2023 TESLA MODEL 3 Owners Manual

WARNING: Contact Tesla immediately if you notice
any significant or sudden drop in fluid levels or
uneven tire wear.
Fluid Replacement Intervals
Battery coolant and brake fluid levels should only be
checked by
Tesla or a professional automotive repair
shop. Specific service information is available in the
Service Manual.

4.
Disconnect the wire harnesses and remove the seat cushion. Set the cushion aside.
5.
In the front trunk, remove the vehicle

WARNING: The area under the seat cushion
houses the high voltage Battery. DO NOT
TOUCH OR PLACE ITEMS ON THE METAL
HOUSING! Doing so can cause serious damage
or injury.
9.
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.
10.
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 battery hold down bracket
or A/C cooling lines.
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.Maintenance Service Intervals
169Maintenance

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.
3. Install the low voltage battery hold down and use a
10mm socket to tighten the bolt that secures it to the low voltage lead-acid battery. Torque the bolt to 6
Nm (4.4 ft-lb).4.
In the rear passenger seat, connect the penthouse cable to the connector:
a.
Ensure the gray lever-arm is down, then install the
connector.
b.
Secure the connector by gently tugging the gray
lever-arm upward until it clicks into place.
c.
Replace the foam cover on top of the penthouse cable.
Maintenance Service Intervals
170MODEL 3 Owner

WARNING: The area under the seat cushion
houses the high voltage Battery. DO NOT
TOUCH OR PLACE ITEMS ON THE METAL
HOUSING! Doing so can cause serious damage
or injury.
5.
Connect the positive (+) terminal by positioning the terminal clamp over the terminal post. Using a 10mm socket, torque the nut to 6 Nm (4.4 ft-lb). Install the
positive (+) terminal cover.
6.
Connect the negative (-) terminal by positioning the terminal clamp over the connector. Using a 10mm socket, torque the nut to 6 Nm (4.4 ft-lb).
7.
Connect the vent tube hose into the negative (-) terminal side of the low voltage lead-acid battery.
8.
Replace the cabin intake duct.
9.
Open one of the vehicle

12.
Replace the underhood apron by aligning the clips into their openings in the front trunk. Press down to lock them in place. The clips make an audible clicking
sound when secured.
13.
Close the front trunk. If an alert to replace to low voltage lead-acid battery was previously shown on the touchscreen, ensure the alert no longer appears.
Vehicles Manufactured After
Approximately October 2020
Removal:
1.
Prepare the vehicle to remove the low voltage lead-
acid battery:
a.
Ensure the vehicle is in Park.
b.
Lower all windows.
c.
Open the front trunk.
d.
Leave a door propped open so you can get back
into the vehicle if needed.
e.
Disconnect the charge cable from the charge port.
2.
Remove the vehicle

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

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.
5.
Reconnect the positive (+) terminal by positioning
the terminal clamp over the terminal post. Using a 10mm socket, torque the nut to 6 Nm (4.4 ft-lb). Reinstall the positive (+) terminal cover.
6.
Reconnect the negative (-) terminal by positioning
the terminal clamp over the connector. Using a 10mm socket, torque the nut to 6 Nm (4.4 ft-lb).
7.
Connect the vent tube hose into the negative (-) terminal side of the low voltage lead-acid battery.
Maintenance Service Intervals
174MODEL 3 Owner