Rear Trunk

Opening

To open the rear trunk, ensure Model S 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 Controls > Trunk 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 liftgate's exterior handle (a valid key must be detected).
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CAUTION
Before opening the liftgate in an enclosed area (such as a garage), ensure the opening height of the liftgate is properly adjusted to avoid low-hanging ceilings or objects (see Adjusting Liftgate Opening Height).

Model S must be unlocked or detect a key before you can use the switch to open the liftgate.

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

The instrument panel informs you when a door or trunk is open.

To stop a liftgate while it is moving, single-click the rear trunk button on the key fob. Then, when you double-click the rear trunk button, it moves again, but in the opposite direction (provided it was not almost entirely open or closed when you stopped it). For example, if you single-click to stop the liftgate while opening, when you double-click, it closes.

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Note
In emergency situations, you can override an open or close command by grasping the liftgate to stop it in place.
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Warning
Before opening or closing the liftgate, check the surrounding area (for people and objects). You must proactively monitor the liftgate to ensure that it does not come into contact with a person or object. Failure to do so may result in damage or injury.

Hands-Free Trunk

You can open the trunk without pressing a button.
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
Requires an iPhone 11 or newer and Tesla mobile app 4.29.5 or higher. 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.
  1. To enable, touch Controls > Locks > Hands-Free Frunk and 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).
  2. With your phone key in your front pocket, approach the trunk and stand still. When your phone key has been detected, Model S chimes and the trunk opens. To cancel the request, step away from the vehicle.
Rear of vehicle with radiating blue lines
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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.
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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 Liftgate Opening Height

You can adjust the opening height of the liftgate to make it easier to reach or to avoid low-hanging ceilings or objects (for example, a garage door or light):

  1. Open the trunk, then manually lower or raise the liftgate to the desired opening height.
  2. Press and hold the button on the underside of the liftgate for three seconds until you hear a confirmation chime.
    A button on the underside of the liftgate with an image of a car with a its trunk open
  3. Confirm that you have set it to the desired height by closing the liftgate, then reopening it.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
CAUTION
Depending on configuration (such as suspension height or wheel selection), your vehicle's liftgate can open up to approximately 2.3 meters high. Adjust the liftgate height to prevent it from coming into contact with low ceilings or other objects.

Closing

To close the liftgate, do one of the following:

  • Touch Controls > Trunk.
  • Double-click the rear trunk button on the key fob.
  • Press the switch located on the underside of the liftgate

If the liftgate senses an obstruction when closing, it stops moving and chimes two times. Remove the obstruction and try closing it again.

If the liftgate loses its calibration when opened, the liftgate chimes three times and does not move. To restore calibration, manually pull the liftgate down to close it.

Accessing the Cargo Area

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

Secure all cargo before moving Model S, and place heavy cargo in the upper 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.

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CAUTION
Never load more than 40 kg in the lower compartment of the rear trunk or more than 130 kg on the upper compartment (above the lower compartment cover). Doing so can cause damage.
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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.