Are the keycards supposed to work only on the driver side pillar?

[ForthNBack]

I just picked up my used 2021 Model 3 today. I found that both keycards can only lock and unlock the car on the driver side pillar. Is this normal? Should they not work on the passenger side as well?

 

[waded]

The key cards are driver-side only.

 

[tm1v2]

@ForthNBack I wish the car had a passenger side NFC key reader too, but nope, it's driver side only. The manual should make that clear btw.

While I think Tesla has made most aspects these cars pretty intuitive, there are some things worth reading about in the manual, in my opinion.

For example, the conditions under which the car will put itself in Park; the conditions under which you can shift it to Neutral or Park; how to force the parking brake on (as an emergency brake); and how to jump/power the car's electronics for basic vehicle access when low voltage power is gone (e.g. dead low voltage battery, or after a wreck).

 

[arnolddeleon]

My unsolicited advice on key cards is if you have two drivers who are carrying the key cards you should acquire a spare (or two) that you store safely at home. If you don't have a stored spare it is too easy to end up with zero cards for your car.

 

[rpiotro]

My unsolicited advice on key cards is if you have two drivers who are carrying the key cards you should acquire a spare (or two) that you store safely at home. If you don't have a stored spare it is too easy to end up with zero cards for your car.

This!!!

They are cheap enough. If I remember correctly $35 for two. I keep the spares in my safe. My wife and I keep the originals in our wallets and can use our phones or watches to open and drive the car.

I was a Boy Scout. "Be Prepared".

 

[Jo060]

Don't forget to read the manual

 

[ForthNBack]

Thank you all for the good tips and advice! So it is normal that the cards will only work on one pillar. Got it!

 

[arnolddeleon]

This!!!

They are cheap enough. If I remember correctly $35 for two. I keep the spares in my safe. My wife and I keep the originals in our wallets and can use our phones or watches to open and drive the car.

I was a Boy Scout. "Be Prepared".

Bonus tip

The same key card can be registered to multiple cars. We have a 3 and Y and I carry just one card.

If you have a trusted friend with a Tesla you can cross add keys.