Maintenance Service Intervals
Service Intervals
Tesla recommends the following maintenance items and intervals, as applicable to your vehicle, to ensure continued reliability and efficiency of your Model 3.
For additional information on vehicle alerts, see Troubleshooting Alerts.
- Brake fluid health check every 4 years (replace if necessary)*.
- Cabin air filter replacement every 2 years.
- Clean and lubricate brake calipers every year or 12,500 miles (20,000 km) if in an area where roads are salted during winter.
- Rotate tires every 10,000 km or if tread depth difference is 1.5 mm or greater, whichever comes first.
*Heavy brake usage due to towing, mountain descents, or performance driving -- especially for vehicles in hot and humid environments -- may necessitate more frequent brake fluid checks and replacements.
For more do-it-yourself maintenance procedures and information, see https://www.tesla.com/support/do-it-yourself-guides.
Schedule Service
Scheduling a service visit through the mobile app is easy. After touching Service, select the type of service needed and follow the directions in the mobile app. Provide as much detail as possible to better help the Service team identify the cause of concern, such as:
- Photos, sound recordings, or videos.
- Date(s), time(s), and time zone when the issue occurred.
- Country of use and location.
- Approximate speed the vehicle was traveling (if applicable).
- Environmental conditions (rain, snow, cold, etc.).
- Road name and type of road (if applicable).
- Quality of lane markings (if applicable).
- Applicable vehicle settings.
- Identifiable symptoms.
Visit https://www.tesla.com/support/service-visits for more information on scheduling service.
Daily Checks
- Check the Battery’s charge level, displayed on the touchscreen or mobile app.
- Check the condition and pressure of each tire (see Tire Care and Maintenance).
- Check that all exterior lights, horn, turn signals, and wipers and washers are working.
- Check for any unexpected indicator lights or vehicle alerts on the touchscreen.
- Check the operation of the brakes, including the parking brake.NoteBecause Model 3 uses regenerative braking (see Regenerative Braking), the brake pads are typically used less frequently than those in traditional braking systems. To avoid the accumulation of rust and corrosion, Tesla recommends frequently pressing the brake pedal to apply the mechanical brakes, which dries the brake pads and rotors.
- Check the operation of the seat belts (see Seat Belts).
- Look for abnormal fluid deposits underneath Model 3 that might indicate a leak. It is normal for a small pool of water to form (caused by the air conditioning system’s dehumidifying process).
- Look around the exterior of Model 3 and immediately remove any corrosive substances (such as bird droppings, tree resin, tar spots, dead insects, industrial fallout, etc.) to prevent damage to the exterior (see Cleaning).
Weekly Checks
- During wet weather, clean Autopilot cameras weekly (see Cleaning a Camera). Otherwise, clean them monthly during dry weather.
Monthly Checks
- Check windshield washer fluid level and top up if necessary (see Topping Up Windshield Washer Fluid).
- Check that the air conditioning system is operating correctly (see Operating Climate Controls).
Periodic Checks
Perform the following checks as needed:
- Over time, when driving in dusty or polluted conditions, your vehicle's radiator may become clogged. This can affect air flow and heating/AC performance. Use the mobile app to schedule a service appointment.
- The inside of the windshield within the camera enclosure (see Cameras) must be cleaned periodically to maintain clear visibility and optimal camera function. To check if such cleaning is needed, review your vehicle's maintenance summary by touching . When needed, use the mobile app to schedule a service appointment.
Maintenance Summary
You can view current status of maintenance items by navigating to
on your vehicle's touchscreen.Maintenance Summary keeps track of when regular maintenance items, such as windshield wiper blades and filters, were last performed and provides suggestions for when they should be performed again. You can perform them yourself or enlist the help of Tesla or an independent repairer. Once completed, you can reset the maintenance item on your vehicle's touchscreen. Model 3 captures a time stamp and applicable information (such as your current mileage) and resets the maintenance item to remind you for next time. Vehicle service history records persist on the vehicle, providing you and future owners with a record of previously performed services. The service history record is not affected by a factory reset.
Fluid Replacement Intervals
Battery coolant and brake fluid levels should only be checked by Tesla or a professional automotive repair shop. Specific service information is available in the Service Manual.
- Battery coolant: Your Battery coolant does not need to be replaced for the life of your vehicle under most circumstances. NoteAny damage caused by opening the Battery coolant reservoir is excluded from the warranty.
- Brake fluid: Do not top up your brake fluid.
Software
Updating software is important to ensure proper operation and longevity of your vehicle's components. You must install a software update at the earliest opportunity. See Software Updates.
Tesla may update or reinstall your vehicle's software as part of the normal diagnostic, repair, and maintenance process within Service.
High Voltage Safety
Your Model 3 has been designed and built with safety as a priority. However, be aware of these precautions to protect yourself from the risk of injury inherent in all high-voltage systems:
- Read and follow all instructions provided on the labels that are attached to Model 3. These labels are there for your safety.
- The high voltage system has no user-serviceable parts. Do not disassemble, remove or replace high voltage components, cables or connectors. High voltage cables are colored orange for easy identification.
- If a collision occurs, do not touch any high voltage wiring, connectors, or components connected to the wiring.
- In the unlikely event that a fire occurs, immediately contact your local fire emergency responders.