Wipers
To perform a single wipe with the windshield wipers,
press and immediately release the button on the end of the turn signal stalk.
To adjust the continuous wiper settings, touch the windshield wiper icon located on the touchscreen
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
Checking and Cleaning Wiper
Blades
Periodically clean the edge of the wiper blades and
check the rubber for cracks, splits, and roughness. If
damaged, replace the blade immediately to prevent damage to the glass and improve visibility.
Contaminants on the windshield, or on the wiper blades,
can reduce the
effectiveness of the wipers.
Contaminants include ice, wax spray from car washes, washer
fluid with bug and/or water repellent, bird
droppings, tree sap, and other organic substances.
Follow these guidelines for cleaning:
windows, calibrating: 13
windshield washer fluid, topping up: 171
winter tires: 165
wiper blades, replacing: 170
wipers, using: 57
Work location: 131
Index
