Tesla Owner Tips & Tricks: Key Card, Screens, Storing, and More

Tesla Key Card: How to Use It

The Tesla key card is a credit-card-sized NFC card that comes with every Tesla as a backup access method. Unlike your phone key (which uses Bluetooth) or key fob (optional purchase), the key card requires physical tapping against the B-pillar.

How to unlock with key card:

1. Tap the key card against the center of the driver's door B-pillar — the card reader is embedded there
2. Hold for approximately 1 second until you hear the unlock chime and mirrors unfold
3. Get in — the vehicle is now accessible

How to start and drive with key card:

• After unlocking, place the key card on the center console NFC pad (the small wireless charging area near the cupholders) before pressing the brake
• The car will detect the card and allow you to drive
• Do not remove the card while driving

Key card vs. phone key: Phone key is more convenient (walks up to the car, Bluetooth passive unlock) but can fail if your phone battery is dead. Keep the key card in your wallet for backup — it works without any power or network connection.

How to Turn Off a Tesla

"How to turn off tesla" is one of the most searched Tesla questions — because there's no traditional ignition key or on/off button.

Soft reboot (most useful for day-to-day issues): Hold both scroll wheel buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds while in Park. This restarts the MCU (the computer running the touchscreen) without powering off the vehicle. Solves most minor glitches.

Tesla Screen: What Everything Does

The Tesla touchscreen is the control interface for nearly every vehicle function.

Tesla screen tips most owners don't know:

• Split screen: You can run navigation + music side by side by dragging the divider
• Recent apps: Swipe left from the bottom to show recently used apps
• Brightness auto-adjust: Settings → Display → Auto-adjust brightness
• Screen cleaning: Use a dry or lightly damp microfiber cloth. Do not use glass cleaner — it will damage the anti-glare coating

Storing a Tesla Long-Term

"Storing tesla" reflects owners going on extended trips, seasonal storage, or military deployment who need to leave their Tesla for weeks or months.

Tesla Scheduled Departure: How to Use It

Scheduled Departure is one of the most useful Tesla features that many owners never activate.

What it does: You tell the car what time you need to leave. The car automatically calculates when to start charging (to reach your charge limit by departure time) and when to begin pre-conditioning.

How to set Scheduled Departure:

Tesla Magic Dock Locations

"Tesla magic dock locations" refers to a specific Supercharger hardware upgrade Tesla deployed to allow non-Tesla EVs to use Tesla Superchargers without an adapter.

For Tesla owners, Magic Dock stalls work identically to regular Supercharger stalls — just plug in as normal.

Tesla Windshield Washer Fluid

Tesla vehicles use standard automotive washer fluid — no special formulation is required.

• Use: Standard automotive windshield washer fluid, preferably rated for cold temperatures in your region
• Do not use: Plain water (freezes), household glass cleaner (damages pump seals), or undiluted concentrate
• Tank access: On Model 3/Y, the reservoir is in the frunk area — labeled cap on the right side

For more ownership information, see our guides on Tesla reliability, insurance costs, and charging costs.