Every Tesla

Author: EveryTesla

  • How to Open and Close Rear Trunk on Model Y

    Opening

    To open the rear trunk, ensure the vehicle is in Park, then do one of the following:

    • Touch the associated OPEN button on the touchscreen.
    • Double-click the rear trunk button on the key fob accessory.
    • Touch the rear trunk button on the mobile app.
    • With Model Y unlocked, press the switch located under the rear trunk’s exterior handle.

    When a door or the rear trunk powered liftgate is open, the touchscreen displays the Door Open indicator light. The image of your Model Y on the touchscreen also displays the open trunk.

    To stop a powered liftgate while it is moving, single-click the rear trunk button on the key fob. Then, when you double-click the rear trunk button, it moves again, but in the opposite direction (provided it was not almost entirely open or closed when you stopped it). For example, if you single-click to stop the powered liftgate while it is opening, when you double-click, it closes.

    NOTE: In emergency situations, you can override an Open or Close command by grabbing hold of the powered liftgate to stop it in place.

    WARNING: Before opening or closing the powered liftgate, it is important to check that the area around the liftgate is free of obstacles (people and objects). You must proactively monitor the liftgate to ensure that it does not come into contact with a person or object. Failure to do so may result in damage or serious injury.

    Closing

    To close the powered liftgate, do one of the following:
    • Touch the associated CLOSE button on the touchscreen.
    • Double-click the rear trunk button on the key fob.
    • Press the switch located on the underside of the liftgate.

    If the powered liftgate senses an obstruction when closing, it stops moving and sounds two chimes. Remove the obstruction and try closing it again.

    Adjusting Liftgate Opening Height

    You can adjust the opening height of the powered liftgate to make it easier to reach or to avoid low-hanging ceilings or objects (for example, a garage door or light):

    1. Open the trunk, then manually lower or raise the liftgate to the desired opening height.
    2. Press and hold the button on the underside of the liftgate for three seconds until you hear a confirmation chime.
    3. Confirm that you have set it to the desired height by closing the powered liftgate, then reopening it.

    Accessing the Cargo Area

    To access the cargo area inside the rear trunk, pull up the strap at the rear of the cargo cover. You can then fold the cargo cover forward or remove it from Model Y.

    CAUTION: To avoid damage, never load more than 130 lbs (60 kg) on the rear load floor (above the lower trunk compartment), 285 lbs (130 kg) in the large lower trunk compartment, or more than 50 lbs (23 kg) in the shallow lower trunk compartment. Doing so can cause damage.

  • How to Link Driver Profile to a Key on Model 3

    Linking a Driver Profile to a Key

    You can link a driver profile to a key (or keys) to allow Model 3 to automatically select the correct driver profile when the linked key is detected as you approach the vehicle and open the driver’s door.

    To link a driver profile to a key, first ensure you are using your desired driver profile, then touch Controls > Locks > Keys.

    You can toggle the driver icon to link or delete a key to the desired driver profile. The name of the driver profile appears under the key to show that it is linked.

    You can add an authenticated phone, key card, or key fob by following the onscreen instructions.

    When finished pairing, touch the driver icon to link the key to the desired driver profile. The name of the driver profile will appear under the key to show that it is linked.

    NOTE: Model 3 can support up to 19 linked keys including authenticated phones, key cards, and up to four key fobs. However, Model 3 only supports up to 10 driver profiles. You can link multiple keys to a driver profile, but you cannot link multiple driver profiles to a single key.

    To unlink the profile:
    Select the profile you want to unlink the key from.
    Look for the “Key” section in the settings, which should show the currently linked key (e.g., your phone, key card, or another paired device).
    Tap on the “Unlink” or “Remove” option next to the key you want to unlink.

  • How to create a Driver Profile on Model 3

    When you first adjust the driver’s seat, steering wheel, or driver’s side mirror, the touchscreen prompts you to create a driver profile to save these adjustments. Your profile also saves some of the preferences you make using the touchscreen’s Controls window.

    To add a new driver profile, touch the
    driver profile icon
    at the top of the touchscreen. Then touch
    Add New Driver,
    type the driver’s name and touch Create Profile.

    Follow the onscreen instructions to save the seating position to the driver profile. You can also check the Use Easy Entry checkbox if you want to save (or use existing) Easy Entry settings in which the driver’s seat and the steering wheel are automatically adjusted to make it easy to enter and exit Model 3.

    If you change the position of the steering wheel, driver’s seat, or driver’s side mirror after you have saved or chosen a driver profile, the touchscreen prompts you to save the new position or restore the previously saved position (other settings are automatically saved). To change a setting without saving or restoring, just ignore the prompt.

    To adjust Model 3 based on a driver’s profile, touch the driver profile icon and choose the driver name. The saved adjustments are automatically made.

    NOTE: Valet mode is a built-in driver profile used to limit speed and restrict access to some Model 3 features.

    NOTE: To stop automatic adjustments that are in process based on a driver’s profile, touch Stop on the Driver Profile dropdown menu. Automatic adjustments also stop if you manually adjust a seat, mirror or the steering wheel.

    Easy Entry

    You can define an Easy Entry setting that moves the steering wheel and driver’s seat to make it easy to enter and exit Model 3. Any driver can use the Easy Entry setting by associating it with their driver’s profile. When the Easy Entry setting is associated with a driver’s profile, the steering wheel and driver’s seat automatically adjust when the park gear is engaged and the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled, allowing an easy exit from the vehicle. When returning to the vehicle and stepping on the brake pedal, settings automatically adjust back to the settings used by the most recent driver profile (or based on the key if it’s linked to a driver profile).

    To use Easy Entry with a driver profile, ensure the Use Easy Entry box is checked.

    WARNING: Never use Easy Entry to move the driver’s seat to the full rearward position when a child safety seat is installed on a rear seat located behind the driver’s seat. With reduced clearance, the movement of the seat may impact a child’s legs, cause injury, or dislodge the seat.

    Restoring a Driver’s Profile

    To adjust Model 3 based on a driver’s profile, touch the driver profile icon on the touchscreen’s status bar. Then choose the driver and Model 3 is adjusted based on the settings that have been saved to the chosen driver profile.

    Saved Settings

    A subset of the settings that you choose from the Controls window to customize your Model 3 are also saved to your driver’s profile. The settings that are associated with driver profiles may vary depending on the version of software currently installed on your Model 3.

  • Where are the USB ports located in Tesla Model 3

    Model 3 has two USB ports located in the front compartment of the center console. These ports can be used to:
    • Connect and charge USB devices
    • Play audio files stored on a phone or USB device
    • Save videos when using features such as Sentry Mode or Dashcam

    The left port is USB-C compatible whereas the right port is USB-A (on vehicles manufactured before approximately June, 2020, both ports are USB-A)

    Open the center console door below the touchscreen and lift the phone dock upward to access the front USB ports.

    Two additional USB ports are located in the rear of the center console (on vehicles manufactured since approximately June 2020, these ports are USB-C).
    These ports charge USB-connected devices but do not communicate with the vehicle.

    NOTE: Power is available whenever the vehicle is considered “awake”. The vehicle may be awake for many reasons. For example, when using features such as Summon, or when features such as Cabin Overheat Protection, Keep Climate On, Dog Mode, Sentry Mode, etc. are enabled. The vehicle is also awake whenever the 12V battery is being charged or is in use, during HV charging, when the vehicle is communicating with the mobile app, etc. Leaving an accessory plugged in does not deplete the 12V battery.

    NOTE: Use USB 3.0 compliant cables to connect a device to a USB port. Using non-compliant cables can result in slower charging, potential connection problems or degraded performance.

    NOTE: Do not connect multiple devices using a USB hub. This can prevent connected devices from charging or from being recognized by Media Player, Sentry Mode, Dashcam, etc.

  • How Tesla Autopilot works

    How it Works
    Drivers engage Traffic Aware Cruise Control and Autopilot in Model S and Model X by using the cruise control stalk on the left of the steering column; in Model 3, drivers use the gear selector stalk on the right of the steering column for those functions. A single pull on the stalk engages Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, and two successive pulls engages Autosteer. A grey steering wheel icon appears on the car’s display, next to the speedometer, when the system is available to engage. The icon appears highlighted in blue once the driver engages Autosteer. The system is intended for highway use.

    Before enabling Autopilot, the driver first needs to agree to “keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times” and to always “maintain control and responsibility for your vehicle”. Subsequently, every time the driver engages Autopilot, they are shown a visual reminder to “keep your hands on the wheel”. Tesla’s advanced features like Autosteer, Navigate on Autopilot and Summon are disabled by default. Tesla does this to ensure that those using the feature do so knowingly and deliberately. To enable them, customers must go to the Autopilot Controls menu within the Settings tab and turn them on.

    When Autopilot is in use, it measures the amount of torque that the driver applies to the steering wheel and, if insufficient torque is applied, an escalating series of audible and visual alerts again reminds the driver to place their hands on the wheel. Since the steering wheel rotates as it normally would when driving, the driver’s hands must move with the wheel. This helps ensure the driver is attentive, and that the steering wheel is properly oriented in the event the driver needs to take over. The system’s hands-on reminders and alerts are delivered based on each unique driving scenario, depending on numerous factors including speed, acceleration, road conditions, presence of other vehicles, obstacles detected, lane geometry, and other sensor inputs. If the driver repeatedly ignores those warnings, they will be locked out from using Autopilot during that trip.
    This is designed to prevent driver misuse and is among the strongest driver-misuse safeguards of any kind on the road today. Additionally, if a driver tries to engage Autopilot when it is not available, they will be prevented from doing so. If a driver wants to initiate an automated lane change while Autopilot is use, they can simply engage the turn signal in the direction that they would like to move. The car will then wait for an opening to change lanes, and during that time drivers should still double check their blind spots and mirrors.

    Navigate on Autopilot
    To use Navigate on Autopilot, a driver must first enable the feature in the Autopilot Controls menu within the Settings tab, and then enter a destination into the navigation system. Navigate on Autopilot must be enabled for each unique trip via the Navigate on Autopilot button on the map’s turn-by-turn driving directions. If Navigate on Autopilot is not available for a drive, the button will not appear on the turn-by-turn direction list. Once Navigate on Autopilot is in use, the 360-degree visualization on the center display shows a single blue line indicating the path of travel. There are two types of lane changes while Navigate on Autopilot is in use: route-based lane changes which are designed to keep you on your navigation route, and speed-based lane changes, which are designed to keep your vehicle moving as close to your set speed as possible.

    Navigate on Autopilot can be customized to a driver’s preferences with four different settings:

    Enable at Start of Every Trip
    Navigate on Autopilot can be set to automatically turn on each time a driver enters a navigation route. Once enabled, anytime a driver is on a highway and uses Autopilot with a location plugged into the navigation bar, the feature will be on by default.

    Speed-Based Changes
    There are four available settings for speed-based lane changes (Disabled, Mild, Average, or Mad Max). When enabled, Navigate on Autopilot’s speed-based lane changes will suggest transitions into adjacent lanes that are moving faster, in the event that your vehicle is traveling slower than the set cruise speed (for instance, if you approach a slow-moving car or truck ahead). The Mild setting suggests lane changes when you’re traveling significantly slower than your set speed, whereas Mad Max will suggest lane changes when traveling just below your set speed.

    Require Lane Change Confirmation
    If a driver selects ‘No’ to Require Lane Change Confirmation, lane changes will happen automatically, without requiring a driver to confirm them with the indicator stalk first. Drivers can choose how they wish to be notified about lane changes, giving them enough time to check their surroundings and determine whether they want to cancel the lane change before it’s made. Automatic lane changes can be cancelled by moving the car’s turn signal or by pressing the lane change cancellation pop-up notification on the car’s touchscreen. This feature does not make a car autonomous, and lane changes will only be made when a driver’s hands are detected on the wheel.

    Lane Change Notification
    Drivers can elect to get notified about an upcoming lane change by receiving an audible chime as well as a default visual prompt. Additionally, all cars made after August 2017 also have the option to have their steering wheel vibrate for the alert as well. Each of these notifications are meant to provide drivers with the opportunity to check their surroundings and determine whether they want to cancel the lane change before it’s made.

    Other Autopilot Features
    To use Autopark, a car must be driving at a very low speed on a street, and a “P” will appear on the Instrument Panel when a Tesla detects a parking spot. Then, a driver must put the car in reverse and press start, and Autopark will begin to maneuver the vehicle into the parking space by controlling the vehicle speed, gear changes and steering angle.

    The driver can override any of Autopilot’s features at any time by steering, applying the brakes, or using the cruise control stalk (Model S and Model X) or gear selector stalk (Model 3) to deactivate.

    To use Summon, a driver must open the Tesla app, press Summon, and then press the forward or reverse buttons. Model S and Model X owners can use Summon with their key fob by holding the center of the key fob for three seconds until the car’s hazard lights come on, and then pressing either the frunk or trunk button on the key fob to Summon forwards and backwards respectively.

    Hardware + Software
    Autopilot’s robust sensor and camera suite provides drivers with an awareness of their surroundings that a driver alone would not otherwise have. Cars built between September 2014 and October 2016 include one camera, a less-powerful radar, and ultrasonic sensors. All Tesla vehicles built since October 2016 include eight external cameras that feed Tesla-developed neural net, 12 ultrasonic sensors for detecting nearby obstacles, a forward-facing radar that senses through fog, dust, rain, snow, and under cars, and a powerful onboard computer that process these inputs in a matter of milliseconds.

    Because every Tesla is connected, Tesla cars are able to get better over time with software updates and the introduction of new features through over-the-air updates. This is even more true with Autopilot as Tesla continuously works to make the system even more capable and keep our customers at the forefront of technology. Tesla’s FSD computer is currently in production and will enable full-self driving via future over-the-air software updates.

    Autopilot is an advanced driver assistance system that is classified as a Level 2 automated system according to SAE J3016, which is endorsed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This means Autopilot also helps with driver supervision. One of Tesla’s main motivations for Autopilot is to help increase road safety, and it’s this philosophy that drives their development, validation, and rollout decisions.

    Autopilot is intended for use only with a fully attentive driver who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any time. While Autopilot is designed to become more capable over time, in its current form, it is not a self-driving system, it does not turn a Tesla into an autonomous vehicle, and it does not allow the driver to abdicate responsibility. When used properly, Autopilot reduces a driver’s overall workload, and the redundancy of eight external cameras, radar and 12 ultrasonic sensors provides an additional layer of safety that two eyes alone would not have.

    Active safety features come standard on all Tesla vehicles made after September 2014 for an added layer of safety beyond the physical structure of each car, and are made possible by our Autopilot hardware and software system, even for customers who have not purchased Autopilot.

  • How to open or lock glovebox on Tesla

    To open the glovebox, touch
    Controls > Glovebox
    on the bottom corner of the touchscreen. The glovebox automatically opens and its light turns on.

    To close the glovebox, push it upward until it clicks into its closed position.

    Glovebox PIN

    For additional security, you can protect the contents in your glovebox with a 4-digit PIN (Personal Identification Number).

    To enable this setting, touch
    Controls > Safety & Security > Glovebox PIN
    and follow the on-screen prompts. When enabled, you are prompted to enter the PIN to open the glovebox.

    To disable this setting, return to Safety & Security, select the toggle to disable and then enter the PIN.

    If you forget your glovebox PIN, reset it by entering your Tesla login credentials, then follow the on-screen prompts.

    NOTE: When you open the glovebox with both Glovebox PIN and Valet mode enabled, you are prompted for the glovebox PIN and taken out of Valet mode after the glovebox opens.

    NOTE: If you leave the glovebox open, its light eventually turns off.

    NOTE: The glovebox locks whenever closed and you lock Tesla using the mobile app, key card, you leave Tesla carrying your authenticated phone (if WalkAway Door Lock is turned on), or if Valet mode is active.

    It does not lock when Tesla is locked by touching the lock icon on the touchscreen.

    WARNING: When driving, keep the glovebox closed to prevent injury to a passenger if a collision or sudden stop occurs.

  • How to Calibrate Windows on Tesla

    Calibrating Windows

    In the unlikely event that a window behaves unexpectedly (fails to open or close properly, goes down more than normal when the door opens, etc.), you can calibrate it to potentially fix the issue.

    To calibrate a window:

    1. Close the door with the affected window.
    2. Sit in the driver’s seat and close the driver door.
    3. Use the driver window switch to raise the affected window until it stalls.
    4. Use the driver window switch to lower the affected window until it stalls.
    5. Use the driver window switch to raise the affected window until it stalls.

    The window should now be calibrated. If the issue continues after attempting the calibration procedure a couple times, contact Tesla Service.

  • How to Lock Rear Windows on Tesla

    Locking Rear Windows

    To prevent passengers from using the rear window switches, touch

    Controls > Quick Controls > Window
    Lock.

    To unlock the rear windows, touch Window Lock again.


    WARNING: To ensure safety, it is recommended that you lock the rear window switches whenever children are seated in the rear seats.

  • How to lock and unlock Tesla Model 3

    Locking and unlocking Model 3 is easy and convenient. Just carry your authenticated phone or paired key fob with you. Model 3 recognizes the presence of an authenticated phone or paired key fob and automatically unlocks when you press a door handle, and locks when you leave (see Walk-Away Door section below).

    NOTE: If you don’t have your authenticated phone or paired key fob with you (or if the phone’s battery is dead or its Bluetooth setting is turned off), place the key card against the driver’s side door pillar to manually unlock or lock Model 3 (see How to use Key Card with Model 3).

    NOTE: Due to market region or vehicle configuration, an authenticated phone or Passive Key Fob may not be available for your vehicle.

    NOTE: Optional key fob also allows you to press buttons to lock and unlock Model 3 (see How to use Key Fob with Model 3).

    NOTE: Walk-Away Door Lock operates only when using an authenticated phone or paired key fob. When you walk away from Model 3 carrying a key card or unpaired key fob accessory, Model 3 does not automatically unlock/lock, even if this feature is turned on (see WalkAway Door Lock section below).

    NOTE: Accessory key fobs manufactured before approximately October, 2019 are not equipped with passive functionality.

    Using Exterior Door Handles

    Use your thumb to push the wide part of the door handle. The handle pivots toward you, and you can open the door by pulling the handle or pulling the edge of the door. The handle retracts automatically.

    When a door or trunk is open, the touchscreen displays the Door Open indicator light.

    Opening Doors from the Interior

    Model 3 doors are electrically powered. To open a door while sitting inside, press the button located at the top of the interior door handle and push the door open.

    NOTE: To prevent children from opening the rear doors, turn on child-protection locks (see Child-Protection Lock section below).

    In the unlikely situation that Model 3 has no power, these electrically powered buttons at the top of the door handles no longer work. Instead, pull up the manual door release located in front of the window switches on the front doors. To open a front door when Model 3 has no power, pull up the manual door release located in front of the window switches.

    NOTE: Only the front doors are equipped with a manual door release.

    CAUTION: Manual door releases are designed to be used only in situations when Model 3 has no power. Whenever Model 3 has power, use the button located at the top of the interior door handle.

    Interior Locking and Unlocking

    While sitting inside Model 3, you can lock and unlock all doors and trunks by touching the lock icon on the touchscreen. The icon changes to indicate whether doors are locked or unlocked.

    You can also unlock the doors by pressing the Park button on the end of the drive stalk a second time. Pressing this button once engages the Park gear and pressing it again unlocks the doors.

    Walk-Away Door Lock

    Doors and trunks can automatically lock whenever you walk away carrying your authenticated phone or paired key fob (if ordered after approximately October 1, 2019). To turn this feature on or off, touch Controls >Locks > Walk-Away Door Lock.

    When the doors lock, the exterior lights flash once and the mirrors fold (if Fold Mirrors is on). To also hear a confirmation sound whenever Model 3 locks, touch Controls > Locks > Lock Confirmation Sound > ON.

    Model 3 does not automatically lock if:
    • You check the Exclude Home checkbox and Model 3 is parked at the location you have designated as Home.
    • An authenticated phone or paired key fob is detected inside Model 3.
    • You are not using an authenticated phone or paired key fob as the key, and walk away carrying the key card or unpaired key fob. When using the key card you must manually lock Model 3 by tapping the key card against the door pillar. When using an unpaired key fob (sold as an accessory), you must manually lock Model 3 by pressing the lock button.
    • A door or trunk is not fully closed.
    • The phone’s Bluetooth setting is turned off.

    NOTE: If all doors are closed and Model 3 was automatically unlocked by your authenticated phone or paired key fob, walk-away locking is temporarily suspended for one minute. If you open a door within this minute, it will not re-lock until all the doors are closed and you have walked away with the authenticated phone or paired key fob.

    NOTE: If Model 3 detects an authenticated key for five minutes after you exit the vehicle and close all doors, Walk-Away Lock disables and doors do not lock when you walk away. In this case, you must manually lock your vehicle until after your next drive.

    Drive Away Locking

    Model 3 automatically locks all doors (including the trunks) whenever your driving speed exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h).

    Child-Protection Lock

    Model 3 has child-protection locks on the rear doors to prevent them from being opened using the interior release buttons. On the touchscreen, touch Controls > Locks > Child Lock.

    NOTE: It is recommended that you turn child-protection locks on whenever children are seated in the rear seats.

    Unlock on Park

    When you stop Model 3 and engage the Park gear, you can choose to unlock all doors. To turn this feature on or off, touch Controls > Locks > Unlock on Park.

    NOTE: If set to OFF, you can unlock all doors by pressing the Park button a second time after engaging the Park gear.

  • How to add and remove keys on Model 3

    To display a list of all keys (phones, key cards, and key fobs) that can access your Tesla Model 3, touch Controls >Locks.

    An icon displays next to each key to indicate whether the key is a phone, key card, or key fob. Use this list to manage keys that have access to your vehicle. To add or delete keys, see Adding and Removing Keys section below.

    NOTE: You can use the same key for more than one Model 3. This prevents you from having to deal with multiple keys when you switch vehicles. If you customize the name of an authenticated key card or key fob on one Model 3 (by touching the pencil icon), any other Model 3 to which the key card or key fob is authenticated also displays the same customized name.

    NOTE: Model 3 supports up to 19 keys. When you reach this limit, you must delete a key before adding a new one.

    Adding and Removing Keys

    Adding a new key card or key fob:

    NOTE: If adding a key fob, ensure the key fob is at room temperature. Pairing may be unsuccessful if the key fob is cold.

    1. On the touchscreen, touch Controls > Locks then touch + in the Keys section.
    2. Scan your new key card or key fob on the key reader behind the cup holders on the top of the center console. After the new key card or key fob is recognized, remove it from the key reader.
    3. Scan an already-authenticated (i.e. already has access to the vehicle) key card or key fob on the key reader behind the cup holders on the top of the center console.
    4. When complete, the key list on the touchscreen displays the newly-authenticated key. You can customize its name by touching the associated pencil icon.

    Adding a new phone key:

    NOTE: To add a new phone key, Bluetooth must be enabled and the phone must have the Tesla mobile app installed and connected to the vehicle’s Tesla account.

    1. While sitting in the vehicle, open the Tesla mobile app and select the appropriate vehicle (if there are multiple vehicles associated with the account), then touch Phone Key > Start.
    2. Scan an already-authenticated key card or key fob on the key reader behind the cup holders on the top of the center console.
    3. When the mobile app notifies you that the pairing was successful, touch Done. The key list on the touchscreen (Controls > Locks) displays the new phone key. The name of the phone key is determined by the name used in the phone’s settings.

    Removing a key:

    When you no longer want a key to access your vehicle (for example, you lost your phone or key card, etc.), you can remove the key.

    1. On the touchscreen, touch Controls > Locks.
    2. Find the key that you would like to delete in the key list, then touch the key’s associated trash icon.
    3. When prompted, scan an already-authenticated key card or key fob on the key reader behind the cup holders on the top of the center console to confirm the deletion. When complete, the key list no longer includes the deleted key.

    NOTE: Your vehicle requires at least one authenticated key card or key fob at all times. If only one key card is included on the key list, this key cannot be deleted.