Tesla Model 3: 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. 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 the premium package, rear seats are also equipped with seat heaters
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. Touch and hold the fan icon to quickly turn off climate control. If your vehicle is equipped with the premium 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 setting
5. Touch to warm up the rear window. When operating, the icon turns red. After 15 minutes, the rear window defroster automatically turns off. If equipped with the premium package, 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.

Note: The climate control system is powered by the high voltage battery. Therefore, prolonged use decreases driving range.

Adjusting Climate Control Settings

To override the Auto setting, touch the fan icon, turn off the Auto setting, then use the buttons that appear to manually adjust settings.

In addition to the settings shown, if Model 3 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

1. Touch AUTO to turn the Auto setting on or off.
2. Touch to turn the climate control system off
3. If equipped with the premium package, the climate control settings window has two tabs. The general settings tab displays by default and is represented by the fan icon. Touch the seat heater icon to access controls for both the front and rear seat heaters
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, air continues to flow to the windshield vents to assist in defogging. When air is directed to the face-level vents, air does not flow to the windshield.

6. Touch to turn air flow to the rear cabin area on or off. When on, air flows from the vents located at the back of the center console.
7. Touch to adjust air flow from the front passenger vent.
8. Touch to choose how air is drawn into Model 3. If on, air inside Model 3 is recirculated. If off, outside air is drawn into Model 3.
9. Touch + or - to increase or decrease the fan speed.

Note: Adjusting the fan speed may change the selected setting for how air is drawn into Model 3 in order to increase or reduce air flow

9. Touch to turn the air conditioning system on or off. Turning it off reduces cooling, but saves energy.

Note: Because Model 3 runs much quieter than a gasoline-powered vehicle, you may notice the sound of the air conditioning compressor as it is operating. To minimize noise, reduce the fan speed.

10. Touch to adjust air flow from the driver's vent.

Operating Seat Heaters

To control the front seat heaters for the driver and passenger, touch the corresponding control on the main climate control area at the bottom of the touchscreen. To control the rear seat heaters (if equipped) or access duplicate controls for the front seat heaters, touch the fan icon, then touch the seat heater icon followed by the seat for which you want to adjust heating. 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. You can touch All Off to turn off all seat heaters simultaneously.

Adjusting the Front Vents

Model 3 has a unique horizontal face-level vent that spans the width of the dashboard.

Using the touchscreen, you can pinpoint exactly where you want to direct the air flowing from this vent when heating or cooling the front cabin area.

1. Driver vent and controls
2. Passenger vent and controls

When the face-level vent is on you can adjust the direction of the air flow from each vent. To adjust the direction of the air flow, simply touch the radiating air waves from the corresponding vent on the touchscreen. The air flows in a single stream when centered or splits into mirrored air streams when air is directed outward or inward from the center of the vent.

Note: When you split a vent into two separate air flows, the air flow in each direction is not as strong as when all air is flowing in a single direction.

Note: Outside air is drawn into Model 3 through the grill in front of the windshield.

Keep the grill clear of obstructions, such as leaves and snow.

Adjusting the Rear Vents

Model 3 has vents located at the back of the center console where air flows from when the setting is turned on from the touchscreen. To direct the flow of air in the rear cabin area, adjust the vents at the rear of the center console up, down, or from side to side as necessary.

Keep Climate On, Dog Mode, and Camp Mode

The Keep Climate On, Dog, and Camp settings allow you to keep the climate control system running when in Park, even after you've left Model 3 or choose to stay inside the vehicle.

These settings are useful when it is important to maintain the cabin temperature in hot or cold weather conditions. For example, when leaving groceries in Model 3 on hot days, you may want to use Keep Climate On to prevent spoilage.

Dog mode keeps your pet comfortable while also displaying the current cabin temperature on the touchscreen so people nearby are informed that your pet does not need to be rescued.

Camp Mode allows you to power electronics through the USB ports and 12V outlet in addition to maintaining the cabin temperature.

The touchscreen remains on so you can play music, browse the internet, play games in the arcade, or watch shows in Tesla Theater. You can also control media and climate settings from a paired phone. Camp Mode is ideal for remaining inside your vehicle, such as camping or staying with a child.

Note: In Camp Mode, Sentry Mode and the vehicle alarm system are disabled.

To operate Keep Climate On, Dog Mode, or Camp Mode:

1. Engage the Park gear. The Keep Climate On, Dog, and Camp settings are available only when Model 3 is in Park.
2. If necessary, adjust the climate settings.
3. Touch the fan icon then touch Keep Climate On, Dog, or Camp.

Note: To initiate Keep Climate On, Dog Mode, or Camp Mode, the Battery's charge level must be at least 20%.

The climate control system maintains your climate settings until you shift out of Park or manually turn it off. If the Battery's charge level drops below 20%, the Tesla mobile app repeatedly starts sending you notifications reminding you to check on anything that you have left in Model 3.

The next time you drive Model 3, the climate control system continues operating using the previous climate settings from your most recent trip.

Note: Software updates cannot be performed when Keep Climate On, Dog Mode, or Camp Mode is active.

Note: The intrusion sensor (if equipped) automatically disables when Keep Climate On, Dog Mode, or Camp Mode is active. However, you can override this behavior and keep the intrusion sensor enabled. To do so, touch Controls > Safety & Security > Tilt/Intrusion after enabling Keep Climate On, Dog mode, or Camp mode. However, note that keeping the intrusion sensor enabled while Keep Climate On, Dog Mode, and Camp Mode is active can trigger an alarm event as a result of air movement inside the cabin.

Warning: You can adjust the climate control system remotely using the mobile app. However, if you use the mobile app to turn off the climate control system, Keep Climate On, Dog Mode, and Camp Mode stop operating.

Warning: Avoid using Keep Climate On, Dog Mode, or Camp Mode when the battery charge is low. When leaving a dog or pet in Model 3, you must ensure that you have your phone with you and that the Tesla mobile app is running. This allows you to proactively monitor the cabin temperature. To ensure the safety and comfort of anyone or anything in your vehicle, always make sure you have adequate cellular coverage to receive notifications and allow enough time to return to Model 3 should the climate control system stop operating-on hot days, the cabin temperature can become dangerously high within a few minutes.

Warning: Check local laws for any restrictions on leaving pets unattended in your vehicle.

Warning: Never leave a child unattended in your vehicle.

Cabin Air Filter

Model 3 has an air filter that prevents pollen, industrial fallout, road dust and other particles from entering through the vents. Tesla recommends replacing the cabin air filter every 2 years.

Cabin Overheat Protection

The climate control system can reduce the temperature of the cabin in extremely hot ambient conditions for a period of up to twelve hours after you exit Model 3. Touch Controls > Safety & Security > Cabin Overheat Protection and choose:

• OFF: Disable Cabin Overheat Protection.
• NO A/C: Only the fan operates when the cabin temperature exceeds 105Вє F (40Вє C).

  This option consumes less energy but the cabin temperature may exceed 105Вє F (40Вє C).

• ON: The air conditioning operates when the cabin temperature exceeds 105Вє F (40Вє C).

Note: Cabin Overheat Protection operates only when the energy remaining in the Battery is above 20%.

Warning: Never leave children or pets in the vehicle unattended. Due to automatic shut-off or extreme outside conditions, the inside of the vehicle can become dangerously hot, even when Cabin Overheat Protection is enabled.

Climate Control Operating Tips

• You can direct the face-level vents toward the windows to help defrost or defog them.
• 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.
• Your charge port latch may freeze in extremely cold weather or icy conditions.

  In cases where you cannot remove or insert the charge cable, or the car is not Supercharging due to the latch being frozen in place, use your Tesla mobile app to precondition your vehicle on HI for approximately 30-45 minutes (you must use your mobile app to precondition the vehicle; setting your climate to HI using the touchscreen is not effective). This helps thaw ice on the charge port latch so the charge cable can be removed or inserted.

• 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 3 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 grill 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 3 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%.