Have you ever wondered exactly how many kilometers your sleek Tesla Model 3 has traveled, or perhaps how much energy it consumed on that last road trip? Understanding your car's mileage and trip data is not only satisfying for curiosity's sake, but also crucial for tracking its performance, efficiency, and even for resale value. Let's dive into the various ways you can check the kilometers in your Tesla Model 3, from the main display to the handy mobile app!
Step 1: Navigating the Touchscreen for Odometer and Trip Information
The Tesla Model 3's central touchscreen is your command center, and it's where you'll find most of the information about your vehicle, including its mileage.
1.1 Accessing the Odometer (Total Kilometers Traveled)
The odometer shows the total distance your Tesla has ever traveled since it left the factory. This number cannot be reset.
Method A: Via Controls > Software
From the main driving display, touch the "Car" icon (usually located at the bottom left of the screen). This opens the main "Controls" menu.
Navigate to "Software" on the left-hand side menu.
The odometer reading will be displayed prominently on this screen. It's often accompanied by other vehicle information like the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and software version.
Method B: Via Controls > Trips
Again, touch the "Car" icon to access "Controls."
Select "Trips" from the left-hand side menu.
While primarily for trip meters, the odometer reading is also typically visible at the bottom of this screen, providing a quick glance at your car's lifetime mileage.
1.2 Understanding and Using Trip Meters
Unlike the odometer, trip meters are designed to track distances for individual journeys or over specific periods, and they can be reset. Your Model 3 usually comes with at least two trip meters: Trip A and Trip B.
Locating Trip Meters
Once you are in Controls > Trips, you'll see "Current Trip," "Trip A," and "Trip B."
Current Trip: This automatically tracks your distance, duration, and average energy usage for your current drive. It resets automatically when you put the car in park for a significant period or start a new drive cycle.
Trip A & Trip B: These are customizable trip meters that you can reset manually. They're perfect for tracking fuel efficiency over a tank equivalent, a road trip, or even mileage for business purposes.
Resetting a Trip Meter
In the "Trips" section, next to each trip meter (Current Trip, Trip A, Trip B), you'll see a "Reset" button.
Touch the "Reset" button next to the specific trip meter you wish to clear. A confirmation prompt may appear. Confirm your selection.
Renaming a Trip Meter (Optional)
You can even rename Trip A or Trip B to something more descriptive (e.g., "Commute," "Road Trip 2025").
In the "Trips" section, touch the name of the trip (e.g., "Trip A").
A keyboard will appear, allowing you to enter a new name.
Touch "Save" or "Done" to apply the new name.
Step 2: Utilizing Quick View Trip Cards
For Model 3 and Model Y owners, Tesla offers a convenient "Quick View Trip Cards" feature. This allows you to see essential trip information without diving deep into the menus.
2.1 Accessing Quick View Cards
From the main driving screen (where you see the vehicle visualization), simply swipe left on the driving visualization area.
A "Trip Card" will pop up, displaying information like the distance traveled, energy used, and average energy consumption for your current trip.
You can swipe left again to cycle through other available trip cards, if any.
Step 3: Checking Kilometers via the Tesla Mobile App
The Tesla mobile app is an incredibly useful tool for managing and monitoring your vehicle remotely, and that includes checking your mileage!
3.1 Viewing Odometer and Trip Data in the App
Open the Tesla app on your smartphone.
Ensure you are connected to your Model 3.
On the main screen of the app, scroll down to the very bottom.
You will find the odometer reading displayed there, along with some other summary information about your vehicle. While detailed trip data isn't always as prominent as on the in-car screen, the total mileage is readily available.
Step 4: Understanding Energy Consumption and Efficiency
Beyond just kilometers, your Tesla also provides detailed information about your energy consumption, which directly relates to how efficiently you're driving.
4.1 Using the Energy App
The Energy App on your Tesla's touchscreen is a powerful tool to visualize your energy usage.
Touch the "App Launcher" icon (usually three dots or a car icon, depending on your software version) at the bottom of the touchscreen.
Select the "Energy" app.
Within the Energy app, you'll find various tabs and displays:
"Drive" Tab: This tab monitors the energy being used while you're driving. You can:
Track real-time energy consumption broken down by categories.
Compare your usage against different baseline projections.
View range tips to understand how to improve efficiency.
Choose to view data for your "Current Drive" or "Since Last Charged."
"Consumption" Tab: This tab allows you to compare your actual energy consumption to Model 3's rated consumption (EPA-rated in the US) over distances like the last 10, 100, or 200 miles (or 15, 150, or 300 km).
It displays your average consumption in watt-hours per kilometer (Wh/km) or watt-hours per mile (Wh/mi). Lower values mean greater efficiency and more range!
You'll see a graph showing your consumption, often comparing it to the rated consumption line.
"Park" Tab: This tab monitors the amount of energy lost while your Model 3 is parked, helping you identify potential "vampire drain" from features like Sentry Mode or Cabin Overheat Protection.
Important Considerations
Software Updates: Tesla frequently releases over-the-air (OTA) software updates. While the core functionality remains, the exact location or appearance of certain menus might subtly change. If you can't find something, always refer to your Tesla Owner's Manual accessible via the touchscreen or the Tesla website.
Units: Ensure your car is set to display distances in kilometers (km) if that's your preference. You can usually adjust this in
Controls > Display.Accuracy: The odometer is highly accurate. Trip meters and energy consumption data provide excellent estimates, but external factors like terrain, driving style, climate, and tire pressure can influence real-world results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to check total kilometers on a Tesla Model 3?
You can check the total kilometers (odometer) by navigating to Controls > Software or Controls > Trips on your Tesla's touchscreen. It's also visible at the bottom of the main screen in the Tesla mobile app.
How to reset a trip meter in a Tesla Model 3?
Go to Controls > Trips on the touchscreen, then touch the "Reset" button next to the specific trip meter (Trip A, Trip B, or Current Trip) you wish to clear.
How to rename a trip in a Tesla Model 3?
In the Controls > Trips section, touch the name of the trip (e.g., "Trip A") and then use the on-screen keyboard to enter a new name.
How to see current trip details on the Tesla Model 3?
The "Current Trip" information (distance, duration, average energy) is displayed in Controls > Trips. For a quick view, you can also swipe left on the driving visualization area to access "Quick View Trip Cards."
How to check energy consumption in a Tesla Model 3?
Access the Energy App from the app launcher on your touchscreen. Within the app, you can view your energy consumption under the "Drive" and "Consumption" tabs.
How to change units from miles to kilometers in Tesla Model 3?
You can change the units by going to Controls > Display on your Tesla's touchscreen and selecting "Kilometers" for distance.
How to find the odometer reading in the Tesla app?
Open the Tesla mobile app, and scroll to the very bottom of the main screen where your car is displayed; the odometer reading will be listed there.
How to track mileage for business purposes in a Tesla Model 3?
Use "Trip A" or "Trip B" in Controls > Trips to track specific business journeys. You can reset them as needed and even rename them for better organization.
How to understand the energy graph in the Tesla Model 3?
The energy graph in the "Energy" app's "Consumption" tab shows your actual energy usage compared to the car's rated consumption. A lower Wh/km value indicates better efficiency.
How to improve energy efficiency in a Tesla Model 3?
The "Drive" tab within the Energy App provides "Range Tips" that can help you understand factors affecting battery consumption and suggest ways to maximize your range and efficiency.
This video provides a quick visual guide on how to check the odometer and trip information in a Tesla:
