How to unlock Tesla from inside

Keyless Locking and Unlocking

Locking and unlocking Model S is convenient. Although you must be carrying a valid key fob, there is no need to use it. Model S has sensors around the driver's door that can recognize the presence of a key fob within a range of approximately one meter. So, you can keep your key fob in your pocket or purse and Model S detects it as you approach.

When you walk up to Model S carrying your key fob, the doors automatically unlock if Passive Entry is on (). If a door handle is retracted, press it and it extends. If the Auto-Present Handles setting is turned on (see Using Exterior Door Handles), you do not need to touch the door handle. Instead, door handles extend automatically as you approach Model S. To open the rear trunk, press the switch located under the powered liftgate’s exterior handle.

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention

Note

Model S must detect your key fob near the driver's door before the doors or powered liftgate unlock.

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention

Note

If Passive Entry is off, you must use the key fob to unlock Model S. See Using the Key Fob.

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention

Note

You can choose whether you want all doors, or just the driver's door, to unlock when you approach Model S carrying your key fob (see Door Unlock Mode).

When carrying your key fob with you, you can also open the rear trunk without having to use the key fob. Simply press the switch located under the powered liftgate’s exterior handle. Driver Door Unlock Mode (see Door Unlock Mode) must be off and the vehicle must detect the key fob near the driver's door before opening the rear trunk.

Model S also locks automatically. If you enable Walk Away Door Lock, Model S locks when you walk away carrying your key fob with you (see Walk-Away Door Lock).

While sitting inside Model S, you can also lock and unlock the vehicle by touching the icon on the touchscreen's status bar.

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention

Note

Depending on date of manufacture and options selected at time of purchase, some Model S vehicles are not equipped with the automatic locking and unlocking feature.

Using the Key Fob

To quickly familiarize yourself with the key fob, think of the key fob as a miniature version of Model S, with the Tesla badge representing the front. The key fob has three buttons that feel like softer areas on the surface.

1. Trunk
   • Double-click to open the rear trunk.
   • If equipped with a powered liftgate, double-click to close the rear trunk. You can also single-click to stop the liftgate when it is moving.
   • Hold the button down for one to two seconds to open the charge port door.
2. Lock/Unlock All
   • Single-click to lock doors and trunks (all doors and trunks must be closed). Hazard warning lights flash once and door handles retract. If a door or the powered liftgate is open, hazard warning lights flash three times and doors do not lock.
   • Double-click to unlock. Hazard warning lights flash twice and door handles extend. If a door or the rear trunk is open, hazard warning lights flash three times and doors do not lock.
3. Front trunk
   • Double-click to open the front trunk.

You do not need to point the key fob at Model S, but you must be within operating range (which varies depending on the strength of the key fob’s battery).

If Model S is unable to detect the key fob, the touchscreen displays a message indicating that a key fob is not inside. Place the key fob where Model S can best detect it, which is below the low voltage power socket (see Key Fob Not Inside).

Radio equipment on a similar frequency can affect the key fob. If this happens, move the key fob at least 30 cm away from other electronic devices (phone, laptop, etc). If the key fob does not work, you may need to change its battery. If the key fob’s battery is discharged, you can open Model S by following the unlocking procedure (see Unlocking When the Key Fob Doesn't Work).

For increased security, your key fob may require periodical updates. To update your key fob, go to and follow the onscreen instructions. Your vehicle must be in Park to update the key fob.

Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation

CAUTION

Remember to bring the key fob with you when you drive. Although you can drive Model S away from its key fob, you will be unable to power it back on after it powers off.

Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation

CAUTION

Protect the key fob from impact, high temperatures, and damage from liquids. Avoid contact with solvents, waxes and abrasive cleaners.

Replacing the Key Fob Battery

The key fob's battery lasts for approximately a year with normal use. When the battery is low, a message displays on the instrument panel. Follow these steps to replace it:

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention

Note

Tesla recommends replacing the battery in all key fobs at the same time.

1. With the key fob placed button-side down on a soft surface, use a small flat-bladed tool or fingernail to release the bottom cover.
2. Remove the battery by carefully lifting it away from the front retaining clips.
3. Insert the new battery (type CR2032) with the ‘+’ side facing up.

   Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention

   Note

   Tesla recommends using Panasonic CR2032 batteries. These can be purchased through online retailers, local supermarkets, and drug stores.

   Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention

   Note

   Wipe the battery clean before fitting and avoid touching the battery's flat surfaces. Finger marks on the flat surfaces of the battery can reduce battery life.

4. Holding the cover at an angle, align the tabs on the widest side of the cover with the corresponding slots on the key fob, then press the cover firmly onto the key fob until it snaps into place.
5. Test that the key fob works by unlocking and locking your vehicle.

Using Exterior Door Handles

A light press on a door handle extends it, provided Model S detects a valid key fob nearby and Passive Entry is on ().

You can set the door handles to extend automatically whenever you approach the driver’s side carrying the key fob. On the touchscreen, touch .

Insert your hand into the handle and pull to open the door.

Door handles retract if you do not use them within one minute after they extend. Just press a handle to extend it again. Door handles also retract a minute after the last door closes, when Model S begins moving, and when you lock Model S.

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention

Note

To preserve battery life, Model S is designed to temporarily disable the Auto-Present Handles feature when:

• The key fob has been out of range for more than 48 hours.
• The key fob remains within range for five minutes after all doors have been closed.

In these cases, extend door handles by touching one of them, or by pressing the unlock button on the key fob. There is no need to reset the setting. The next time you approach Model S, provided the above conditions do not apply, handles automatically extend.

Whenever a door is open, the Door Open indicator displays on the instrument panel. Also, the image of the Model S on the touchscreen's window also provides a visual representation of an open door or trunk.

Opening Doors from the Interior

To open a door, pull the interior door handle toward you.

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention

Note

To prevent children from opening rear doors using the interior handles, use the touchscreen, , to turn on the child-protection locks (see Child-Protection Lock).

Interior Locking and Unlocking

From inside Model S, you can use the touchscreen to lock or unlock doors and trunks, provided a valid key is inside the vehicle. Touch the lock icon on the touchscreen's status bar.

When you stop Model S and engage Park, you can choose whether you want doors to unlock or remain locked. To do so, touch . When enabled, doors automatically unlock when you engage Park.

You can also unlock doors and present handles by pressing the Park button on the end of the drive stalk a second time (for example, after pressing it one time to engage Park).

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention

Note

If a door or trunk is still open when you lock Model S, it locks when you close it.

Door Unlock Mode

You can choose to unlock only the driver's door when you approach your vehicle carrying your key fob. To do so, touch .

Child-Protection Lock

Model S has child-protection locks on the rear doors and liftgate to prevent them from being opened using interior handles. Use the touchscreen to turn child-protection locks on or off. Touch .

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention

Note

It is recommended that you turn child-protection locks on whenever children are seated in the rear seats.

Drive Away Locking

Model S automatically locks all doors (including the trunks) whenever your driving speed exceeds 8 km/h.

Walk-Away Door Lock

Doors and trunks automatically lock whenever you walk away carrying the key fob or if the key fob is otherwise not detected by your vehicle (not present, dead battery, etc.).

To turn this feature on or off, touch .

Check the Exclude Home checkbox to prevent doors from locking when you walk away carrying the key fob when Model S is parked at the location you have designated as Home. For details on how to designate a location as Home, see Home, Work, and Favorite Destinations.

If you unlock Model S using the mobile app, it automatically locks after a short period of time if all doors remain closed. If parked in an area without cellular service (such as an indoor parking garage), ensure that you have a functional key fob available to unlock Model S.

If Model S detects an authenticated key fob for five minutes after you exit the vehicle and close all doors, Walk-Away Door Lock disables and doors do not lock when you leave with the key fob. You will need to manually lock Model S until after your next drive.

In addition, if all doors are closed and you use the key fob to unlock Model S, walk away locking is temporarily suspended for one minute. If you open a door within this minute, it does not re-lock until after all the doors are closed and you have walked away with the key fob.

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention

Note

It is ultimately your responsibility to ensure your vehicle is locked, even when Walk-Away Door Lock is enabled.

Unlocking When the Key Fob Doesn't Work

If Model S does not unlock when you walk up to it, or when you double-click the unlock button on the top of your key fob, the key fob’s battery may be dead. Even if this is the case, you can still use the key fob to unlock and drive Model S.

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention

Note

Although you can still use your key fob, you should consider using the mobile app to remotely unlock and start the vehicle. Then, replace your key fob's battery when convenient.

To unlock Model S (and disable the security alarm) using the key fob, first position the key fob near the base of the passenger side windshield wiper. Then press the front door handle on the right side of the vehicle. If Model S doesn't unlock, try adjusting the position of the key fob and try again. The key fob must be in the correct position for the vehicle to unlock.

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention

Note

The following illustration assumes a left hand drive (LHD) vehicle. On a right hand drive (RHD) vehicle, the locations are mirrored.

To drive Model S after gaining access to the cabin, place the bottom of the key fob against the center console, immediately below the low voltage power outlet, then press and hold the brake pedal to start Model S.

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention

Note

Unlocking Model S using this method disables walk away locking. You must manually re-enable walk away locking after replacing the key fob’s battery.

Opening Interior Doors with No Power

If Model S has no electrical power, the front doors open as usual using the interior door handles. To open the rear doors, fold back the edge of the carpet below the rear seats to expose the mechanical release cable. Pull the mechanical release cable toward the center of the vehicle.