Model X (2021 and newer): Keys, Doors & Storage

1) We install the Tesla app and log in. 2) We turn on Bluetooth for the phone and the app, and set the app's location access to Always. 3) In the car, we turn on Controls > Safety > Allow Mobile Access. 4) Inside or near Model X, we touch Set Up Phone Key in the app and follow the prompts. Tesla warns not to leave a paired phone inside the car.

Model X comes with two key cards. To lock or unlock, we tap one on the reader about one-third of the way up the driver's side door pillar, holding it one to two seconds if needed. To drive, we press the brake within two minutes; after that, we tap it on the reader at the center console wireless phone charger. Walking away with the card does not lock the car. Tesla says to always carry one as a backup.

On the Model X key fob, a double-click on the front trunk button unlatches the frunk, and on the rear trunk button opens or closes the liftgate; holding the rear trunk button 1 to 2 seconds opens the charge port. One click on Lock/Unlock All locks, a double-click unlocks. A double-click on a falcon wing door button opens or closes that door, and one click stops it. Tesla warns these doors may not detect every obstacle.

The fob uses a CR2354 coin cell lasting up to about a year; the touchscreen warns when it is low. 1) With the fob button-side down on a soft surface, we release the bottom cover with a small flat tool. 2) We lift out the old battery. 3) We fit the new one plus side up, against the spring. 4) We snap the cover on and test it. Tesla warns that swallowed coin cells can be fatal.

To add a key card or fob, we touch Controls > Locks > Keys > Add Key, scan the new key on the wireless phone charger card reader, then scan a paired key to confirm. Owners can also add a card in the Tesla app. To remove one, we touch its trash icon in Controls > Locks and scan a paired key. Model X holds up to 19 keys; one key card or fob must always remain.

With Controls > Locks > Phone Left on Wireless Charger on, Model X chimes and shows a touchscreen graphic if it detects a phone left on a wireless charger after all passengers exit. It works even with the chargers disabled, but not with Keep Accessory Power On enabled. Tesla warns it may miss phones in thick cases or with coins, keys or cards in between, so we never rely on it for our phone key.

With Controls > Locks > Walk-Away Door Lock on, Model X locks the doors and trunks when we walk away with our phone key or paired key fob, and the lights flash once. It does not lock if a key is still inside, a door or trunk is open, we leave through a non-driver door, or we park at Home with Exclude Home checked. Tesla says we are still responsible for checking the car is locked.

We touch Controls > Locks > Unlock on Park and turn it on. After that, whenever we stop and shift Model X into Park, all the doors unlock so everyone can get out. If we would rather keep them locked, we leave it off and unlock from the touchscreen or the Tesla app when needed. With Walk-Away Door Lock on, the car locks again once we walk away carrying our key.

We touch Controls > Locks > Child Lock and choose Both, Left or Right. This disables the interior release buttons on the rear doors, and on Model X it also stops children from opening the falcon wing doors with the interior switch. Tesla warns to turn on the child locks whenever children sit in the rear seats.

With Controls > Locks > Driver Door Unlock Mode on, the first unlock releases only the driver door, and only when a key is detected on the driver's side. The other doors stay locked. To unlock them, we use the touchscreen or the Tesla app, or press the key fob a second time.

We turn on Controls > Locks > Car Left Open Notifications. Model X then sends a notification to the Tesla app if a door, trunk or window is left open, or if the car is unexpectedly left unlocked. With Walk-Away Door Lock on, the car also locks itself as we walk away, but Tesla says we stay responsible for checking that it is locked.

We touch Controls > Locks > Window Lock to stop passengers from using the rear window switches, and touch it again to unlock them. Tesla says to lock the rear switches whenever children sit in the back, to check that no one has a hand or head through the opening before closing a window, and never to leave children alone in the car.

While the liftgate is moving, we pause it on the touchscreen or move it by hand to the height we want, then follow the touchscreen prompt or press and hold the button under the liftgate until it chimes. Model X also opens lower under a detected low ceiling and can save a higher height there. Controls > Service > Remove Saved Locations resets this. Tesla notes the liftgate can open up to about 8 ft (2.5 m).

Tesla lists two rear trunk limits for Model X: up to 88 lbs (40 kg) in the lower compartment and up to 285 lbs (130 kg) in the upper compartment above its cover. Exceeding them can cause damage. We spread cargo evenly between the front and rear trunks, put heavy items in the upper compartment and secure everything before driving. The total load, including passengers, must stay within the GVWR.

It needs a phone with UWB support and the Tesla app, with Nearby Interactions allowed; an existing phone key may need Phone Key > Upgrade in the app. We turn on Controls > Locks > Hands-Free Trunk, which can exclude Home. With the phone in a front pocket, we stand still behind the car; it chimes and the liftgate opens. Tesla warns to check the area is clear and never to leave the phone in the trunk.

In Park, we open the frunk with Controls > Frunk, the Tesla app, a double-click on the key fob's front trunk button, or by touching a UWB-capable phone key to the Tesla logo under it. To close: 1) Lower the hood onto the latches. 2) Press down firmly with both hands on the green areas. 3) Lift the front edge to check it latched. Tesla says never to slam it or press the red center area.

Tesla lists a maximum front trunk load of 110 lbs (50 kg) for Model X, and exceeding it can cause damage. We spread cargo evenly between the front and rear trunks and keep the total within the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). 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 a paired phone in the frunk.

Yes. Model X has 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. Tesla warns never to climb into the frunk or close it with someone inside, and to keep stored items from bumping the release button, which could open the hood by accident.

The center console has a main compartment, opened by squeezing the latch under its front lip, and a front compartment with a sliding cover. Two cup holders slide out from under the rear touchscreen. We open the glovebox with Controls > Glovebox and can add a 4-digit PIN in Controls > Safety > Glovebox PIN. A coat hanger sits on each side above the second-row windows. Tesla says to keep the glovebox closed while driving.

We turn on Controls > Locks > Hands-Free Frunk and Trunk. It needs a phone with background UWB support and the Tesla app, with Nearby Interactions allowed; an existing phone key may need Phone Key > Upgrade. With the phone in a front pocket, we stand still in front of the frunk; Model X chimes and opens it, and stepping away cancels. Tesla warns to check the area is clear and never to leave the phone in the frunk.

We open a falcon wing door with its handle, a double-click on the key fob, the switch on the door pillar inside, or Controls > Locks. Sensors stop or adjust the door near obstacles and low ceilings; Controls > Locks > Falcon Door Height sets the height. If Calibration Required appears, we clear both door paths and touch Controls > Service > Calibrate Doors. Tesla warns the sensors cannot detect everything, so we watch the door.

With Controls > Locks > Automatic Doors on, the driver's door opens partway, between 20° and 45°, as we approach and closes as we leave. A double-click on the fob unlock button opens it; a second double-click opens the passenger door. Once seated, pressing the brake closes the driver's door. Exclude Automatic Doors Opening at Home stops it opening at Home. Tesla warns to watch the door's path and not rely on it on steep hills.