2021 Tesla Model X Owner’s Manual

The 2021 Tesla Model X is a great example of electric luxury and flexibility. It combines new technology, a beautiful design, and great performance in a seamless way. The Model X stands out with its unique falcon-wing doors and smooth shape, which improves aerodynamic efficiency. Underneath its stylish exterior is an advanced electric engine that gives the car thrilling acceleration and a long range, redefining what it means to drive without making pollution. Inside, the Model X is luxurious and comfortable, with a panoramic windshield, a cutting-edge infotainment system, and a first-of-its-kind automatic driving system. The 2021 Model X is a great example of the future of electric transportation. It is a great example of Tesla’s constant commitment to sustainable innovation, and it offers a great mix of luxury, performance, and environmental awareness on the road.

Climate Controls

Overview of Climate Controls
Climate controls are always available at the bottom of the touchscreen. To turn the climate control system on, touch the fan icon or adjust the cabin temperature. To turn it off, touch the fan icon and then touch the off button near the center of the popup window.
By default, climate control is set to the Auto setting, which maintains optimum comfort in all but the most severe weather conditions. When you adjust the cabin temperature in the Auto setting, the system automatically adjusts the heating, air conditioning, air distribution, and fan speed to maintain the cabin at your selected temperature. To override the Auto setting, touch the fan icon, turn off the Auto setting, then manually adjust your settings (see Adjusting Climate Control Settings on page 140). If you’ve manually adjusted individual settings, you can also revert back to Auto at any time by touching AUTO on the climate control popup window.
NOTE: The following illustration is provided for demonstration purposes only. Depending on vehicle options, software version, market region, and settings, the information displayed may be slightly different.

1. Seat heaters operate at three setting levels from 3 (highest) to 1 (lowest). When operating, the associated seat icon displays twisting lines that turn red to indicate the setting level. If equipped with ventilated seats, a popup appears that allows you to switch between heating and cooling. When cooling, the twisting lines turn blue. NOTE: If Model X is equipped with rear seat heaters and/or the optional subzero weather package, you can also control seat heaters in the rear seats, heated wipers, and heated steering wheel by touching the fan icon then touching the seat tab.
2. Touch an up or down arrow to change the cabin temperature. To apply a temperature setting to both the driver and passenger side, touch SYNC on the popup that appears when you touch an arrow. When you apply the same temperature to both sides, only one temperature setting displays. Touch SYNC again to display separate temperature settings for the driver and passenger.
3. Touch the fan icon to turn on climate control and to manually customize settings to suit your preferences (see Adjusting Climate Control Settings on page 140). Touch and hold the fan icon to quickly turn off climate control. If your vehicle is equipped with the optional cold weather package, touch this icon to access controls for the rear seat heaters.
4. The windshield defroster distributes air flow to the windshield. Touch once to defog the windshield (the icon turns blue). Touch a second time to defrost the windshield (the icon turns red and the heating and fan operate at maximum levels). Touch a third time to turn off and restore the air distribution, heating, and fan to their previous settings. See Cold Weather Best Practices on page 92 for more information on preparing for cold weather.
5. Touch to warm up the rear window. When operating, the icon turns red. After 15 minutes, the rear window defroster automatically turns off. The exterior side mirrors are also heated whenever the rear window defroster is operating.
   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.

Adjusting Climate Control Settings

To adjust individual settings to suit your preferences, touch the fan icon at the bottom of the touchscreen to access individual climate control settings.

If Model X is equipped with six or seven seats, a rear climate controls bar also appears immediately below the above window. See Rear Cabin Climate Controls (6 and 7 seat vehicles only) on page 141.
In addition to the settings shown, if Model X is in Park, the Keep Climate On, Dog Mode, and Camp Mode setting displays when you touch the fan icon when the vehicle is in Park (see Keep Climate On, Dog Mode, and Camp Mode on page 142).

1. Adjust the speed of the fan.
   NOTE: Adjusting the fan speed may change your setting for how air is drawn into Model X in order to decrease or increase airflow. For example, if you set the fan speed at the highest setting when the air circulation is set to draw in outside air, the setting may switch to recirculating the air to achieve the high air flow.
2. Touch to turn off the climate control system and close the climate controls popup window.
   NOTE: The popup window also closes if you touch the map, choose Media Player or an app, or display a controls window, even if the climate control system is turned on.
3. Turn the air conditioning on and off, respectively. Turning it off reduces cooling, but saves energy.
4. Choose where air flows into the cabin (windshield, face-level, or foot-level vents). You can choose more than one location.
   NOTE: When air is directed to the foot-level vents, approximately one third of the air continues to flow to the windshield vents to assist in defogging. However, when air is directed to the face-level vents, air does not flo w to the windshield because the air flowing through the face-level vents can assist in defogging the windshield.
5. Choose how air is drawn into Model X:
   • Outside air is drawn into Model X.
   • Air inside Model X is recirculated. This prevents outside air (traffic fumes) from entering, but reduces dehumidifying performance. Recirculating the air is the most efficient way to cool the front cabin area. To prevent the windshield from fogging in some conditions, briefly change the setting every hour to draw in outside air.
6. If your Model X is equipped with the medical-grade HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, this filt er ensures the best quality air inside the cabin whenever the climate control system is on and outside air is entering the cabin (recirculate is off). The HEPA filt er is extremely effective at removing particles, including pollution, allergens, bacteria, pollen, mold spores, and viruses. Both the HEPA filter and the secondary filtration system also contain activated carbon to remove a broad spectrum of odors and gases. When you engage Bioweapon Defense Mode, the positive pressure inside the cabin minimizes the amount of outside air that can enter the vehicle.
   NOTE: Some gases, such as carbon monoxide, are not effectively removed by activated carbon.
7. When Model X is in Park, touch SCHEDULE to set a recurring daily time when you want Model X to be ready to drive by charging during off-peak hours and preconditioning the Battery and cabin climate (see Scheduled Charging and Scheduled Departure on page 175).
8. Touch AUTO to change all settings on the currently displayed tab back to their default values. The icon is blue whenever the climate control system is set to AUTO.
   NOTE: Because Model X runs much quieter than a gasoline-powered vehicle, you may notice the sound of the A/C compressor as it is operating. To minimize noise, reduce the fan speed.

Rear Cabin Climate Controls (6 and 7 seat vehicles only)

1. Touch the power button to turn the rear climate controls on or off.
2. Touch AUTO to change all settings back to their default values.
   NOTE: To save energy when set to AUTO, the rear heating and air conditioning turn off when Model X detects that there are no occupants in the second or third row seats. To override this energy-saving feature and save the settings until you manually change them, touch the AUTO button a second time.
3. Touch + or – to set the speed of the fan.
4. Touch the arrows to adjust the temperature.

Climate Control Operating Tips

• When you use the mobile app to turn on the climate control system, it automatically turns off after four hours or if the charge level drops to 20%. To cool or heat the cabin for a longer period, you must turn it on again.
• To conserve energy, turn on Range Mode (if equipped) to limit the power of the climate control system (touch Controls > Driving > Range Mode). Cabin heating and cooling may be less effective, but you can use seat heaters to provide warmth in colder climates.
• If the climate control system is louder than you prefer, manually reduce the fan speed.
• In addition to cooling the interior, the air conditioning compressor also cools the Battery. Therefore, in hot weather, the air conditioning compressor can turn on even if you turned it off. This is normal because the system’s priority is to cool the Battery to ensure it stays within an optimum temperature range to support longevity and optimum performance.
• Even when not in use, you may hear Model X emit a whining noise or the sound of water circulating. These sounds are normal and occur when the internal cooling systems turn on to support various vehicle functions, such as maintaining the 12V battery and balancing the temperature of the high voltage Battery.
• To ensure the climate control system operates efficiently, close all windows and ensure that the exterior grille in front of the windshield is free of ice, snow, leaves, and other debris.
• In very humid conditions, it is normal for the windshield to fog slightly when you first turn on the air conditioning.
• It is normal for a small pool of water to form under Model X when parked. Extra water produced by the dehumidifying process is drained underneath.
• To reduce the temperature in the cabin in hot weather conditions, the fan may turn on to vent the cabin when the vehicle is parked. This occurs only if the battery’s charge level is above 20%.

FAQ