Operating Climate Controls
Overview of Climate Controls
Climate controls are available at the bottom of the touchscreen. By default, climate control is set to Auto, which maintains optimum comfort in all but the most severe weather conditions. When you adjust the cabin temperature while in the Auto setting, the system automatically adjusts the heating, air conditioning, air distribution, and fan speed to maintain the cabin at your selected temperature.
Touch the displayed temperature at the bottom of the touchscreen to access the main climate controls screen, where you can adjust your climate preferences. You can return to Auto at any time by touching Auto. Touch the power button on the main climate controls screen to toggle on or off. For quick access to common controls, touch < or > to display the climate popup.
While the cabin is warming up or cooling down, the fan speed may be reduced. The touchscreen displays Warming Up or Cooling Down while getting to your preferred temperature.
Adjusting Climate Control Settings
- Touch to turn the climate control system on or off.
- Touch the driver's side seat icon to adjust seat heaters for the driver. The seat operates at three levels from 3 (highest) to 1 (lowest). The seat icon displays twisting lines that turn red (heating) or blue (cooling) corresponding with the set level. Auto, which displays when the climate control system is set to Auto, warms or cools the front seats based on cabin temperature. For one-touch access to seat heaters, you can add them to the touchscreen's bottom bar (see Customizing My Apps).
- Touch to turn on the wiper defrosters (if equipped). Wipers defrost for 30 minutes then turn off automatically.
- Touch to control the heated steering wheel, if equipped. The icon displays red twisting lines that correspond to the set level. If set to Auto, the steering wheel is heated as needed, based on cabin temperature, whenever the climate control system is set to Auto. For one-touch access, you can add this control to the touchscreen's bottom bar (see Customizing My Apps).
- Touch to warm up the rear windshield. After 15 minutes, the rear window defroster automatically turns off. The exterior side mirrors and charge port are also heated whenever the rear window defroster is operating. See Cold Weather Best Practices for more information on preparing for cold weather.
- The windshield defroster distributes air flow to the windshield. Touch once to defog the windshield (the icon turns amber). Touch a second time to defrost the windshield. Touch a third time to turn off and restore the air distribution, heating, and fan to their previous settings.
- Use the slider to adjust the fan speed. When in Auto, the fan speed levels change to Low/ Medium/ High.NoteAdjusting the fan speed may change the selected setting for how air is drawn into Model 3 in order to increase or reduce air flow.
- Touch to control the flow of air inside the cabin. Air can be drawn into Model 3 from outside or air can be recirculated inside the cabin.
- Touch the passenger's side seat icon to adjust seat heaters for the front passenger. The seat operates at three levels from 3 (highest) to 1 (lowest). The seat icon displays twisting lines that turn red (heating) or blue (cooling) corresponding with the set level. Auto, which displays when the climate control system is set to Auto, warms or cools the front seats based on cabin temperature. For one-touch access to seat heaters, you can add them to the touchscreen's bottom bar (see Customizing My Apps).
- Touch to adjust how air flows from the front vents. When the climate control system is operating, the passenger front vent can be turned off independently of driver's vent by touching and holding the front passenger air wave on the touchscreen and following the instructions. See Adjusting the Front and Rear Vents.
- When Model 3 is in Park, touch Schedule to set a recurring daily time when you want Model 3 to be ready to drive by preconditioning the Battery and cabin climate and/or charging during off-peak hours (see Scheduled Precondition and Charge).
- Touch to adjust the climate settings for the front or rear cabin. If Auto is enabled for the rear cabin and a passenger is detected, the set temperature is maintained for the rear cabin (see Adjusting the Front and Rear Vents).
- When in Park, these settings display to allow you to keep the climate control system operating, even when you leave Model 3 (see Keep Climate On, Dog, and Camp). NoteTo turn them on, the Battery's charge level must be at least 20%.
- Choose where air flows into the front cabin (windshield, face-level, or foot-level vents). You can choose one or more vents.
- Touch to turn the air conditioning system on or off. Turning it off reduces cooling, but saves energy.NoteBecause Model 3 runs much quieter than a gasoline-powered vehicle, you may notice the sound of the air conditioning compressor as it is operating. To minimize noise, reduce the fan speed.
- Touch Auto to turn the Auto setting on or off.NoteWhen in Auto, the fan speed may automatically lower to reduce the sound of ambient noise while on a call. For more information, see Phone, Calendar, and Web Conferencing.
Climate Popup
Touch the temperature arrows on the bottom of the touchscreen to display a popup for easy access to some of the most common climate controls:
- Touch to access the main climate controls screen.
- Enable or disable heated or cooled front seats.
- Enable or disable the front or rear windshield defrosters.
- Modify the cabin temperature by dragging the slider. You can also enable temperature splitting which allows the driver and front passenger to customize their own climate preferences. The front passenger can touch the temperature icon on the bottom of the touchscreen or the main climate controls screen to adjust. Touch Split again to disable climate splitting.
Keep Climate On, Dog, and Camp
The Keep Climate On, Dog, and Camp settings allow you to keep the climate control system running when in Park, even after you've left Model 3 or choose to stay inside the vehicle. These settings are useful when it is important to maintain the cabin temperature in hot or cold weather conditions. For example, when leaving groceries in Model 3 on hot days, you may want to use Keep Climate On to prevent spoilage.
Live Camera view is now available if Sentry Mode or Dog Mode, or both, are enabled. When Sentry Mode is on, the cameras show a live view of the vehicle's surroundings. When Dog Mode is on, the interior cabin camera shows the inside of the vehicle so you can check on your pet at any time. If both are enabled, switch the camera views by touching the gray circles or the interior icon that correspond to different cameras on the mobile app. See Sentry Mode for more information.
Camp allows you to power electronics through the USB ports and low voltage outlet in addition to maintaining the cabin temperature. The touchscreen remains on so you can play music, browse the internet, play games in the arcade, or watch shows in Tesla Theater. You can also control media and climate settings from a paired phone. Camp is ideal for remaining inside your vehicle, such as camping or staying with a child. While active, Sentry Mode and the vehicle alarm system are disabled. Walk-Away Door Lock is inactive.
To operate Keep Climate On, Dog, or Camp:
- Make sure the Battery's charge level is at least 20%.
- Engage Park. The Keep Climate On, Dog, and Camp settings are available only when Model 3 is in Park.
- If necessary, adjust the climate settings.
- On the climate controls screen, touch
Keep Climate
On, Dog, or Camp.NoteYou can also control Dog and Camp from the mobile app, by swiping up from the gray bar on the Climate screen.
The climate control system attempts to maintain your climate settings until you shift out of Park or manually turn it off. Avoid using Keep Climate On, Dog, or Camp when the Battery's charge level is low.
Dog cannot be enabled if the cabin temperature is too hot, or if the vehicle detects an issue with the climate control system. Ensure that the cabin temperature is at a safe and comfortable level before enabling Dog.
- The Battery's charge level drops below 20%.
- The vehicle detects an issue with the climate control system.
- If the cabin temperature drifts significantly from the level set for dog.
Cabin Overheat Protection
Cabin Overheat Protection prevents the cabin from getting too hot in scorching ambient conditions. While not necessary to activate whenever you leave Model 3, the climate control system can reduce and maintain the temperature of your vehicle’s cabin. This can prevent the cabin from getting too hot after leaving it parked in the sun, making the vehicle more comfortable when you return. Cabin Overheat Protection may take up to 15 minutes to enable once you exit the vehicle. This feature is intended for passenger comfort and has no impact on the reliability of your vehicle's components.
To turn on, touch
and choose:- On: The air conditioning operates when the cabin temperature exceeds 40° C, or the selected temperature if available, on the touchscreen or mobile app. Customizing temperatures may require the most recent version of the mobile app.
- No A/C: Only the fan operates to prevent touch surfaces from getting too hot.
- Off: Disables Cabin Overheat Protection.
You can also enable Cabin Overheat Protection remotely through the mobile app by touching Climate. Swipe up on the bottom menu and select a setting under Cabin Overheat Protection (see Mobile App).
Cabin Overheat Protection operates until 12 hours has elapsed once you exit Model 3, or until the Battery energy drops below 20%, whichever comes first. Using Cabin Overheat Protection requires energy from the Battery, which may decrease range.
Climate Control Operating Tips
- When you use the mobile app to turn on the climate control system, it automatically turns off when the charge level drops to 20%, or if two hours has passed. To cool or heat the cabin for a longer period of time, charge the vehicle and re-enable your climate control preference through the mobile app.
- You may hear the sound of the climate system inside the cabin of Model 3 when Parked. It makes a low fan noise. The climate system attempts to dry itself out to minimize additional moisture or musty odors. This is a normal operation and not a cause for concern.
- You can improve the efficiency of the cabin heating by reducing your selected acceleration mode (see Acceleration Modes). This allows the heat pump system to take more heat from the Battery to efficiently heat the cabin, instead of maintaining the Battery's ability to provide peak acceleration performance. This helps to maximize driving efficiency in colder weather. Note that when subsequently increasing the acceleration mode, the Battery requires time to warm up before the increased level of acceleration is available.
- If the climate control system is louder than you prefer, manually reduce the fan speed.
- In addition to cooling the interior, the air conditioning compressor also cools the Battery. Therefore, in hot weather, the air conditioning compressor can turn on even if you turned it off. This is normal because the system’s priority is to cool the Battery to ensure it stays within an optimum temperature range to support longevity and optimum performance.
- Even when not in use, you may hear Model 3 emit a whining noise or the sound of water circulating. These sounds are normal and occur when the internal cooling systems turn on to support various vehicle functions, such as maintaining the low voltage battery and balancing the temperature of the high voltage Battery.
- To ensure the climate control system operates efficiently, close all windows and ensure that the exterior grille in front of the windshield is free of ice, snow, leaves, and other debris.
- In very humid conditions, it is normal for the windshield to fog slightly when you first turn on the air conditioning.
- It is normal for a small pool of water to form under Model 3 when parked. Extra water produced by the dehumidifying process is drained underneath.
- Model 3 is designed to automatically maximize efficiency; therefore, your air conditioning compressor and external fan may run and make noise even when the outside temperature is cold and your vehicle is heating or supercharging.
- To reduce the temperature in the cabin in hot weather conditions, the fan may turn on to vent the cabin when the vehicle is parked. This occurs only if the battery's charge level is above 20%.