2023 Tesla Model 3 Owner’s Manual

The much-anticipated 2023 Tesla Model 3 has finally made its big debut, setting new standards for electric transport and car innovation. The Model 3 continues Tesla’s history of pushing the limits of the electric car market by combining cutting-edge technology, a sleek design, and top-notch performance. The Model 3 is appealing to both the eyes and the senses with its sleek design, agile shape, and simple interior. Underneath its beautiful exterior is a high-tech electric motor that helps the car move into the future with amazing speed and a long range. Better self-driving features and a full suite of communication features take the driving experience to a new level and set a new standard for green transportation. The 2023 Tesla Model 3 is more than just a car; it’s a statement about Tesla’s unwavering determination to change how we think about and interact with cars, leading to a cleaner and more efficient automotive landscape.

Interior Overview

 

1. Door open button (Opening Doors from the Interior on page 14)
2. Turn signal stalk (High Beam Headlights on page 54), Turn Signals on page 54, and Windshield Washers on page 59)
3. Horn (Horn on page 48)
4. Drive stalk (How to Shift on page 51, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control on page 80, Autosteer on page 85)
5. Touchscreen (Touchscreen Overview on page 5)
6. Driver dome light (Lights on page 53)
   7. Cabin camera (Cabin Camera on page 115)
   8. Hazard warning flashers (Hazard Warning Flashers on page 55)
7. Passenger dome light (Lights on page 53)
8. Climate control vent (see Climate Controls on page 116)
9. Power window switches (Windows on page 16)
10. Manual door release (Opening Doors from the Interior on page 14)
11. Left scroll button (Scroll Buttons on page 47)
12. Brake pedal (Braking and Stopping on page 60)
13. Accelerator pedal (Regenerative Braking on page 61)
14. Right scroll button (Scroll Buttons on page 47)
15. Center console (Interior Storage and Electronics on page 22)
16. Glovebox (Glovebox on page 22)

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; see Walk-Away Door Lock on page 15).
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 > Locks (see Managing Keys on page 13).
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 (see Pairing a Bluetooth Phone on page 122).
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.

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 on page 12.
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.

FAQ