Model X · 2015–2020

We open a Falcon Wing door with its outside handle, a double-press of its key fob button, the switch on the door pillar or the door icon on the touchscreen; the doors open only when Model X is stationary. They stop at obstacles and open lower under low ceilings, and Controls > Vehicle > Falcon Door Height sets a lower height. Tesla warns the sensors can miss objects, so we watch the door and keep hands clear.

We double-click the lock button to unlock, single-click it to lock, and double-click a trunk button to open that trunk. The CR2354 battery lasts about a year. If the fob stops working, we hold it at the base of the driver's side B-pillar and press the door handle, then place it against the center console just below the low-voltage power outlet and press the brake to drive. Tesla cautions to always carry the fob when driving.

Tesla says never to load more than 176 lbs (80 kg) in the upper rear trunk compartment and 285 lbs (130 kg) in the lower compartment, as more can cause damage. We put heavy cargo in the lower compartment, spread weight evenly between the front and rear trunks and stay within the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Tesla also warns that accessories adding weight to the liftgate can make it close unexpectedly.

Tesla says to keep front trunk cargo under 300 lbs (136 kg), as more can cause damage. We spread weight evenly between the front and rear trunks and stay within the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. To close it, we lower the hood onto the latches and press down firmly with both hands on the marked areas near the front edge, never slamming it. Tesla warns to check the hood is fully latched before driving.

Tesla's manual lists the glovebox and cup holders. We open the glovebox with the switch on the side of the touchscreen; it locks when we lock the car from outside or use Valet Mode, and Controls > Safety > Glovebox PIN adds a 4-digit PIN. The front cup holders appear when we slide the armrest back, and rear ones, if equipped, open from the back of the center console. Tesla warns to keep the glovebox closed while driving.

Lower LATCH (ISOFIX) anchors sit between the seatback and cushion of the two outer second-row seats, below a child seat button on the seatback, and on the outer third-row seats if equipped. The second-row center seat takes only belt-secured child seats. Upper tether anchors are on the second- and third-row seatbacks, behind a slit in the material. Tesla says children never ride in the front passenger seat, and above 65 lbs (29.5 kg) combined we use the seat belt.

Monopost second-row seats move by power using Controls > Seats or each seat's control. Bench seats adjust by lever, fold 60/40 and slide only in seven-seat cars. For third-row access, we press the button on an outer second-row seatback; with Easy Entry on, one press is enough. Third-row seats fold with the button on their top outside corner. Tesla warns not to use the access button with a child in row two and to check seats are latched.

On the left, the scroll wheel sets volume, a tap mutes or pauses media, and the Next and Previous buttons skip tracks or stations. On the right, the voice command button takes spoken commands and the scroll wheel adjusts the last feature used from the Menu list. Holding a scroll wheel changes what that side of the instrument panel shows, and holding both for about five seconds restarts the touchscreen. Tesla warns never to adjust the wheel position while driving.

Some Model X cars, depending on build date and configuration, have an active spoiler. It moves to maximize rear visibility in Reverse or below 10 mph (16 km/h), lowers to its most aerodynamic position above 45 mph (72 km/h), and retracts when the car is powered off and locked. In Controls > Service > Spoiler Mode we choose Automatic, or Extended to keep it up. If it cannot move, an alert shows and we contact Tesla Service.

With the Ludicrous upgrade, we select Ludicrous+ in Controls > Pedals & Steering > Acceleration; it needs at least 20% charge and heats the battery. For Launch Mode, at 37°F (3°C) or warmer: 1) Warm the brakes. 2) Choose Low or Very Low suspension and Insane+ or Ludicrous+. 3) At a stop, hold the brake with the left foot and floor the accelerator. 4) Release the brake within 12 seconds. Tesla warns to avoid cross traffic and pedestrians.

On the Suspension screen in Controls, Adaptive Suspension Damping offers Comfort for a gentler ride, Auto to adapt to the road and driving style, Sport for a firmer ride with more road feedback, and Advanced for separate Ride Comfort and Handling sliders. Show Suspension Data displays ride height and damping at each wheel. In the U.S., Comfort or Auto may raise the car on rough roads. Tesla cautions against hard acceleration and sharp turns at High or Very High.

Where available, Controls > Pedals & Steering > Regenerative Braking offers Standard, which slows the car more when we lift off, or Low, which coasts farther. In Park, Controls > Driving > Stopping Mode offers Creep, Hold, which brakes to a stop and holds, or Roll, which rolls like Neutral. Regen is limited with a cold or full battery. Tesla recommends Low on snow or ice and warns never to rely on Creep or Hold instead of the brake.

Wiper defrosters come only with the optional cold weather package. We turn them on from the climate controls on the touchscreen, and they switch off after 15 minutes. Without them, we park with the wipers off and touch Controls > Service > Wiper Service Mode, which moves the blades closer to the defrost vent so warm air can thaw them; they return when we shift out of Park. Tesla cautions to remove ice before turning the wipers on.

With the brake pressed, we push the drive stalk fully up for Reverse or fully down for Drive, which works when stopped or below 5 mph (8 km/h). A brief push to the first position selects Neutral, and pressing the end of the stalk selects Park. Model X shifts into Park by itself at low speed if we unbuckle, open a door or connect a charge cable. Tesla warns to confirm Park ourselves before getting out.

With the car in Park, not charging and with all doors and trunks closed, we open the Tesla app, press Summon, then the Smart Summon icon. Holding Come to Me brings the car to our GPS location, and Go to Target sends it to a pin we place. We stay within 213 ft (65 m) with a clear view, and releasing the button stops it. Tesla says it is a Beta feature for private parking lots and driveways only.

First we turn off Controls > Self-Driving > Customize Summon > Require Continuous Press. Then, in Park and within 10 ft (3 m): 1) Press and hold the top center button until the hazard lights flash. 2) Press the front trunk button to go forward or rear trunk button to reverse. It travels up to 39 ft (12 m), and pressing any fob button stops it. Tesla warns it is Beta and may miss low, thin or overhead objects.

The two USB ports at the front of the center console handle data and charging, so we use them to play audio from a USB drive. The two at the rear of the console are charge-only, and cars with a third row may have a charge-only connection between those seats. 12V outlets sit at the front of the console and in the rear trunk, rated 11A continuous (15A peak). Tesla notes the outlet and connector can get hot.

Model X has one or more cabin air filters that keep pollen, industrial fallout, road dust and other particles from entering through the vents. Tesla says they need periodic replacement and gives the timing in the Service Intervals section of the manual. We direct airflow by moving the interior vents up, down or side to side, and we can aim the outer face-level vents at the side windows to help defrost or defog them.

Range Mode, if equipped, saves energy by limiting climate control power and turning off the signature lights; on All-Wheel Drive cars it also optimizes torque between the motors. We turn it on in Controls > Driving > Range Mode. Tesla's other range tips include gentle driving or Chill, using the seat and steering wheel heaters instead of cabin heat, preconditioning while plugged in, keeping tires at the right pressure and removing unneeded cargo.

Energy Saving reduces the energy the displays use when the car is not in use. On newer cars it works automatically, while on older cars we set it in Controls > Display > Energy Saving. Tesla adds that a parked car loses about 1% of charge per day, so we keep it plugged in when not in use and never let the battery run down to 0%. Tesla cautions that if it does, we plug in immediately.

We use the cold pressures on the Tire and Loading Information label on the door pillar, seen with the driver's door open, not the maximum molded on the tire. We check monthly when cold, after at least three hours parked, and expect about 1 psi (0.07 bar) loss per 10°F (6°C) drop. Towing needs different pressures. Tesla warns never to let air out of warm tires to match the cold value, as a hot tire at that value is underinflated.

Model X came with 20 inch or 22 inch wheels and wider tires at the rear. On 20 inch wheels the tires are 265/45R20 front and 275/45R20 rear; on 22 inch wheels they are 265/35R22 front and 285/35R22 rear. Rims are 9.0J at the front and 9.5J or 10.0J at the rear, depending on the wheel. Tesla cautions that the maximum pressure molded on a tire is not the recommended pressure for Model X.

Tesla lists a lug nut torque of 129 lb-ft (175 Nm) for Model X, and the lug nuts take a 21 mm socket. The same Wheels and Tires page covers the 20 inch and 22 inch factory wheels. Tesla warns never to drive on a damaged, excessively worn or incorrectly inflated tire, and asks us to check tires regularly for wear, cuts, bulges and exposed ply or cord.

Tesla's manual marks the approved body lift points in a diagram, and we never lift under the battery or side rails. 1) Center the car between the lift posts. 2) With air suspension, select Very High in Controls > Suspension. 3) Turn on Controls > Service > Jack Mode. 4) Close the Falcon Wing doors. 5) Place lift pads under the lift points and raise with help. Tesla warns that without Jack Mode, self-leveling can cause damage or injury.

Model X uses a 26 in (650 mm) blade on the driver's side and a 21 in (530 mm) blade on the passenger side, and a new blade's connector must match the original. To change one, we shift into Park, turn on Controls > Service > Wiper Service Mode, lift the arm slightly, disconnect the washer hose and slide the blade off. Tesla warns to confirm the new blade is locked with a push-pull test.

Tesla lists Model X at 198.9 in (5,052 mm) long and about 66 in (1,684 mm) high, with a 116.7 in (2,965 mm) wheelbase. Width is 78.7 in (1,999 mm) without mirrors, 81.6 in (2,072 mm) with mirrors folded and 89.4 in (2,271 mm) with them open. Depending on configuration, the liftgate can open to about 8 ft (2.5 m). Tesla notes that dimensions can vary with options.

Every Model X has 6.6 cu ft (187 L) in the front trunk. With the second row fully forward or folded, maximum cargo behind the front row is 81.2 cu ft (2,299.5 L) in five-seat cars, 76.5 cu ft (2,166 L) in seven-seat cars and 70.7 cu ft (2,002 L) in six-seat cars. That includes 12.6 cu ft (357 L) behind the third row, if equipped. Totals are 87.8, 83.1 and 77.3 cu ft.

Tesla lists towing by wheel size. On 20 inch wheels, Model X can tow up to 5,000 lbs (2,300 kg) with a 500 lbs (230 kg) tongue weight; on 22 inch wheels, up to 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg) with 350 lbs (158 kg). It uses a 2 in x 2 in receiver, and we turn on Trailer Mode in Controls > Pedals & Steering. Tesla warns to keep tongue weight near 10% of trailer weight and never to overload.

Tesla's manual points to the Tire and Loading Information label on the center door pillar, which gives the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo. 1) Find that limit. 2) Add up the weight of the driver and passengers. 3) Subtract it from the limit to get cargo capacity. 4) Keep luggage within it; towing reduces it further. Tesla cautions never to exceed the GVWR or axle ratings, as overloading harms braking and handling.

On cars that have one, the towing label is on the center door pillar, next to the Tire and Loading Information label and the Vehicle Certification label. Tesla says it appears only on some cars, depending on build date, and only with the Towing Package. It refers us to the manual for towing tire pressures, because Tesla warns that the pressures on the tire label do not apply when towing.

With no power, we open the front doors normally with the interior door handles. For a Falcon Wing door: 1) Carefully remove the speaker grille from the door. 2) Pull the mechanical release cable down and toward the front of the car. 3) Once the latch releases, lift the door up by hand. Tesla cautions that these manual releases are only for when there is no power; otherwise we use the interior door handle.

BMS_u031 and BMS_u032 mean a battery fuse is near the end of its life: the car is OK to drive, possibly with reduced speed and acceleration, and we schedule service soon. BMS_w176 means it has reached the end of its life, so we drive only to our immediate destination and schedule service immediately. BMS_w179 means the smart fuse needs replacing; without service, Model X will no longer start, charge or support the low voltage system.