Get Maintenance -> Cleaning Guide for Tesla Model-Y SUV 2023

Cleaning

Window Cleaning and Treatments

Cleaning the Exterior

Clean windows and mirrors using an automotive glass

cleaner. Do not scrape or use any abrasive cleaning ﬂuid

on glass or mirrored surfaces. Follow the directions in

Cleaning the Exterior on page 191 for best practices in

cleaning the exterior glass.

To prevent damage to the paint, immediately remove

corrosive substances (bird droppings, tree resin, dead

insects, tar spots, road salt, industrial fallout, etc.). Do

not wait until Model Y is due for a complete wash. If

necessary, use denatured alcohol to remove tar spots

and stubborn grease stains, then immediately wash the

area with water and a mild, non-detergent soap to

remove the alcohol.

To add a hydrophobic coating to your vehicle's windows,

apply the coating only to the side and rear windows, not

the front windshield—doing so may aﬀect the visibility

of the autopilot cameras. Follow the hydrophobic

coating manufacturer’s instructions for application

details.

Keep the exterior cameras free of dirt, condensation, or

obstructions. These substances can cause unclear

pictures or Autopilot and safety features to stop

working (see Cleaning a Camera on page 191).

NOTE: Tesla is not responsible for any damage

associated with applying window treatments on your

vehicle.

Follow these steps when washing the exterior of Model

1. Rinse Thoroughly

Car Wash Mode

Before washing, ﬂush grime and grit from the vehicle

using a hose. Flush away accumulations of mud in

areas where debris easily collects (such as wheel

wells and panel seams). If salt has been used on the

highways (such as during winter months), thoroughly

rinse all traces of road salt from the underside of the

vehicle, wheel wells, and brakes.

When taking Model Y to a car wash, Car Wash Mode

closes all windows, locks the charge port, and disables

windshield wipers, Sentry Mode, walk-away door

locking, and parking sensor chimes. To enable, touch

Controls > Service > Car Wash Mode. Your vehicle must

be stationary and not actively charging.

If using an automatic car wash, Enable Free Roll keeps

your vehicle in Neutral and activates free roll for the

duration of the wash, while preventing Model Y from

applying the Parking brake if you leave the driver's seat.

To enable, press on the brake pedal and touch Enable

Free Roll; or shift into Neutral.

2. Hand Wash

Hand wash Model Y using a clean soft cloth and cold

or lukewarm water containing a mild, high-quality car

shampoo.

CAUTION: Some cleaners and car shampoos

contain chemicals that can cause damage or

discoloration, especially to plastic trim pieces,

lamps, or camera lenses. For example, some car

cleaning formulas contain hydroxide or other

highly alkaline or caustic ingredients that can

damage exterior components. Damage or

discoloration resulting from cleaning products

is not covered by the warranty.

Car Wash Mode disables if the vehicle's speed exceeds 9

mph (15 km/h) or by touching Exit on the touchscreen.

CAUTION: Failure to put Model Y in Car Wash

Mode may result in damage (for example, to the

charge port or windshield wipers). Damage caused

by car washes is not covered by the warranty.

3. Rinse with Clean Water

Cleaning a Camera

After washing, rinse with clean water to prevent soap

from drying on the surfaces.

To ensure a clear picture, the camera lens must be clean

and free of obstructions. Remove any build-up of dirt or

debris by spraying water onto the camera lens with a

spray bottle.

4. Dry Thoroughly and Clean Exterior Glass

After washing and rinsing, dry thoroughly with a

chamois. If necessary, dry the brakes by going on a

short drive and applying the brakes multiple times.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove dirt or debris

by wiping an exposed lens with your hands or a

cloth. This debris can damage the surface of the

lens when rubbed against it during wiping.

CAUTION: Do not use chemical-based or abrasive

cleaners. Doing so can damage the surface of the

lens.

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Cleaning

Cautions for Exterior Cleaning

Cleaning the Interior

CAUTION: Do not wash in direct sunlight.

Frequently inspect and clean the interior to maintain its

appearance and to prevent premature wear. If possible,

immediately wipe up spills and remove marks. For

general cleaning, wipe interior surfaces using a soft cloth

(such as microﬁber) dampened with a mixture of warm

water and mild non-detergent cleaner (test all cleaners

on a concealed area before use). To avoid streaks, dry

immediately with a soft lint-free cloth.

CAUTION: Do not use windshield treatment ﬂuids.

Doing so can interfere with wiper friction and

cause a chattering sound.

CAUTION: Do not use hot water, detergents, or

highly alkaline or caustic cleaning products,

especially those containing hydroxide.

CAUTION: If using a pressure washer, maintain a

distance of at least 12" (30 cm) between the

nozzle and the surface of Model Y. Avoid aiming

the water jet directly at parking sensors (if

equipped). Keep the nozzle moving and do not

concentrate the water jet on any one area.

Interior Glass

Do not scrape, or use any abrasive cleaning ﬂuid on

glass or mirrored surfaces. This can damage the

reﬂective surface of the mirror and the heating elements

in the rear window.

CAUTION: Do not aim water hoses directly at

windows, door, or hood seals or at electronic

modules or exposed cabling.

Airbags

CAUTION: To avoid corrosive damage that may

not be covered by the warranty, rinse away any

road salt from the underside of the vehicle, wheel

wells, and brakes. After cleaning the vehicle, dry

the brakes by going on a short drive and applying

the brakes multiple times.

Do not allow any substance to enter an airbag cover.

This could aﬀect correct operation.

Dashboard and Plastic Surfaces

CAUTION: Avoid using tight-napped or rough

cloths, such as washing mitts. A high-quality

microﬁber cleaning cloth is recommended.

Do not polish the upper surfaces of the dashboard.

Polished surfaces are reﬂective and could interfere with

your driving view.

CAUTION: If washing in an automatic car wash, use

touchless car washes only. These car washes have

no parts (brushes, etc.) that touch the surfaces of

Model Y. Some touchless car washes use caustic

solutions that, over time, can cause discoloration

of decorative exterior trim. Avoid exposure to

soaps and chemicals above pH 13. If unsure, check

the product label or ask the staﬀ at the car wash.

Damage caused by improper washing is not

covered by the warranty.

Seats

Wipe spills and chemical residues from interior surfaces

as soon as possible using a soft cloth moistened with

warm water and non-detergent soap. Wipe gently in a

circular motion. Then wipe dry using a soft, lint-free

cloth.

Although seating surfaces are designed to repel stains,

Tesla recommends regular cleaning to maintain

performance and an as-new appearance. Promptly treat

dye transfer from clothing, such as indigo-dyed denim.

Avoid contact with harsh chemicals, including certain

cosmetics. Never use cleaners containing alcohol or

bleach. Spot-test cleaners on an inconspicuous area

before applying to visible surfaces.

CAUTION: If washing in an automatic car wash,

make sure the vehicle is locked. In addition, avoid

using controls on the touchscreen that can result

in accidentally opening doors or trunks while the

vehicle is being washed. Any damage caused is

not covered by the warranty.

CAUTION: Ensure the wipers are oﬀ before

washing Model Y to avoid the risk of damaging the

wipers.

Vacuum cloth seats as needed to remove any loose dirt.

CAUTION: Do not use chemical based wheel

cleaners or pre-wash products. These can damage

the ﬁnish on the wheels.

CAUTION: Aftermarket, non-Tesla seat covers may

inhibit the sensitivity of a seat's occupancy sensors

and may cause staining or damage.

WARNING: Never spray liquid at a high velocity

(for example, if using a pressure washer) towards

the charge port while Model Y is charging. Failure

to follow these instructions can result in serious

injury or damage to the vehicle, charging

equipment, or property.

Carpets

Avoid over-wetting carpets. For heavily soiled areas, use

a diluted upholstery cleaner.

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Cleaning

Seat Belts

Polishing, Touch Up, and Body

Repair

Extend the belts to wipe. Do not use any type of

detergent or chemical cleaning agent. Allow the belts to

dry naturally while extended, preferably away from

direct sunlight.

To preserve the cosmetic appearance of the body, you

can occasionally treat the paint surfaces with an

approved polish containing:

Door Seals

• Very mild abrasive to remove surface contamination

without removing or damaging the paint.

Wipe door seals with a damp cloth to remove any

debris. Excessive debris on the door seals can cause

paint damage when contacting surrounding surfaces.

Avoid using alcohol wipes or any chemical products that

can potentially deteriorate the coating on the door seals.

• Filling compounds that ﬁll scratches and reduce their

visibility.

• Wax to provide a protective coating between the

paint and environmental elements.

Regularly inspect the exterior paint for damage. Treat

minor chips and scratches using a paint touch-up pen

(available for purchase from Tesla). Use the touch-up

pen after washing but before polishing or waxing.

Touchscreen

Clean the touchscreen using a soft lint-free cloth

speciﬁcally designed to clean monitors and displays. Do

not use cleaners (such as a glass cleaner) or alcohol-

based gel products (such as hand sanitizer) and do not

use a wet wipe or a dry statically-charged cloth (such as

a recently washed microﬁber). To wipe the touchscreen

without activating buttons and changing settings, you

can enable Screen Clean Mode. Touch Controls > Display

> Screen Clean Mode. The display darkens to make it

easy to see dust and smudges. To exit Screen Clean

Mode, press and hold HOLD TO EXIT.

Repair rock chips, fractures or scratches. Refer to

https://www.tesla.com/support/body-shop-support for

more information on repair locations and available

services.

CAUTION: Do not use cutting pastes, color

restoration compounds, or polishes containing

harsh abrasives. These can scour the surface and

permanently damage the paint.

CAUTION: Do not use chrome polish or other

abrasive cleaners.

Chrome and Metal Surfaces

Polish, abrasive cleaners, alcohol-based gel products

(such as hand sanitizer), and hard cloths can damage

the ﬁnish on chrome and metal surfaces.

Using a Car Cover

To preserve the cosmetic appearance of the body when

Model Y is not being used, use a genuine Tesla car cover.

Car covers can be purchased from Tesla. See Parts and

Accessories on page 198.

Cautions for Interior Cleaning

CAUTION: Using solvents (including alcohol),

alcohol-based gel products (such as hand

sanitizer), bleach, citrus, naphtha, or silicone-based

products or additives on interior components can

cause damage.

CAUTION: Statically-charged materials can cause

damage to the touchscreen.

WARNING: If you notice any damage on an airbag

or seat belt, contact Tesla immediately.

WARNING: Do not allow any water, cleaners, or

fabric to enter a seat belt mechanism.

WARNING: Exposure to chemical cleaners can be

hazardous and can irritate eyes and skin. Read and

observe the instructions provided by the

manufacturer of the chemical cleaner.

CAUTION: Use only a Tesla-approved car cover

when Model Y is plugged in. Using a non-Tesla car

cover can prevent the Battery from being

adequately cooled during charging.

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Cleaning

Floor Mats

To extend the life of your carpet and make them easier

to clean, use genuine Tesla ﬂoor mats (see Parts and

Accessories on page 198). Maintain ﬂoor mats by

regularly cleaning them and checking that they are

properly attached. Replace ﬂoor mats if they become

excessively worn.

WARNING: To avoid potential interference with a

foot pedal, ensure that the driver’s ﬂoor mat is

securely fastened, and never place an additional

ﬂoor mat on top of it. Floor mats should always

rest on top of the vehicle carpeting surface and

not on another ﬂoor mat or other covering.

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Windshield Wiper Blades, Jets and Fluid

WARNING: Windshield washer ﬂuid can irritate

Topping Up Windshield Washer

Fluid

eyes and skin. Read and observe the instructions

provided by the washer ﬂuid manufacturer.

The only reservoir into which you can add ﬂuid is the

windshield washer ﬂuid reservoir, which is located

behind the front trunk. When the level is low, a message

displays on the touchscreen.

Checking and Cleaning Wiper

Blades

Periodically clean the edge of the wiper blades and

check the rubber for cracks, splits, and roughness. If

damaged, replace the blade immediately to prevent

damage to the glass and improve visibility.

To top up the washer ﬂuid:

1. Open the hood.

2. Clean around the ﬁller cap before opening it to

Contaminants on the windshield, or on the wiper blades,

can reduce the eﬀectiveness of the wipers.

Contaminants include ice, wax spray from car washes,

washer ﬂuid with bug and/or water repellent, bird

droppings, tree sap, and other organic substances.

prevent dirt from entering the reservoir.

3. Open the ﬁller cap.

4. While avoiding spilling, ﬁll the reservoir until the ﬂuid

level is visible just below the ﬁller neck. The reservoir

has a capacity of 4.5 liters.

Follow these guidelines for cleaning:

• Clean the windshield and wiper blades using washer

ﬂuid, isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, or non-abrasive

glass cleaner approved for use on automotive glass

and rubber. Inappropriate products can cause

damage or smears, and create glare on the

windshield.

• Lift the wiper arm a short distance away from the

windshield, just far enough to access the wiper blade.

Do not lift a wiper arm beyond its intended position.

If the wipers remain ineﬀective after cleaning, replace

the wiper blades.

5. Wipe up any spills immediately and wash the

Replacing Wiper Blades

aﬀected area with water.

6. Reinstall the ﬁller cap.

For optimum performance, replace the wiper blades at

least once a year. Replacement blades must meet the

following criteria:

CAUTION: Use only windshield washer ﬂuid meant

for automotive vehicles. Using other substances,

such as untreated water, can result in bacterial

growth within the climate control system resulting

in odor or potential damage that is not covered by

warranty.

• The blade on the driver's side must be 26 inches (650

mm) long and 20 inches (500 mm) long for the blade

on the passenger's side.

• Ensure the connector on the replacement blade is the

same as the original blade. Diﬀerent connectors may

prevent the replacement blade from connecting to

the wiper arm on the vehicle.

NOTE: Some national or local regulations restrict the use

of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are

commonly used as antifreeze in washer ﬂuid. Use a

washer ﬂuid with limited VOC content only if it provides

adequate freeze resistance for all climates in which you

drive Model Y.

You can purchase replacement wiper blades on the T e sla

Shop.

CAUTION: Do not add formulated washer ﬂuids

that contain water repellent or bug wash. These

ﬂuids can cause streaking, smearing, and

squeaking or other noises.

NOTE: Only install replacement blades that are identical

to the original blades. Using inappropriate blades can

damage the wiper system and windshield.

WARNING: In temperatures below 40° F (4° C),

use a washer ﬂuid with antifreeze. In cold weather,

using a washer ﬂuid without antifreeze can impair

visibility through the windshield.

To replace the wiper blades:

1. Shift into Park and turn oﬀ the wipers.

2. Touch Controls > Service > Wiper Service Mode to

move the wipers to the service position.

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Maintenance -> Cleaning for Your Tesla Model-Y SUV 2023

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