The S3XY Dash is our fully customizable instrument cluster for Tesla Model 3/Y which shows real-time car data such as BMS stats like battery temperature, remaining capacity, and much more. It also comes with scalable Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support and you can customize your page layout to fit your driving style.

In this article we are going to go through full unboxing, show you the installation options, depending on your Model, and walk you through the currently available customizations.

But if you prefer to see it for yourself, make sure to check the video below:

Unboxing

The S3XY Dash bundle box follows the same sleek design language as the rest of our products. Once you open it, you’ll immediately see the 9.6-inch QLED display, protected by our custom privacy filter. This filter not only reduces glare and reflections but also helps protect the screen from scratches.

On the back of the Dash, there is a metal plate positioned within a dedicated indentation. This design improves structural stability, helping the Dash withstand bumps and vibrations during driving, while also allowing it to securely attach to the magnetic MagSafe stand.

At the bottom of the device, you’ll find a USB-C port and an SD card slot for connectivity and additional functionality.

The rest of the items inside the box include:

- The Commander unit which is the communication link between your Tesla and our S3XY Products. It is installed at the front OBD or MCU port, depending on the year your car was built.

Note: The S3XY Dash is not compatible with the Gen 1 Commander. It also won’t work if the Commander is installed at the central console since the ports, located there, do not provide the necessary data for the Dash to be fully functional.

- OBD cable that differs, depending on your Tesla Model. To find which variant will fit your car, check the Shop section on our website.

- A pry tool.

- A cleaning wipe.

- A spare adhesive.

- USB-C cable to power the Dash

- An adjustable MagSafe stand to mount your Dash, along with a screw to help you tweak the viewing angle.

 

Positioning

There are two possible locations where you can mount your S3XY Dash.

The option we recommend is just behind the windshield. This placement creates a more HUD-like experience and reduces the time your eyes need to readjust back to the road. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Use the provided wet wipe to thoroughly clean the surface, then allow it to dry completely.

2. Attach the Dash to the stand and position it on top of the dashboard, ensuring that the corner of the stand touches the edge of the dash. Carefully align it so it is centered with the steering wheel.

3. Once you’ve found the ideal position, remove the adhesive seal and place the stand without applying pressure.

4. When you are fully satisfied with the alignment, press firmly for a few seconds to ensure a strong and secure bond.

If you later decide that this position doesn’t work for you, simply remove the double-sided tape and replace it with the spare adhesive included in the bundle box. Then repeat steps 1 through 4.

The second mounting option is for those who prefer a more traditional instrument cluster feel and frequently adjust their settings. In that case, you can position the Dash just behind the steering wheel.

Commander Installation

Tesla Model 3/Y 2020+ (including Highland and Juniper)

Model 3 and Model Y vehicles built after 2020, including the Highland and Juniper versions, have their diagnostic OBD ports located near the front right A-pillar. Installing the Commander is simple. Just follow the steps below:

1. Remove the rubber door seal and gently peel it back.

2. Use the pry tool to remove the triangular plastic panel on the side of the glovebox.

3. After removing the panel, you will see a safety pin holding the L-shaped plastic cover in place. Use the V-shaped end of the pry tool to carefully remove the safety pin.

4. Starting from the back, unclip the L-shaped plastic cover. Take your time, and if needed, use the pry tool as leverage to avoid damaging the clips.

5. Locate the larger empty female port and plug the male end of the cable into it.

6. Find the smaller port and disconnect it by pressing the small locking tab. Then daisy-chain our cable into it, just as you would connect an extension cord.

7. Take the black male connector from the cable and plug it into the female end of the Dash’s power cable.

Note: This power cable is designed exclusively for the S3XY Dash. Please do not use it to power other third-party accessories or devices (e.g., phones, tablets, etc.).

8. Plug the Commander into the remaining black socket. Make sure the green light on the device is flashing to confirm proper operation.

9. The remaining blue female socket can be used to daisy-chain additional third-party accessories, such as our S3XY Strip.

If you need additional assistance with the Commander installation, we have a detailed video tutorial available for you to follow.

 

Tesla Model 3/Y 2018-2020

On these cars the OBD port is located under the glovebox inside the MCU.The installation of the Commander is just as simple as it was in the previous models. Just complete the following steps:

1. Move the passenger seat all the way back to create enough space.

2. Lie down on the footwell, face up, and remove the plastic cover that hides the port.

3. Locate the gray 12-pin connector and unplug it. Use the pry tool for assistance.

4. Daisy-chain our cable into the connector.

5. Grab the black socket of the cable and power up the Commander. Ensure the green light is flashing.

6. Tuck the cables back in and close the panel.

If you need extra guidance, check out our video tutorial.

Dash Wiring

Model 3/Y Highland & Juniper

If you choose the HUD-style placement under the windshield for your S3XY Dash, here’s how you can neatly hide the wires for a clean, factory-like look:

1. Place the Dash facedown in front of the mounted stand.

2. Run the USB-C cable under the small gap of the stand and plug it into the Dash.

3. Attach the screen upright to the stand.

4. Place the cable into the gap at the far end of the dashboard. Use the pry tool to tuck it in.

If you prefer a more traditional instrument cluster experience, you can route the cable along the air vent gap until you reach the A-pillar on the far right side. The second option is to hide the wire inside the dashboard panel for an OEM-like result. To do it, use the pry tool to unclip the panel, starting from the end, and continue until the entire piece is removed. Then, run the cable across the grooves.

Regardless of which of the two methods you choose, you will still need to route the cable inside the A-pillar. Here is how:

1. Grab a zip tie and tape it to the end of the cable.

2. Insert the zip tie, along with the cable, into a small hole that looks like a slit, located at the right side of the dashboard.

3. Make sure it exits just under the glove box area and gently pull it through.

4. Finally, plug the connector into the empty socket of the OBD cable.

 

Legacy Model 3/Y

If you mount the S3XY Dash under the windshield in a HUD-style position, follow these steps to neatly tuck away the cable:

1. Use the pry tool to create a small gap in the speaker cover. Start from the right side and work your way until you reach the MagSafe stand.

2. Run the USB-C cable under the small gap of the stand and plug it into the Dash.

3. Attach the screen upright to the stand.

4. Tuck the USB cable into the gap you have created in step 1 and continue all the way to the far right side.

5. Press the speaker down until it clicks into place.

If you install the Dash behind the steering wheel, complete the steps below:

1. Use the pry tool to unclip the wooden panel of the dashboard.

1.1 If your Model was built between 2023-2024, you will also need to remove one screw on each side of the dashboard before removing the panel.

2. Once you have removed the panel, route the cable across the dashboard, leaving enough slack exposed so you can easily plug it into the Dash.

3. After routing the cable to the far right side inside the A-pillar, plug into the OBD cable that was installed, along with the Commander.

4. Reinstall the wooden dashboard panel by carefully aligning the clips and pressing it down firmly until you hear it click into place.

Setup

Before you setup the Dash, you need to make sure the Commander is connected to the S3XY App:

1. Open the S3XY App and navigate to the Commander section.

2. Press the “Connect a New Commander” button.

3. A pop-up message will appear, prompting you to double-press the right scroll button on the steering wheel. Then, tap “Continue”.

4. Check for pending updates to install before proceeding.

Now it’s time to connect the Dash to the S3XY App:

1. Open the S3XY App and navigate to the Dash section.

2. Press the “Connect a New Dash” button.

3. Check for pending updates to install before moving on.

The next step is to pair the Dash with your Commander. The process is extremely straightforward. Depending on your software version, you can complete the pairing directly through the Dash, or you may be prompted to continue inside the S3XY App.

If the pairing is done through the Dash, follow these steps:

1. Tap “Search” on the on-screen message and wait for the scanning process to complete.

2. Once your Commander unit appears, tap “Connect.”

The process is similar if it’s completed through the S3XY App.

If the pairing is not successful, a small icon will appear on the left side of the display (a Commander outline with an exclamation mark inside it). In that case, first make sure your Commander is updated to the latest software version. If the issue persists, performing a factory reset should resolve it.

The final step is pairing the Commander with your vehicle, which is possible due to Tesla approving our use of their official Bluetooth API. To complete it, you need your phone and your Tesla key card.

We have an easy-to-follow video tutorial that you can check out on our YouTube channel.

Widget Customizations

There are three categories of widgets to choose from: Actions, Stats, Special

Actions give you quick access to dozens of features including regen controls, seat positioning, battery preheating, and much more. You can execute them through the touchscreen or by using the scroll button on the steering wheel. Action widgets come with a specific underline that switches color when the state changes.

Stats display key information about your Tesla such as battery temperature, battery degradation, total discharge, remaining capacity, motor temperature and much more.

Finally, there are the Special Widgets, which unlock even more customization options. These include flexible page layouts, different speed gauge designs, advanced stats visualizations, scalable Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and much more.

To access Apple CarPlay, you’ll need to complete an additional pairing process through your phone:

1. Open the Bluetooth settings on your phone.

2. Look for a device named S3XY DASH (with a bar icon in front of it) and select it.

3. A pairing request will appear on the next screen, indicating that the device wants to connect. Tap “Pair”, approve all necessary permissions, and wait for the process to complete.

4. When the “Connect to CarPlay” pop-up appears, tap Connect.

The process for enabling Android Auto works the same way.

To edit your page layout, press the widget icon on the top right corner, then select “Page Edit” on the left side of the screen to open the settings. Here you can:

- customize the number of pages

- duplicate or delete them

- select units

- choose which stats appear at the bottom corners

You can also create automations that automatically switch pages based on your driving state or other specific driving conditions - such as engaging Autopilot, changing acceleration modes, and more.

Conclusion

We have big plans for the S3XY Dash, with upcoming OTA updates that will introduce new stats, drag-and-drop layout rearrangement, and many additional features and customization options you won’t want to miss.