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Tesla Model 3: interesting look at powertrain and chassis through first responders guide

Tesla’s first responders’ guides for Model S and for Model X gave some interesting insights into the company’s two flagship vehicles.

Now the automaker released the Model 3’s first responders’ guide and it doesn’t fail to give us the same insights into the new vehicle architecture developed for Tesla’s third-generation vehicle.

The main goal of the first responders’ guide is to help them recognize the Model 3 and guide them through safely working with a damaged vehicle whether it’d be to get someone out after an accident or extinguish a fire.

As for recognizing a Model 3, that can actually be more difficult than it seems for someone not familiar with Tesla.

For some reason, Tesla decided not to badge the car aside from the Tesla logo and therefore, they suggest to look at the logo and the “unique door handles” to determine that it is indeed a Model 3 and not a Model S or Model X:

Of course, you can also look at the VIN located at the base of the windshield if it’s accessible.

From inside the vehicle, Tesla points out that the touchscreen being landscape oriented is also a giveaway since Model S and Model X have a vertical screen.

Once you know it’s a Model 3, you want to know where the high-voltage components are in order to disable them and/or not to cut through them if need be.

It gives us an interesting look at the Model 3’s powertrain. For more details, you can read our exclusive first look at Tesla’s new battery pack architecture.

In order to disable the high-voltage components, Tesla is using the same concept as Model S and Model X with a cut loop located in the front trunk (frunk).

They explain how to access it here:

Interestingly, unlike Model S and Model X, which only require to pull a loop hidden in the bumper in order to open the frunk, Model 3 has a more complicated system using the 12-volt battery connection:

The first responders’ guide also shows the ultra high strength steel reinforcements on Model 3:

For more details on the Model 3’s body, you can read our report on the alloy mix of the Model 3 body.

There are a few other interesting tidbits of information about the Model 3 in the guide, like the airbags and other safety components or how to stabilize or push the vehicle when disabled.

Here’s the Model 3’s emergency first responders’ guide in full (PDF).

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Avatar for Fred Lambert Fred Lambert

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