How to Shift Any Tesla Model into Neutral

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Quickly put your Tesla in Neutral for a car wash or tow
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In a regular car with a gear shift, putting your car into neutral is a no-brainer. But since Tesla cars are a brand of their own, it might not be immediately obvious how to put your vehicle into Neutral (and how to keep it that way). That’s why we’ve compiled the instructions for putting your Tesla into Neutral or Tow Mode for every model and every year.

Things You Should Know

  • For Model 3 and Model Y, push the gear stalk up (if you’re in Drive) or down (if you’re in Reverse). Hold the gear stalk for 1 second if you have Autosteer on.
  • In Model S and Model X pre-2021, push the gear stalk to the first position. Hold the gear stalk for more than 1 second if you have Autosteer on.
  • For Model S and Model X after 2021, use your control panel to select “Controls,” then “Neutral.”
  • To enter Tow Mode, hit “Controls” > “Services” > “Towing” > “Transportation Mode” on your touch screen.

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Section 1 of 4:

Neutral Instructions by Model

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  1. If you’re in Drive, shift up; if you’re in Reverse, shift down. If you’re in Park, push the gear stalk either up or down.
    • If you have Autosteer or Traffic-Aware Cruise Control enabled, hold the gear stalk in place for more than 1 second to shift into Neutral. After shifting into Neutral, Autosteer or Traffic-Aware Cruise Control will be automatically turned off. [1]
  2. Pre-2021 Model S and Model X Teslas are very similar to Model 3 and Model Y Teslas. If you’re in Drive, push the gear stalk up, and if you’re in Reverse, push the gear stalk down. [2]
    • If you have Autosteer or Traffic-Aware Cruise Control on, hold the gear stalk in place for more than 1 second.
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  3. Tap “Controls” on the touchscreen, then tap and hold the “Neutral” button. There’s no gear stalk in Models S and X made after 2021, so all shifting is done on your control panel. [3]
    • If the touchscreen isn’t available, shift using the center console instead. Simply tap the center console and wait for the letters to light up, then tap “N” for Neutral.
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Section 2 of 4:

Putting a Tesla in Neutral without Power

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  1. Unfortunately, a Tesla won’t be able to shift into Neutral without power. Use jumper cables and another car to jump-start the 12-volt battery, which is located under the hood in the front of the car. [4] Or, charge your car at a charging station or at home. Once your car has just enough power to turn on, start the car and then hold the gear shift for 2 seconds.
    • If your car won’t start or you aren’t able to jump-start it, try disengaging the parking brake to shift it into Neutral.
Section 3 of 4:

Shifting Out of Neutral

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  1. When you’re ready to drive again, keep your speed below 5 MPH (8 KM/H). Press the brake pedal, then shift into Drive or Reverse like you normally would. [5]
    • Your Tesla won’t let you shift back into Drive or Reverse unless you’re going slowly as a safety feature.
  2. Your Tesla will stay in Neutral as long as you’re in the driver’s seat (and you don’t shift out of it). If you forget to shift into Park or there’s an emergency and you need to exit the vehicle, your Tesla will automatically shift into Park for you.
    • This is a safety feature to make sure that your car doesn't roll away.
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Section 4 of 4:

Entering Tow Mode

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  1. In the control panel, navigate to “Control,” then hit “Services” and “Towing”. Press and hold the “Transport Mode” button until it turns blue. [6]
    • Your Tesla can now be pushed or rolled, but it won’t go any faster than a walking speed.
    • To stop Transport Mode, shift into Park.

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/modely/en_us/GUID-41E02406-1983-4511-BBB4-158DD94796C6.html
      2. ↑ https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/2012_2020_models/en_us/GUID-41E02406-1983-4511-BBB4-158DD94796C6.html
      3. ↑ https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/models/en_us/GUID-E9B387D7-AFEF-4AAF-8685-4FE71E09287D.html
      4. ↑ https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/model3/en_us/GUID-3567D5F4-A5F4-4323-8BE0-023D5438FFC6.html
      5. ↑ https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/models/en_us/GUID-E9B387D7-AFEF-4AAF-8685-4FE71E09287D.html#CONCEPT_ZFM_NGY_N4B
      6. ↑ https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/models/en_us/GUID-B2B9E17B-E1D5-4C48-9306-AC62A375038D.html

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