Cleaning
Cleaning the Exterior
To prevent damage to the exterior, immediately remove corrosive substances (such as grease, oil, bird droppings, tree resin, dead insects, tar spots, road salt, industrial fallout, etc.). Do not wait until Cybertruck is due for a complete wash. If necessary, use denatured alcohol to remove tar spots and stubborn grease stains, then immediately wash the area with water and a mild, non-detergent soap to remove the alcohol.
Dents and Scratches
The stainless steel exterior of Cybertruck is more resistant to dents and dings than most other vehicles. However, Cybertruck does not have a clear coat on the surface of the exterior body panels, meaning any scratches that appear are in the stainless steel panels themselves. Anyone performing scratch repair should refer to the applicable "Exterior Stainless Steel Panel Refinishing" procedure within the Collision Repair Manual on service.tesla.com. In addition, do not use, and/or immediately remove, chemical, corrosive, or non-pH neutral substances (including but not limited to: acidic liquids or materials, grease, oil, tree resin, dead insects, tar spots, road salt, industrial fallout, etc.) as they can cause corrosion on the vehicle's exterior.
Surface Contamination
Over time, you may notice contamination on the surface of the stainless steel body panels. These spots may appear as orange or brown rust. However, it is important to note that your Cybertruck is not rusting. Refer to the DIY Guide for more information.
Keep the exterior cameras free of dirt, condensation, or obstructions. These substances can cause unclear pictures or Autopilot and safety features to stop working (see Cleaning a Camera).
Follow these steps when washing the exterior of Cybertruck:
- Before washing, flush grime and grit from the vehicle using a hose. Flush away accumulations of mud in areas where debris easily collects (such as wheel wells and panel seams). If salt has been used on the highways (such as during winter months), thoroughly rinse all traces of road salt from the underside of the vehicle, wheel wells, and brakes.
- Mix a mild, pH-neutral soap (such as car shampoo) with water until it gets soapy.
- Soak a soft cleaning sponge in the soap mixture and hand wash Cybertruck.CAUTIONSome cleaners and car shampoos contain chemicals that can cause damage or discoloration, especially for plastic trim pieces, exterior lights, or camera lenses. For example, some car cleaning formulas contain hydroxide or other highly alkaline or caustic ingredients that can damage exterior components. Do not use acidic products either. Damage or discoloration resulting from cleaning products is not covered by the warranty.
- After washing, rinse with clean water to prevent soap from drying on the surfaces.
- Dry thoroughly with microfiber cloths (ensure the cloths are clean of sand, dirt, rocks, etc.), one in each hand, rotating in circular motions until the surface is dry.
- Hand wash using a non-ionic pH-neutral waterless wash with a high quality microfiber towel.
- Dry any streaks thoroughly with a chamois.
- Remove oil and grease with an organic solvent, such as alcohol or ethyl alcohol.NoteDo not use alcohol or ethyl alcohol on the head or tail lights.
For spot cleaning: Use a glass cleaner and microfiber cloth. Spray glass cleaner and wipe in a zig-zag motion when cleaning large areas, such as entire panels.
Use isopropyl alcohol wipes (such as those used to clean glasses or screens) to clean away small stains.
Cleaning Mud
If your vehicle is covered in mud, such as after off-roading, rinse the entire exterior of the vehicle with water. It is important to regularly clean the exterior of Cybertruck after off-roading because mud and debris can quickly build up and limit some vehicle functions.
For certain components, such as the underside, wheel wells, panel seams, and radiator, use a power washer to remove stuck-on mud or debris. Then follow the rest of the regular cleaning steps, as explained above. Wipe away mud from the headlights, tail lights, and cameras, as it may affect your vehicle’s ability to drive safely.
Mud and rocks can get trapped between the wheel cover and wheel well. This may cause noise or vibration. Remember to clear mud, dirt, and rocks from the wheel wells after off-roading.
Window Cleaning and Treatments
Clean windows and mirrors using an automotive glass cleaner. Do not scrape or use any abrasive cleaning fluid on glass or mirrored surfaces. Follow the directions in Cleaning the Exterior for best practices in cleaning the exterior glass.
To add a hydrophobic coating to your vehicle's windows, apply the coating only to the side and rear windows, not the front windshield—doing so may affect the visibility of the autopilot cameras. Follow the hydrophobic coating manufacturer’s instructions for application details.
Car Wash
If taking Cybertruck to an automatic car wash is necessary, Car Wash Mode closes all windows, locks the charge port, and disables windshield wipers, Sentry Mode, and walk-away door locking. To enable, touch . Your vehicle must be stationary and not actively charging.
If using an automatic car wash, Enable Free Roll keeps your vehicle in Neutral and activates free roll for the duration of the wash, while preventing Cybertruck from applying the Parking brake if you leave the driver's seat. To enable, press on the brake pedal and touch Enable Free Roll; or shift into Neutral.
Car Wash Mode disables if the vehicle's speed exceeds 9 mph (15 km/h) or by touching Exit on the touchscreen.
Cautions for Exterior Cleaning
Cleaning the Interior
Frequently inspect and clean the interior to maintain its appearance and to prevent premature wear. If possible, immediately wipe up spills and remove marks. For general cleaning, wipe interior surfaces using a soft cloth (such as microfiber) dampened with a mixture of warm water and mild non-detergent cleaner (test all cleaners on a concealed area before use). To avoid streaks, dry immediately with a soft lint-free cloth.
Interior Glass
Do not scrape, or use any abrasive cleaning fluid on glass or mirrored surfaces. This can damage the reflective surface of the mirror and the heating elements in the rear window.
Airbags
Do not allow any substance to enter an airbag cover. This could affect correct operation.
Dashboard and Plastic Surfaces
Do not polish the upper surfaces of the dashboard. Polished surfaces are reflective and could interfere with your driving view.
Interior Lighting
- Footwell
- Puddle
- Projection
- Dome
- Accent
- Ambient
- Fabric.
- Masking tape.
- Plastic film.
- Protective covers for car interiors.
Seats
Your vehicle’s seats are made of a custom, sustainable, vegan leather which is softer than leather, yet far more durable and stain resistant. Tesla recommends that you regularly clean and vacuum the interior of your vehicle to maintain performance and an as-new appearance. You can purchase an all-purpose cleaning kit on the Tesla Shop.
Avoid contact with harsh chemicals, including certain cosmetics. Such substances can cause damage, degradation, or discoloration over time.
For general spills and stains, wipe spills and chemical residues from interior surfaces as soon as possible. Moisten a soft cloth (preferably microfiber) with warm water and mild soap and gently wipe the stain in a circular motion. Then, wipe dry using a soft, lint-free cloth. Do not blow dry. Anything more than soap can be too harsh. Using other cleaning agents, disinfectants, conditioners, or protectants is not recommended.
For white seats: As a last resort, moisten a soft cloth (such as microfiber) with warm water and isopropyl alcohol and gently wipe the stain in a circular motion (DO NOT use this method on black seats). Clean off any remaining isopropyl alcohol residue with a soft, damp cloth. Aggressive or extended use of isopropyl alcohol will damage the top coat of the material, allowing stains to occur more readily and violating the warranty.
A variety of clothing, accessories, and cosmetics may contain dyes or oils which can transfer onto the seats over time. These stains are difficult to prevent and cannot always be safely cleaned off.
Carpets
Avoid over-wetting carpets. For heavily soiled areas, use a diluted upholstery cleaner.
Seat Belts
Extend the belts to wipe. Do not use any type of detergent or chemical cleaning agent. Allow the belts to dry naturally while extended, preferably away from direct sunlight.
Door Seals
Wipe door seals with a damp cloth to remove any debris. Excessive debris on the door seals can cause damage when contacting surrounding surfaces. Avoid using alcohol wipes or any chemical products that can potentially deteriorate the coating on the door seals.
Front and Rear Touchscreens
Clean the touchscreen(s) using a soft lint-free cloth specifically designed to clean monitors and displays. Do not use cleaners (such as a glass cleaner) or alcohol-based gel products (such as hand sanitizer) and do not use a wet wipe or a dry statically-charged cloth (such as a recently washed microfiber). To wipe the front touchscreen without activating buttons and changing settings, you can enable Screen Clean Mode. Touch . The display darkens to make it easy to see dust and smudges. To exit Screen Clean Mode, press and hold HOLD TO EXIT.
Metal Surfaces
Polish, abrasive cleaners, alcohol-based gel products (such as hand sanitizer), and hard cloths can damage the finish on metal surfaces.
Cautions for Interior Cleaning
Using a Car Cover
To preserve the cosmetic appearance of the body when Cybertruck is not being used, use a genuine Tesla car cover. Car covers can be purchased online from the Tesla Shop.
Floor Mats
To extend the life of your carpet and make them easier to clean, use genuine Tesla floor mats available online at http://www.tesla.com. Maintain floor mats by regularly cleaning them and checking that they are properly attached. Replace floor mats if they become excessively worn.