2023 TESLA MODEL 3 tow

7.
With a 10mm socket, release the terminal cover and loosen the nut that secures the positive (+) terminal
clamp to the positive (+) post on the low voltage
lead-acid battery. Release the terminal clamp from the positive (+) post and cover the terminal clamp with a dry rag.
CAUTION: Do not allow the positive (+)
terminal clamp to contact nearby components
like the low voltage lead-acid battery hold
down bracket or A/C cooling lines.
8.
Unplug the vent tube hose from the negative (-)
terminal side of the low voltage battery.
9. With a 10mm socket, loosen the nut and release the
battery hold down from the top of the low voltage
lead-acid battery by unhooking and slipping it back. If needed, tilt the battery hold down backward so it does not slip into the vehicle.10.
Carefully remove the low voltage lead-acid battery,
taking care not to damage the surrounding components.
WARNING: When lifting the lead-acid battery,
stand in front of the vehicle and use proper
lifting technique. The lead-acid battery weighs
approximately 25 lb (12 kg). Failure to do so
may cause serious injury.
11.
Inspect the new low voltage lead-acid battery to make sure it is equipped with a red plug on the
positive (+) terminal side. If the new lead-acid battery does not have a red plug, transfer the red plug from
the old battery to the new one.
CAUTION: Dispose of the old low voltage lead-
acid battery according to local laws, such as
dropping it off at a battery recycling facility.
Keep the battery upright and place it on a towel
or piece of cardboard when transporting it.Maintenance Service Intervals
173Maintenance

Cautions for Exterior CleaningCAUTION: Do not wash in direct sunlight.CAUTION: Do not use windshield treatment fluids.

Doing so can interfere with wiper friction and
cause a chattering sound.
CAUTION: Do not use hot water, detergents, or
highly alkaline or caustic cleaning products,
especially those containing hydroxide.
CAUTION: If using a pressure washer, maintain a
distance of at least 12" (30 cm) between the
nozzle and the surface of Model 3. Avoid aiming
the water jet directly at parking sensors (if
equipped). Keep the nozzle moving and do not
concentrate the water jet on any one area.
CAUTION: Do not aim water hoses directly at
windows, door, or hood seals or at electronic
modules or exposed cabling.
CAUTION: To avoid corrosive damage that may
not be covered by the warranty, rinse away any
road salt from the underside of the vehicle, wheel
wells, and brakes. After cleaning the vehicle, dry
the brakes by going on a short drive and applying
the brakes multiple times.
CAUTION: Avoid using tight-napped or rough
cloths, such as washing mitts. A high-quality
microfiber cleaning cloth is recommended.
CAUTION: If washing in an automatic car wash, use
touchless car washes only. These car washes have
no parts (brushes, etc.) that touch the surfaces of
Model 3. Some touchless car washes use caustic
solutions that, over time, can cause discoloration
of decorative exterior trim. Avoid exposure to
soaps and chemicals above pH 13. If unsure, check
the product label or ask the staff at the car wash.
Damage caused by improper washing is not
covered by the warranty.
CAUTION: If washing in an automatic car wash,
make sure the vehicle is locked. In addition, avoid
using controls on the touchscreen that can result
in accidentally opening doors or trunks while the
vehicle is being washed. Any damage caused is
not covered by the warranty.
CAUTION: Ensure the wipers are off before
washing Model 3 to avoid the risk of damaging the
wipers.
CAUTION: Do not use chemical based wheel
cleaners or pre-wash products. These can damage
the finish on the wheels.
WARNING: Never spray liquid at a high velocity
(for example, if using a pressure washer) towards
the charge port while Model 3 is charging. Failure
to follow these instructions can result in serious
injury or damage to the vehicle, charging
equipment, or property.
Cleaning the Interior
Frequently inspect and clean the interior to maintain its
appearance and to prevent premature wear. If possible,
immediately wipe up spills and remove marks. For
general cleaning, wipe interior surfaces using a soft cloth (such as
microfiber) dampened with a mixture of warm
water and mild non-detergent cleaner (test all cleaners on a concealed area before use). To avoid streaks, dry immediately with a soft lint-free cloth.
Interior Glass
Do not scrape, or use any abrasive cleaning fluid on
glass or mirrored surfaces. This can damage the
reflective surface of the mirror and the heating elements
in the rear window.
Airbags
Do not allow any substance to enter an airbag cover. This could
affect correct operation.
Dashboard and Plastic Surfaces
Do not polish the upper surfaces of the dashboard. Polished surfaces are
reflective and could interfere with
your driving view.
Seats
Wipe spills and chemical residues from interior surfaces as soon as possible using a soft cloth moistened with warm water and non-detergent soap. Wipe gently in a circular motion. Then wipe dry using a soft, lint-free cloth.
Although seating surfaces are designed to repel stains, Tesla recommends regular cleaning to maintain
performance and an as-new appearance. Promptly treat
dye transfer from clothing, such as indigo-dyed denim.
Avoid contact with harsh chemicals, including certain cosmetics. Never use cleaners containing alcohol or bleach. Spot-test cleaners on an inconspicuous area
before applying to visible surfaces.
Vacuum cloth seats as needed to remove any loose dirt.
CAUTION: Aftermarket, non-Tesla seat covers may
inhibit the sensitivity of a seat

3. Lift the wiper arm a short distance away from the windshield, just far enough to access the wiper blade.CAUTION: Wiper blades do not lock into a lifted
position. Do not lift a wiper arm beyond its
intended position.
4.
Place a towel between the wiper arm and windshield to avoid scratching or cracking the windshield.
5.
Hold the wiper arm and press the locking tab while sliding the blade down the arm.
6.
Align the new wiper blade on the wiper arm and slide
it toward the end of the wiper arm until it locks into place.
7.
Turn Wiper Service Mode off to return the wipers to
their normal position.
Cleaning Washer Jets
If a windshield washer becomes blocked, use a thin
strand of wire to clear any blockages from the nozzles.
WARNING: Do not operate the washers while
cleaning Model 3. Windshield washer fluid can
irritate eyes and skin. Read and observe the
washer fluid manufacturer

11.
Unplug the vent tube hose from the negative (-)
terminal side of the low voltage lead-acid battery.
12.
With a 10mm socket, loosen the nut and release the
battery hold down from the top of the low voltage
lead-acid battery by unhooking and sliding it back, taking care to ensure it does not slip into the vehicle.
13.
Using the battery handle, carefully remove the low
voltage lead-acid battery, taking care not to touch or damage the surrounding components.
WARNING: When lifting the low voltage lead-
acid battery, stand in front of the vehicle and
use proper lifting technique. The low voltage
battery weighs approximately 25 lb (12 kg).
Failure to do so may cause serious injury.
14.
Inspect the new low voltage lead-acid battery to
ensure it is equipped a red plug on the positive (+) terminal side. If the new low voltage battery does not have a red plug, use a small trim tool transfer the red plug from the old battery to the new one.
CAUTION: Dispose of the old low voltage lead-
acid battery according to local laws, such as
dropping it off at a battery recycling facility.
Keep the low voltage battery upright and place
it on a towel or piece of cardboard when
transporting it.
Installation:
1.
Remove the protective caps from the positive (+) and negative (-) posts on new low voltage lead-acid
battery.
2.
Carefully maneuver the new low voltage battery into place, taking care not to touch or damage nearby
components.
Parts and Accessories
196MODEL 3 Owner

3.
In the front trunk, remove the cabin intake duct and
set it aside.
4.
Power off the vehicle by navigating to Controls >
Safety > Power Off on the touchscreen.
5.
In the front trunk, disconnect the first responder loop
by sliding the red locking tab toward you, pressing
the black tab, and releasing it. Set the
first responder
loop aside.
6.
With a 10mm socket, loosen the nut that secures the
negative (-) terminal clamp to the negative (-) post on the low voltage lead-acid battery. Release the terminal clamp from the negative (-) post.
7.
With a 10mm socket, release the terminal cover and
loosen the nut that secures the positive (+) terminal
clamp to the positive (+) post on the low voltage
lead-acid battery. Release the terminal clamp from the positive (+) post and cover the terminal clamp with a dry rag.
CAUTION: Do not allow the positive (+)
terminal clamp to contact nearby components
like the low voltage lead-acid battery hold
down bracket or A/C cooling lines.
8.
Unplug the vent tube hose from the negative (-)
terminal side of the low voltage battery.
Parts and Accessories
199Maintenance

9. With a 10mm socket, loosen the nut and release the
battery hold down from the top of the low voltage
lead-acid battery by unhooking and slipping it back. If needed, tilt the battery hold down backward so it does not slip into the vehicle.10.
Carefully remove the low voltage lead-acid battery,
taking care not to damage the surrounding components.
WARNING: When lifting the lead-acid battery,
stand in front of the vehicle and use proper
lifting technique. The lead-acid battery weighs
approximately 25 lb (12 kg). Failure to do so
may cause serious injury.
11.
Inspect the new low voltage lead-acid battery to make sure it is equipped with a red plug on the
positive (+) terminal side. If the new lead-acid battery does not have a red plug, transfer the red plug from
the old battery to the new one.
CAUTION: Dispose of the old low voltage lead-
acid battery according to local laws, such as
dropping it off at a battery recycling facility.
Keep the battery upright and place it on a towel
or piece of cardboard when transporting it.
Installation:
1.
Remove the protective caps from the positive (+) and negative (-) posts on the new low voltage lead-acid battery.
2.
Carefully place the new lead-acid battery in the vehicle, taking care not to damage nearby
components.
3.
Install the low voltage lead-acid battery hold down
and use a 10mm socket to tighten the nut that secures it to the battery. Torque the nut to 6 Nm (4.4
ft-lb).
4.
Reconnect the first responder loop.
Parts and Accessories
200MODEL 3 Owner

Mexico:
CAUTION: To prevent damage, never load Model 3
so that it is heavier than GVWR or exceeds the
individual GAWR weights.
Towing a Trailer
WARNING: Do not use Model 3 for towing
purposes. Model 3 does not currently support
towing. Towing can cause damage and increase
the risk of a collision.
CAUTION: Using Model 3 for towing without Tesla-
approved towing components and accessories
may void the warranty.
Roof Racks
Model 3 supports the use of Tesla-approved roof racks
using a Tesla mounting accessory. To install roof racks,
you must use this accessory and you must use only roof
rack systems that have been approved by Tesla
(see
Parts and Accessories on page 190). Failure to do so can
cause
significant damage.
Calculating Load Limits
1.
Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or
XXX kg” on the “Tire and Loading Information” label.
2.
Determine the combined weight of all occupants that will ride in the vehicle.
3.
Subtract the combined weight of the occupants from XXX lbs or XXX kg (see Step 1).
4. The resulting figure equals the available cargo load
capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs (635 kg) and there will be
five 150 lb (68 kg)
passengers in the vehicle, the amount of available cargo capacity is 650 lbs (1400

2. Chock the tires or make sure Model 3 is secure.3.
Press and hold the brake pedal, then on the touchscreen, touch
Controls > Service > Towing. The
touchscreen displays a message reminding you how
to properly transport
Model 3.
4.
Press and hold the Transport Mode button until it
turns blue.
Model 3 is now free-rolling and can slowly
be rolled (no faster than walking speed) or winched.
To cancel Transport Mode, shift Model 3 into Park.
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with a lead-acid low
voltage battery (see
Jump Starting on page 225):
Transport Mode may cancel if
Model 3 loses low voltage
power after Transport Mode is enabled.
CAUTION: If the electrical system is not working,
and you therefore cannot use the touchscreen to
activate Transport Mode, use self-loading dollies or
tire skates. Before doing so, always check the
manufacturer