Model 3 (2024 and newer): Keys, Doors & Storage

1) We install the Tesla app, log in and stay logged in. 2) We turn on Bluetooth for the phone and the app, set the app's location access to Always and turn on Controls > Safety > Allow Mobile Access. 3) Inside or near the car, we touch Set Up Phone Key in the app and follow the prompts. Tesla warns that a paired phone left inside works like keys left in an unlocked car.

To lock or unlock, we tap the key card on the reader about one-third of the way up the driver's door pillar, holding it there for one to two seconds if needed. To drive, we press the brake pedal within two minutes. If we wait longer, we scan the card on the reader in the center console wireless charger, which restarts the two-minute window. Tesla advises always carrying it as a backup to the phone key.

The key fob is an optional accessory for Model 3. Double-clicking the front trunk button unlatches the frunk. The Lock/Unlock All button locks with one click, once all doors and trunks are closed, and unlocks with a double click. Double-clicking the rear trunk button unlatches the trunk, and holding it for one to two seconds opens the charge port door. After unlocking, we press the brake pedal within two minutes to drive.

The key fob uses a CR2032 coin battery lasting up to about a year. 1) Place the fob button-side down on a soft surface. 2) Pry off the bottom cover with a small flat-bladed tool. 3) Lift out the old battery. 4) Insert the new one plus side up, without touching its flat faces. 5) Snap the cover on and test it. Tesla warns a swallowed coin battery can cause severe internal burns, so we keep them away from children.

To add a key card or key fob: 1) Touch Controls > Locks > Keys > Add Key. 2) Scan the new key on the reader on either wireless charger. 3) Scan a key already paired to confirm. To remove a key, we touch the trash icon next to it in Controls > Locks and scan an authenticated key card or fob. Model 3 stores up to 19 keys, and the last key card cannot be deleted.

With Controls > Locks > Phone Left Behind Detection on, Model 3 chimes and shows a graphic on the touchscreen if our phone is still inside after everyone exits and the doors close. It needs a phone with Ultra-Wideband support and Nearby Interactions allowed for the Tesla app; an existing phone key may need Phone Key > Upgrade in the app. Tesla warns not to rely on it, since it may miss phones away from the center console.

With Controls > Locks > Walk-Away Door Lock on, Model 3 locks the doors and trunks when we walk away carrying a phone key or paired key fob. It does not lock if a key is still inside, a door or trunk is open, the phone's Bluetooth is off or the driver left by another door. Exclude Home skips our Home location. Tesla says we are still responsible for checking the car is locked.

We turn on Controls > Locks > Unlock on Park. With it on, all doors unlock when we stop and shift into Park. Model 3 also locks all doors and trunks by itself once we drive above 5 mph (8 km/h). We can lock or unlock everything at any time with the lock icon on the touchscreen.

We touch Controls > Locks > Child Lock and choose Both, Left or Right, depending on which rear door we want to lock. Child locks disable the interior release buttons on the rear doors only, so the front doors still open from inside as usual. Tesla warns to turn on child locks whenever children ride in the rear seats.

With Controls > Locks > Driver Door Unlock Mode on, only the driver door unlocks the first time we unlock, as long as the key is on the driver side and not the passenger side. To unlock the other doors, we long-press the button on the interior driver door handle, use the touchscreen or the Tesla app, or press the key fob a second time.

We turn on Controls > Locks > Car Left Open Notifications. Our phone then gets an alert if a door, trunk or window is left open, or if the car is unexpectedly left unlocked. For an audible signal each time the car locks, we can also turn on Controls > Locks > Lock Confirmation Sound.

If a window touches the trim, will not open or close, or drops too far when a door opens, we recalibrate it with the driver's door switch: 1) Close the door of that window. 2) Sit in the driver's seat and close the driver's door. 3) Raise the window until it stalls. 4) Lower it until it stalls. 5) Raise it again until it stalls. If the problem returns after a couple of tries, we contact Tesla.

We touch Controls > Locks > Window Lock to disable the rear window switches, so rear passengers cannot open or close their windows. Touching Window Lock again unlocks them. Tesla recommends locking the rear window switches whenever children are in the rear seats, warns us to check that no one has a hand or head out of a window before closing it, and warns never to leave children unattended in the car.

On cars with a powered trunk: 1) Stop the trunk at the height we want by pausing it on the touchscreen, or move it there by hand. 2) Save it by following the touchscreen prompts, or hold the button on the underside of the trunk until a chime sounds. Controls > Service > Remove Saved Locations resets it. Tesla notes the trunk can open up to about 6.5 ft (2 m), so we set it lower for garages.

Tesla lists two limits for the rear trunk: 88 lb (40 kg) in the lower compartment and 198 lb (90 kg) on the upper level, above the lower compartment cover. Tesla cautions that exceeding them can cause damage. We spread cargo as evenly as we can between the front and rear trunks and keep the total load, including passengers, within the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

With our phone key in a front pocket, we walk up to the rear trunk and stand still; Model 3 chimes and opens it, and stepping away cancels. It needs a phone with Ultra-Wideband support, a recent Tesla app with Nearby Interactions allowed, and Controls > Locks > Hands-Free Trunk turned on; Exclude Home disables it at our saved Home. Tesla cautions not to leave the phone in the trunk, as it may open by itself.

It is an illuminated mechanical button inside the rear trunk that glows for several hours after brief exposure to light. To use it: 1) Press and hold the button in the direction of the arrow to release the latch. 2) While holding it, push the trunk open. It works without electrical power. Tesla warns never to let children play in or get locked in the trunk, which can cause serious injury, heat exhaustion or death.

With Model 3 in Park, we open the frunk from the touchscreen, the Tesla app or a double-click on the key fob, then lift the hood. To close it: 1) Lower the hood until the striker touches the latches. 2) Press down firmly with both hands on the green areas beside the center front edge. 3) Try to lift the edge to check it latched. Tesla says not to close it one-handed or slam it.

Tesla lists a maximum front trunk load of 110 lbs (50 kg). We spread cargo between the front and rear trunks and keep the total load within the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Before driving, we check the hood is fully latched; if the frunk is open when we shift out of Park, the touchscreen asks us to confirm and speed is limited. Tesla cautions never to leave the phone key in the frunk.

Yes. There is an illuminated button inside the front trunk that glows after brief exposure to ambient light. Pressing it unlatches the hood, and then we push the hood up to open it. Tesla warns never to let anyone climb into the front trunk, never to close it with someone inside, and to keep stored items from bumping the release button, which could open the hood unexpectedly.

The center console has a main compartment, opened by squeezing the latch under its front lip, a front compartment with a sliding cover, and cup holders. The rear console in the second-row seatback folds down for rear cup holders or an armrest. We open the glovebox with Controls > Glovebox and can protect it with a 4-digit PIN. A coat hanger sits above each rear window. Tesla says to keep the glovebox closed while driving.