2023 Tesla Model 3 Keys User Information

Introduction

The Model 3 keys user manual is here to walk you through the astonishing features and functionalities of this exceptional car. It was designed with meticulous attention to detail. This manual contains all the knowledge you need to make the most of your driving experience, from creating customized driver profiles to utilizing Tesla’s advanced driver assistance technology, Autopilot, to its fullest potential. Explore the user-friendly touchscreen interface, voice controls, and over-the-air software upgrades that keep your Model 3 at the cutting edge of innovation to see how seamlessly technology is integrated into everyday life.

The 2023 Tesla Model 3 is prepared to change your expectations of what a car can be, whether you’re a tech enthusiast, an eco-conscious motorist, or simply looking for an unmatched driving experience. Prepare to unleash the future of transportation, where sustainable engineering meets intelligent design and driving turns into an exciting experience. The Tesla Model 3’s limitless potential is yours to explore with the help of this manual. Join me as we set out on this thrilling expedition.

Keys

Three Types of Keys
Model 3 supports three types of keys:

• Phone key – You can set up your personal phone as a “phone key” that communicates with Model 3 using Bluetooth. A phone key supports automatic locking and unlocking.
  Key card – Tesla provides a key card that communicates with Model 3 using short range radio-frequency identification (RFID) signals. The key card is used to “authenticate” phone keys to work with Model 3 and to add or remove other key cards, phone keys, or key fobs. Unlike the phone key and key fob, the key card does not support automatic locking and unlocking. In situations where your phone key has a dead battery, or is lost or stolen, use your key card to unlock, drive, and lock Model 3.
  Key fob – The key fob (if equipped) allows you to press buttons to open the front and rear trunks, and unlock, lock, and drive Model 3. The key fob also supports automatic locking and unlocking, if available in your region (see Passive Locking and Unlocking on page 12) and can be used as a backup to your phone key.

Model 3 supports a total of 19 keys, which can include phone keys, key cards, and up to four key fobs.

CAUTION:
Remember to bring a key with you when you drive. Although you can drive Model 3 away from its key, you will be unable to power it back on after it powers off.

Phone Key

Using your phone as a key is a convenient way to access your Model 3. As you approach, your phone’s Bluetooth signal is detected and the doors unlock when you pull 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 3, follow these steps to authenticate it:

1. Download the Tesla mobile app to your phone.
2. Log into the Tesla mobile app using your Tesla account username and password.
   NOTE: You must remain logged in to your Tesla account to use your phone to access Model 3.
   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.
3. Ensure:
   • Your phone’s general Bluetooth settings are enabled.
   • Bluetooth is enabled within your phone’s 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 turned on.
   • Access to your location is enabled. Open the Tesla mobile app in your phone’s settings and select Location > Always. For the best experience, keep the mobile app running in the background.
   • Allow Mobile Access is enabled on the vehicle touchscreen (Controls > Safety > Allow Mobile Access).
     NOTE: Model 3 communicates with your phone using Bluetooth. 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.
4. While sitting inside the vehicle with a key card handy, open the Tesla mobile app and touch Set Up Phone Key on the main screen, or navigate to Security > Set Up Phone Key. Follow the prompts on the mobile app and vehicle touchscreen to set up your phone key.

To view a list of keys that can currently access Model 3, or to remove a phone key, touch Controls, Model 3 can connect to three phone keys simultaneously. Therefore, if more than three phone keys are detected and you want to authenticate or pair a different phone, move the other connected phone key(s) out of range or turn off its Bluetooth setting.
Once a phone has been authenticated, it no longer requires an internet connection to be used as a phone key for Model 3. 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 Some smartphones with NFC capability can be used to lock/unlock your vehicle, just like using a key card. Ensure the Tesla mobile app is correctly paired to your vehicle and enable the NFC function on your phone. Once enabled, simply hold the phone to the driver’s side door pillar to lock or unlock the door. Refer to your smartphone’s instructions for specific information on how to do this.

Key Card
Tesla provides you with two Model 3 key cards, designed to fit in your wallet.

To use a key card to unlock or lock Model 3, position the card as shown and tap it against the card reader located just below the Autopilot camera on the driver’s side door pillar. When Model 3 detects the key card, the exterior lights flash, the mirrors unfold or fold (if Fold Mirrors is on), the horn sounds (if Lock Confirmation Sound is on), and the doors unlock or lock.

NOTE: You may need to physically touch the center console or driver’s side door pillar with the key card, and you may need to hold it against the transmitter for one or two seconds.

Once inside, power up Model 3 by pressing the brake pedal within two minutes of scanning the key card (see Starting and Powering Off on page 50). If you wait longer than two minutes, you must re-authenticate by placing the key card near the card reader located behind the cup holders on the center console. When your key card is detected, your two minute authentication period restarts.

NOTE:
If enabled, Walk-Away Door Lock (see Walk-Away Door Lock on page 15) operates only when you walk away using a phone key or passive key fob. When you walk away carrying your key card, Model 3 does not automatically unlock/lock.

CAUTION:
Always carry your key card with you in your purse or wallet to use as a backup in case your authenticated phone has a dead battery, or is lost or stolen.

Key Fob
If you have purchased the key fob accessory, you can quickly familiarize yourself with this key by thinking of it as a miniature version of Model 3, with the Tesla badge representing the front. The key has three buttons that feel like softer areas on the surface.

1. Front trunk – Double-click to unlatch the front trunk.
2. Lock/Unlock All – Single-click to lock doors and trunks (all doors and trunks must be closed). Double-click to unlock doors and trunks.
3. Rear trunk – Double-click to unlatch the rear trunk. Hold down for one to two seconds to open the charge port door.

Once inside, power up Model 3 by pressing the brake pedal within two minutes of pressing the unlock button on the key fob (see Starting and Powering Off on page 50). If you wait longer than two minutes, you must press the unlock button again, or place the key fob near the card reader located behind the cup holders on the center console. When your key fob is detected, the two minute authentication period restarts.
When approaching or leaving Model 3 carrying the key fob, you do not need to point the key fob at Model 3 as you press a button, but you must be within operating range.

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 (phones, laptops, etc.).
In the event that the key fob’s battery is dead, you can still use it to drive the vehicle by scanning the key fob on the card reader located on the driver’s side door pillar (like the key card).
Instructions for changing the battery are provided in Replacing the Key Fob Battery

NOTE: You can use the same key fob with multiple Model 3 vehicles provided you authenticate it (see Managing Keys on page 13). However, key fob works with only one Model 3 at a time. Therefore, to use a key fob for a different Model 3, touch its flat side against the card reader on the driver’s side door pillar.

NOTE:
Model 3 supports up to four different key fobs.

CAUTION:
Protect the key from impact, high temperatures, and damage from liquids. Avoid contact with solvents, waxes, and abrasive cleaners.

Passive Locking and Unlocking
Due to market region or vehicle configuration, passive locking and unlocking may not be available for your vehicle.
NOTE: Only key fobs with the TESLA logo printed on the flat side support the passive locking and unlocking feature. Key fobs with the MODEL 3 logo printed on the flat side cannot passively lock and unlock Model 3.
Locking and unlocking Model 3 with your key fob is conveniently hands-free. Although you must be carrying a paired key fob, there is no need to use it. Model 3 has sensors around the vehicle that can recognize the presence of a key fob within a range of approximately six feet (two meters). Therefore, you can keep your key fob in your pocket or purse and simply pull on the door handle to unlock. When carrying your key fob with you, you can also open the trunk without having to use the key by pressing the rear trunk’s exterior door handle. If Walk-Away Door Lock is enabled, Model 3 automatically locks when you exit and the key fob is no longer in range (see Walk-Away Door Lock on page 15). Passive locking and unlocking is automatically enabled when you pair your key fob to Model 3.
Although you can use the same key fob with multiple vehicles, it can only be paired to one vehicle at a time. To activate a paired key fob to a different vehicle, touch the flat side onto the driver’s side door pillar and click any button on the key fob to confirm.

NOTE: For increased security, passive locking and unlocking disables after being stationary for five minutes while within vehicle range when the vehicle is not in use (for example, you are standing outside your vehicle). In this situation, you must shake or press a button on the key fob to re-enable passive locking and unlocking.

Replacing the Key Fob Battery
Under normal use, the accessory key fob has a battery that lasts for up to one year, depending on key fob version and selected vehicle settings. When the battery is low, a message displays on the touchscreen.
To replace the key fob battery:

1. With the key fob placed button side down on a soft surface, release the bottom cover, using a small flat-bladed tool.
   
2. Remove the battery by lifting it away from the retaining clips.
   
3. While avoiding touching the battery’s flat surfaces, insert the new battery (type CR2032 ) with the ‘+’ side facing up.
   NOTE: Wipe the battery clean before fitting and avoid touching the battery’s flat surfaces. Finger marks on the flat surfaces of the battery can reduce battery life.
   NOTE: CR2032 batteries can be purchased from any retailer that sells batteries.
4. Holding the bottom cover at an angle, align the tabs on the cover with the corresponding slots on the key fob, then press the cover firmly onto the key fob until it snaps into place.
5. Test that the key fob works by unlocking and locking Model 3.

WARNING:
Key fob batteries contain a chemical burn hazard and should not be ingested. The key fob contains a coin cell battery. If the coin cell battery is swallowed, it can cause severe internal burns within two hours and can lead to death. Keep new and used batteries away from children. If the battery compartment does not close securely, stop using the product and keep it away from children. If you think batteries might have been swallowed or placed inside any part of the body, seek immediate medical attention.

Managing Keys
To display a list of all keys (phone keys, key cards, and key fobs) that can access your Model 3, touch Controls > Locks. An icon displays next to each key to indicate whether the key is a phone key, key card, or key fob. Use this list to manage keys that have access to your Model 3. To add or delete keys, see Adding and Removing Keys.
Model 3 supports up to 19 keys. When you reach this limit, you must delete a key before adding a new one.

NOTE:
You can use the same key for more than one Model 3. This prevents you from having to deal with multiple keys when you switch vehicles. If you customize the name of an authenticated key card or key fob on one Model 3 (by touching the pencil icon), any other Model 3 to which the key card or key fob is authenticated also displays the changed name.

Adding and Removing Keys
To add a new key card or key fob:

NOTE: When adding a key fob, ensure it is at room temperature. Pairing a key fob that is very cold can be unsuccessful.

1. On the touchscreen, touch Controls > Locks > Keys > Add Key.
2. Scan your new key card or key fob on the card reader located behind the cup holders on the top of the center console. After the new key card or key fob is recognized, remove it from the card reader.
3. Scan a key card or key fob that has already been paired to the vehicle to confirm new key pairing.
4. When complete, the key list includes the new key. Touch the associated pencil icon to customize the name of the key.

NOTE: Model 3 requires at least one authenticated key card or key fob at all times. If only one key card remains on the key list, you cannot delete it.

Using Exterior Door Handles

Use your thumb to push the wide part of the door handle. The handle pivots toward you, and you can open the door by pulling the handle or pulling the edge of the door.

The handle retracts automatically.

When a door or trunk is open, the touchscreen displays the Door Open indicator light.

NOTE: See Cold Weather Best Practices  ensure door handles function properly in cold weather.

WARNING: While using the door handle, take care to avoid allowing fingers, jewelry, acrylic nails, etc. from being pinched by the door or door handle mechanism. Failure to do so may result in damage or injury.

Opening Doors from the Interior
Model 3 doors are electrically powered. To open a door while sitting inside, press the button located at the top of the interior door handle and push the door open.

NOTE:
To prevent children from opening the rear doors, turn on child locks .
You can also use the touchscreen popup to open and close doors when inside Model 3 while the vehicle is in Park.
To open a front door in the unlikely situation when Model 3 has no power, pull up the manual door release located in front of the window switches.

NOTE: Only the front doors are equipped with a manual door release.

CAUTION: Manual door releases are designed to be used only in situations when Model 3 has no power. When Model 3 has power, use the button located at the top of the interior door handle.

Interior Locking and Unlocking
While sitting inside Model 3, you can lock and unlock all doors and trunks by touching the lock icon on the touchscreen.

The icon changes to indicate whether doors are locked or unlocked.

You can also unlock the doors by pressing the Park button on the end of the drive stalk a second time. Pressing this button once engages Park and pressing it again unlocks the doors.

Walk-Away Door Lock

Doors and trunks can automatically lock when you walk away carrying your phone key or paired key fob (if ordered after approximately October 1, 2019). To turn this feature on or off, touch Controls > Locks > Walk-Away Door Lock.
When the doors lock, the exterior lights flash once and the mirrors fold (if Fold Mirrors is on). To also hear a confirmation sound when Model 3 locks, touch Controls Locks > Lock Confirmation Sound.

Model 3 does not automatically lock if:

• You check the Exclude Home checkbox and Model 3 is parked at the location you have designated as Home. For details on how to designate a location as Home, see Home, Work, and Favorite Destinations
  A phone key or paired key fob is detected inside Model 3.
  A door or trunk is not fully closed.
  The phone key’s Bluetooth setting is turned off.
  A phone key remains within range for ten minutes or a key fob remains within range for five minutes after all doors have been closed.
  The driver does not use the driver door to get out of the vehicle.

NOTE: If Model 3 detects an authenticated key for five minutes after you exit the vehicle and close all doors, Walk-Away Lock disables and doors do not lock when you walk away. In this case, you must manually lock your vehicle until after your next drive.

NOTE: It is ultimately your responsibility to ensure your vehicle is locked, even when Walk-Away Door Lock is enabled.

Drive Away Locking

Model 3 automatically locks all doors (including the trunks) when your driving speed exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h)8 km/h.

Driver Door Unlock Mode

Enabling Controls > Locks > Driver Door Unlock Mode only unlocks the driver door when you first unlock Model 3. The driver door unlocks only if a key is present on the driver side of the vehicle and not the passenger side. To unlock the remaining doors, long press the button located at the top of the interior driver door handle, use the touchscreen, mobile app or press the key fob a second time.

Car Left Open Notifications

To receive a mobile notification if a door, trunk and/or window is left open or if Model 3 is left unlocked unexpectedly, touch Controls > Locks > Car Left Open Notifications.

Child Locks
Model 3 has child locks on the rear doors to prevent them from being opened using the interior release buttons. On the touchscreen, touch Controls > Locks > Child Lock. You can choose Both to engage the child lock on both rear doors, or you can choose Left or Right to engage it on just a specific door.

WARNING: It is recommended that you turn on child locks when children are seated in the rear seats.

Unlock on Park

When you stop Model 3 and engage Park, you can choose to unlock all doors. To turn this feature on or off, touch Controls > Locks > Unlock on Park.

NOTE: If set to OFF, you can unlock all doors by pressing the Park button a second time after engaging Park.

Opening and Closing

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure windows are closed after locking the vehicle.
Press down on a switch to lower the associated window. Window switches operate at two levels:

To lower a window fully, press the switch all the way down and immediately release.
To lower a window partially, press the switch gently and release when the window is where you want it.

• 

Similarly, pull a switch to raise the associated window:

To raise a window fully, pull the switch all the way up and immediately release.
To raise a window partially, pull the switch gently and release when the window is where you want it.

If a window is left open unintentionally, Model 3 can send a notification to the mobile app (touch Controls > Locks > Car Left Open Notification, then choose Doors & Windows).
You can also enable Close Windows on Lock by touching Controls > Locks > Close Windows on Lock. When enabled, your vehicle automatically closes the windows when Model 3 locks.

NOTE:
Information on preparing windows for cold weather.

• CAUTION: To avoid damage, windows automatically lower slightly when you open or close a door. If you manually raise a window when the door is open, ensure it is slightly lowered before closing the door.
•  
• WARNING: Before closing a window, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that all occupants, especially children, do not have any body parts extended through the window’s opening. Failure to do so can cause serious injury.

Locking Rear Windows
To prevent passengers from using the rear window switches, touch Controls > Locks > Window Lock. To unlock the rear windows, touch Window Lock again.

WARNING: To ensure safety, it is recommended that you lock the rear window switches whenever children are seated in the rear seats.

WARNING: Never leave children unattended in Model 3.

Calibrating Windows

In the unlikely event that a window behaves unexpectedly (touches the bright molding, fails to open or close properly, goes down more than normal when the door opens, etc.), you can calibrate it to potentially fix the issue.
To calibrate a window:

1. Close the door with the affected window.
2. Sit in the driver’s seat and close the driver door.
3. Using the window’s switch on the driver’s door, raise the affected window until it stalls.
4. Using the window’s switch on the driver’s door, lower the affected window until it stalls.
5. Repeat step 3 and raise the affected window until it stalls.

The window should now be calibrated. If the issue continues after attempting the calibration procedure a couple times, contact Tesla.

UV Index Rating
The roof, windshields, and windows in Model 3 are excellent at protecting you from UV (ultraviolet) rays. The glass components score less than 2 on the UV Index scale. Review your region’s UV Index specifications for more information. You are still responsible for taking the necessary precautions for sun protection.

Opening
To open the rear trunk, ensure Model 3 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.
  Touch the rear trunk button on the mobile app.
  Press the switch located under the rear trunk’s exterior handle (a valid key must be detected).
•  
• CAUTION: Before opening the rear trunk in an enclosed area (such as a garage), ensure the opening height of the rear trunk is properly adjusted to avoid low-hanging ceilings or objects
• Model 3 must be unlocked or detect a key before you can use the switch to open the rear trunk.
• When a door or trunk is open, the touchscreen displays the Door Open indicator light. The image of your Model 3 on the touchscreen also displays the open trunk.

Useful Links

View Full PDF : 2023 Tesla Model 3|Auto User Guide