2021 Tesla Model S Keys
Keys
Three Types of Keys
Model S supports three types of keys:
- Phone key – You can set up your personal phone as a “phone key” that communicates with Model S using Bluetooth. A phone key supports automatic locking and unlocking.
- Key card – Tesla provides a key card that communicates with Model S using short-range radio-frequency identification (RFID) signals. The key card is used to “authenticate” phone keys to work with Model S and to add or remove other key cards, phone keys, or key fobs. Unlike the phone key and key fob, the key card does not support automatic locking and unlocking. In situations where your phone key has a dead battery or is lost or stolen, use your key card to unlock, drive, and lock Model S.
- Key fob – The key fob allows you to press buttons to open the front and rear trunks, and unlock, lock, and drive Model S. The key fob also supports automatic locking and unlocking, if available in your region (see Passive Locking and Unlocking) and can be used as a backup to your phone key.
Model S supports a total of 19 keys, which can include phone keys, key cards, and up to four key fobs.
Phone Key
Using your phone as a key is a convenient way to access your Model S. As you approach, your phone’s Bluetooth signal is detected and doors unlock when you press a door handle. Likewise, when you exit and walk away with the phone key, doors automatically lock (provided the Walk-Away Door Lock feature is turned on; see Walk-Away Door Lock).
Before you can use a phone to access Model S, follow these steps to authenticate it:
- Download the Tesla mobile app to your phone.
- Log into the Tesla mobile app using your Tesla account username and password.
NoteYou must remain logged in to your Tesla account to use your phone to access Model S.NoteIf multiple vehicles are linked to your Tesla account, you must ensure that the vehicle you want the mobile app to access is currently selected on the mobile app.
- Ensure:
- Your phone’s general Bluetooth settings are enabled.
- Bluetooth is enabled within your phone’s settings for the Tesla mobile app. For example, on your phone, navigate to Settings, choose the Tesla mobile app, and ensure the Bluetooth setting is turned on.
- Access to your location is enabled. Open the Tesla mobile app in your phone’s settings and select . For the best experience, keep the mobile app running in the background.
- Allow Mobile Access is enabled on the vehicle touchscreen ().
NoteModel S communicates with your phone using Bluetooth. Keep in mind that your phone must have enough battery power to run Bluetooth and that many phones disable Bluetooth when the battery is low. - While sitting inside the vehicle with a key card handy, open the Tesla mobile app and touch Set Up Phone Key on the main screen, or navigate to . Follow the prompts on the mobile app and vehicle touchscreen to set up your phone key.
To view a list of keys that can currently access Model S, or to remove a phone key, touch (see Managing Keys).
Model S can connect to three phone keys simultaneously. Therefore, if more than three phone keys are detected and you want to authenticate or pair a different phone, move the other connected phone key(s) out of range or turn off its Bluetooth setting.
Once a phone has been authenticated, it no longer requires an internet connection to be used as a phone key for Model S. However, to use the phone hands-free, access your phone’s contacts, play media from it, etc., you must also pair it and connect it as a Bluetooth device (see Pairing a Bluetooth Phone).
Key Card
Tesla provides you with two Model S key cards, designed to fit in your wallet.
To use a key card to unlock or lock Model S, position the card as shown and tap it against the card reader located approximately one-third the way up of the driver’s side door pillar. When Model S detects the key card, the exterior lights flash, the mirrors unfold or fold (if Fold Mirrors is on), the horn sounds (if Lock Confirmation Sound is on), and the doors unlock or lock.
Once inside, power up Model S by pressing the brake pedal within two minutes of scanning the key card (see Starting and Powering Off). If you wait longer than two minutes, you must re-authenticate by placing the key card near the card reader located in the wireless phone charger on the center console. When your key card is detected, your two-minute authentication period restarts.
Key Fob
You can quickly familiarize yourself with the key fob by thinking of it as a miniature version of Model S, with the Tesla badge representing the front. The key has buttons that feel like softer areas on the surface.
- Rear trunk – Double-click to open or close the rear trunk. Hold down for one to two seconds to open the charge port door.
- Lock/Unlock All – Single-click to lock doors and trunks (all doors and trunks must be closed). Double-click to unlock doors and trunks.
- Front trunk – Double-click to unlatch the front trunk.
Once inside, power up Model S by pressing the brake pedal within two minutes of pressing the unlock button on the key fob (see Starting and Powering Off). If you wait longer than two minutes, you must press the unlock button again or place the key fob near the card reader located in the lower half of the left wireless phone charger, facing downward, on the center console. When your key fob is detected, the two-minute authentication period restarts.
When approaching or leaving Model S carrying the key fob, you do not need to point the key fob at Model S as you press a button, but you must be within operating range.
Radio equipment on a similar frequency can affect the key. If this happens, move the key at least one foot (30 cm) away from other electronic devices (phones, laptops, etc.).
In the event that the key fob’s battery is dead, you can still use it. To unlock the vehicle, scan the key fob on the card reader located on the driver’s side door pillar (like the key card).
To drive the vehicle, scan the key fob on the phone charger.
- Place it at the top of the left phone charger, against the center divider.
- Point the front of the key fob down.
- Swipe downwards.
Instructions for changing the battery are provided in Replacing the Key Fob Battery.
Passive Locking and Unlocking
Locking and unlocking Model S with your key fob is conveniently hands-free. Although you must be carrying a paired key fob, there is no need to use it. Model S has sensors around the vehicle that can recognize the presence of a key fob within a range of approximately six feet (two meters). Therefore, you can keep your key fob in your pocket or purse and press the door handle to unlock and extend the handle. When carrying your key fob with you, you can also open the trunk without having to use the key by pressing the liftgate‘s exterior switch. If Walk-Away Door Lock is enabled, Model S automatically locks when you exit and the key fob is no longer in range (see Walk-Away Door Lock). Passive locking and unlocking is automatically enabled when you pair your key fob to Model S.
Although you can use the same key fob with multiple vehicles, it can only be paired to one vehicle at a time. To activate a paired key fob to a different vehicle, touch the flat side onto the driver’s side door pillar and click any button on the key fob to confirm.
Replacing the Key Fob Battery
Under normal use, the key fob has a battery that lasts for up to one year, depending on the key fob version and selected vehicle settings. When the battery is low, a message displays on the touchscreen.
To replace the key fob battery:
- With the key fob placed button side down on a soft surface, release the bottom cover, using a small flat-bladed tool.
- Remove the battery by lifting it away from the retaining clips.
- While avoiding touching the battery’s flat surfaces, insert the new battery (type CR2330) with the ‘+’ side facing up.
NoteWipe the battery clean before fitting and avoid touching the battery’s flat surfaces. Finger marks on the flat surfaces of the battery can reduce battery life.NoteCR2330 batteries can be purchased from any retailer that sells batteries.
- Holding the bottom cover at an angle, align the tabs on the cover with the corresponding slots on the key fob, then press the cover firmly onto the key fob until it snaps into place.
- Test that the key fob works by unlocking and locking Model S.
Managing Keys
To display a list of all keys (phone keys, key cards, and key fobs) that can access your Model S, touch . An icon displays next to each key to indicate whether the key is a phone key, key card, or key fob. Use this list to manage keys that have access to your Model S. To add or delete keys, see Adding and Removing Keys.
Model S supports up to 19 keys. When you reach this limit, you must delete a key before adding a new one.
Adding and Removing Keys
To add a new key card or key fob:
- On the touchscreen, touch then touch + in the Keys section.
- Scan your new key card or key fob on the card reader located on the wireless phone charger. To scan the key fob:
- Place it at the top of the left phone charger, against the center divider.
- Point the front of the key fob down.
- Swipe downwards (as shown in the image).
When you hear a chime and the new key is recognized, remove it from the card reader.
- Scan a key card or key fob that has already been paired to the vehicle to confirm new key pairing.
- When complete, the key list includes the new key. Touch the associated pencil icon to customize the name of the key.
To add a new phone key, see Phone Key.
Removing a key:
When you no longer want a key to access Model S (for example, you lost your phone or key card, etc.), follow these steps to remove it.
- On the touchscreen, touch .
- In the key list, find the key that you would like to delete and touch its associated trash icon.
- When prompted, scan an authenticated key card or key fob on the card reader to confirm the deletion. When complete, the key list no longer includes the deleted key.