brake fluid TESLA MODEL 3 2018 Owner's Manual

Braking SystemsWarning: 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 3 braking system, contact Tesla
immediately.
Model 3 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 flashes briefly on
the touchscreen when you first start
Model 3. 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.
If the touchscreen displays this
indicator at any time other than
displaying
briefly when you first start
Model 3, a brake system fault is
detected or the brake
fluid level is
low. Contact Tesla immediately.
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 beaware 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 automatically
applies full braking in situations where a
collision is considered imminent (see Automatic Emergency Braking on page 77).
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.
Brake Wear
Model 3 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.
Warning: Neglecting to replace worn
brake pads damages the braking system
and can result in a braking hazard.
Regenerative Braking
Whenever Model 3 is moving and your foot is
off the accelerator, regenerative braking slows
down Model 3 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 3 (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.
Warning: In snowy or icy conditions
Model 3 may experience traction loss
during regenerative braking, particularly
when in the Standard setting and/or not
using winter tires. Tesla recommends
Brakes
Driving49

Cleaning the ExteriorTo prevent damage to the paint, immediately
remove corrosive substances (bird droppings, tree resin, dead insects, tar spots, road salt,
industrial fallout, etc.). Do not wait until Model
3 is due for a complete wash. If necessary, use
denatured alcohol to remove tar spots and
stubborn grease stains, then immediately wash the area with water and a mild, non-detergent soap to remove the alcohol.
Follow these steps when washing the exterior
of Model 3:
1. Rinse Thoroughly
Before washing,
flush grime and grit from
the bodywork using a hose. Flush away
accumulations of mud in areas where
debris easily collects (such as wheel
arches and panel seams). If salt has been
used on the highways (such as during
winter months), thoroughly rinse all traces
of road salt from the underside of the vehicle.
2. Hand Wash
Hand wash Model 3 using a clean soft
cloth and cold or lukewarm water
containing a mild, high-quality car
shampoo.
3. Rinse with Clean Water
After washing, rinse with clean water to
prevent soap from drying on the surfaces.
4. Dry Thoroughly and Clean Exterior Glass
After washing and rinsing, dry thoroughly
with a chamois.
Clean windows and mirrors using an automotive glass cleaner. Do not scrape,
or use any abrasive cleaning
fluid on glass
or mirrored surfaces.
Cautions for Exterior CleaningCaution: Do not use windshield treatmentfluids. Doing so can interfere with wiper
friction and cause a chattering sound.Caution: Do not use hot water or
detergents.Caution: Do not wash in direct sunlight.Caution: If using a pressure washer,
maintain a distance of at least 12" (30 cm)
between the nozzle and the surface of
Model 3. Keep the nozzle moving and do not concentrate the water jet on any one
area.Caution: Do not aim water hoses directly
at window, door or hood seals, or through
wheel apertures onto brake components.Caution: Avoid using tight-napped or
rough cloths, such as washing mitts.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.
Using any other type of car wash could
cause damage that 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. These can damage the
finish on the wheels.
Caution: Avoid using a high pressure
power washer on the camera(s) or
parking sensors (if equipped) and do not
clean a sensor or camera lens with a
sharp or abrasive object that can scratch
or damage its surface.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
Maintenance119

Removing the Maintenance PanelTo check
fluid levels, remove the maintenance
panel:
1. Open the hood.
2. Pull the maintenance panel upward to
release the clips that hold it in place.
3. If checking the battery coolant, remove
the cabin intake trim panel by pulling it
upwards to release the clips that hold it in
place.
Caution: The maintenance panel protects
the front trunk from water. When re-
attaching, make sure it is fully seated.
Checking Battery Coolant
If the quantity of
fluid in the cooling system
drops below the recommended level, the
touchscreen displays a warning message. Stop
driving Model 3 as soon as safety permits and
contact Tesla.
Fluid Level Check
DO NOT REMOVE THE FILLER CAP AND DO
NOT ADD FLUID. Doing so can result in damage not covered by the warranty.
Do Not Top Up Battery Coolant
Warning: Battery coolant can be
hazardous and can irritate eyes and skin.
Under no circumstances should you
remove the
filler cap and/or add coolant.
If the touchscreen warns you that the
fluid level is low, contact Tesla
immediately.
To maximize the performance and life of the
Battery, the cooling system uses a specificmixture of G-48 ethylene-glycol coolant
(HOAT). Contact Tesla for more specificinformation about the coolant.
Checking Brake FluidWarning: Contact Tesla immediately if
you notice increased movement of the brake pedal or a
significant loss of brakefluid. Driving under these conditions can
result in extended stopping distances or complete brake failure.
The Brake indicator on the
touchscreen alerts you if the
quantity of
fluid in the brake
reservoir drops below the
recommended level. If it displays
while driving, stop as soon as safety
permits by gently applying the
brakes. Do not continue driving.
Contact Tesla immediately.
Topping Up the Brake Fluid
Do not top up your brake
fluid. The following
instructions are provided for information purposes and future reference only:
1. Clean the
filler cap before removing it to
prevent dirt from entering the reservoir.
2. Unscrew the cap and remove it.
3. Top up the reservoir to the MAX mark
using the appropriate brake
fluid.4. Replace the filler cap, ensuring it is fully
secured.
Warning: Only use new fluid from a
sealed air-tight container. Never use
previously used
fluid or fluid from a
previously opened container

AABS (Anti-lock Braking System) 49
absolute speed limit 79
access panel, removing 124accessoriesplugging into power socket 17
aero covers 115
air circulation 87
air conditioning 86
air distribution 87
air
filter 89
air vents 88
airbags 30
alarm 100
all-season tires 116
Always Show Estimated Round Trip Energy 97
ambient lights 45
anti-lock braking (ABS) 49
audioequalizer 90
immersive sound 90
playing
files 90
steering wheel scroll button 36
volume control 90
auto fold
38
Auto Lane Change 70
auto tilt 38
AUTO wipers 48
automatic emergency braking 77
Autopark 72
Autopilotautomatic emergency braking 76
Autopark 72
Autosteer 67
blind spot warning 74
collision avoidance assist 76
forward collision warning 76
overtake acceleration 61
overview 58
side collision warning 74
speed assist 79
speed limit warning 79
staying within speed limits 79
Traffic-Aware Cruise Control 61
Autopilot components 58
Autosteer 67
B backup camera 56
battery (12V)complete discharge 107specifications 136Battery (high voltage)care of 107
coolant 124
specifications 136
Battery (high voltage) (continued)temperature limits 107
blind spot warning 74
Bluetoothdevices, playing audio files from 92
general information 93
phone, pairing and using 93
body repairs 129
body touch up 120
brake
fluid replacement 112
brakesautomatic in emergencies 77fluid level 124
overview of 49
specifications 136
C
cabin camera 57
cabin temperature control 86
California Proposition 65 153
camera (rear view) 56
cameras (autopilot) 58
car cover 121
car washes 119
card 7
cargo area 12
cargo volume 135
carpets, cleaning 120
CE
certifications 155
CHAdeMO 106
chains 117
charge port 108
charge port light 109
chargingcharge settings 109
charging status 109
components and equipment 105
instructions 108
public charging stations 106
scheduling 109
charging locations, finding 96
child protectiondisabling rear window switches 11
child protection locks 10
child seatsinstalling and using 24
cleaning 119
climate controls 86
coat hangers 17
collision avoidance assist 76
console12V power socket 17
opening (premium package) 16
rear 17
USB ports 16contact informationroadside assistance 145
Index
158Model 3 Owner

contact information (continued)Tesla 154coolantBattery, checking level of 124
Battery, replacement interval 112
copyrights 151
cruise control 61
D
dashboard overview 2
data recording 152
data sharing 152
declarations of conformity 155
delivery mileage 153
devicesBluetooth, playing audio files 92
connecting 16
playing audio
files from 92
dimensions 134
dome (map) lights 45
door handles 9
door labels 131
doorsChild Lock 10
exterior door handles 9
interior locking and unlocking 10
keyless entry 9
locking 9
opening from exterior 9
opening from interior 9
Unlock on Park 10
unlocking 9
Walk Away Lock 10
Drive gear 41
driverprofiles 34
seat adjustment 18drivingseating position 18
starting 39
E
Easter Eggs 150
easy entry, driver
profile 34
EDR (event data recorder) 152
electric parking brake 50
emergency braking 76
emergency
flashers 47
emission label 130
energygained from regenerative braking 49
range information 42
energy use predictions (navigating) 97
event data recording 152
exteriorexterior (continued)car cover 121
cleaning 119
dimensions 134
lights 45
overview 3
polishing, touch up, & repair 120
F
fan speed, interior 87
favorite destinations 98
Favorites (Media Player) 91
Favorites (navigation) 95
FCC
certifications 155
features, downloading new 104
firmware (software) updates 104flash drives, playing audio files from 92flashers, warning 47floor mats 121
fluidsreplacement intervals 112
reservoirs, checking 124
fog lights 45
forward collision warning 76
front passenger detection 32
front trunk 14
G
garage doors, opening 101
gates, opening 101
GAWR 131
gears 41
glovebox 16
Gross Axle Weight Rating 131
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 131
ground clearance 134
GVWR 131
H hazard warning
flashers 47
head supports 19
headlightsafter exit 46
controlling 45
high beams 45
heating 86
high beam headlights 45
high voltageBattery specifications 136
components 105
safety 112
hills, stopping on 54
hitches 132
Index
Index159

Home location 98HomeLinkFCC certification 156
programming and using 101
hood 14
horn 37
hub caps 115
I
IC
certifications 155identification labels 130
interiorcleaning 120
dimensions 134
lights 45
overview 2
temperature control 86
Internet radio 91
J
J1772 106
jacking 126
jump starting 148
K
keyFCC and IC certifications 155
key card 7
keyless entry 9
keysdeleting phone authenticated phones 7
displaying a list of 7
overview 6
L
labelTire and Loading Information 131
vehicle certification 131
lane assist 74
lane change, automatic 70
lane departure warning 74
LATCH child seats, installing 26
lifting 126
lightshazard warning 47
headlights after exit 46
turn signals 46
load limits 131
location tracking 95
locking 9
lug nut covers 116
lumbar adjustment (premium)
18
Mmaintenancebrake fluid, checking 124
cleaning 119
daily and monthly checks 112
fluid replacement intervals 112
panel, removing 124
replacing wiper blades 122
service intervals 112
tires 113
washer
fluid, topping up 125
washer jets, cleaning 122
map orientation 95
map updates 98
mats 121
media 90
mileage upon delivery 153
mirrors 38
mobile app 7
Mobile Connectordescription 106
using 108
modifications 127
my car does what? 150
N naming 85
navigating 95
NCC
certifications 155
Neutral gear 41
NHTSA, contacting 154
O occupancy sensor 32
odometer 5
offset from speed limit 79
Online Routing 97
opening hood without power 148
overhang dimensions 134
overtake acceleration 61
Owner Information, about 151
P Park Assist 52
Park gear 41
parking brake 50
parking, automatic 72
parts replacement 127
passenger detection 32
Index
160Model 3 Owner