Thinking about putting your Tesla in neutral? It's a question many new and even some experienced Tesla owners ponder. Whether you're at a car wash, need to manually move your car, or are preparing for a tow, knowing how to engage neutral is a fundamental skill. Let's dive into the specifics of how to put your Tesla in neutral, step by step.
Step 1: Getting Started – Are You Ready?
Before we even touch the screen or the stalk, let's make sure you're in a safe and appropriate environment. Are you in a controlled space like your driveway, a parking lot, or a car wash? Never attempt to engage neutral in traffic or on an incline without proper precautions.
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Ensure your foot is firmly on the brake pedal. This is crucial for safety and a prerequisite for many of the actions we're about to take.
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Check your surroundings. Are there any obstacles or people nearby that could be affected if the car moves unexpectedly?
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Understand why you need neutral. Are you going through a car wash, getting towed, or just trying to move the car a short distance manually? Your reason might influence some of the subsequent steps.
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| How To Do Neutral On Tesla |
Step 2: The Basic Neutral – Shifting from Drive or Reverse
This is the most common way to engage neutral for quick maneuvers, like at a car wash.
2.1: Using the Drive Stalk
Your Tesla's drive stalk, located on the right side of the steering column, is your primary interface for shifting gears.
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Be in Park (P), Drive (D), or Reverse (R): You can initiate this from any of these states.
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Press and hold the button on the end of the stalk for about one second. This is the same button you'd use to put the car in Park.
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Gently push the stalk up or down to engage neutral. You'll feel a slight click, and the display will clearly show "N" for neutral.
2.2: Confirmation on the Display
Look at your Tesla's main display. You should see a large "N" indicating that the vehicle is now in neutral. The car will likely give you an audible chime as well.
Step 3: Car Wash Mode – The Smart Neutral for Automatic Washes
QuickTip: Focus more on the ‘how’ than the ‘what’.
Tesla's "Car Wash Mode" is a fantastic feature that streamlines the process for automatic car washes. It not only puts the car in neutral but also locks the charge port, disables auto wipers, and more.
3.1: Accessing Car Wash Mode
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Ensure your vehicle is in Park (P).
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Navigate to Controls > Service > Car Wash Mode on your touchscreen.
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Tap "Enable." The car will automatically shift into neutral, fold the mirrors, lock the charge port, and disable various features that could be problematic in a car wash.
3.2: Exiting Car Wash Mode
To exit Car Wash Mode, you have a few options:
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Shift into Drive or Reverse using the drive stalk.
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Tap "Exit" on the Car Wash Mode pop-up on your screen.
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Simply open the driver's door. This will automatically disengage Car Wash Mode and shift the car back into Park.
Step 4: Tow Mode – For Longer Distances or Flatbed Towing
If your Tesla needs to be towed, especially for longer distances or on a flatbed, Tow Mode is the correct setting. This mode also puts the car in neutral but keeps the parking brake disengaged, allowing the wheels to roll freely.
4.1: Activating Tow Mode
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Ensure your vehicle is in Park (P).
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Navigate to Controls > Service > Towing on your touchscreen.
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Tap "Tow Mode." A warning message will appear, reminding you of the proper towing procedures. Confirm you understand by tapping "Enable." Your vehicle will then enter neutral.
4.2: Important Considerations for Tow Mode
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Energy Consumption: Keeping the car in Tow Mode for extended periods will consume battery power. Monitor your battery level if the car is to remain in Tow Mode for a significant duration.
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Speed Limit: There's usually a speed limit when towing (check your owner's manual for specifics, but it's often around 35 mph or 55 km/h).
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Exiting Tow Mode: To exit Tow Mode, simply shift into Drive or Reverse using the drive stalk, or press "Park" on the stalk.
QuickTip: Don’t just consume — reflect.
Step 5: Manual Disengagement of Parking Brake (Emergency/Specific Situations)
In very specific situations, typically when the vehicle is powered down or has a low 12V battery, you might need to manually disengage the parking brake. This is not the same as putting the car in neutral for regular operation and should only be done when absolutely necessary and under the guidance of Tesla service or roadside assistance. This usually involves accessing a manual release lever or a specific procedure for unlocking the brakes. Refer to your owner's manual or contact Tesla service for precise instructions for your specific model and year in such emergency scenarios.
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Step 6: Understanding the "Creep" and "Hold" Features in Neutral
Unlike traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles that might "creep" slightly in neutral on a slight incline due to residual transmission drag, electric vehicles like Teslas behave differently.
6.1: No Creep in Neutral
When your Tesla is truly in neutral, there will be no "creep" function. The motors are disengaged, and the car will roll freely if on an incline. This is why it's so important to be aware of your surroundings and the vehicle's position, especially at car washes.
6.2: Automatic Hold (Hill Hold)
Tesla vehicles have an automatic "Hill Hold" function. If you're on an incline and release the brake in neutral, the car will initially hold its position for a few seconds to prevent rolling before it starts to move. However, this is not a substitute for keeping your foot on the brake or using the parking brake when stationary.
Step 7: Safety First – Always!
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Always use the brake pedal when shifting into or out of neutral.
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Be aware of your surroundings. A vehicle in neutral can roll freely, even on a slight incline.
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Do not exit the vehicle if it's in neutral unless you've engaged the parking brake or you are absolutely sure it won't move (e.g., in an automatic car wash with conveyor).
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Consult your owner's manual for the most accurate and model-specific information. Tesla updates its software frequently, and procedures can sometimes change.
QuickTip: Focus on one paragraph at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to put a Tesla in neutral at a car wash?
You can put your Tesla in neutral at a car wash by either using the drive stalk (push and hold the end button, then push the stalk up or down) or by activating Car Wash Mode from the touchscreen (Controls > Service > Car Wash Mode).
How to use neutral on Tesla for towing?
To use neutral for towing, activate Tow Mode on your Tesla's touchscreen by navigating to Controls > Service > Towing and then selecting "Tow Mode." This ensures the parking brake is disengaged and the wheels can roll freely.
How to get Tesla out of neutral?
To get your Tesla out of neutral, simply shift into Drive (D) or Reverse (R) using the drive stalk, or in the case of Car Wash Mode or Tow Mode, you can also tap "Exit" on the screen or open the driver's door.
How to put a Tesla in neutral when the screen is frozen?
If your Tesla's screen is frozen, you might still be able to use the drive stalk method: press and hold the end button, then push the stalk up or down. If that doesn't work, a soft reset of the screen might be necessary, or in a true emergency, contact Tesla service.
QuickTip: Skim fast, then return for detail.
How to engage neutral on a Tesla Model 3?
To engage neutral on a Tesla Model 3, follow the same steps as other Tesla models: use the drive stalk (push and hold the end button, then push the stalk up or down) or enable Car Wash Mode or Tow Mode via the touchscreen.
How to use neutral for a manual car wash Tesla?
For a manual car wash where the car isn't on a conveyor, you generally don't need neutral. You can keep the car in Park (P) while washing. If you need to roll it slightly, use the drive stalk to briefly engage neutral and then immediately put it back in Park.
How to prevent Tesla from rolling in neutral?
To prevent your Tesla from rolling in neutral, always keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when stationary. If you need to leave the car stationary in neutral for any reason (e.g., waiting at a car wash conveyor), engage the parking brake (by pressing the end button on the stalk to put it into Park, or using the touchscreen controls for the parking brake).
How to troubleshoot if Tesla won't go into neutral?
If your Tesla won't go into neutral, first ensure your foot is firmly on the brake pedal. Double-check that you're performing the correct action for your desired neutral mode (stalk, Car Wash Mode, or Tow Mode). If the issue persists, try a soft reset of the touchscreen (holding both scroll wheels on the steering wheel until the screen reboots). If the problem continues, it's best to contact Tesla service.
How to shift Tesla into neutral from Park?
To shift your Tesla into neutral from Park, while in Park, press and hold the button on the end of the drive stalk for about one second, then gently push the stalk up or down. You'll see "N" on the display.
How to know if Tesla is in neutral?
You'll know your Tesla is in neutral when you see a large "N" displayed on your main touchscreen. The vehicle may also provide an audible chime as confirmation.
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