TESLA MODEL S 2020 User Guide

Opening and Closing
Keys and Doors
Keyless Locking and Unlocking Locking and unlocking Model S is convenient.
Although you must be carrying a valid key,
there is no need to use it. Model S has sensors around the driver

If Model S is unable to detect the key, the
touchscreen displays a message indicating that a key is not inside. Place the key where
Model S can best detect it, which is below the
12V power socket (see Key Not Inside on page
50).
Radio equipment on a similar frequency can
affect the key. If this happens, move the key at
least one foot (30 cm) away from other electronic devices (phone, laptop, etc). If the
key does not work, you may need to change
its battery. If the key

Using Exterior Door HandlesA light press on a door handle extends it,
provided Model S detects a valid key nearby
and Passive Entry is on ( Controls > Safety &
Security > Passive Entry ).
You can set the door handles to extend
automatically whenever you approach the
driver

Child-Protection Lock
Model S has child-protection locks on the rear
doors and liftgate to prevent them from being
opened using interior handles. Use the
touchscreen to turn child-protection locks on
or off. Touch Controls > Vehicle > Child-
Protection Lock .
Note: It is recommended that you turn child-
protection locks on whenever children are
seated in the rear seats.
Drive Away Locking
Model S automatically locks all doors
(including the trunks) whenever your driving
speed exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h).
Walk-Away Locking
Doors and trunks automatically lock whenever
you walk away carrying the key or if the key is
otherwise not detected by your vehicle (not
present, dead battery, etc.).
To turn this feature on or off, touch Controls >
Vehicle > Walk-Away Door Lock .
Note: Depending on date of manufacture and
options selected at time of purchase, some Model S vehicles are not equipped with the
Walk-Away Locking.
Note: If Model S detects an authenticated key
for five minutes after you exit the vehicle and
close all doors, Walk-Away Lock disables and will not lock when you leave with the key. You
will need to manually lock your vehicle until after your next drive.
Note: If all doors are closed and you use the
key to unlock Model S, walk away locking is temporarily suspended for one minute. If you
open a door within this minute, it does not re-
lock until after all the doors are closed and
you have walked away with the key.
Note: If your vehicle was unlocked using the
mobile app, it automatically locks after a short
period of time with all doors closed. If parking
in an area without cellular service, such as an
indoor parking garage, ensure that you have a
functional key fob readily available.Unlocking When the Key Doesn

Note: Unlocking Model S using this method
disables walk away locking. You must manually re-enable walk away locking afterreplacing the key

Windows
Opening and Closing
Press down on a switch to lower the
associated window. Window switches operate
at two levels:

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

Adjusting Liftgate Opening HeightIf Model S is equipped with a powered liftgate,
you can adjust its opening height to make it
easier to reach or to avoid low-hanging
ceilings or objects (for example, a garage door
or light):
1. Open the liftgate, then manually lower or
raise it to the desired opening height.
2. Press and hold the button on the
underside of the liftgate for two seconds
until you hear a confirmation chime.
3.Confirm that you have set it to the desired
height by closing the liftgate, then
reopening it.
Interior Release To open the rear trunk from inside a Model S
equipped with the Tesla Built-In Rear Facing
Child Seats, press the interior release switch located inside the rear trunk and push theliftgate up. If Model S is locked and is
equipped with a power liftgate, the first press
unlocks the rear trunk and the second press
opens it.
Note: If Model S is not equipped with the Tesla
Rear Facing Child Seats, the switch may
appear to exist, but it will be inactive and
pressing it does not release the liftgate.
If Model S is equipped with the power liftgate,
you do not need to push it up. When you
press the release switch, it opens, and when you pull the switch, it closes.
Note: The interior release switch is disabled if
child-protection locks are turned on (see
Child-Protection Lock on page 13), or if
Model S is moving.
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 S.Caution: Never load more than 175 lbs (80
kg) on the rear load

Warning: Do not allow children to play
inside the trunk or become locked inside.
An unrestrained child could suffer serious
injury or death in a crash. A child could
suffer heat exhaustion if trapped in the
vehicle, especially without climate control
on.
Rear Trunk
18Model S Owner

Front Trunk
Opening
To open the front trunk:
1. Ensure that the area around the hood is
free of obstacles.
2. Touch the associated OPEN button on the
touchscreen ( Controls > Quick Controls ),
double-click the front trunk button on the key, or touch the front trunk button on the
mobile app.
3. Pull the hood up.
When a door or trunk/liftgate is
open, the instrument panel displays
the Door Open indicator light. The
image of your Model S 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 S using either the
touchscreen or externally using the key or
mobile app, you leave Model S carrying your key (if Walk-Away Locking on page 13 is
turned on), or when Valet mode is active (see Valet Mode on page 43).
Closing
The Model S 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:
1. Lower the hood until the striker touches
the latches.
2. Place both hands on the front of the hood
in the areas shown (in green), then press
down firmly to engage the latches.
3.
Carefully try to lift the front edge of the
hood to ensure that it is fully closed.Caution: To prevent damage: