2023 TESLA MODEL 3 Owners Manual

2. With the belt unfastened, unreel the webbing to its limit. Check that unreeling is free from snags, and
visually check the webbing for wear. Allow the webbing to retract, checking that retraction is
smooth and complete.3.
With the webbing half unreeled, hold the tongue plate and pull forward quickly. The mechanism should lock automatically and prevent further unreeling.
If a seat belt fails any of these tests, contact Tesla immediately.
For information about cleaning seat belts, see Seat Belts
on page 185.
Seat Belt Warnings
WARNING: Seat belts should be worn by all
occupants at all times, even if driving for a very
short distance. Failure to do so increases the risk
of injury or death if a collision occurs.
WARNING: Secure small children in a suitable child
safety seat as described in the Child Safety Seat
topic. Always follow the child safety seat
manufacturer

Guidelines for Seating Children
Your Model 3 seat belts are designed for adults and larger children. You must restrain infants and small children in
the second row seats only, and you must use a suitable child safety seat appropriate for the child

Choosing a Child Safety Seat
All children age 12 and under should ride in the second and third row seats. Always use a child safety seat suitable
for a young child

Seating Larger Children
If a child is too large to fit into a child safety seat, but
too small to safely
fit into the standard seat belts, use a
booster seat appropriate for the child

In the second row, install LATCH child safety seats in the
outboard seating positions only. Use only a seat belt
retained seat in the center position.
To install a LATCH child safety seat, slide the safety seat
latches onto the anchor bars until they click into place. Carefully read and follow the instructions provided by
the child safety seat manufacturer.
Once installed, test the security of the installation before
seating a child. Attempt to twist the child safety seat from side to side and try to pull it away from the seat, then check to ensure the anchors remain securely in
place.
NOTE: Lower LATCH anchors should not be used with
child seats or booster seats that have an integrated safety belt in situations where the combined weight of
the child plus the child restraint is more than
65 lbs (29.5
kg). In these situations, use the safety belt instead.
Attaching Upper Tether Straps
If an upper tether strap is provided, attach its hook to the anchor point located on the shelf behind the rear
seats.
WARNING: Tighten upper tether straps according
to the instructions provided by the manufacturer
of the child safety seat.
WARNING: USE ONLY SEAT BELT RETAINED
CHILD SAFETY SEATS IN THE CENTER SEATING
POSITION.
To access an anchor point, press down on the back of its
cover.
Child Safety Seats
35Seating and Safety Restraints

For dual-strap tethers, position a strap on each side of
the head support.
For single-strap tethers at the outboard seating positions, run the strap over the outside-facing side of the head support (same side of the head support as the
seat belt retraction mechanism).
If running the strap over the outside-facing side of the head support is not possible (such as there is not
enough slack in the strap), raise the head support
(see
Head Supports on page 26) and run the strap under the
head support.
For a single-strap tether in the center seating position, fully lower the head support
(see Head Supports on
page 26) and run the strap over the top center of the
head support.
Child Safety Seats
36MODEL 3 Owner

Testing a Child Safety Seat
Before seating a child, always make sure the child safety seat is not loose:
1.
Hold the child safety seat by the belt path and try to slide the safety seat from side to side and front to back.
2.
If the seat moves more than one inch (2.5 cm), it is
too loose. Tighten the belt or reconnect the
LATCH
retained child safety seat.
3.
If you are unable to reduce slack, try a different seat
location or try another child safety seat.
Child Safety Seat Warnings
WARNING: Extreme hazard! Do not seat a child on
the front passenger seat even if you are using a
child safety seat. This seat has an airbag in front of
it. Although this airbag is disabled when Model 3
detects a lightweight passenger, do not rely on
technology to protect your child.
WARNING: Child restraint systems are designed to
be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap
belt portion of a lap-shoulder belt. Children could
be endangered in a crash if their child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle.
WARNING: According to collision statistics,
children are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seating
positions.
WARNING: Do not use a forward facing child
safety seat until your child weighs over 20 lbs (9
kg) and can sit independently. Up to the age of
two, a child

Location of Airbags
Airbags are located in the approximate areas shown below. Airbag warning information is printed on the sun visors.
Model 3 is equipped with an airbag and lap/shoulder belt at both front seating positions. The airbag is a
supplemental restraint at those seating positions. All occupants, including the driver, should always wear their seat belts whether or not an airbag is also provided at their seating position to minimize the risk of severe injury or death
in the event of a crash.
1.
Knee airbag
2.
Front airbags
3.
Seat-mounted side airbags
4.
Curtain airbags
Airbags
38MODEL 3 Owner