Model 3 (2024 and newer): Maintenance & Cleaning

Tesla recommends genuine Tesla floor mats to protect the carpet and make cleaning easier. We clean them regularly, check that they stay secured and replace them when they are badly worn. Tesla warns that the driver's mat must be secured so it cannot interfere with the pedals, that we should never stack a second mat on top of it, and that mats must sit directly on the carpet, not on another mat or covering.

With the car stationary and not charging, we touch Controls > Service > Car Wash Mode. It closes all windows, locks the charge port and disables the wipers, Sentry Mode, walk-away locking and parking sensor chimes. For an automatic wash, we press the brake and touch Enable Free Roll, or shift into Neutral. It ends above 9 mph (15 km/h) or when we touch Exit. Tesla cautions that skipping it can damage the charge port or wipers.

We 1) rinse off grit with a hose, including the wheel wells and, after winter, road salt underneath, 2) wash with a soft cloth, cold or lukewarm water and a mild car shampoo, 3) rinse well before soap dries, 4) dry with a chamois. Tesla allows touchless automatic washes only, wants pressure washers kept at least 12 in (30 cm) away, and warns against hot water, detergents, solvents, wheel cleaners, direct sun and spraying the charge port while charging.

We touch Controls > Display > Screen Clean Mode, which dims the screen so dust and smudges are easier to see and stops touches from working. We wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth made for displays, then press and hold HOLD TO EXIT. Tesla says not to use glass cleaner, alcohol-based gels such as hand sanitizer, wet wipes or dry, static-prone cloths, and cautions that static charge can damage the touchscreen.

We spray water on each exterior camera lens and dry it with a microfiber cloth: weekly in snow, rain or sleet, and monthly in dry weather. If equipped, the front camera sprayer runs from the spray icon in the Camera app. The inside of the windshield at the front camera needs periodic cleaning; Controls > Service > Maintenance shows when, and we book it in the Tesla app. Tesla cautions against chemical or abrasive cleaners and sharp objects.

Tesla recommends a genuine Tesla car cover, sold through the Tesla Shop, to protect the car when it is not in use. Tesla cautions that when the car is plugged in, we should use only a Tesla-approved cover, because other covers can stop the battery from cooling properly while charging. So with any other cover, we take it off before we plug in to charge.

The driver's side blade is 26 in (650 mm) and the passenger's side 19 in (475 mm); we fit only identical blades, at least yearly. We 1) shift into Park and turn the wipers off, 2) touch Controls > Service > Wiper Service Mode, 3) lift the arm slightly over a towel, 4) press the locking tab and slide the blade off, 5) slide the new one on until it clicks. Tesla warns an unlocked blade can detach.

The washer fluid reservoir is behind the front trunk and holds 3.2 L (about 0.85 US gal). We 1) open the hood, 2) clean around the filler cap and open it, 3) fill to just below the filler neck, 4) wipe up spills, rinse with water and refit the cap. Tesla recommends its own washer fluid, with antifreeze below 40°F (4°C), and warns that untreated water or fluids with water repellent or bug wash can cause odor, damage or streaking.

On a clean, dry car on a warm day, we 1) test isopropyl alcohol on a hidden painted spot, 2) clean the mounting area with it and let it dry at least a minute, 3) peel the top tape and some side tape, 4) align the bracket's bottom center with the grille's middle and press the top on, 5) remove the remaining tape and press firmly, 6) fit the plate with the four screws at 3 Nm (2.2 ft-lbs).

Tesla recommends only genuine Tesla parts and accessories, installed professionally. Its manual says non-approved parts or modifications are not covered by the warranty, and damage they cause is excluded; non-original or salvaged body repair parts are excluded too. Tesla warns that non-approved parts can affect performance and occupant safety, and that accessories can change range and vehicle dimensions. After a collision, Tesla asks for repairs by Tesla or a Tesla-approved body shop with genuine parts.

Tesla lists: cabin air filter every 2 years, wiper blades every year, and tire rotation every 6,250 mi (10,000 km) or when tread depth differs by 2/32 in (1.5 mm), whichever comes first. Where roads are salted in winter, brake calipers need cleaning and lubricating every year or 12,500 mi (20,000 km). Brake fluid gets a periodic health check. Battery coolant normally never needs replacing. Intervals vary with use, and Controls > Service > Maintenance tracks them.

Daily, Tesla suggests checking charge level, tire condition and pressure, lights, horn, turn signals, wipers and washers, alerts, brakes, seat belts and the ground for leaks; a small pool of A/C water is normal. Weekly in wet weather, or monthly when dry, we clean the cameras. Monthly, we check the washer fluid level and the A/C. Tesla also suggests pressing the brake pedal often to keep pads and rotors free of rust.

Tesla's maintenance schedule includes a periodic brake fluid health check, with replacement if necessary. Heavy use, such as towing, long mountain descents, performance driving or hot, humid climates, may call for more frequent checks. Tesla says not to top up the brake fluid ourselves; level checks are for Tesla or a professional shop. Tesla also warns that brake fluid is poisonous, so we never swallow or inhale it or let it touch open wounds.

Service Mode is meant for qualified technicians running diagnostics, repairs and maintenance, but it also lets us see more detail on alerts and do simple procedures such as burnishing the brakes. Speed is limited and some features, including Sentry Mode, are off while it is active. Tesla cautions that misuse can cause permanent damage or serious injury, not covered by warranty. For owner jobs, Tesla lists wiper blades, cabin filters and paint protection film, with guides at tesla.com/support.

Tesla's New Vehicle Limited Warranty includes the Basic Vehicle, Supplemental Restraint System, Battery and Drive Unit, and Body Rust limited warranties, plus Zero-Emissions Vehicle Limited Warranties for model year 2026 and later and an Emissions Performance Warranty for model year 2027 and later. The full terms, including the Pre-Owned Vehicle and Parts, Body and Paint Repair limited warranties, are at tesla.com/support/vehicle-warranty. The manual gives no years or mileage, so we check that page.

Tesla says to place a toll transponder (RFID tag) inside the car next to the rear view mirror, where it blocks the least of our view, and to follow the transponder maker's own instructions. If we have a weather-proof transponder, Tesla says it can instead be attached to the front license plate, outside the car.