Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2018 Tesla Model 3 BaseFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Replacement Keys - Program (No Keys Present): Procedure
- Place the two new keys onto the center console behind the cup holders.
- Connect a laptop with Toolbox 3 to the vehicle.
- In Toolbox, click the Actions/Autodiag
tab, type "NFC Cards Whitelist" in the search field, click on NFC Cards Whitelist Pairing and Permission Adding
, and then click Run
to start the pairing process.NOTE: Alternatively, type "NFC-CARD-V2", click on PROC_VCSEC_C_PAIR-NFC-CARD-V2 , and then click Run to start the pairing process.
- In Toolbox, under "pairRequirement", type "2", and then click Submit
.NOTE: Allow the routine to run. If the routine fails, try again.
- Once the routine completes, confirm that it displays the correct number of paired keys.NOTE: If the number of keys successfully paired does not match the number of keys requested, reposition the keys on the center console or phone dock and repeat from step 3.
- Tap each new key against the driver's side B-pillar applique to verify that the key locks and unlocks the vehicle.
- Place each new key onto the key reader behind the cup holders on top of the center console to verify they are both authenticated and can start the vehicle.
- Disconnect the laptop from the vehicle.
Factory Service Tools
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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