Model Y – Page 2 – Every Tesla

How to use phone as a key with Model Y

Phone key

You can set up your personal phone as a “phone key” that communicates with Model Y using Bluetooth. A phone key supports automatic locking and unlocking.

Using your phone as a key is a convenient way to access your Model Y. As you approach, your phone’s Bluetooth signal is detected and doors unlock when you press a door handle. Likewise, when you exit and walk away with the phone key, doors automatically lock (provided the Walk-Away Door Lock feature is turned on).

Before you can use a phone to access Model Y, follow these steps to authenticate it:

Download the Tesla mobile app to your phone.
Log into the Tesla mobile app using your Tesla Account user name and password.
NOTE: You must remain logged in to your Tesla Account to use your phone to access Model Y.
Ensure that your phone’s Bluetooth settings are turned on.

You must have your phone’s Bluetooth setting turned on AND you must also ensure that Bluetooth is turned on within your phone’s global settings for the Tesla mobile app. For example, on your phone, navigate to Settings, choose the Tesla mobile app, and ensure the Bluetooth setting is enabled.

NOTE: Model Y communicates with your phone using Bluetooth. To authenticate your phone to use it as a key, the phone must be powered on and Bluetooth must be enabled. Keep in mind that your phone must have enough battery power to run Bluetooth and that many phones disable Bluetooth when the battery is low.

Ensure location access is enabled by viewing the mobile app in your phone’s settings and selecting Location > Always. For the best experience, keep the mobile app running in the background.
Ensure that Allow Mobile Access is enabled (Controls > Safety & Security > Allow Mobile Access).
In the Tesla mobile app, touch PHONE KEY then touch START to search for your Model Y.
When your Model Y is detected, the mobile app asks you to tap your key card.
Tap the key card against the Model Y card reader on the door pillar or center console.

When Model Y detects your key card, the mobile app confirms that your phone key has been successfully authenticated. Touch DONE.

If the key card is not successfully scanned within approximately thirty seconds, the mobile app displays an error message. To retry, touch PHONE KEY again in the Tesla mobile app.

To view a list of keys that can currently access Model Y, or to remove a phone key, touch Controls > Locks

Authenticating your phone allows you to use it as a key to access Model Y.

Model Y can connect to three phone keys simultaneously. Therefore, if more than one phone key is detected and you want to use, or authenticate, a different phone, move the other connected phone key(s) out of range or turn off its Bluetooth setting.

Unlike the mobile app, once a phone has been authenticated, it no longer requires an internet connection to be used as a phone key for Model Y. Authenticated phone keys communicate with Model Y using Bluetooth. However, to use the phone hands-free, access your phone’s contacts, play media from it, etc., you must also pair it and connect it as a Bluetooth device.

NOTE: Although Bluetooth typically communicates over distances of up to approximately 30 feet (9 meters), performance can vary based on the phone you are using, environmental interference, etc.

NOTE: If multiple vehicles are linked to your Tesla account, you must ensure that the vehicle you want the mobile app to access is currently selected on the mobile app.

How to adjust Front and Rear Seats on Model Y

Correct Driving Position

The seat, head support, seat belt and airbags work together to maximize your safety. Using these correctly ensures greater protection.

Position the seat so you can wear the seat belt correctly, while being as far away from the front airbag as possible:

Sit upright with both feet on the floor and the seat back reclined no more than 30 degrees.
Make sure you can easily reach the pedals and that your arms are slightly bent when holding the steering wheel. Your chest should be at least 10 inches (25 cm) from the center of the airbag cover.
Place the shoulder section of the seat belt mid-way between your neck and your shoulder. Fit the lap section of the belt tightly across your hips, not across your stomach.

Adjusting the Front Seats

Move seat forward/backward and adjust the seat’s height and tilt angle up/down.
Adjust backrest.
Adjust lumbar support

WARNING: Before adjusting a front seat, check that the area around the seat is free of obstacles (people and objects).

WARNING: Do not adjust seats while driving. Doing so increases the risk of a collision.

WARNING: Riding in a moving vehicle with the seat back reclined can result in serious injuries in a collision, as you could slide under the lap belt or be propelled into the seat belt. Ensure your seat back is reclined no more than 30 degrees when the vehicle is moving.

Adjusting and Folding Second Row Seats

Model Y provides seating for up to three passengers in the second row. Use the adjustment handles on the outside corner of each outboard seating position to adjust the corresponding seat backs. The seat back is split 60/40 so the adjustment handle on the left side moves the seat backs for both the left and center seating positions, whereas the handle on the right side moves the rightmost seat back only. While pulling and holding the handle, move the seat back to the desired position, and then release the handle. Ensure the seat back is securely latched into position by pushing it forward and rearward.

To maximize cargo space, each second row seat back can be folded fully forward to lay flat. While pulling and holding the handle, push the corresponding seat back fully forward.

NOTE: Before folding seats fully forward, remove any items from the seats and the rear footwell. To allow the seat backs to fold completely flat, you may need to move the front seats forward.

NOTE: Driving with the rear seats folded forward may increase perceivable noise and/or vibration coming from the rear of the vehicle (trunk, suspension, etc.). To allow you to carry long items (such as skis) in the rear of Model Y, the center seat back can also be independently folded forward. Pull the handle on the rear of the seat back. The seat back unlatches and can be pushed forward.

You can also fold the second row seat backs fully forward by pressing the corresponding switch located on the left side of the rear trunk area. Pressing the switch causes the seat back to swing forward. You can then push it downward so it lays fully flat.

Raising Rear Seats

Before raising a rear seat, make sure that the seat belts are not trapped behind the backrest. Pull the seat back upward until it locks into place. To confirm that the seat back is locked in the upright position, try pulling it forward.

WARNING: Always ensure the seat backs are locked in their upright position by pushing it forward or rearward. Failure to do so increases the risk of injury.

Head Supports

The front seats include integrated head supports that are not adjustable.

The rear seats include an adjustable head support that can be raised, lowered, or removed. The head support should always be raised and locked into position (so that the center is aligned with the center of the ears) when occupied by a passenger that is not in a child safety seat.

WARNING: The head support in the rear center seat must be lowered when a seat belt retained child safety seat is installed in that seating position.

WARNING: Ensure that all head supports are positioned correctly before sitting in, or operating, Model Y to minimize the risk of severe injury or death in the event of a collision.

Raising/Lowering the Outer Rear Seat Head Supports

To raise the head support, lift it until you hear it click into place. Push down on the head support to ensure that it is secure. To lower the head support, press and hold the button on the outer base of the left post and press the head support down.

Raising/Lowering the Rear Center Head Support

Removing/Installing a Head Support

To remove the head support:

Raise the head support as described above.
Press and hold the button on the outer base of the right post.
Insert a short, flat object (such as a small flat-head screwdriver) into the opening on the inside base of the left post and pull the head support upward.

To re-install the head support:

With the front of the head support facing forward, insert both posts into the corresponding holes on the seat back.
Press down on the head support until it clicks into place.
Pull up on the head support to ensure that it is secure.

WARNING: Ensure that the head support is correctly installed before seating an occupant. Failure to do so increases the risk of injury or death if a collision occurs.

Seat Heaters

The front and rear seats contain heating pads that operate at three levels from 3 (highest) to 1 (lowest).

WARNING: To avoid burns resulting from prolonged use, individuals who have peripheral neuropathy, or whose capacity to feel pain is limited because of diabetes, age, neurological injury, or some other condition, should exercise caution when using the climate control system and seat heaters.

Seat Covers

WARNING: Do not use seat covers in Model Y. Doing so could restrict deployment of the seat-mounted side air bags if a collision occurs. Also, if the vehicle is equipped with an occupant detection system that is used to determine the status of the passenger front airbag, seat covers may interfere with this system.

How the braking system works on Model Y

Braking and Stopping – Braking Systems

WARNING: Properly functioning braking systems are critical to ensure safety. If you experience a problem with the brake pedal, brake caliper, or any component of a Model Y braking system, contact Tesla immediately.

Model Y has an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that prevents the wheels from locking when you apply maximum brake pressure. This improves steering control during heavy braking in most road conditions.

During emergency braking conditions, the ABS constantly monitors the speed of each wheel and varies the brake pressure according to the grip available.

The alteration of brake pressure can be felt as a pulsing sensation through the brake pedal. This demonstrates that the ABS is operating and is not a cause for concern. Keep firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while experiencing the pulsing.

The (ABS) indicator briefly flashes yellow on the touchscreen when you first start Model Y. If this indicator lights up at any other time, an ABS fault has occurred and the ABS is not operating. Contact Tesla. The braking system remains fully operational and is not affected by an ABS failure. However, braking distances may increase. Drive cautiously and avoid heavy braking.

If the touchscreen displays red (!) BRAKE indicator at any time other than briefly when you first start Model Y, a brake system fault is detected, or the level of the brake fluid is low. Contact Tesla immediately. Apply steady pressure and keep the brakes firm to bring the vehicle to a stop when safe to do so.

If the touchscreen displays yellow (!) BRAKE indicator at any time, a brake booster fault is detected. Apply steady pressure and keep the brakes firm to bring the vehicle to a stop when safe to do so. Hydraulic Boost Compensation will be active.

Emergency Braking

In an emergency, fully press the brake pedal and maintain firm pressure, even on low traction surfaces. The ABS varies the braking pressure to each wheel according to the amount of traction available. This prevents wheels from locking and ensures that you stop as safely as possible.

WARNING: Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so interrupts operation of the ABS and can increase braking distance.

WARNING: Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you and be aware of hazardous driving conditions. While the ABS can improve stopping distance, it cannot overcome the laws of physics. It also does not prevent the danger of hydroplaning (where a layer of water prevents direct contact between the tires and the road).

Automatic Emergency Braking is designed to automatically brake in situations where a collision is considered imminent.

WARNING: Automatic Emergency Braking is not designed to prevent a collision. At best, it can minimize the impact of a frontal collision by attempting to reduce your driving speed. Depending on Automatic Emergency Braking to avoid a collision can result in serious injury or death.

CAUTION: In emergency situations, if the brakes are not functioning properly, press and hold the Park button on the drive stalk to bring the vehicle to a stop. Do not use this method to stop the vehicle unless absolutely necessary.

Brake Disc Wiping

To ensure your brakes remain responsive in cold and wet weather, Model Y is equipped with brake disc wiping. When cold and wet weather is detected, this feature repeatedly applies an imperceptible amount of brake force to clear away water from the surface of the brake discs.

Hydraulic Fade Compensation

Your vehicle is also equipped with hydraulic fade compensation. This feature assists in monitoring brake system pressure and ABS activity for instances of lower brake performance. If lower brake performance is detected (for example, as a result of brake fade, or cold or wet conditions), you may feel the brake pedal pull away from your foot, detect some noise, and notice a strong increase in vehicle braking. Continue to press the brake pedal without releasing or “pumping” them — brake as you normally would.

CAUTION: If brakes are not functioning properly, stop the vehicle as soon as safety permits and contact Tesla Service. If necessary, use the Park button to stop the vehicle in case of emergency

WARNING: Always maintain a safe driving distance from the vehicle in front of you and exercise caution when driving conditions are hazardous. Do not rely on brake disc wiping or hydraulic fade compensation to act as a substitute for adequately applying the brakes.

Hydraulic Boost Compensation

Model Y is equipped with a brake booster that provides a mechanical advantage that effectively activates the brakes when the brake pedal is pressed. Hydraulic boost compensation provides mechanical assist in the event of a brake booster failure. If a brake booster failure is detected, the brake pedal may feel harder to press and you may hear some noise when you press the brake pedal. To stop the vehicle, apply adequate steady force on the brake pedal without releasing or “pumping” them. Exercise caution while driving and maintain a safe distance as brake pedal responsiveness and braking performance may be degraded.

Regenerative Braking

Whenever Model Y is moving and your foot is off the accelerator, regenerative braking slows down Model Y and feeds any surplus energy back to the Battery.

By anticipating your stops and reducing or removing pressure from the accelerator pedal to slow down, you can take advantage of regenerative braking to increase driving range. Of course, this is no substitute for regular braking when needed for safety.

NOTE: If regenerative braking is aggressively slowing Model Y (such as when your foot is completely off the accelerator pedal at highway speeds), the brake lights turn on to alert others that you are slowing down.

NOTE: Installing winter tires with aggressive compound and tread design may result in temporarily-reduced regenerative braking power. However, your vehicle is designed to continuously recalibrate itself, and after changing tires it will increasingly restore regenerative braking power after some moderate-torque straight-line accelerations. For most drivers this occurs after a short period of normal driving, but drivers who normally accelerate lightly may need to use slightly harder accelerations while the recalibration is in progress.

WARNING: In snowy or icy conditions Model Y may experience traction loss during regenerative braking.

The amount of energy fed back to the Battery using regenerative braking can depend on the current state of the Battery. For example, regenerative braking may be limited if the Battery is already fully charged or if the ambient temperature is too cold.

NOTE: If regenerative braking is limited, a dashed line displays on the energy bar.

Stopping Mode

Regenerative braking decelerates Model Y whenever you release the accelerator pedal when driving. You can choose what you want Model Y to do once the driving speed has been reduced to a very low speed (almost at a stop) and both the accelerator pedal and brake pedal are released. While in Park, touch Controls > Driving > Stopping Mode and choose from these options:

• CREEP: When close to, or at, a complete stop, the motor continues to apply torque, moving Model Y slowly forward (in Drive) or backwards (in Reverse), similar to a conventional vehicle with an automatic transmission. In some situations, such as on a steep hill or driveway, you may need to press the accelerator pedal to continue moving or to prevent Model Y from moving in the opposite direction.

WARNING: Never rely on CREEP to apply enough torque to prevent your vehicle from rolling down a hill. Always press the brake pedal to remain stopped or the accelerator pedal to proceed up the hill. Failure to do so can result in property damage and/or a collision.

• HOLD: Maximizes range and reduces brake wear by continuing to provide regenerative braking at speeds lower than with the Creep and Roll settings. When Model Y stops, the brakes are automatically applied without you having to put your foot on the brake pedal. Whether stopped on a flat surface or a hill, Vehicle Hold keeps the brake applied, provided your foot remains off the accelerator and brake pedals.

WARNING: Never rely on HOLD to adequately decelerate or fully stop your vehicle. Many factors can contribute to a longer stopping distance, including downward slopes, and reduced or limited regenerative braking. Always be prepared to use the brake pedal to adequately decelerate or stop.

• ROLL: When close to, or at, a complete stop, Model Y becomes free rolling like a vehicle in Neutral. Therefore, if stopped on a slope, Model Y will roll downward. The brake does not engage, and the motor does not apply torque (until the accelerator pedal is pressed).

NOTE: If you choose CREEP or ROLL, you can still use Vehicle Hold to apply the brakes. However, you will need to briefly press the brake pedal when the vehicle is stopped.

WARNING: Press the brake pedal if Model Y moves when unsafe to do so. It is your responsibility to stay alert and be in control of the vehicle at all times. Failure to do so can result in serious damage, injury, or death.

WARNING: Do not rely on regenerative braking and your chosen Stopping Mode to keep you and your vehicle safe. Various factors such as driving with a heavy vehicle load, on a steep hill, or on wet or icy roads affect deceleration rate and the distance at which Model Y will come to a stop. Drive attentively and always stay prepared to use the brake pedal to stop as appropriate based on traffic and road conditions.

WARNING: Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking do not operate when driving at very low speeds. Do not rely on these features to warn you, or to prevent or reduce the impact of a collision.

NOTE: Your chosen setting is retained in your Driver Profile until you manually change it.

Parking Brake

To engage the parking brake, touch Controls > Safety & Security > Parking Brake and follow the onscreen instructions. You can also engage the parking brake by pressing and holding the button on the end of the drive stalk while in Park.

NOTE: The parking brake operates on the rear wheels only, and is independent of the pedal-operated brake system.

WARNING: In snowy or icy conditions the rear wheels may not have sufficient traction to prevent Model Y from sliding down a slope, particularly if not using winter tires. Avoid parking on hills in snowy or icy conditions. You are always responsible for parking safely.

WARNING: Your Model Y may display an alert if the road is too steep to safely park on, or if the parking brakes are not properly engaged. These alerts are for guidance purposes only and are not a substitute for the driver’s judgment of safe parking conditions, including specific road or weather conditions. Do not depend on these alerts to determine whether or not it is safe to park at any location. You are always responsible for parking safely.

If the parking brake experiences an electrical issue, the amber parking brake indicator (P) lights up and a fault message displays at the top of the touchscreen.

CAUTION: In the unlikely event that Model Y loses electrical power, you cannot access the touchscreen and are therefore unable to release the parking brake without first jump starting Model Y.

Brake Wear

Model Y brake pads are equipped with wear indicators. A wear indicator is a thin metal strip attached to the brake pad that squeals as it rubs against the rotor when the pad wears down. This squealing sound indicates that the brake pads have reached the end of their service life and require replacement. To replace the brake pads, contact Tesla Service.

Brakes must be periodically inspected visually by removing the tire and wheel. Additionally, Tesla recommends cleaning and lubricating the brake calipers every year or 12,500 miles (20,000 km) if in an area where roads are salted during winter months.

WARNING: Neglecting to replace worn brake pads damages the braking system and can result in a braking hazard.

How Airbags Work on Tesla Model Y

Airbags inflate when sensors detect an impact that exceeds deployment thresholds. These thresholds are designed to predict the severity of a crash in time for the airbags to help protect the vehicle’s occupants. Airbags inflate instantly with considerable force accompanied by a loud noise. The inflated bag, together with the seat belts, limits movement of occupants to reduce the risk of injury.

Front airbags are not ordinarily designed to inflate in rear collisions, rollovers, side collisions and when braking heavily or driving over bumps and potholes. Likewise, front airbags may not inflate in all frontal collisions, such as minor front collisions, underride collisions, or minor impacts with narrow objects (such as posts or poles). Significant superficial damage can occur to the vehicle without the airbags inflating and, conversely, a relatively small amount of structural damage can cause airbags to inflate. Therefore, the external appearance of the vehicle after a collision does not represent whether or not the front airbags should have inflated.

WARNING: Before modifying your vehicle to accommodate a person with disabilities in a way that may affect the airbag system, contact Tesla.

Types of Airbags

Model Y has the following types of airbags:
• Front airbags: The front airbags are designed to reduce injuries if larger children or adults are riding in the front seats. Follow all warnings and instructions related to seating a child on the front passenger seat (if permitted in your market region).
• Knee airbags: Knee airbags and the front airbags work together.
The knee airbags limit the forward motion of the front seat occupants by restricting leg movement, thereby positioning the occupants so that the front airbags work more effectively.
• Seat-mounted side airbags: A seat-mounted side airbag in the front seats helps protect the pelvis and the thorax region of the torso. The seat-mounted side airbags on both the impacted and non-impacted side of the vehicle will inflate in the event of severe side impact or severe offset frontal impact.
• Curtain airbags: Curtain airbags help protect the head. Curtain airbags on both the impacted and non-impacted side of the vehicle will inflate only if a severe side impact occurs, or if the vehicle rolls over.

Passenger Front Airbag Status

The status of the passenger front airbag displays in the top corner of the touchscreen:

Before driving with a child seat on the front passenger seat (if legally permitted in your market region), always double-check the status of the passenger front airbag to confirm that it is OFF. When the passenger front airbag is OFF, it will not inflate when a collision occurs. This indicator also displays when the seat is unoccupied.

To protect an adult occupying the front passenger seat, ensure the passenger front airbag is ON. When the passenger front airbag is ON, it may inflate when a collision occurs.

Controlling the Passenger Front Airbag

Model Y 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 safety seat on a seat equipped with an operational airbag can cause serious injury or death.

Object Classification	OCS Passenger Airbag Status*	Indicator status	Notes
Empty	OFF	PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
Object	OFF or ON	PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or PASSENGER AIRBAG ON	Depends on material/ contents.
Rear facing child seat designed for children up to a year old	OFF	PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF	20 lbs (9 kg) or less
Forward facing child seat	OFF	PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF	35 lbs (16 kg) or less
Child in a booster seat	OFF or ON	PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or PASSENGER AIRBAG ON	20-100 lbs (9-45 kg)*
Large child	OFF or ON	PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or PASSENGER AIRBAG ON
5th percentile female or larger (by weight)	ON	PASSENGER AIRBAG ON	Over 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 Y for the occupant classification system (OCS) to report accurate status of the front passenger airbag. As a result, when you first power on Model Y, 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:

• Objects lodged under the seat.
• Heavy objects sitting on the seat (briefcase, large purse).
• Objects wedged between the seat back and seat cushion.
• Cargo interfering with the seat.
• Aftermarket items attached to, or sitting on or between, the seat and occupant including but not limited to covers, mats, blankets, etc.

These conditions can interfere with the occupancy sensor. If you have eliminated the above possibilities, and the airbag status is still incorrect, ask passengers to ride in the rear seats and contact Tesla to have the airbag system checked.

NOTE: The front passenger occupancy sensor affects the operation of the passenger front airbags only. The side airbags are not affected.

WARNING: If the front passenger airbag is not turning on or off as expected based on the weight thresholds previously described, contact Tesla immediately.

WARNING: If seating a child in the front passenger seat is legally permissible in your market region, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that the passenger front airbag is OFF. Never seat a child in a rear facing safety seat in the front passenger seat with an active airbag. DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the child can occur. Per recommendations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, all occupants age 12 and under must ride in the rear seats.

WARNING: Do not use seat covers on Model Y. Doing so could restrict deployment of the seat-mounted side air bags if a collision occurs. It can also reduce the accuracy of the occupant detection system, if equipped.

Ensuring Accurate Occupant Classification

To help ensure an occupant in the front passenger seat can be accurately classified, the passenger must:

• Wear a seat belt.
• Sit upright on the center of the seat cushion, with shoulders resting against the seat back and legs extended comfortably in front with feet on the floor.
• Remain positioned on the seat cushion and not lift their weight off the seat (for example, by pushing their feet against the floor or pressing on the center console or armrest to lift up).
• Never wear thick, wet, or bulky clothing (such as ski wear or padded clothing). In addition to the items listed above, the following situations can interfere with the accuracy of the occupant classification system:
• Placing a radio transmitter (for example, a hunting radio or walkie-talkie) on the front passenger seat.
• Placing an AC/DC inverter, or a device that is being powered by the inverter (for example, a cell phone, tablet, or computer) on the front passenger seat cushion.
• Placing liquid (such as a bottled drink) or food containers on a car seat when a child seat is present.
• Incorrectly placing a child safety seat so that the entire lower section is not positioned against the seat cushion.
• Objects lodged under the seat or wedged between the seat back and cushion.
• Heavy objects sitting on the seat (briefcase, large purse).
• Cargo interfering with the seat.
• Aftermarket items attached to or placed between the seat and the occupant, such as covers, mats, blankets, etc.

These conditions can interfere with the occupancy sensor. If you have eliminated the above possibilities, and the airbag status is still incorrect, instruct passengers to ride in the rear seats and contact Tesla to have the airbag system checked.

NOTE: Tesla follows NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) recommendations that all occupants age 12 and under must ride in a rear seating position.

NOTE: The front passenger occupancy sensor affects the operation of the passenger front airbags only. The side airbags are not affected.

WARNING: Failure to follow the above instructions can adversely affect the Occupant Classification System (OCS) which can cause serious injury or death.

WARNING: If the front passenger airbag is not turning on or off as expected, do not seat a passenger in the front passenger seat. Contact Tesla Service.

WARNING: To ensure accuracy of the occupant detection system, do not make any modifications to the front passenger seat.

Inflation Effects

WARNING: When airbags inflate, a fine powder is released. This powder can irritate the skin and should be thoroughly flushed from the eyes and from any cuts or abrasions.

After inflation, the airbags deflate to provide a gradual cushioning effect for the occupants and to ensure the driver’s forward vision is not obscured. If airbags have inflated, or if your vehicle has been in a collision, your vehicle requires servicing before it will power up. In addition, your airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners and any associated components must be checked, and if necessary, replaced. Contact Tesla Service immediately.

In a collision, in addition to the airbags inflating:

• Doors unlock.
• Hazard warning lights turn on.
• Interior lights turn on.
• High voltage is disabled.

NOTE: In some collisions, even if airbags did not inflate, high voltage may be disabled and you will be unable to power up and drive. Contact Tesla Service immediately.

Airbag Warning Indicator

The airbag indicator on the touchscreen remains lit if the airbag system is malfunctioning. The only time this indicator should light up is briefly when Model Y first powers up, in which case it turns off within a few seconds. If it remains lit, contact Tesla immediately and do not drive.

Airbag Warnings

WARNING: 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 collision.

WARNING: Front seat occupants should not place their arms over the airbag module, as an inflating airbag can cause fractures or other injuries.

WARNING: Do not use seat covers on Model Y. Doing so could restrict deployment of the seat-mounted side air bags if a collision occurs. It can also reduce the accuracy of the occupant detection system, if equipped.

WARNING: Airbags inflate with considerable speed and force, which can cause injury. To limit injuries, ensure that occupants are wearing seat belts and are correctly seated, with the seat positioned as far back as possible. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends a minimum distance of 10″ (25 cm) between an occupant’s chest and an airbag.

WARNING: Children should not be seated on the front passenger seat unless permitted by regulations in your market region. Follow all regulations in your region for the appropriate way to seat a child based on the child’s weight, size, and age. The safest place to seat infants and young children is in a rear seating position. Seating an infant or child in a rear-facing child restraint system on a seat equipped with an operational airbag can cause serious injury or death.

WARNING: Do not use a rear-facing child safety seat on a seat with an operational airbag in front of it. Doing so can cause injury or death if the airbag inflates.

WARNING: To ensure correct inflation of the side airbags, maintain an unobstructed gap between an occupant’s torso and the side of Model Y.

WARNING: Passengers shouldn’t lean their heads against doors. Doing so can cause injury if a curtain airbag inflates.

WARNING: Do not allow passengers to obstruct the operation of an airbag by placing feet, knees or any other part of the body on or near an airbag.

WARNING: Do not attach or place objects on or near the front airbags, the side of the front seats, the headliner at the side of the vehicle, or any other airbag cover that could interfere with inflation of an airbag. Objects can cause serious injury if the vehicle is in a collision severe enough to cause the airbag to inflate.

WARNING: Following inflation, some airbag components are hot. Do not touch until they have cooled.

How to Open and Close Front Trunk on Model Y

Opening

To open the front trunk:

Ensure that the area around the hood is free of obstacles.
Touch the associated OPEN button on the touchscreen, double-click the front trunk button on the key fob accessory, or touch the front trunk button on the mobile app.
Pull the hood up.

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

WARNING: Before opening or closing the hood, it is important to check that the area around the hood is free of obstacles (people and objects). Failure to do so may result in damage or serious injury

NOTE: The front trunk locks whenever closed and you lock Model Y using the touchscreen, mobile app, key card, you leave Model Y carrying your authenticated phone (if Walk-Away Door Lock is turned on), or if Valet mode is active.

Closing

The Model Y hood is not heavy enough to latch under its own weight and applying pressure on the front edge or center of the hood can cause damage.
To properly close the hood:

Lower the hood until the striker touches the latches.
Place both hands on the front of the hood – left and right from the Tesla logo (do not press on the logo), then press down firmly to engage the latches.
Carefully try to lift the front edge of the hood to ensure that it is fully closed.

CAUTION: To prevent damage:
• Apply pressure only to the areas left and right form the Tesla logo. Applying pressure to the Tesla logo can cause damage.
• Do not close the hood with one hand. Doing so applies concentrated force in one area and can result in a dent or crease.
• Do not apply pressure to the front edge of the hood. Doing so can crease the edge.
• Do not slam or drop the hood.

WARNING: Before driving, you must ensure that the hood is securely latched in the fully closed position by carefully trying to lift the front edge of the hood upward and confirming there is no movement. If the front trunk is not closed, a message displays on the touchscreen that you cannot shift the vehicle out of Park until the front trunk is securely closed.

Interior Emergency Release

An illuminated interior release button inside the front trunk allows a person locked inside to get out.

Press the interior release button to open the front trunk, then push up on the hood.

NOTE: The interior release button glows following a brief exposure to ambient light.

WARNING: People should never climb inside the front trunk. Never shut the front trunk when a person is inside.
WARNING: Care should be taken to ensure that objects inside the front trunk do not bump against the release button, causing the trunk to accidentally open.

Opening Hood with No Power

In the unlikely event that Model Y has no 12V power, you will be unable to open the front trunk using the touchscreen, key fob, or mobile app. To open the front trunk in this situation:

NOTE: The following will not open the front trunk if Model Y is locked and has 12V power.

Locate an external 12V power supply (such as a portable jump starter).
Release the tow eye cover on the front bumper by pressing firmly on the top right perimeter of the cover until it pivots inward, then gently pulling the raised section toward you.
NOTE: Depending on production date, either the positive or negative terminal may be attached to the tow eye cover.
Pull the two wires out of the tow eye opening to expose both terminals.
Connect the 12V power supply’s red positive (+) cable to the red positive (+) terminal.
Connect the 12V power supply’s black negative (-) cable to the black negative (-) terminal.

NOTE: Applying external 12V power to these terminals only releases the hood latches. You cannot charge the 12V battery using these terminals.

Turn on the external power supply (refer to the manufacturer’s instructions). The hood latches are immediately released and you can now open the hood to access the front trunk area.
Disconnect both cables, beginning with the black negative (-) cable.
If pulling the vehicle onto a flatbed truck, do not replace the tow eye cover yet. If necessary, replace the tow eye cover by inserting the wires into the tow eye opening and aligning the tow eye cover into position and turning it into place.

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):

Open the trunk, then manually lower or raise the liftgate to the desired opening height.
Press and hold the button on the underside of the liftgate for three seconds until you hear a confirmation chime.
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 “jump start” Model Y

Jump Starting the 12V Battery

CAUTION: Tesla Model Y cannot be used to jump start another vehicle. Doing so can result in damage.

NOTE: If jump starting Model Y using another vehicle, refer to that vehicle manufacturer’s instructions. The following instructions assume an external 12V power supply (such as a portable jump starter) is used.

CAUTION: Avoid short circuits when jump starting Model Y. Connecting cables to the wrong terminals, touching leads together, etc., can result in damage to Model Y.

1. Open the hood
2. Remove the maintenance panel by pulling it upwards to release the trim clips that hold it in place.
3. Connect the 12V power supply’s red positive (+) cable to the red positive (+) terminal on the 12V battery.

CAUTION: To avoid damaging Model Y, do not allow the positive cable to contact other metal components, such as the battery tie-down bracket.

4. Connect the 12V power supply’s black negative (-) cable to the black negative (-) terminal on the 12V battery.
5. Turn on the external power supply (refer to the manufacturer’s instructions). Touch the touchscreen to wake it up.

NOTE: It may take several minutes to receive enough power to wake up the touchscreen.

6. When external 12V power is no longer required, disconnect both cables from the terminals on the 12V battery, beginning with the black negative (-) cable.
7. Replace the cabin intake trim panel by placing it back in its original location and pressing down until it is secure.
8. Replace the maintenance panel by placing it back in its original location and pressing down until it is secure.
9. Close the hood.

How to apply parking brake on Model Y

To engage the parking brake, touch Controls > Safety & Security > Parking Brake and follow the onscreen instructions. You can also engage the parking brake by pressing and holding the button on the end of the drive stalk while in Park.

NOTE: The parking brake operates on the rear wheels only, and is independent of the pedal-operated brake system.

WARNING: In snowy or icy conditions the rear wheels may not have sufficient traction to prevent Model Y from sliding down a slope, particularly if not using winter tires. Avoid parking on hills in snowy or icy conditions. You are always responsible for parking safely.

WARNING: Tesla Model Y may display an alert if the road is too steep to safely park on, or if the parking brakes are not properly engaged. These alerts are for guidance purposes only and are not a substitute for the driver’s judgment of safe parking conditions, including specific road or weather conditions. Do not depend on these alerts to determine whether or not it is safe to park at any location. You are always responsible for parking safely.

When you manually apply the parking brake using the touchscreen (Controls > Safety & Security > Parking Brake), or by pressing and holding the button on the end of the drive stalk when in Park, the red parking brake indicator lights up on the touchscreen.

If the parking brake experiences an electrical issue, the amber parking brake indicator lights up and a fault message displays at the top of the touchscreen.

CAUTION: In the unlikely event that Model Y loses electrical power, you cannot access the touchscreen and are therefore unable to release the parking brake without first “jump starting” Model Y.

How to top up washer fluid on Model Y

Topping Up Windshield Washer Fluid

The only reservoir into which you can add fluid is the windshield washer fluid reservoir, which is located behind the front trunk. When the level is low, a message displays on the touchscreen.
To top up the washer fluid:

1. Open the hood.
2. Clean around the filler cap before opening it to prevent dirt from entering the reservoir.
3. Open the filler cap.
4. While avoiding spilling, fill the reservoir until the fluid level is visible just below the filler neck. The reservoir of Tesla model Y has a capacity of 4.5 liters.
5. Wipe up any spills immediately and wash the affected area with water.
6. Replace the filler cap.

NOTE: Some national or local regulations restrict the use of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are commonly used as antifreeze in washer fluid. Use a washer fluid with limited VOC content only if it provides adequate freeze resistance for all climates in which you drive Model Y.

CAUTION: Do not add formulated washer fluids that contain water repellent or bug wash. These fluids can cause streaking, smearing, and squeaking or other noises.

WARNING: In temperatures below 40° F (4° C), use a washer fluid with antifreeze. In cold weather, using a washer fluid without antifreeze can impair visibility through the windshield.

WARNING: Windshield washer fluid can irritate eyes and skin. Read and observe the instructions provided by the washer fluid manufacturer.

How to control wipers on Model Y

Wipers

To perform a single wipe with the windshield wipers, press and immediately release the button on the end of the turn signal stalk. To adjust the continuous wiper settings, touch the windshield wiper icon located in the “Cards” area on the touchscreen. The wiper card displays the current state of the wipers.
NOTE: When you operate the wipers, the headlights automatically turn on (if they were not on already).
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the hood, ensure that the hood is fully closed before activating the windshield wipers.

1. Turn the wipers on or off.
2. Adjust the speed of the wipers.
◦ 1: Intermittent, slow
◦ 2: Intermittent, fast
◦ 3: Continuous, slow
◦ 4: Continuous, fast
◦ AUTO: Tesla Model Y detects whether or not it is raining. When wipers are set to AUTO and liquid is detected on the windshield, Model Y determines the optimal frequency at which they should wipe. If Model Y does not detect liquid on the windshield, the wipers do not wipe.

NOTE: If the AUTO setting is selected but becomes unavailable, the wipers change to the manual setting (one of the first four positions) that is closest to the latest determined AUTO wiping frequency. If the latest wiping frequency cannot be determined, the wipers turn off.
CAUTION: Ensure the wipers are off before washing Model Y to avoid the risk of damaging the wipers.

Periodically check and clean the edge of the wiper blades. If a blade is damaged, replace it immediately.

CAUTION: Remove ice from the windshield before turning the wipers on. Ice has sharp edges that can damage the rubber on the blades.
CAUTION: In harsh climates, ensure that the wiper blades are not frozen or adhered to the windshield.

Washers

Fully press and hold the button on the end of the turn signal stalk to spray washer fluid onto the windshield. While spraying the windshield, the wipers turn on. After releasing the button, the wipers perform two additional wipes, then a third wipe a few seconds later. Periodically top up washer fluid