Tesla Model 3 & Y Operating Instructions | Budget Car Rental

Quick Start Guide

1. Unlock the car

Place the key card near the circle by the driver’s window to lock or unlock the car.

Doors lock within 15 seconds of driving and unlock when you park.

Turning off the engine: The car will automatically turn off after it has been in Park for 15 mins. You can also use the touchscreen to manually power off. You will need to do this before charging.

 

2. Enter and Exit the Car

To enter: Push on the highest part of the handle.

The handle will then pop out so you can grab it to open the door.

To exit: You will find a door release button on top of the armrest.

 

3. Unlock the car

Place the key card on the centre console, in the area above the cup holders. Press the brake and then shift the car into gear by pressing down on the right-hand drive stick. (See point 4)

Once the car has started, the card can be removed from the console.

 

4. Change Gears, Indicate and Park

To change gears: Use the right-hand side drive stick. Push up for reverse and down for drive.

To engage and disengage the park brake: press the button on the end of the right-hand side drive stick.

To indicate: Use the left-hand side indicator stick.

 

5. Adjusting Mirrors

This is done via the touch screen. Press Controls > Mirrors. Use the left scroll button on the steering wheel to select which mirror you are adjusting. Next, use the scroll button as follows to adjust the selected mirror:

  • Roll up or down to move the mirror up or down.
  • Roll left or right to move the mirror inward or outward.

You will find other vehicle adjustments can also be made via the Controls menu on the touch screen.

 

6. Braking

You will find that as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator, the car will rapidly slow down to brake. (Unlike a conventional car, which gradually rolls to a stop). This regenerative braking helps to increase battery charge as you drive. It may feel different at first, but most people quickly adjust after a short drive.

Tip: We find if you put the car on Creep setting for Stopping Mode, it feels closer to a conventional car to drive. Creep setting will apply torque so that the vehicle continues to move slowly forward or backwards when your foot is off the accelerator. While in Park, select Controls Pedals & Steering > Stopping Mode > Creep.

 

7. Headlights and Windscreen Wipers

Lights and Windscreen Wipers will be set to AUTO mode, meaning they will intuitively come on when needed, and will automatically adjust to the optimum setting. You can manually access the headlight and wiper settings via the touchscreen. Press Controls to get started. And you can control headlights and wipers via voice commands. See further operating instructions below for more information on using voice control.

 

8. Adaptive Cruise Control

While driving, when you reach your desired speed, press down on the right-hand side drive stick to set that speed for cruise control.

To change your speed: Use the right scroll button on the steering wheel to increase or decrease your speed. Scroll up to increase speed and scroll down to decrease speed.

To change your follow distance: Use this same right scroll button on the steering wheel to increase or decrease follow distance between your car and the vehicle in front. To increase distance, press to the left. To decrease distance, press to the right.

To disengage cruise control: Either press the brake pedal or press up on the drive stick.

 

9. Monitoring Charge and Driving Range

You’ll find the battery charge level displayed on the top right hand side of the touchscreen. By pressing on this icon, you can toggle between remaining charge and estimated remaining driving range.

If you plot your destination into Tesla’s Trip Planner, within the vehicle navigation menu, you’ll find it provides recommended charging points and an estimation of remaining charge when you arrive at your destination.

 

Further Operating Instructions

Speed Display

You will find this displayed on the touch screen while driving.

Reversing Camera

This will automatically come on when the vehicle is in reverse.

Heating and Air-Conditioning

You will find these settings at the bottom of the touch screen.

Voice Controls

By pressing and releasing the right scroll wheel of the steering wheel, you can ask the car to interact with settings such as adjust climate preferences, control windscreen wiper speed, and navigating to a location. The voice commands are designed to respond to natural requests.

 


How to Charge

1. Opening the Charge Port

Ensure the car is off, unlocked and in park before charging.

Open the charge port using the touch screen. Select Controls > Charging > Open Charge Port.

The charge port is located on the passenger side at the rear of the car.

The Tesla “T” light on the charging port will light up white or light blue when you open the charging port. If you do not connect a charging plug within a few minutes, the port will automatically close and the light will turn off. If this happens, follow the steps above to open the charge port again.

 

2. Connecting a Charging Plug

A Tesla Y is compatible with a Type 2 or CCS2 plug. These plug types will be available at most charging stations.

Once you have plugged the appropriate charging plug into the vehicle’s charging port, the car should automatically start charging.

At some charging stations, you may need to select Start Charging on the vehicle touch screen or within the charging provider’s smart phone app.

Also, at some charging stations, you may need an adapter cable. You can find this in the boot. It’s inside a compartment on the floor of the boot.

While charging, your vehicle's touch screen will provide an alert if a fault occurs. It will also display an estimate on charging time and charging status.

 

3. Stopping Charging

You can stop charging at any time by selecting Stop Charging on the vehicle touch screen.

Before removing the charging plug, you will need to Stop Charging and then Unlock Charge Port using the vehicle touch screen.

Ensure the Tesla logo, located on the left hand side of the vehicle charging port, has turned white before removing the connector.

In rare circumstances, you may need to manually release the charging plug. If this needs to happen, please refer to the Charging Instructions section of the Tesla Y Owner’s Manual provided below. Manual release is not recommended. 

 

IMPORTANT!

  • Do not take the Tesla through an automatic or conveyor tunnel car wash! Washing the car without activating special Car Wash Mode features may cause permanent damage.
  • Do not use an extension cord if trickle charging! In case you get caught short of charge and are unable to make it to a public charging station, a trickle charging cable is included in the bottom compartment of the car boot. This can be plugged directly into a standard residential power point.

 


 

Public Charging Guide*

Charging Level

Level 2
AC - Fast Charging

Level 3
(Recommended)

DC - Fast Charging

Level 4
(Recommended)

DC - Super Charging

Power

7 – 22 kW

50 kW

150 – 350 kW

Time to charge from 10% to 80% (approx.)

5 - 8 hours

1 - 1.5 hours

15 - 40 mins

Compatible Plug

Level 2 - Type 2

Level 3 & 4 - CCS2

 

 
Estimated driving range is up to 455km. We suggest planning for 430km on a 100% charge; or 300kms on an 80% charge. Driving distance will vary depending on weather and road conditions. Extreme hot or cold weather will reduce driving range. Large hills will reduce driving range. You’ll also find that city driving uses less energy than highway driving, as there is more frequent need to use regenerative braking when driving in the city.

*The information provided is for general information purposes only. The information has been sourced from a variety of online sources and is provided to customers in good faith. However, the Avis Budget Group makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, reliability, availability or completeness of any information provided. In particular, the information in the Public Charging Guide is indicative only, and the Avis Budget Group will not be responsible for any decisions based, or reliance placed, by customers on such information.

 

Additional Resources

How to Videos

Tesla Model 3 User Manual

Tesla Model Y User Manual

Charging Providers and Locations

 

Need Roadside Assistance?

If you're on the road and need help, please contact roadside assistance on 0800 652 847.