Car Status

Overview

The touchscreen displays the status of Model 3 at all times. What you see depends on whether the vehicle is:

Parked (shown below).
Driving (see Driving Status).
Charging (see Charging Status).

When Model 3 is parked, the status area shows the drive mode, estimated range, and an overhead view of the car with buttons you can touch to open the trunks and charge port door. When you press the brake, Model 3 powers up and indicator lights flash briefly. Unless an indicator light applies to the current situation (for example, a seat belt is not fastened), it should turn off. If an indicator light fails to turn on or off, contact Tesla.

Note

The following image is provided for demonstration purposes only. Depending on vehicle options, software version, and market region, the information displayed may be slightly different.

Cards

The bottom of the car status display also shows shortcut "cards" for quick access to Media, tire pressure data, trip information, and more. Swipe the cards to the left or right to customize your cards shortcuts.

Indicator Lights

The following indicator lights illuminate to advise you or alert you of a specific status or condition.

Red exclamation point within a red circle with the word BRAKE underneath

If the touchscreen displays this red brake indicator at any time other than briefly when you first start Model 3, a brake system fault is detected, or the level of the brake fluid is low. Contact Tesla immediately. Apply steady pressure and keep the brake pedal firmly pressed to stop the vehicle when safe to do so.

Amber exclamation point within an amber circle with the word BRAKE underneath

The touchscreen displays this amber brake indicator if a brake booster fault is detected. Apply steady pressure and keep the brake pedal firmly pressed to stop the vehicle when safe to do so. Hydraulic Boost Compensation will be active (see Braking and Stopping).

The ABS indicator briefly flashes amber on the touchscreen when you first start Model 3. If this indicator lights up at any other time, an ABS fault has occurred and the ABS is not operating. Contact Tesla. The braking system remains fully operational and is not affected by an ABS failure. However, braking distances may increase. Drive cautiously and avoid heavy braking.

A read P within a red circle with the word PARK underneath

When you manually apply the parking brake using the touchscreen, the red parking brake indicator lights up on the touchscreen.

If the parking brake experiences an electrical issue, the amber parking brake indicator lights up and a fault message displays on the touchscreen.

An amber exclamation within a tire circle

Tire pressure warning (indicator light is amber). The pressure of a tire is out of range. If a fault with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is detected, the indicator flashes. For a TPMS fault, contact Tesla. See Tire Care and Maintenance.

Red icon of a passenger with a seat belt

A seat belt for an occupied seat is not fastened. (indicator light is red) See Seat Belts.

Red icon of a passenger with a seat belt and an airbag

Airbag safety (indicator light is red). If this indicator does not flash on briefly when Model 3 prepares to drive, or if it remains on, contact Tesla immediately. See Airbag Warnings.

An orange half circle with three horizontal lines coming out of it and a wavy vertical line

The rear fog indicator displays on the touchscreen whenever rear fog lights are on.

Two green ovals with three lines each on the outside representing lights

Parking lights are on (side marker lights, tail lights, and license plate lights) (indicator light is green). See Lights.

A green headlight icon with beams of light angling down

Low beam headlights are on (indicator light is green).

A blue headlight icon with beams of horizontal light

High beam headlights are on and Adaptive Headlights is disabled or currently unavailable (indicator light is blue).

A blue headlight with an A with horizontal beams of light

Adaptive Headlights is enabled and high beams are on. Model 3 is ready to turn off the high beams if light is detected (indicator light is blue). See High Beam Headlights.

A grey headlight with an A with horizontal beams of light

Adaptive Headlights is enabled but high beams are not on because light is detected in front of Model 3 (indicator light is gray). When light is no longer detected, high beams automatically turn back on. See High Beam Headlights.

Amber icon of rear view of vehicle with squiggly tire marks

This indicator flashes amber when the electronic stability control systems are actively minimizing wheel spin by controlling brake pressure and motor power. See Traction Control. If this indicator remains on, a fault is detected and you should immediately contact Tesla.

Amber icon of rear view of vehicle with squiggly tire marks and the word OFF

Electronic stability control systems are no longer minimizing wheel spin (indicator light is amber). On a Rear Wheel Drive vehicle, the traction control system has been turned off, or on an All-Wheel Drive vehicle, Slip Start has been enabled. See Traction Control.

Vehicle Hold is actively applying the brakes (indicator light is gray). See Vehicle Hold.

A door or trunk is open (indicator light is red). See Doors, Rear Trunk, or Front Trunk.

The Pedestrian Warning System has been paused (indicator light is gray). See Pedestrian Warning System).

Model 3 is ready to drive (indicator light is green).

The green Battery indicator turns amber when the charge level is low (<20% remaining).

A blue snowflake appears when some of the energy stored in the Battery may not be available due to cold weather conditions. During these cold weather conditions, charging rates may also be limited. If Model 3 is plugged in, you can heat your Battery by turning on climate control with the mobile app. The snowflake disappears when the Battery is sufficiently warm.

green icon with a lightning bolt in the center

Appears when regenerative braking is limited. See Regenerative Braking for more information.

Vehicle power is currently being limited because the energy remaining in the Battery is low, the vehicle's systems are being heated or cooled, or an error is detected by the drive inverter (indicator light is amber).

Battery is charging (indicator light is red). Unplug Model 3 before driving.

Vehicle systems are too hot (indicator light is red). Pull over immediately and allow systems to cool (indicator light is red).

Large red exclamation over the outline of a vehicle

System failure (indicator light is red). Follow the instructions in the associated message that displays. Contact Tesla.

See Popup Messages and Vehicle Alerts for more information about alert popups on your vehicle's touchscreen.

Driving Status

When Model 3 is driving (or ready to drive), the touchscreen shows your current driving status and a real-time visualization of the road as detected by the Autopilot components (see Cameras). The visualization automatically zooms in and out to better utilize touchscreen space and inform you when a vehicle is detected in your blind spot.

Note

The following illustration is provided for demonstration purposes only. Depending on vehicle options, software version, and market region, the information displayed may be slightly different.

Note

To display more details about the roadway and its surroundings, such as road markings, stop lights, objects (such as trash cans and poles), etc., touch Controls > Autopilot > Full Self-Driving Visualization Preview (if equipped).

When Autosteer is available but you haven't activated it, the icon is gray. When Autosteer is actively steering Model 3, the icon is blue (see Autosteer).
Currently selected drive mode: Park, Reverse, Neutral, or Drive.
Driving speed.
The power meter displays real-time power usage (see Regenerative Braking for more information). The power meter may display vertically at the top of the driving status screen but the function is the same.
Other cars detected on the road (as applicable).
Your Model 3. Colored lines radiate from the image of your Model 3 as objects are detected (other motorists, guard rails, etc.). The location of the lines correspond to the location of the detected object. The color of the lines (white, yellow, orange, or red) represents the object's proximity to Model 3, with white being the farthest and red being very close and requiring your immediate attention. See Lane Assist.
When Autosteer is active and detecting the driving lane, the lane is highlighted in blue (see Autosteer).
Note
If Navigate on Autopilot is active, the driving lane displays as a single blue line in front of Model 3 (see Navigate on Autopilot).
The speed limit that is currently being detected by Speed Assist (see Speed Assist).
Note
A blue outline may appear around the speed limit icon to notify that you are above the speed limit.
Note
The icon associated with the detected speed limit reflects the style of speed limit signs used in your market region.
Total estimated driving distance (or energy) available. Touch the displayed value to change how available energy is displayed. You can toggle between driving distance and percentage of battery energy remaining. You can also change how energy is displayed by touching Controls > Display > Energy Display.
Note
When anticipating when you need to charge, use range estimates as a general guideline only.
The set cruising speed. When Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is available but you haven't set a cruising speed, the number is gray (see Traffic-Aware Cruise Control).

Warning

Pay attention to important alert messages that display at the bottom of the car status area of the touchscreen. Ignoring these messages can result in serious injury or death.

Warning

Although the touchscreen shows surrounding traffic, some vehicles may not be displayed. Never rely on the touchscreen to determine if a vehicle is present (for example, in your blind spot). Always use your mirrors and perform shoulder checks.