Opening Hood with No Power

This procedure is intended for Model S vehicles built before April, 2016 which are equipped with a nose cone affixed to the front bumper.

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Note
The mechanical release lever described below is not available on all versions of Model S. For All-Wheel Drive vehicles and on some newer models, contact Tesla for assistance.

If Model S has no electrical power, or if you are unable to open the front trunk using the touchscreen or key, pull the mechanical release lever located below the glove box if you are inside the vehicle. This releases the primary catch.

The front dash with an arrow pointing below the glove box to the latch location

Then, push down on the secondary latch lever and lift the hood. You may need to push the hood down slightly to release the pressure against the secondary catch.

Arrow pointing to the front hood latch
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
The mechanical release lever described below is not available on all versions of Model S. Some models are equipped with the positive (+) and negative (-) jump posts directly behind the nose cone, so you don't need to open the hood in order to connect a jump starter. For All-Wheel Drive vehicles and on some newer models, contact Tesla for assistance.

If you are outside of the vehicle and unable to get back in, or if the mechanical release does not work as expected:

  1. Pry the nose cone toward you using a plastic pry tool in the top right corner. Ensure you don't damage the parking sensor cable, which is connected to the back of the nose cone.
  2. Disconnect the parking sensor cable by pressing down on the tab of the clip, then pull to release.
  3. Pull the primary release lever under the front middle of the hood on the left.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    On some vehicles, the positive (+) and (-) jump posts are located right behind the nose cone and does not require you to open the front trunk.
  4. Release the secondary release lever under the front of the hood to the right and push up on the hood to open it.

Opening Hood with No Power

For vehicles manufactured after approximately April 2016.

If Model S has no electrical power, or if you are unable to open the front trunk using the touchscreen or key, you must manually open the front trunk.

Locate the release cable housed in the front wheel arch liners on both front wheels of the vehicle (there are two release cables total). Follow these instructions to open the front trunk manually:

  1. Release the cover in the RH front wheel well.
  2. Pull the strap to release the primary latch.
  3. Release the cover in the LH front wheel well.
  4. Pull the strap to release the secondary latch.
  5. Lift the hood. You may need to push the hood down slightly to release the pressure against the secondary latch.

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Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
It is important to pull the straps in the correct sequence or the appropriate latch does not release and the front trunk can not open.

When opening the front trunk using this method, the latches remain in the open position and you can not close it again without electrical power. To close a front trunk that has been opened by pulling the manual straps:

  1. Charge the low voltage battery (for instructions, contact Tesla).
  2. Press the Front Trunk button on the touchscreen to reset the primary and secondary latches.