Tesla Model 3: Charging Instructions

Opening the Charge Port

The charge port is located on the left side of Model 3, behind a door that is part of the rear tail light assembly. Before charging, park Model 3 to ensure that the charge cable easily reaches the charge port.

With Model 3 unlocked (or an authenticated phone is within range) and in Park, press and release the button on the Tesla charge cable to open the charge port door.

You can also open the charge port door using any of these methods:

• On the touchscreen, use the app launcher to open the Charging app, then touch Open Charge Port.
• On the car status on the touchscreen, touch the charging icon.
• On the "Cards" area on the touchscreen, touch the charging icon, then press OPEN CHARGE PORT.
• Press the bottom of the charge port door when Model 3 is unlocked or an authenticated phone is nearby.
• On the key fob accessory (sold separately), hold down the rear trunk button for 1-2 seconds.

Note: The following image is provided for demonstration purposes only. Depending on market region, your charge port may be slightly different.

Note: The Tesla "T" lights up white when you open the charge port door. If you do not insert a charge cable into the charge port within a few minutes after opening the charge port door, the charge port door closes. If this happens, use the touchscreen to open the charge port door again

Caution: Do not try to force the charge port door open.

Plugging In

If desired, use the touchscreen to change the charge limit and the charging current

To charge at a public charging station, plug the appropriate adapter into the vehicle's charging port, and then connect the station's charging connector to the adapter. The most commonly used adapter(s) for each market region are provided. Depending on the charging equipment you are using, you may need to start and stop charging using a control on the charging equipment.

If you are using the Mobile Connector, plug it into the power outlet before plugging it into Model 3.

Align the connector to the charge port and insert fully. When the connector is properly inserted, charging begins automatically after Model 3:

• Engages a latch that holds the connector in place;
• Shifts into Park (if it was in any other gear);
• Heats or cools the Battery, if needed. If the Battery requires heating or cooling, you may notice a delay before charging begins.

Note: Whenever Model 3 is plugged in but not actively charging, it draws energy from the wall outlet instead of using energy stored in the Battery. For example, if you are sitting in Model 3 and using the touchscreen while parked and plugged in, Model 3 draws energy from the wall outlet instead of the Battery.

Caution: The connector end of the charge cable can damage the paint if dropped onto the vehicle.

During Charging

During charging, the charge port light (the Tesla "T" logo) pulses green, and the touchscreen displays the charging status. The frequency at which the charge port light pulses slows down as the charge level approaches full. When charging is complete, the light stops pulsing and is solid green.

Note: If Model 3 is locked, the charge port light does not light up.

If the charge port light turns red while charging, a fault is detected. Check the touchscreen for a message describing the fault. A fault can occur due to something as common as a power outage. If a power outage occurs, charging resumes automatically when power is restored.

Note: When charging, particularly at high currents, the refrigerant compressor and fan operate as needed to keep the Battery cool.

Therefore, it is normal to hear sounds during charging.

Note: Air conditioning performance is generally not affected by charging. However, under certain circumstances (for example, you are charging at high currents during a particularly warm day), the air coming from the vents may not be as cool as expected and a message displays on the touchscreen. This is normal behavior and ensures that the Battery stays within an optimum temperature range while charging to support longevity and optimum performance.

Warning: Never spray liquid at a high velocity (for example, if using a pressure washer) towards the charge port while charging. Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious injury or damage to the vehicle, charging equipment, or property.

Stopping Charging

Stop charging at any time by disconnecting the charge cable or touching Stop Charging on the touchscreen.

Note: To prevent unauthorized unplugging of the charge cable, the charge cable latch remains locked and Model 3 must be unlocked or able to recognize your authenticated phone before you can disconnect the charge cable.

However, in cold ambient temperatures below 41Вє F (5Вє C), the charge port remains unlocked whenever the vehicle is not charging, even when Model 3 is locked.

To disconnect the charge cable:

1. Press and hold the button on the connector handle to release the latch.

   Alternatively, unlock the vehicle by opening a door, using a key card or key fob, or touching Stop Charging on the touchscreen. These methods unlock the charge port as well.

2. Pull the connector from the charge port.

Note: The charge port automatically closes within approximately 10 seconds of removing the connector from the charge port.

Caution: Tesla strongly recommends leaving Model 3 plugged in when not in use. This maintains the Battery at the optimum level of charge.

Manually Releasing Charge Cable

If the usual methods for releasing a charge cable from the charge port (using the charge handle release button, touchscreen, or mobile app) do not work, carefully follow these steps:

1. Ensure that Model 3 is not actively charging by displaying the charging screen on the touchscreen. If necessary, touch Stop Charging.
2.  Open the rear trunk.
3. Pull the charge port's release cable downwards to unlatch the charge cable.

Note: The release cable may be recessed within the opening of the trim.

4. Pull the charge cable from the charge port.

Caution: The release cable is designed for use only in situations where the charge cable cannot be released from the charge port using the usual methods. Continuous use may result in damage to the release cable or charging equipment.

Warning: Do not perform this procedure while your vehicle is charging or if any orange high voltage conductors are exposed. Failure to follow these instructions can result in electric shock and serious injury or damage to the vehicle. If you have any uncertainty as to how to safely perform this procedure, contact your closest Service Center.

Warning: Do not attempt to remove the charge cable while simultaneously pulling the release cable. Always pull the release cable before attempting to remove the charge cable from the charge port.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in electric shock and serious injury.

Charge Port Light

• WHITE: The charge port door is open.

  Model 3 is ready to charge and the connector is not inserted, or the charge port latch is unlocked and the connector is ready to be removed.

Note: In cold ambient temperatures below 41Вє F (5Вє C), the charge port remains unlocked whenever the vehicle is not charging. In these situations, the charge port light is white.

• BLUE: Model 3 detects that a connector has been plugged in.
• BLINKING BLUE: Model 3 is communicating with the connector. Either Model 3 is preparing to charge, or a charging session is scheduled to begin at a specified future time.
•  BLINKING GREEN: Charging is in progress.

  As Model 3 approaches a full charge, the frequency of the blinking slows.

• SOLID GREEN: Charging is complete.
• SOLID AMBER: The connector is not fully plugged in. Realign the connector to the charge port and insert fully.
• BLINKING AMBER: Model 3 is charging at a reduced current (AC charging only).
• RED: A fault is detected and charging has stopped. Check the touchscreen for a fault message.

Charging Status and Settings

The charging screen displays on the touchscreen whenever the charge port door is open. To display the charging screen at any time:

Touch the charging icon on the
"Cards" area on the touchscreen.

The charging screen displays a representative image of the status of the Battery and information about your charging session including:

• Charging rate (in kilowatt hours, miles per hour, or kilometers per hour, depending on your display setting).
• Added energy or estimated increase in driving distance achieved so far in this charging session (in kilowatt hours, miles per hour, or kilometers per hour, depending on your display setting).
• Current supplied/available from the connected power supply.
• Voltage supplied by the charge cable.

Note: To change how energy units are displayed, touch Controls > Display > Energy Display.

Note: The following illustration is provided for demonstration purposes only and may vary slightly depending on software version and market region.

1. Charge status messages (such as Charging, Charging Scheduled) display here. While charging, the estimated time remaining to achieve your set limit is also displayed.
2. Adjust the charge limit by touching Set Limit, and drag the arrow to move the charge limit setting. The setting you choose applies to immediate and scheduled charging sessions.
3. The current automatically sets to the maximum current available from the attached charge cable, unless it was previously reduced to a lower level. If needed, touch - or + to change the current (for example, you may want to reduce the current if you are concerned about overloading a domestic wiring circuit shared by other equipment). It is not possible to set the charging current to a level that exceeds the maximum available from the attached charge cable. When you change the current, Model 3 remembers the location. If you charge at the same location, you do not need to change it again.

Note: If Model 3 is charging and detects unexpected fluctuations in input power, the charging current is automatically reduced by 25%. For example, a 40 amp current is reduced to 30 amps. This automatic current reduction increases robustness and safety in situations when an external problem exists (for example, a home wiring system, receptacle, adapter or cord is unable to meet its rated current capacity). As a precaution, when Model 3 automatically reduces current, it saves the reduced current at the charging location.

Although you can manually increase it, Tesla recommends charging at the lower current until the underlying problem is resolved and the charging location can provide consistent power.

4. Touch to open the charge port door or to start (or stop) charging.
5. Displays the total estimated driving distance or energy percentage (depending on your display setting) available.
6. Shows if the charge cable is locked in the charge port or not. If Model 3 is not charging, you can touch the lock icon to unlock the charge cable from the charge port.

Note: In cold ambient temperatures below 41Вє F (5Вє C), the charge cable remains unlocked whenever the vehicle is not charging.

7. Charging rate, estimated increase in driving distance (or energy) achieved so far in this charging session, current supplied/available from the connected power supply, and voltage supplied by the charge cable.
8. Set a recurring charging schedule for the location

Note: If charging at a Tesla Supercharger, the charging screen also displays information about your previous or current Supercharger session

Note: To reduce congestion at high-usage supercharger sites, you may be automatically limited to a maximum charge of 80% when not using Trip Planner. You can manually increase the limit by tapping "Set Limit" on the touchscreen or mobile app.

Scheduled Charging and Scheduled Departure

There are two ways in which you can schedule your vehicle's charging:

• Scheduled Charging: When you set a scheduled charging time, Model 3 displays the set time to begin charging when you are parked at the scheduled location. If, at the scheduled time, Model 3 is not plugged in at the location, charging starts as soon as you plug it in, provided you plug it in within six hours of the scheduled time. If plugged in after six hours, charging does not start until the scheduled time on the next day. To override this setting, touch Start Charging or Stop Charging.
• Scheduled Departure: For any location, such as Home, you can simply plug in Model 3 and select a time for when you want your vehicle to be ready to drive.

  Once your specified time is set, Model 3 prepares itself by determining the best time to start charging to optimize energy costs, Battery longevity, and ensure charging completes in time for your drive.

  Your vehicle also preconditions the cabin to a comfortable temperature and warms the Battery. To set up a scheduled departure time, go to Charging > Scheduled Departure > Schedule and follow the onscreen instructions to customize your schedule.

Scheduled Charging is best used to determine when your vehicle should start charging; Scheduled Departure is best used to determine when charging should complete for your drive.

Note: Your vehicle aims to finish charging before 6am (end of off-peak hours). If given sufficient time to charge, charging may stop at 6am, even if your scheduled departure is later.

The vehicle warms the Battery and preconditions the cabin shortly before your scheduled departure time. If the vehicle does not have enough time to complete charging before 6am, it will continue to charge until it reaches the target Battery percentage.

Note: If your vehicle is not plugged into a charger, Scheduled departure will not precondition the cabin or battery.

Supercharger Usage Fees and Idle Fees

When charging using a Tesla supercharger, SUPERCHARGING information displays at the bottom of the charging screen. This information includes the location, the time that charging started, and an estimate of how much the session will cost. When you stop supercharging, the estimated cost of that session displays until a new supercharging session begins.

Note: Estimated pricing is displayed for your convenience only and may not reflect the actual final price you will be charged for that supercharging session. Final pricing for supercharging sessions can be found in your Tesla Account.

When charging at a Tesla supercharger, you are subject to idle fees. Idle fees are designed to encourage drivers to move their vehicle from the Supercharger when charging is complete. Idle fees are in effect only when half or more of the Superchargers at a site are occupied. The Tesla mobile app notifies you when charging nears completion, and again when charging is complete. Additional notifications are sent if idle fees are incurred.

Idle fees are waived if you move your vehicle within five minutes of charging completion.

Log into your Tesla Account to view fees and details about Supercharger sessions, set up a payment method, and make payments. Once a payment method is saved, fees are automatically paid from your account.