Instructions for Transporters

DO NOT TRANSPORT WITH WHEELS ON THE GROUND

The motor(s) in Model 3 generates power when the wheels spin. Always transport Model 3 with all four tires off the ground. Ensure that the tires are unable to spin at any time during transport.

Warning

NEVER TRANSPORT YOUR VEHICLE WITH THE TIRES IN A POSITION WHERE THEY CAN SPIN. DOING SO CAN LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AND OVERHEATING. IN RARE CASES EXTREME OVERHEATING MAY CAUSE THE SURROUNDING COMPONENTS TO IGNITE.

Model 3 being towed with rear wheels on ground and front wheels lifted by a tow truck and a red "X" to indicate this should not be performed.

Model 3 being transported with all four wheels on ground behind an RV and a red "X" to indicate this should not be performed.

Do not transport Model 3 using any method that is not specified by Tesla. Adhere to the instructions provided in the following sections and observe all warnings and cautions provided. Damage caused by improper transporting of your vehicle is not covered by the warranty.

Note

Tesla is not liable or responsible for reimbursing services not dispatched through Tesla Roadside Assistance.

Approved Methods for Transporting

A flatbed truck or comparable transport vehicle is the recommended method of transporting Model 3. The vehicle can face either direction when using a flatbed.

If Model 3 must be transported without a flatbed truck, then wheel lifts and dollies must be used to ensure that all four wheels are off of the ground. This method may only be used for a maximum of 55 km, and must not exceed the manufacturer speed rating of the dollies. With this method, Tesla recommends the vehicle facing forward so that the front wheels are lifted and the rear wheels are on dollies.

Vehicle being towed with front wheels lifted by a tow truck and rear wheels on dollies.

CAUTION

Enable Transport Mode (see Activate Transport Mode) before winching Model 3 onto a flatbed truck (see Pull onto the Flatbed Truck). If Transport Mode is not available or the touchscreen is not accessible, self-loading dollies or tire skates must be used to load the vehicle into the approved transportation position. Tesla is not responsible for any damage caused by or during the transport of Model 3, including personal property damage or damage caused by using self-loading dollies or tire skates.

Note

Transport Mode is only intended to allow for winching Model 3 onto a flatbed truck or repositioning the vehicle out of a parking space. While in Transport Mode, the tires are allowed to rotate slowly (under 5 km/h) and for a very short distance (less than 10 meters). See Activate Transport Mode. Exceeding these boundaries can lead to significant damage and overheating that is not covered by the warranty.

Warning

Model 3 is equipped with high voltage components that may be compromised as a result of a collision (see High Voltage Components). Before transporting Model 3, it is important to assume these components are energized. Always follow high voltage safety precautions (wearing personal protection equipment, etc.) until emergency response professionals have evaluated the vehicle and can accurately confirm that all high voltage systems are no longer energized. Failure to do so may result in serious injury.

Activate Transport Mode

Transport Mode keeps the parking brake disengaged while winching Model 3 onto a flatbed truck. When active, Transport Mode displays a message indicating that the vehicle will remain free-rolling. To enable Transport Mode:

Low voltage power is required. You will be unable to use the touchscreen to activate Transport Mode if Model 3 has no power.
Model 3 must detect a key. Transport Mode is available only when a key is detected.
Ensure the vehicle is not connected to a charger. Transport Mode is not available if Model 3 is still plugged in.

BEFORE ACTIVATING TRANSPORT MODE: If the vehicle has low voltage power but the touchscreen is not responsive, Model 3 may need to be power cycled to reboot the touchscreen:

If the mobile app is available:

Open the Front Trunk through the mobile app.
Jumpstart the vehicle as you normally would (see Jump Starting). The touchscreen should turn on.
Activate Transport Mode (see the following) when the vehicle is ready to be towed.

If the mobile app is not available:

Open the front trunk by Opening the Hood with No Power after the low voltage battery is fully discharged.
Note
If the front trunk does not open, the vehicle may still have power. Promptly disconnect the jump cables and all the low voltage battery to fully discharge before trying again (which may take some time).
Jumpstart the vehicle as you normally would (see Jump Starting). The touchscreen should turn on.
Activate Transport Mode (see the following) when the vehicle is ready to be towed.

Warning

DO NOT activate Transport Mode before the vehicle loses power. Transport Mode puts the vehicle in Neutral, and you will have to press the brake pedal until ready for transporting. Activate Transport Mode immediately prior to transporting.

To activate Transport Mode:

Ensure Model 3 is in Park.
Chock the tires or make sure Model 3 is secure.
Press and hold the brake pedal, then on the touchscreen, touch Controls > Service > Towing. The touchscreen displays a message reminding you how to properly transport Model 3.
Touch Enter Transport Mode. The button turns blue to show that Model 3 is now in Transport Mode. Model 3 is now free-rolling and can be rolled slowly (no faster than walking speed) for short distances or winched (for example, onto a flatbed truck).

To cancel Transport Mode, touch Exit Transport Mode or shift Model 3 into Park. If your phone key is not detected, canceling Transport Mode powers off Model 3. You may need your key card to restart the vehicle.

Note

If your vehicle is equipped with a lead-acid low voltage battery (see Jump Starting): Transport Mode may cancel if Model 3 loses low voltage power after Transport Mode is enabled.

CAUTION

If the electrical system is not working, and you therefore cannot use the touchscreen to activate Transport Mode, use self-loading dollies or tire skates. Before doing so, always check the manufacturer's specifications and recommended loading capacity.

Pull onto the Flatbed Truck

Note

If Model 3 has no low voltage power, you need an external low voltage power supply to open the hood or use the touchscreen (see Jump Starting).

CAUTION

To avoid damage, only pull the vehicle onto a flatbed truck using a properly-installed tow eye. Using the chassis, frame, or suspension components to pull the vehicle can result in damage.

Locate the tow eye. The tow eye is located in the front trunk.
Release the tow eye cover by pressing firmly on its top right perimeter until it pivots inward, then gently pull the raised section toward you.
Note
The tow eye cover is connected to the vehicle's black negative (-) terminal.
Fully insert the tow eye into the opening, then turn it counter-clockwise until securely fastened.
Attach the winch cable to the tow eye.
CAUTION
Before pulling, make sure the tow eye is securely tightened.
Activate Transport Mode.
Pull Model 3 slowly onto the flatbed truck.

Secure the Tires

The vehicle's tires must be secured onto the truck using the eight-point tie-down method:

Ensure any metal parts on the tie-down straps do not contact painted surfaces or the face of the wheels.
Do not place tie-down straps over the body panels or through the wheels.

CAUTION

Attaching the tie-down straps to the chassis, suspension or other parts of the vehicle's body may cause damage.

View of the rear wheel with tie-down straps installed.

If Vehicle Has No Power

If Model 3 has no low voltage power, perform the following steps to open the hood or jump start the low voltage battery.

Open the hood. See Opening the Hood with No Power for more information on opening the hood if the vehicle does not have power.
Jump start the low voltage battery (see Jump Starting).

Note

Tow providers: See Running Out of Range for more information on transporting the vehicle to a charging station and preparing the vehicle to charge.

CAUTION

Because the windows automatically lower slightly when you open or close a door, always connect to an external, low voltage power supply before opening a door if the vehicle has no power to avoid breaking a window (see Jump Starting).