Overview................................................................3
Exterior Overview............................................................................3
Interior Overview.............................................................................4
Touchscreen Overview..................................................................5
Opening and Closing.......................................10
Keys.....................................................................................................10
Doors..................................................................................................14
Windows............................................................................................16
Rear Trunk.........................................................................................17
Front Trunk.......................................................................................19
Interior Storage and Electronics..............................................22
Seating and Safety Restraints.....................25
Front and Rear Seats...................................................................25
Seat Belts.........................................................................................29
Child Safety Seats.........................................................................32
Airbags..............................................................................................38
Driving..................................................................45
Driver Profiles.................................................................................45
Steering Wheel..............................................................................47
Mirrors...............................................................................................49
Starting and Powering Off........................................................50
Shifting...............................................................................................51
Lights.................................................................................................53
Car Status.........................................................................................56
Wipers and Washers....................................................................59
Braking and Stopping.................................................................60
Traction Control.............................................................................64
Park Assist.......................................................................................65
Vehicle Hold....................................................................................67
Acceleration Modes......................................................................68
Track Mode......................................................................................69
Trip Information..............................................................................71
Rear Facing Camera(s)...............................................................72
Pedestrian Warning System......................................................73
Cold Weather Best Practices....................................................74
Autopilot..............................................................77
About Autopilot.............................................................................77
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control....................................................80
Autosteer..........................................................................................85
Navigate on Autopilot................................................................90
Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control.......................................93
Autopark........................................................................................100
Summon..........................................................................................102
Smart Summon............................................................................105
Active Safety Features.................................108
Lane Assist.....................................................................................108
Collision Avoidance Assist..........................................................111
Speed Assist...................................................................................114
Cabin Camera.................................................................................115
Using the Touchscreen..................................116
Climate Controls...........................................................................116
Phone, Calendar, and Web Conferencing...........................122
Voice Commands.........................................................................125
Safety & Security Settings........................................................127
Dashcam.........................................................................................129
Sentry Mode...................................................................................131
USB Drive Requirements for Recording Videos..............133
Smart Garage Connectivity.....................................................134
Connecting to Wi-Fi...................................................................137
Software Updates........................................................................138
Mobile App....................................................................................140
Navigation and Entertainment..................142
Maps and Navigation.................................................................142
Media................................................................................................148
Theater, Arcade, and Toybox....................................................151
Charging and Energy Consumption........154
Electric Vehicle Components..................................................154
High Voltage Battery Information.........................................156
Charging Instructions.................................................................158
Scheduled Charging and Scheduled Departure..............163
Getting Maximum Range..........................................................164
Maintenance......................................................166
Maintenance Service Intervals................................................166
Tire Care and Maintenance......................................................176
Cleaning..........................................................................................183
Windshield Wiper Blades, Jets and Fluid...........................187
Jacking and Lifting.....................................................................189
Parts and Accessories...............................................................190
Do It Yourself Maintenance....................................................204
Specifications..................................................205
Identification Labels..................................................................205
Vehicle Loading..........................................................................206
Dimensions...................................................................................208
Subsystems....................................................................................210
Wheels and Tires..........................................................................213
Roadside Assistance....................................220
Contacting Tesla Roadside Assistance..............................220
Instructions for Transporters...................................................221
Running Out of Range..............................................................224
Jump Starting...............................................................................225
Troubleshooting..............................................227
Troubleshooting Alerts.............................................................227
Consumer Information.................................280
Contents
Front Passenger Occupant Detection
Model 3 has an occupancy sensor in the front passenger seat that controls the status of the front airbag.
NOTE: The occupancy classification system (OCS) meets the regulatory requirement of FMVSS 208 and
automatically detects when
inflating the passenger front airbag would be unnecessary or potentially harmful.
WARNING: Seating an infant in a rear facing child restraint system on a seat equipped with an operational
airbag can cause serious injury or death.
Object ClassificationOCS Passenger
Airbag Status*Indicator statusNotesEmptyOFFPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF ObjectOFF or ONPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
or PASSENGER AIRBAG ONDepends on material/
contents.Rear-facing child restraint
system designed for children
up to a year oldOFFPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF20 lbs (9 kg) or lessForward facing child restraint
systemOFFPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF35 lbs (16 kg) or lessChild in a booster seatOFF or ONPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
or PASSENGER AIRBAG ON20-100 lbs (9-45 kg)*Large childOFF or ONPASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
or PASSENGER AIRBAG ON 5th percentile female or
larger (by weight)ONPASSENGER AIRBAG ONOver approximately 100 lbs
(45 kg)
*If the passenger airbag status indicator does not match the situation, do not use the seat. The passenger must
ride in a
different seat. Contact Tesla Service.
NOTE: It takes approximately six seconds after you power on Model 3 for the occupant classification system (OCS)
to report accurate status of the front passenger airbag. As a result, when you
first power on Model 3, even in
situations when it should be OFF because the seat is occupied by a weight of
20 lbs (9 kg) or less, it will take the
touchscreen approximately six seconds to display the status, PASS AIRBAG OFF. If it fails to do so, contact Tesla
Service and do not seat a child in the front passenger seating position.
To make sure the sensing system can correctly detect occupancy status, eliminate the following:
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