly applies an imperceptible amount of brake force to remove water from the surface of the brake discs.
Hydraulic Fade Compensation
Model 3 is also equipped with hydraulic fade
compensation. This feature assists in monitoring brake system pressure and ABS activity for instances of reduced brake performance. If reduced brake
performance is detected (for example, as a result of
brake fade, or cold or wet conditions), you may hear a sound, feel the brake pedal pull away from your foot, and notice a strong increase in braking. Brake as you
normally would and continue to press the brake pedal
without releasing or "pumping".
CAUTION: If brakes are not functioning properly,
stop the vehicle when safety permits and contact
Tesla Service. See Park on page 50 for information
on using the Park button to stop the vehicle in
case of emergency.
WARNING: Always maintain a safe driving distance
from the vehicle in front of you and exercise
caution when driving conditions are hazardous.
Brake disc wiping and hydraulic fade
compensation is not a substitute for adequately
applying the brakes.
Braking and Stopping
58MODEL 3 Owner
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
How It Works
The 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 yellow 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: 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 to spin, such as:
How Park Assist Works
Model 3 has several sensors designed to detect the
presence of objects. When driving slowly in Drive or
Reverse (for example, when parking), the vehicle alerts
you if an object is detected in close proximity of your
Model 3. Objects are only detected in the direction of
the gear you selected; front objects in Drive, rear objects
in Reverse.
WARNING: You may not be alerted if Model 3 rolls
freely in the opposite direction of the selected
gear (for example, Park Assist does not display an
alert if Model 3 rolls backwards down a hill while in
Drive).
The sensors are activated when driving slower than
5 mph (8 km/h).
WARNING: Never depend on Park Assist to inform
you if an area you are approaching is free of
objects and/or people. Several external factors can
reduce the performance of Park Assist, causing
either no readings or false readings (see
Limitations and False Warnings on page 63).
Therefore, depending on Park Assist to determine
if Model 3 is approaching an obstruction can result
in damage to the vehicle and/or objects, and can
potentially cause serious injury. Always inspect the
area with your own eyes. When reversing, perform
shoulder checks and use all mirrors. Park assist
does not detect children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
animals, or objects that are moving, protruding,
located too far above or below the sensors, or too
close or too far from the sensors. Park Assist is for
guidance purposes only and is not intended to
replace your own direct visual checks. It is not a
substitute for careful driving.
Visual and Audio Feedback
When you shift to Reverse, the Park Assist view displays on the
touchscreen, showing objects that are in close
proximity to the front and rear of
Model 3. This view
closes when you shift into Drive unless an object is
detected close to the front of
Model 3, in which case the
Park Assist view closes automatically when your driving speed exceeds
5 mph (8 km/h). When reversing, visual
feedback also displays on the touchscreen (see
Rear
View Camera on page 69). You can manually close the
park assist view on the touchscreen by touching the
X in
the bottom corner.
When driving with the Camera app displayed on the
touchscreen, you can switch to the Park Assist view
when driving at speeds below
5 mph (8 km/h). Touch
the button located in the upper left corner of the Camera app window. This is useful if you need assistance
with parallel parking.
If chimes are turned on (see Controlling Audible
Feedback on page 63), an audible beep sounds as you
approach an object. You can temporarily mute the chime by pressing the scroll button on the left side of the
steering wheel or by touching the mute button on the
bottom left corner of the Park Assist view.
NOTE: If a sensor is unable to provide feedback, the
touchscreen displays an alert message.
CAUTION: Keep sensors clean from dirt, debris,
snow, and ice. Avoid using a high pressure power
washer on the sensors and do not clean a sensor
with a sharp or abrasive object that can scratch or
damage its surface.
CAUTION: Do not install accessories or stickers on
or near the parking sensors.
Park Assist
62MODEL 3 Owner