Rear Trunk

Opening

To open the rear trunk, ensure Model 3 is in Park, then do one of the following:

Approach the trunk with your phone key in your front pocket (see Hands-Free Trunk).
Touch the associated Open button on the touchscreen.
Double-click the rear trunk button on the key fob.
Touch the rear trunk button on the mobile app.
Press the switch located under the rear trunk's exterior handle (a valid key must be detected).

CAUTION

Before opening the rear trunk in an enclosed area (such as a garage), ensure the opening height of the rear trunk is properly adjusted to avoid low-hanging ceilings or objects (see Adjusting Opening Height of Powered Trunk).

Model 3 must be unlocked or detect a key before you can use the switch to open the rear trunk.

Rear of vehicle with zoombox showing detail of the switch on the rear trunk exterior handle

When a door or trunk is open, the touchscreen displays the Door Open indicator light. The image of your Model 3 on the touchscreen also displays the open trunk.

CAUTION

Slamming or forcing closures (including the doors, rear trunk, or front trunk) can result in damage not covered under warranty.

To open the rear trunk from inside the vehicle in the unlikely situation that Model 3 has no power, see Interior Emergency Trunk Release.

Hands-Free Trunk

You can open the trunk without pressing a button.

Note

Requires an iOS or Android device with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) support and Tesla mobile app 4.29.5 or higher (for iOS), or Tesla mobile app 4.41.0 or higher (for Android). Consult the specifications section of your iOS or Android device manufacturer's website to check if the phone has background UWB support.

Ensure your phone settings allow "Nearby Interactions" for the Tesla mobile app. If your phone key is already paired, open the Tesla mobile app and go to Phone Key > Upgrade.

To enable, touch Controls > Locks > Hands-Free Trunk. Select Exclude Home to disable the automatic hands-free trunk at your set home location (see Home, Work, and Favorite Destinations to set your home location).
With your phone key in your front pocket, approach the trunk and stand still. When your phone key has been detected, Model 3 chimes and the trunk opens. To cancel the request, step away from the vehicle.

Rear of vehicle with radiating blue lines

CAUTION

Do not leave your phone inside the trunk as it may open by itself. If you must leave your phone in the vehicle, disable Bluetooth and/or turn the phone off, and ensure you have alternate methods to lock/unlock your vehicle, see Keys.

Warning

Before allowing an automated feature to open the trunk (rather than doing so manually), it is important to check that the area around the trunk is free of obstacles (such as people and objects). Proactively monitor the trunk's movement to ensure that it does not contact a person or object. Failure to do so can result in damage or serious injury.

Adjusting Opening Height of Powered Trunk

Customize the opening height of your trunk (if equipped) and save it as the default or for a specific location, such as your garage.

To set a height, pause the trunk while it's moving, using the touchscreen. Alternatively, manually adjust to the preferred height by manually lowering or raising the rear trunk.
To save the preferred height, follow the prompts on the touchscreen or press and hold the button on the underside of the rear trunk until you hear a confirmation chime.
To reset your existing trunk opening to the factory default settings, or to clear any saved locations, go to Controls > Service > Remove Saved Locations.

CAUTION

Depending on configuration (such as wheel selection), your vehicle's rear trunk can open up to approximately 2 meters. Adjust the rear trunk height to prevent it from coming into contact with low ceilings or other objects.

Closing

Touch the associated Close button on the touchscreen.
Double-click the rear trunk button on the key fob.
Press the switch located on the underside of the rear trunk

Warning

Before driving, ensure that the trunk is securely latched in the fully-closed position by lifting up on the bottom edge and confirming there is no movement.

Accessing the Cargo Area

To access the cargo area inside the rear trunk, pull up the cargo cover. You can then fold the cargo cover forward or remove it from Model 3.

Secure all cargo before moving Model 3, and place heavy cargo in the lower trunk compartment.

Rear trunk with arrow pointing upwards from cargo cover strap

Rear Trunk Load Limits

Distribute the weight of cargo as evenly as possible between the front and rear trunks.

CAUTION

Never load more than 40 kg in the lower compartment of the rear trunk or more than 90 kg on the upper compartment (above the lower compartment cover). Doing so can cause damage.

Warning

When loading cargo, always consider the vehicle's Technically Permissible Maximum Laden Mass (TPMLM) (see Specifications). The TPMLM is the maximum allowable total mass of the vehicle including all passengers, fluids, and cargo.

Interior Emergency Trunk Release

An illuminated mechanical release located inside the rear trunk allows you to open the rear trunk from the inside if Model 3 has no electrical power. This mechanical release also allows a person locked inside to get out.

Button with icon of car with trunk open and a blue arrow pointing left

Firmly press and hold the illuminated button in the direction of the arrow to release the latch.
While pressing the button, push the rear trunk open.

Note

The button glows for several hours after a brief exposure to ambient light.

Warning

Do not allow children to play inside the trunk or become locked inside. An unrestrained child could suffer serious injury or death in a crash. A child could suffer heat exhaustion or death if trapped in the vehicle, especially without climate control on.