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 three feet (one meter). So, you can keep your key fob in your pocket or purse and Model S detects it as you approach.

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 Driver 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.

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 one foot (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 Controls > Service > Update Key Fob and follow the onscreen instructions. Your vehicle must be in Park to update the key fob.

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

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 Controls > Vehicle > Unlock on Park. 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).

You can choose to unlock only the driver's door when you approach your vehicle carrying your key fob. To do so, touch Controls > Vehicle > Driver Door Unlock Mode. To unlock the remaining doors, use the touchscreen or press the key fob a second time.

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 Controls > Vehicle > Child-Protection Lock.

Model S automatically locks all doors (including the trunks) whenever your driving speed exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h).

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.).

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.