light TESLA MODEL 3 2023 Owner's Guide
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If tires need to be replaced early, for example due to a
flat tire, we recommend replacing the tires in pairs
unless the other tires are within
2/32 in (1.5 mm) of tread
depth of the new tire. When replacing tires, it is important to match the brand and model of the older
tires. Always place a pair of new tires on the rear if all four tires are the same size. Always balance the wheel and tire after replacing a tire. Consult with a professional tire retailer and installer for further guidance.
If you
replace your tires or install different ones, reset the tire
configuration (see Tire Configuration on page 179). This
resets the learned tire settings and improves the driving
experience on your new tires.
NOTE: Regardless of the number of tires replaced, a
complete set of matching tires is recommended for optimum performance.
If tires other than those specified are used, ensure that
the load and speed ratings marked on the tire
(see
Understanding Tire Markings on page 214) equal or
exceed those of the original
specification.
For the specification of the original wheels and tires
installed on
Model 3, see Wheels and Tires on page 213.
If you replace a wheel, the TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensors need to be reset to ensure they provide accurate warnings when tires are under-
or
over-inflated (see Automatic Reset of TPMS Sensors on
page 180).
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. Go to
Service > Wheel & Tire Configuration > Tires to select
winter tires and quicken this process.
WARNING: For your safety, use only tires and
wheels that match the original specification. Tires
that do not match the original specification can
affect the operation of the TPMS.
WARNING: Never exceed the speed rating of your
vehicle
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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
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Seat Belts
Extend the belts to wipe. Do not use any type of
detergent or chemical cleaning agent. Allow the belts to dry naturally while extended, preferably away from
direct sunlight.
Door Seals
Wipe door seals with a damp cloth to remove any debris. Excessive debris on the door seals can cause
paint damage when contacting surrounding surfaces. Avoid using alcohol wipes or any chemical products that can potentially deteriorate the coating on the door seals.
Touchscreen
Clean the touchscreen using a soft lint-free cloth
specifically designed to clean monitors and displays. Do
not use cleaners (such as a glass cleaner) or alcohol- based gel products (such as hand sanitizer) and do not use a wet wipe or a dry statically-charged cloth (such as a recently washed
microfiber). To wipe the touchscreen
without activating buttons and changing settings, you
can enable Screen Clean Mode. Touch
Controls > Display
> Screen Clean Mode. The display darkens to make it
easy to see dust and smudges. To exit Screen Clean
Mode, press and hold
HOLD TO EXIT.
Chrome and Metal Surfaces
Polish, abrasive cleaners, alcohol-based gel products (such as hand sanitizer), and hard cloths can damage the
finish on chrome and metal surfaces.
Cautions for Interior Cleaning
CAUTION: Using solvents (including alcohol),
alcohol-based gel products (such as hand
sanitizer), bleach, citrus, naphtha, or silicone-based
products or additives on interior components can
cause damage.
CAUTION: Statically-charged materials can cause
damage to the touchscreen.
WARNING: If you notice any damage on an airbag
or seat belt, contact Tesla immediately.
WARNING: Do not allow any water, cleaners, or
fabric to enter a seat belt mechanism.
WARNING: Exposure to chemical cleaners can be
hazardous and can irritate eyes and skin. Read and
observe the instructions provided by the
manufacturer of the chemical cleaner.
Polishing, Touch Up, and Body
Repair
To preserve the cosmetic appearance of the body, you
can occasionally treat the paint surfaces with an approved polish containing:
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If Vehicle Has No Power
If Model 3 has no low voltage power, perform the
following steps to open the hood or jump start the
low
voltage battery.
1.
Open the hood. See Opening Hood with No Power on
page 20 for more information on opening the hood if
the vehicle does not have power.
2.
Jump start the low voltage battery (see Jump
Starting on page 225).
NOTE: Tow providers: See Running Out of Range on
page 224 for more information on transporting the
vehicle to a charging station and preparing the vehicle
to charge.
CAUTION: Because the windows automatically
lower slightly when you open or close a door,
always connect to an external, low voltage power
supply before opening a door if the vehicle has no
power to avoid breaking a window (see Jump
Starting on page 225).
Instructions for Transporters
223Roadside Assistance
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For more information on troubleshooting Mobile Connector or Wall Connector status lights, refer to the product
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What to do:
Confirm whether the external charging equipment is powered by looking for any status lights, displays, or other
indicators on the equipment. For more information on troubleshooting Mobile Connector or Wall Connector status
lights, refer to the product
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Alternatively, you can check Mobile Connector or Wall Connector status lights to confirm power to the device, and
also refer to the product owner
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For more information on troubleshooting Mobile Connector status lights and charging issues, refer to the product
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When this alert is present, the electrical system cannot maintain the voltage required to support all vehicle features. Many vehicle functions may no longer work.
It is possible your vehicle may lose all electrical power. If this occurs, you can still use the manual door releases to exit the vehicle if necessary. For more information, see
Opening Doors from the Interior on page 14.
This alert may be present due to various vehicle conditions. For more information and further recommended actions,
check for other active vehicle alerts.
If this alert remains present, it is recommended that you schedule service immediately. Without service, your vehicle
may not drive, may shut down unexpectedly, or may not restart.
VCFRONT_a192
Electrical system is unable to support all features
Switching off features to conserve energy
What this alert means:
The electrical system cannot support all vehicle features. Your vehicle is shutting down nonessential features to preserve energy for essential functions.
If you are driving when this alert is present, it is possible your vehicle may shut down unexpectedly. It is also possible
that your vehicle will not restart once parked.
Nonessential features may be unavailable, including seat heaters, cabin climate control, and in-vehicle entertainment.
This is expected behavior intended to help your vehicle maintain adequate electrical power for essential functions,
including the ability to operate headlights, windows and doors, hazard lights, and the front trunk (frunk).
It is possible your vehicle may lose all electrical power. If this occurs, you can still use the manual door releases to exit the vehicle if necessary. For more information, see
Opening Doors from the Interior on page 14.
What to do:
This alert may be present due to various vehicle conditions. For more information and further recommended actions,
check for other active vehicle alerts.
VCFRONT_a216
Vehicle may not restart - Service is required
Electrical system issue detected
What this alert means:
An abnormally large and sustained power draw while driving or Supercharging / DC Fast Charging has made your
vehicle
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A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System): 60
absolute speed limit: 114
acceleration, chill: 68
acceleration, sport: 68
acceleration, standard: 68
accessories: 23
plugging into power socket: 23
adjacent lane speed: 85
aero covers: 178
air conditioning: 116
air filter: 120
air vents: 119
airbag safety information: 44
airbags, location: 38
alarm: 127, 131
all-season tires: 181
Always Show Estimated Round Trip Energy: 146
ambient lights: 53
anti-lock braking (ABS): 60
apps: 5
Arcade: 151
audio: 47, 148, 151
playing files: 148, 151
settings: 148
steering wheel scroll button: 47
volume control: 148
auto fold: 49
auto high beam: 54
Auto Lane Change: 87
auto tilt: 49
AUTO wipers: 59
automatic emergency braking: 112
automatic navigation: 142
navigating: 142
Autopark: 100
autopilot: 108
side collision warning: 108
Autopilot: 77, 80, 85, 87, 100, 102, 111, 114
Auto Lane Change: 87
automatic emergency braking: 111
Autopark: 100
Autosteer: 85
collision avoidance assist: 111
forward collision warning: 111
overtake acceleration: 80
overview: 77
speed assist: 114
speed limit warning: 114
staying within speed limits: 114
Summon: 102
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control: 80
Autopilot components: 77
Autosteer: 85
average range: 165
B
backup camera: 72
Battery (high voltage): 156, 211
care of: 156
specifications: 211
temperature limits: 156
battery (key), replacing: 12
battery (low voltage): 156, 211
complete discharge: 156
specifications: 211
Blind Spot Camera: 108
Blind Spot Collision Warning: 108
Blind Spot Collision Warning Chime: 108
Bluetooth: 122, 149
devices, playing audio files from: 149
general information: 122
phone, pairing and using: 122
body repairs: 192
body touch up: 185
Boombox: 151, 152
brakes: 60, 112, 210
automatic in emergencies: 112
overview of: 60
specifications: 210
Bumper Clearance (Summon): 102
C
cabin air filter: 120
cabin camera: 115
cabin temperature control: 116
Calendar: 122, 124
calibrating windows: 16
California Proposition 65: 283
camera, rear-facing: 72
cameras (autopilot): 77
Camp: 118
car cover: 185
car wash mode: 183
car washes: 184
Caraoke): 149
card: 10
cargo area: 18
cargo volume: 210
Index