Remove ice from door handle

In severe winter conditions, ice buildup in the door handle may prevent it from opening. The procedure for releasing a door handle on Model 3 is slightly different than for others to remove residual ice.

Note: Applying WD-40 to the door handle pivot pins as a preventative measure may prevent icing inside the door handle.

Caution: Do not attempt to use tools or excessive force to loosen ice formed on the door handle.

If the vehicle door handles are black: To remove ice from the door handle, do the following:

• Press the front of the door handle firmly. This will wiggle it inwards slightly, making it easier to break the ice.
• Press the back end of the door handle to try to open as you normally would.
• When you can move the handle, open and close it a few more times to loosen any remaining ice. Check that the door handle is fully pressed in (retracted) before entering the vehicle, and check that the door is fully closed before driving away.

If the vehicle door handle is silver: You can usually remove the ice with a few sharp blows on the door handle with the underside of your fist. To remove ice from the door handle, do the following:

Caution: Remove any jewelry or other items that may damage the paint before performing the operation, and do not attempt to use tools or excessive force.

• Press forcefully on the back of the door handle to attempt to open the door handle.
• Working in a circle around the outer edge of the door handle, use the underside of your fist to forcefully strike the door handle to crush and release the ice.
• Aim at the back end of the wider part of the door handle and use the underside of your fist to forcefully strike the door handle. Increase the intensity of the blows as needed and repeat steps 1 through 3 until the ice is removed and the door handle can be opened.

Caution: Never hit the vehicle so hard that it causes dents. You should use about the same force as when you knock on your neighbor's door.

• When the handle can be moved, open and close it a few more times to loosen any remaining ice. Make sure the door handle is fully pushed in (retracted) before entering the vehicle, and make sure the door is fully closed before driving away.