Exteriorlink
Last updated: October 20, 2023
Aerodynamicslink
2024+ Model 3 underbody uses molded plastic paneling that reduces air turbulence. From front to rear, the system begins at the front bumper fascia. Air for cooling and ventilation flows through the grill with active shutters to manage mass flow. Air then flows beneath the lower valence attached to the front bumper fascia with a push-pull plastic rivet clips.
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| Overview |
The front aero shield covers the front subframe and the front valence. It is attached to the mid aero shield, the trunk load floor, and the rear lower bumper fascia.
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| Front Aero Shield |
The mid aero shield is located between the HV Battery and the rear diffuser.
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| Mid Aero Shield |
The rear aero shield covers the rear subframe and HV Battery overlapping with the wheel arch liners.
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| Rear Aero Shield |
The rear suspension covers are attached to the control arms of the rear suspension. The rear diffuser is the last piece of the underbody aero system. It cannot be removed from the vehicle before removing the rear bumper fascia due to the use of buckle snaps.
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| Rear Diffuser |
Exterior Mirrorslink
2024+ Model 3 side mirrors feature auto heating, auto dimming, auto tilt, position memory, and power folding.
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| 1. Mirror Skullcap 2. Mirror |
| Sideview Mirror |
Mirror Dimminglink
2024+ Model 3 will automatically dim the mirrors to half their brightness (47%) when the following conditions are present:
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Sun is down.
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Headlights are on.
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Drive gear (DI_gear) is D or N.
The solar elevation angle is calculated according to the time displayed on the touchscreen.
The rest of the logic is implemented by the left vehicle controller (VCLEFT) and right vehicle controller (VCRIGHT) which control the mirrors. VCLEFT controls the left mirror and VCRIGHT controls the right and rear-view mirrors.
There is no CAN signal to output the actuated dimming duty.
In the harness schematics, the Mirror Dim，also knowns as Electrochromic (EC)，is the phenomenon where the color or opacity of a material (in this case glass) changes when a voltage is applied.
Mirror Stalllink
2024+ Model 3 side view mirror can automatically fold when the vehicle is locked and unfold when the vehicle is unlocked after settings on the touchscreen under Controls>Mirror>Mirror Auto Fold. There is a physical end point for fold and unfold directions respectively. When the current drops from normal to 0, the mirror motor is considered as stalled.
Wiper Systemlink
Model 3 has a variable speed windshield wiper system, a fluid pump, a sensor for low fluid detection, and a position detection sensor. These components enable Model 3 to clean and clear the windshield of debris and liquid. Actuation of the wiper system is requested by the front vehicle controller over a direct LIN connection, but is managed by integrated control electronics that are embedded into the gearbox cover of the wiper motor. The wiper speed and direction are controlled by varying the control signal and switching the polarity across the wiper motor respectively.
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| 1. Coverage area 2. Washer hose 3. Driver and Passenger windshield wiper assembly + washer nozzle 4. Washer fluid cap |
| Windshield Wiper System |
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| 1. Washer Pump 2. Washer Tank 3. Washer fluid cap 4. Washer level sensor |
| Washer System |
If there is a blocker within the coverage area, the windshield wiper system will attempt to clear the blocker by performing break-off tests. The system stops and moves during the break-off tests in order to facilitate the clearing of debris on the windshield. In the event that the blocker can not be cleared, the embedded electronics stop the motor in order to prevent damage, and send a blocked signal to the front vehicle controller.
The wipe and wash cycle requests are controlled via a button located on the wheel wheel. The wipe speed and on/off requests are controlled via the wiper settings on the UI.
Heated Wiper Park Positionlink
Descriptionlink
2024+ Model 3 has a heated wiper park position. The heater is located at the bottom of the windshield beneath the cowl line. The heater is a copper wire embedded between the two panes of glass. These wires feed into a flat ribbon that converts to a round wire connector.
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| Heated Wiper Park Position |
Operationlink
The heated wiper park position is triggered when the user chooses "Defrost" on the UI. If the outside ambient temperature is 50°F (10°C) or less, the heater grid will turn on. The maximum temperature of the heater grid is 158°F (70°C). The system will turn off the heater after 30 minutes if the user does not manually turn it off. The heated wiper grid communicates via VCFRONT.
Serviceabilitylink
The heated wiper grid has a 3 pin connector. The middle pin, Pin 2, is the ground wire, whereas Pin 1 is for the camera heater and Pin 3 is for the wiper heater park position grid. Voltage supplied to both the camera and wiper park position is 16.4V. Current for the heated wiper grid is 4.68A at ambient temperature with a resistance vale of 3.5Ohm.
Exterior Lightinglink
Overviewlink
The exterior lights on 2024+ Model 3 are all LED components, and individual LEDs are not serviceable. Regional differences can be recognized by software as the same hardware is used worldwide. Operation of the exterior lights is controlled by the three main vehicle controllers (front, left, and right). As with other low voltage components in the vehicle, the exterior lights use electronic fuses incorporated into the vehicle controllers. The exterior lights respond to requests from:
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Light switch function of the touchscreen
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Ambient light information from the vehicle cameras and car computer
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Turn signal button
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Hazard switch
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Drive inverter (reverse light and brake light requests)
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| 1. Side repeater camera assembly (left-hand) 2. Headlamp assembly (left-hand) |
| Exterior Lighting Overview |
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| 1. Tail/stop light (left-hand) 2. Turn light (left-hand) 3. Rear reflex ((left-hand)) 4. Tail light (left-hand) 5. Turn light (left-hand) 6. Reverse light (left-hand) 7. Fog light (left-hand) 8. License plate light 9. License plate light 10. Center high mounted stop light (CHMSL) |
| Exterior Lighting Overview |
Connectivity and Controllink
The exterior lighting system control is distributed between the vehicle controllers as depicted in the diagram below. The front headlights have their own electronic control units (ECUs), the Headlamp Control Module (HCM), which is powering the individual LEDs inside the headlamp. The rear lights consist of the body, liftgate tail, and stop lights, as well as the license plate lights. They are managed by the left and right body controllers.
The front body controller provides power and commands to the forward lighting. Forward lighting includes the headlights and side repeaters. The front headlights have their own ECUs to command individual LEDs. The headlamp ECU communicates with the front body controller via LIN. The headlamp ECU is a serviceable component.
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| Headlamp Control Architecture |
Lighting Component Descriptionslink
Headlamp Assemblylink
2024+ Model 3 is equipped with a global headlamp, with only 1 variance for all regions, and different requirements in different regions are covered by firmware. Side reflex and side marker are moved into the new headlamp.
The headlamp controller can activate each pixel individually and modify the light distribution according to the respective regional regulations and lighting requirements. The low beam prefield is the homogenous light that forms most of the beam. The prefield reflector is the reflector for that light source. The reflector is a chrome piece of plastic that reflects the light from the LEDs to the correct directions.
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| Global Headlamp Assembly, SAE Variant |
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| Global Headlamp Assembly, ECE Variant |
Tail Lights and rear reflexlink
All tail lights of 2024+ Model 3 are mounted on the liftgate.
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| Tail Light |
The following diagram illustrates the communication of 2024+ Model 3 tail light.
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| Tail Light Communication |
Side Repeater Assemblylink
The Side repeater assembly has an integrated camera. The camera is serviceable and can be replaced from the outside of side repeater.
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| Side Repeater |
Center High Mounted Stop Lightlink
The center high mounted stop light (CHMSL) is part of the rear shelf, located above the trunk in the interior of Model 3. The assembly must be replaced as a whole. Individual LEDs components are not serviceable.
License Plate Lightlink
The two license plate lights are mounted on the lower edge of the liftgate and controlled by the right vehicle controller. Each light is LED and serviceable only as a unit.
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| 1. License Plate Light (left-hand) 2. License Plate Light (right-hand) |
| License Plate Light |
Noise, Vibration, and Harshnesslink
Model 3 has front and rear motor noise absorbers to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). The front noise absorber is located between the instrument panel and the motor, and the rear noise absorber is located between the rear seats and the rear motor. Cutouts on the front noise absorber facilitate the installation of items like the HVAC module, front electrical system, the steering column, and other components of the instrument panel.
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| 1. Front motor noise absorber 2. Rear motor noise absorber |
| Noise Absorbers |
Wheel Linerslink
There are four wheel liners in Model 3 to protect the vehicle against damage from rocks, dirt, salt, road debris, and weather elements. Wheel liners are snapped into a place using push-pull rivets which attach the wheel liners to the body-in-white, front and rear fascias, front and mid aero shields, and base rocker covers. Removal of any one wheel liner requires the removal of push-pull rivets.