Ever wondered how to safely and efficiently put your Tesla into park? It might seem straightforward, but with Tesla's unique interface, there's more to it than just a traditional gear shifter. Let's dive in and master the art of parking your Tesla!
Step 1: Understanding Tesla's Parking Philosophy
First things first, let's understand that Tesla's approach to parking is a bit different from conventional cars. There isn't a traditional "P" button on a gear stick that you might be used to. Instead, Tesla integrates parking into its shift stalk and touchscreen interface, and even offers automatic parking features for added convenience. The car is also designed to automatically shift into Park in certain situations to prevent roll-away.
Remember: Always ensure your foot is on the brake pedal when initiating a shift, especially into or out of Park.
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| How To Put Tesla Into Park |
Step 2: Manually Shifting to Park
There are two primary ways to manually put your Tesla into park: using the drive stalk and using the touchscreen.
2.1: Using the Drive Stalk (Most Common Method)
This is the most intuitive and frequently used method for parking your Tesla.
Locate the Drive Stalk: On most Tesla models (Model 3, Model Y, etc.), the drive stalk is located on the right side of the steering column. It's the same stalk you use to shift into Drive and Reverse.
Press the End Button: To put your Tesla into Park, simply press the button on the very end of the drive stalk. You'll hear a chime, and the "P" indicator will illuminate on your screen, confirming that the car is in Park.
2.2: Using the Touchscreen
QuickTip: Skim first, then reread for depth.
While the drive stalk is the primary method, the touchscreen also offers a way to engage Park, particularly useful in certain situations or if you're accustomed to using the screen for controls.
Access the Drive Mode Strip: When your vehicle is stopped and you press the brake pedal, a "drive mode strip" will appear on one side of your large central touchscreen.
Tap the "P" Icon: On this strip, you'll see icons for Park (P), Reverse (R), Neutral (N), and Drive (D). Simply touch the "P" icon to engage Park.
Pro Tip: In emergency situations, if your brakes are not functioning properly, you can press and hold the Park button on the touchscreen's drive mode strip (or on the center console for some models like Model S/X) to slowly bring the vehicle to a stop. However, this method should only be used as a last resort.
Step 3: Understanding Automatic Parking and Emergency Braking
Tesla vehicles are equipped with intelligent features that can assist with or even automatically engage parking.
3.1: Automatic Park Engagement
Your Tesla is designed to automatically shift into Park in several scenarios to enhance safety and prevent unintended movement. These include:
Connecting a Charge Cable: When you plug in the charging cable, your Tesla will automatically shift into Park.
Unbuckling Your Seatbelt: If you unbuckle your seatbelt while in Drive, Reverse, or Neutral at low speeds, the car will often shift into Park.
Opening a Door: Similarly, opening the driver's door while the vehicle is in Drive, Reverse, or Neutral at low speeds will typically cause it to shift into Park.
Note: While these features are helpful, it's crucial to remember that you are always responsible for ensuring your vehicle is safely in Park before exiting. Never rely solely on the automatic shifting, as it might not activate in all circumstances (e.g., if the car is moving faster than approximately 2 km/h on a slope).
3.2: Autopark Feature (Semi-Autonomous Parking) ️
For those tricky parallel or perpendicular parking spots, Tesla's Autopark feature can be a real lifesaver. This is a semi-autonomous function that guides your car into a detected parking space.
Enable Autopilot Features: First, ensure that Autosteer or Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is enabled in your vehicle's settings (Controls > Autopilot).
Drive Slowly: Drive slowly past a potential parking space (typically below 13 km/h or 8 mph).
Monitor the Touchscreen: Your touchscreen will display detected parking spaces.
Select and Start: Once a suitable spot is found, select it on the touchscreen and touch "Start." The vehicle will then maneuver itself into the spot.
Supervise and Be Ready to Intervene: It's crucial to continuously monitor your surroundings and be prepared to apply the brakes or take over the steering wheel at any time. Pressing the brake pedal or interfering with the steering will cancel Autopark.
Tip: Focus more on ideas, less on words.
Step 4: Engaging the Parking Brake (Beyond Just "Park")
While putting your Tesla in "Park" (P) engages a parking mechanism, there's also a separate parking brake that you can manually engage for added security, especially on inclines.
Access Controls: On your touchscreen, touch "Controls."
Navigate to Safety: Then, navigate to the "Safety" section.
Engage Parking Brake: Press the brake pedal, and then touch "Park Brake" on the touchscreen.
Indicator: A red parking brake indicator will light up on your touchscreen when it's engaged. The parking brake operates on the rear wheels only.
Release: The parking brake is automatically released when you shift into another gear.
Important Note: If your Tesla loses electrical power, you won't be able to release the parking brake via the touchscreen without first jump-starting the vehicle. Always be aware of this in emergency situations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Parking Your Tesla
How to put a Tesla into park using the stalk?
To put your Tesla into park using the stalk, simply press the button located at the very end of the right-hand drive stalk.
How to engage the parking brake in a Tesla manually?
To manually engage the parking brake, go to Controls > Safety on your touchscreen, press the brake pedal, and then tap "Park Brake."
QuickTip: Treat each section as a mini-guide.
How to use Autopark in a Tesla?
To use Autopark, drive slowly past a parking space (under 13 km/h), monitor the touchscreen for detected spots, select the desired spot, and touch "Start."
How to stop a Tesla in an emergency if brakes fail?
In an emergency where traditional brakes are not functioning, press and hold the "P" (Park) button on the touchscreen's drive mode strip to slowly bring the vehicle to a stop. This is for extreme emergencies only.
How to disable automatic park engagement in a Tesla?
While certain automatic park engagements (like opening a door or unbuckling the seatbelt) are safety features and cannot be fully disabled, you can manage settings related to "Auto Shift (Beta)" in the Controls > Dynamics menu on some models.
How to restart the touchscreen while in Park?
To restart the touchscreen, ensure the vehicle is in Park, then hold down both scroll buttons on the steering wheel until the touchscreen turns black. It will restart after a few seconds.
QuickTip: Go back if you lost the thread.
How to shift out of Park in a Tesla?
To shift out of Park, you must always press the brake pedal, then push the drive stalk down for Drive or up for Reverse, or use the corresponding icons on the touchscreen.
How to know if my Tesla is in Park?
A "P" indicator will be displayed prominently on your touchscreen, confirming the vehicle is in Park. You will also typically hear a chime when engaging Park.
How to park a Tesla on a steep hill?
When parking on a steep hill, always engage "Park" using the drive stalk or touchscreen, and for added security, manually engage the separate "Parking Brake" via Controls > Safety on your touchscreen.
How to ensure my Tesla doesn't roll away after parking?
Always ensure the "P" indicator is displayed on your screen, and for extra caution on slopes, manually engage the parking brake. Your Tesla also has automatic park features designed to prevent roll-away if you unbuckle your seatbelt or open a door at low speeds.
To see a demonstration of how to shift a Tesla into various gears, including Park, check out this video:
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