Want to know how to put your Tesla in neutral? It's a question many new and even some experienced Tesla owners find themselves asking, especially since there isn't a traditional gear shifter like in most cars. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the basic steps to troubleshooting and understanding why you'd even need neutral in the first place.
Step 1: Why Are You Looking for Neutral?
Before we dive into the "how," let's quickly consider why you're looking to put your Tesla in neutral. Are you preparing for a car wash? Need to move it a short distance without powering it on? Or perhaps you're having it towed? Understanding your reason will help you choose the best method and ensure you're doing it safely.
Step 2: The Primary Method - Using the Touchscreen
The most common and straightforward way to engage neutral in your Tesla is through its central touchscreen display. This applies to all Tesla models – Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X – although the exact interface might have minor variations depending on your software version.
2.1: Ensure Your Tesla is On
First and foremost, your Tesla needs to be powered on. This means either you're inside with the brake pedal pressed, or the car is otherwise "awake." You can't put a completely powered-down Tesla into neutral using the touchscreen.
2.2: Access the Controls Menu
Locate the "Car" Icon: On your touchscreen, look for the car icon (often resembling your Tesla model) usually located at the bottom left of the screen. Tap on it.
Navigate to "Driving" or "Pedals & Steering": This will open the main controls menu. Depending on your software version, you might see a "Driving" tab or a section specifically for "Pedals & Steering." Tap on the relevant option.
2.3: Engage Neutral
Find the "Neutral" Option: Within the "Driving" or "Pedals & Steering" section, you'll see a representation of your gear selector. You'll typically see options for Park (P), Reverse (R), Neutral (N), and Drive (D).
Press and Hold "N": This is the crucial part: Press and hold the "N" for Neutral. Unlike D or R which activate with a single tap, Neutral usually requires a sustained press to prevent accidental engagement.
Confirm Engagement: You'll know it's in neutral when the "N" on your screen becomes highlighted or otherwise indicates it's active. You might also hear a slight click, and the car will be able to roll freely if on an incline and the parking brake is not engaged.
Step 3: The "Hidden" Neutral - For Towing or Emergencies
There are specific scenarios, primarily for towing or when the 12V battery is depleted, where the touchscreen method isn't feasible or safe. In these cases, Tesla has a "Towing Mode" or "Transport Mode" that effectively puts the vehicle in a neutral state.
3.1: Activating Towing Mode
Access Service Menu: From the main menu on your touchscreen, tap on Controls > Service > Towing.
Confirm Towing Mode: A prompt will appear asking you to confirm that you want to activate Towing Mode. Confirm this action.
Vehicle Preparation: The car will then prepare itself for towing, which includes releasing the parking brake and engaging a neutral state. Be aware that the car can now roll freely.
3.2: When to Use Towing Mode
Flatbed Towing: This is the primary use case. When your Tesla needs to be moved onto a flatbed truck, Towing Mode is essential.
12V Battery Depletion: If your 12V battery is dead, you won't be able to access the touchscreen. In such a scenario, you'd typically need to jump-start the 12V battery first to enable touchscreen access, or for very specific emergency towing, refer to your owner's manual for manual release procedures (which are highly specific and vary by model and year).
Step 4: Important Considerations & Safety Tips ⚠️
Putting your Tesla in neutral isn't something you'll do every day, so it's vital to keep these points in mind for safety and to avoid damage.
4.1: Always Be on a Flat Surface (If Possible)
Whenever engaging neutral, try to be on a flat, level surface. If you're on an incline, the car will immediately start to roll once neutral is engaged, which can be dangerous if you're not prepared.
4.2: The Parking Brake is Your Friend
After putting your Tesla in neutral, always remember to engage the parking brake if you intend for the vehicle to remain stationary. This is especially true if you're stepping out of the vehicle. You can engage the parking brake by tapping the "P" icon on the touchscreen or, in some models, pulling the stalk towards you.
4.3: Car Washes
For automated car washes with conveyors, using neutral is necessary. Engage neutral and ensure the auto-hold function is OFF (usually indicated by a grey "HOLD" icon on your dashboard). Some car washes might even have specific instructions for Teslas.
4.4: Never Shift to Park While Moving
Absolutely never shift your Tesla into Park (P) while the vehicle is moving. This can cause significant damage to the transmission and braking system. The car's software will usually prevent this, but it's a good habit to be mindful of.
Step 5: Troubleshooting Common Issues ️
While putting your Tesla in neutral is generally straightforward, you might encounter some minor hiccups.
5.1: "N" Option Greyed Out
If the "N" for neutral is greyed out on your touchscreen:
Check if the vehicle is in Park (P) first. Sometimes, you need to be in Park before you can select neutral.
Ensure the brake pedal is pressed. For safety, Tesla often requires the brake pedal to be pressed when changing gears.
Restart the infotainment system. A simple reboot (holding both scroll wheels on the steering wheel) can often resolve minor software glitches.
5.2: Vehicle Won't Roll
If you've put it in neutral but the car won't roll:
Check the parking brake. It's highly likely the parking brake is still engaged. Disengage it via the touchscreen.
Verify Neutral is active. Double-check the touchscreen to ensure "N" is highlighted and not "P".
5.3: Dealing with a Dead 12V Battery
As mentioned earlier, a dead 12V battery means no touchscreen functionality. If your Tesla needs to be moved in this state:
You will likely need a jump start for the 12V battery first to power up the vehicle and access the touchscreen for Towing Mode.
In extreme emergencies, consult your owner's manual for specific manual release procedures, which are typically only for service personnel due to their complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Put Tesla in Neutral for a Car Wash?
Engage neutral via the touchscreen (Controls > Driving/Pedals & Steering > hold 'N') and ensure Auto Hold is off. Confirm the car is in neutral on the display.
How to Put Tesla in Neutral if Battery is Dead?
You generally need to jump-start the 12V battery first to power up the system and access the touchscreen to activate Towing Mode.
How to Put Tesla in Neutral Manually?
There is no simple manual lever for neutral like in traditional cars. Neutral is engaged electronically through the touchscreen or via Towing Mode.
How to Put Tesla in Neutral for Towing?
Access "Towing Mode" through the touchscreen (Controls > Service > Towing) which will prepare the vehicle for towing by releasing the parking brake and engaging a neutral state.
How to Release Tesla Parking Brake in Neutral?
Once in neutral, you can release the parking brake by tapping the "P" icon on the touchscreen (which typically re-engages it) and then tapping it again, or by using the stalk in some models.
How to Drive Tesla in Neutral?
You cannot "drive" a Tesla in neutral. Neutral is for moving the car without power (e.g., pushing it, towing it) or for automated car washes.
How to Get Tesla Out of Neutral?
Simply press the brake pedal and select Drive (D) or Reverse (R) on the touchscreen. The car will then shift out of neutral.
How to Prevent Tesla from Rolling in Neutral?
Always engage the parking brake immediately after putting the car in neutral if you want it to remain stationary.
How to Check if Tesla is in Neutral?
The "N" icon on your instrument cluster and/or the central touchscreen display will be highlighted or clearly indicate that neutral is active.
How to Put Tesla Model 3 in Neutral?
The process is the same as other Tesla models: Access Controls > Driving/Pedals & Steering on the touchscreen, then press and hold "N".
