Do you need to override your Tesla's charging schedule? Perhaps you've had an unexpected trip come up, or maybe you simply want to take advantage of a sudden dip in electricity rates. Whatever the reason, knowing how to quickly get your Tesla charging when you need it, even if you have a schedule set, is a useful skill for any owner. Let's dive in!
Understanding Tesla's Scheduled Charging
Tesla's scheduled charging feature is designed to make your life easier and save you money, often by charging during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper. It's a fantastic feature, but there are times when you need to bypass it.
Step 1: Assess Your Immediate Need – Are You in a Hurry?
Before you do anything, consider how urgently you need to charge. Are you just topping off for a short errand, or do you need a significant charge for a long road trip leaving in an hour? Your urgency will influence the best override method.
Step 2: The Easiest Override: Just Plug In!
This is often the simplest solution if you just need to start charging right now.
When you plug in your Tesla, if it's within a certain window of your scheduled charge, it might not immediately start charging. However, there are usually ways to force it to:
Sub-heading: Via the Tesla Mobile App
Open the Tesla App: Launch the Tesla app on your smartphone.
Navigate to the Charging Section: You'll typically see a 'Charging' icon or section. Tap on it.
Initiate Charging: Look for a button that says "Start Charging" or a similar phrase. Tapping this should override any active schedule and begin charging immediately. You might also see an option to "Charge Now."
Monitor Progress: Keep an eye on the app to confirm that charging has begun and is progressing as expected.
Sub-heading: Through the Vehicle Touchscreen
Enter Your Vehicle: Get into your Tesla and ensure the screen is active.
Access Charging Controls: On the touchscreen, touch the lightning bolt icon (which represents the charge port) or navigate to
Controls>Charging.Override Schedule: Within the charging screen, you should see options related to your charging schedule. Look for a button or toggle that allows you to
Start ChargingorCharge Immediately. Pressing this will override the schedule.Confirm: The charge port light should turn blinking green, indicating charging is in progress.
Step 3: Temporarily Disabling the Schedule
If you know you'll need to charge immediately for a sustained period or want to ensure no schedule interferes, you can temporarily disable it.
Sub-heading: Using the Tesla Mobile App
Open the Tesla App: As before, open the app.
Go to Charging Settings: Navigate to the
Chargingsection.Locate Scheduled Charging: Find the "Scheduled Charging" option.
Toggle Off: There will likely be a toggle switch to enable or disable scheduled charging. Toggle it to the "Off" position.
Confirm Changes: Ensure your changes are saved. Now, when you plug in, your Tesla should start charging immediately until you either unplug it or re-enable the schedule.
Sub-heading: Through the Vehicle Touchscreen
Access Charging Controls: In your Tesla, on the touchscreen, go to
Controls>Charging.Find the Schedule: Locate the "Scheduled Charging" settings.
Disable Schedule: Untick the box or toggle the switch to disable the scheduled charging.
Set Charge Limit (Optional but Recommended): While you're there, ensure your charge limit is set to your desired level for this immediate charge.
Step 4: Understanding "End By" Time (Advanced Override)
Some Tesla models and software versions allow you to set an "End by" time rather than a "Start at" time. This means you tell the car when you need it to be charged by, and it will calculate when to start charging to meet that goal.
Set an "End By" Time: In your car's charging settings or the app, instead of setting a "Start at" time, set an "End by" time (e.g., "Charge by 6:00 AM").
Plug In: Plug in your Tesla.
Car Calculates: The car will briefly draw power to assess the current battery level and then calculate when it needs to start charging to reach your desired charge limit by the "End by" time. It won't necessarily start immediately if it has plenty of time.
This method is useful if you want to ensure your car is ready by a specific departure time without immediately initiating charging, perhaps still leveraging off-peak rates as much as possible.
Step 5: Dealing with Third-Party Apps (if applicable)
If you use third-party applications like Charge HQ to manage your Tesla's charging, they might have their own override mechanisms.
Check App Settings: Go into the settings of your third-party charging app. Many offer an "Override Vehicle Schedule" option. Enabling this can cause the app to stop charging that was initiated by the vehicle's schedule.
Temporary Disconnect: If all else fails and a third-party app is preventing immediate charging, you might need to temporarily disconnect that app's access to your Tesla via your tesla.com account (under "Third-Party Apps" or similar). Reconnecting it later is usually straightforward.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tesla Charging Schedules
Here are 10 common questions about overriding your Tesla's charging schedule:
How to instantly start charging my Tesla with a schedule set?
You can instantly start charging by using the "Start Charging" or "Charge Now" option in your Tesla mobile app or directly on the car's touchscreen within the charging controls.
How to temporarily disable my Tesla charging schedule?
Access the charging settings in your Tesla app or on the vehicle's touchscreen and toggle off the "Scheduled Charging" option. Remember to re-enable it later if you wish to use it again.
How to make my Tesla charge to 100% immediately?
First, set your charge limit to 100% on the touchscreen or in the app. Then, use the "Start Charging" button in the app or on the car's screen to initiate immediate charging.
How to override scheduled charging for a single trip?
The easiest way for a single trip is to use the "Start Charging" button in the Tesla app after plugging in. This will override the schedule for that session.
How to use the "End by" time to charge my Tesla?
In your car's or app's charging settings, select the option to "End by" a specific time instead of "Start at." The car will then calculate and begin charging automatically to reach your desired charge level by that time.
How to stop a scheduled charge in progress on my Tesla?
You can stop a charging session by pressing the button on the Tesla charge cable handle, tapping "Stop Charging" in the Tesla app, or on the vehicle's touchscreen.
How to ensure my Tesla charges when I'm away from home?
Tesla's scheduled charging is location-dependent. When you are away from your designated "Home" or "Work" locations, the scheduled charging usually doesn't apply, and your Tesla should begin charging immediately when plugged into a compatible charger.
How to check if my Tesla is currently on a charging schedule?
On your Tesla's touchscreen, go to Controls > Charging. The scheduled charging status will be displayed there. You can also see this in the Tesla mobile app under the charging section.
How to manage third-party app overrides for Tesla charging?
If you use a third-party app, check its settings for an "Override Vehicle Schedule" option. Alternatively, you may need to temporarily revoke the app's access to your Tesla through your Tesla account online.
How to reset my Tesla's charging schedule to default?
To effectively "reset" a schedule, simply disable it entirely via the app or touchscreen. If you wish to set a new schedule, you can then create a new one from scratch.
Learn more about Tesla's new charging and preconditioning scheduler in this video:
