10 Essentials You Need To Know Before Buy A New Tesla Model X

Welcome to your Tesla. This post will provide a high-level overview of the essentials you need to know to take your first drive of the new Tesla Model X. Be sure to read the rest of the posts in the series to learn everything you need for ownership.

Contents

Entry your Tesla

Firmly press the center of the door handle and your door will swing open for you welcoming you inside. It will close automatically when you press the brake pedal. When you want to get out press the door handle or use the touchscreen. To open a falcon wing door press the handle.

10 Essentials You Need To Know Before Buy A New Tesla Model X — Entry the Tesla

Press the red button on the door to close it from the outside or use the button on the inside control to open or close it from the inside. Your doors are automatic and intelligent but you’re responsible for ensuring that their pads are clear before opening or closing them. We’ll cover additional ways to control your doors later in the series.

Features of Tesla Keys

Your tesla is compatible with three different kinds of keys. Phone key which turns your phone into your tesla’s key. Key fobs and backup key cards which you should keep with you whenever using the phone key. We’ll focus on the phone key here and we’ll cover the key fob and key cards in more detail in the keys post. Use one of your backup key cards to set up the phone key. Make sure that your phone’s Bluetooth is on.

Open the tesla app and then follow the prompts. Once set up as long as your phone is with you and Bluetooth is on your car will automatically unlock as you approach it. Power on for driving when you press the brake pedal and lock as you walk away.

Setup Tesla Driver Profile

Tap the car icon or swipe from left to right to reveal your controls menu which gives you quick access to functions you’ll use most. Tap to create your driver profile so you can get comfortable and save your settings. Reach down to the side of your seat to adjust its position and lumbar support.

To adjust the steering yoke select it on the touchscreen and then use the left scroll wheel. Tap mirrors and use the same left scroll wheel to adjust each side view mirror. Finally, tap to save these settings to your profile. Many other settings also save to your driver profile so your tesla will be just how you like it even if you’re not the only driver. You can link your profile to your phone key or key fob. And your car will automatically adjust to you as you open the door.

Shifting your Tesla

To drive simply buckle up with your phone key in the car. Press the brake pedal and then go to the touchscreen. Swipe down the car icon for reverse and up for the drive. Your tesla will automatically shift to park once you come to a complete stop and unbuckle. You can also tap the P icon to put it in the park yourself. Once your car is in the park you can get out. There’s nothing to turn off your tesla powers off once you get out and close the doors.

If you’d like your tesla to automatically shift itself out of the park. Go to controls -> pedals and steering and then enable auto shift out of the park. With this setting on when you press the brake pedal while in park your tesla will automatically decide between driving and reversing according to your surroundings. The intended direction shows on the instrument cluster. Confirm that this is the direction you want and just press the accelerator to go. Swipe on the touch screen to select a different direction.

Tesla Yoke Controls

Your cabin has a stockless steering column that activates your turn signals with these controls on the left side of the yoke. Press to turn on your signal it will turn off automatically once your tesla detects that you’ve completed a maneuver like a turn lane change or taking an exit. You can manually disengage the signal by pressing either control. Press the light icon to flash your high-beam headlights and reveal light settings on the touchscreen. Press and hold to fully engage or disengage your automatic high beams. If you prefer to dim your high beams manually tap the light icon on the touchscreen to disable auto high beam.

Honk your horn by pressing the honk icon on the right side of the yoke. Press the windshield icon to wipe the windshield once and bring up the wiper controls on your instrument cluster. Use the left scroll wheel to select between wiper speeds or set them to auto. Press and hold the wiper control to wash the windshield.

Tesla Regenerative Braking

Your tesla has regenerative braking as you lift off the accelerator pedal your car will slow down while recapturing and returning energy to the battery pack. It can take a few miles to get used to it but it maximizes efficiency and control. Ultimately making it easier to drive. As you ease off the accelerator at low speeds. Your tesla will also apply the friction brakes to bring you to a gentle stop and hold you there this makes stop-and-go driving possible using the accelerator pedal only. Of course, as with any other car press the brake pedal when you need to decelerate rapidly.

Charging your Tesla

To charge point the connector at the charge port and press the circle icon on the charge port to open it. Or press on the charge port door itself. The logo Tesla glows white indicating that your car is ready to charge. Firmly plug in the connector and the logo tesla will pulse green once charging begins. To unplug press and hold the connector button and remove the connector once the logo Tesla turns white. Your charge port door will close automatically.

Learn More

To get the most out of your tesla be sure to read the remaining post in the series. We’ll cover important features like autopilot and software updates and you’ll learn more about topics like charging and doors. Even more, information is available in your on-screen owner’s manual open your controls menu and tap service owner’s manual and then search for any topic.