Hey there! So, you're looking to remove a car from your Tesla app? Whether you've sold your car, are transferring ownership, or simply want to declutter your app, the process is straightforward. Let's walk through it step-by-step.
How to Remove Your Car from the Tesla App: A Comprehensive Guide
Removing a vehicle from your Tesla app is typically done when you no longer own the car, or you're officially transferring its ownership to a new individual. It's a crucial step to ensure your personal data is cleared and the new owner gains full access.
Step 1: Prepare for Removal (Important Considerations!)
Before you dive into the app, there are a few critical things to keep in mind:
Data and Subscriptions
Personal Data Wipe: When you remove a vehicle, it's highly recommended to perform a factory reset on the car itself. This clears all your personal information, including navigation history, saved profiles, Bluetooth connections, and even streaming service logins. You can usually find this option under
Controls > Service > Factory Reseton your Tesla's touchscreen. You'll need to enter your Tesla account login details to confirm this.Paid Subscriptions: Removing a vehicle from your Tesla account will automatically end any paid subscriptions associated with that specific vehicle, such as Premium Connectivity. Be aware that these typically cannot be restored or transferred to another vehicle once removed.
Incentives: Any incentives you might have earned or held as the original owner could also be removed and generally cannot be restored.
Ownership vs. Driver Access
Transferring Ownership: If you're selling your Tesla, this process is for transferring ownership, giving the new owner full control and removing your access.
Removing a Driver: If you simply want to remove someone who shared access to your car (e.g., a family member or friend) without transferring ownership, that's a different, simpler process within the app under "Manage Drivers." We'll touch on this in the FAQ section.
Step 2: Accessing the Tesla App for Vehicle Removal
Ready to proceed? Let's open up that Tesla app!
Open the Tesla App: Launch the Tesla app on your smartphone or tablet. Ensure you're signed in with the account that is currently the primary owner of the vehicle you wish to remove.
Navigate to the Menu: Look for the menu icon in the top-right corner of the app. This usually looks like three horizontal lines (a "hamburger" menu) or potentially your profile picture. Tap on it.
Go to 'My Products': From the menu, you'll see various options. Tap on "My Products". This section lists all the Tesla vehicles and energy products (like Powerwall or Solar Roof) associated with your account.
Select the Vehicle: Now, you'll see a list of your Tesla vehicles. Carefully select the specific vehicle you intend to remove or transfer ownership of. If you have multiple Teslas, double-check that you've chosen the correct one!
Step 3: Initiating the Removal or Transfer Process
Once you've selected the correct vehicle, the final steps are crucial for a successful removal or transfer.
Tap 'Remove or Transfer Ownership': Within the selected vehicle's details, you'll find an option that says "Remove or Transfer Ownership." Tap on this.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts: The app will then guide you through a series of prompts. These prompts are designed to gather necessary information, especially if you're transferring ownership to a new person. You may need to provide the new owner's name and email address.
Confirmation: You'll likely be asked to confirm your decision, as this action is generally irreversible.
Verification: For security purposes, Tesla may send a verification code to your registered email address that you'll need to enter into the app to finalize the removal.
Email Confirmation: Both you and the new owner (if applicable) will receive an email confirmation once the process is complete.
Processing Time: Be aware that the ownership transfer process can take 3-5 business days to complete. During this time, the new owner may not immediately see the car in their app.
Step 4: Post-Removal Actions (For Sellers)
If you've sold your Tesla, there are a few additional things to consider after the app removal:
Physical Keys/Cards: Ensure you hand over all physical key cards and key fobs to the new owner.
Legal Ownership Transfer: Remember that removing the car from the app is not the same as transferring legal ownership with your country's or state's motor vehicle department. You'll still need to complete any required paperwork (e.g., title transfer, bill of sale) as per local regulations.
Remove Third-Party App Access: If you've granted any third-party apps access to your Tesla data, you might want to revoke those permissions. You can do this by logging into your Tesla account on the Tesla website, navigating to
Account Settings > Security > Third Party Apps, and revoking access there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to remove a shared driver from my Tesla app?
You can remove a shared driver by opening the Tesla app, selecting the vehicle, tapping 'Security & Drivers,' then 'Manage Drivers,' and finally tapping 'Remove' next to the driver's name.
How to add a new car to the Tesla app?
To add a new vehicle, open the Tesla app, tap the menu in the top-right, go to 'My Products,' and then 'Add Product,' following the prompts to enter your VIN and proof of ownership.
How to factory reset my Tesla car?
You can factory reset your Tesla directly from the car's touchscreen by going to Controls > Service > Factory Reset and following the on-screen instructions.
How to check if my Tesla ownership transfer is complete?
Both the old and new owners typically receive an email confirmation once the transfer is complete. You can also check your Tesla app; the car should disappear from your 'My Products' list if successfully removed.
How to contact Tesla support for ownership transfer issues?
If you encounter issues, you can contact Tesla Customer Support directly via their website or the contact information provided in your app.
How to transfer FSD (Full Self-Driving) to a new Tesla?
Tesla occasionally offers limited-time programs for FSD transfer. You'll need to meet specific eligibility criteria, and the transfer process is usually initiated before taking delivery of your new vehicle, on the same Tesla account.
How to remove my Tesla account completely?
To delete your entire Tesla account, you usually need to do so via the Tesla website under Account Settings > Data & Privacy > Delete Account. Be aware that this is a permanent action and will remove access to all associated Tesla products and benefits.
How to manage third-party app access for my Tesla?
You can manage third-party app access through the Tesla app by going to the menu, tapping your name > 'Security & Privacy' > 'Security' > 'Third Party Apps'.
How to ensure all my personal data is wiped from the car?
The most effective way is to perform a factory reset on the car's touchscreen before removing it from your app or transferring ownership.
How to see my current mileage in the Tesla app?
To display the odometer, open the Tesla app and scroll down to the bottom of the main screen where your car is displayed.
You can learn more about managing your Tesla vehicles in the app through this video:
