By: Otaiba Ahsan
When I first took delivery of my Tesla, the silence of driving without an engine took some getting used to. There are far fewer moving parts in EVs compared to gas cars which helps clear up space where the engine normally sits. This begs the question, what have automakers done with the excess area under the hood? Many have added a front trunk, also known as a frunk amongst the Tesla community. When you’re done using your frunk, there’s a correct way to put the hood back in place to avoid damage. Continue reading for steps on how to properly close the hood of a Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.
How to Open the Frunk
Before we learn how to correctly close the front trunk, it’s important to know how to open it. For both the Model 3 and Model Y, ensure your Tesla is in park and then do one of the following before pulling the hood open:
1. Tap the Open icon on the touchscreen in your car.
2. Open the Tesla app > Tap “Controls” > Hit “Open” where your front trunk is.
3. If you own a key fob, double-click the front trunk button.
How to Close the Hood
Once you’re done using your frunk, you’ll need to close it. Unlike most gas vehicles, the hood for any Tesla is not heavy enough to latch under its own weight so you’ll have to shut it manually. If too much pressure is applied on the front edge or centre of the hood, it can cause damage. To correctly close the hood, follow these steps:
1. Gently lower the hood until the striker touches the latches. In other words, bring your hood down and drop it softly, you’ll see that it’s still slightly open.
2. Place your hands slightly above and on both sides of the Tesla logo, and firmly press down to engage the latches. You’ll hear a click which means the hood is now closed.
Tesla has a useful visual on exactly where you’ll want to press down.
3. Double-check if your frunk is closed by trying to lift the front edge of the hood.
NOTE: If there’s ever a situation where a person is locked inside your frunk (we certainly hope not), there’s an Interior Emergency Release button that illuminates from the inside. Press the button and push the hood up to open it from the inside.
MORE: Curious about how big the frunk is and what some of the best ways to utilize the space are? We’ve created a guide on both topics for the Model 3 and Model Y.
The Bottom Line
The steps on how to properly close the hood of a Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are simple. Once done with your frunk, gently lower the hood and drop it softly. Next, place your hands above and on both sides of the Tesla logo and firmly press down to engage the latches. You’ll hear a click to confirm you’ve successfully closed the hood. Double-check by trying to lift the front edge one more time.