Ever found yourself in the driver's seat of a sleek Tesla, ready to embark on an exciting journey, only to realize you're not quite sure how to get it out of park? Don't worry, you're not alone! Teslas, with their minimalist interiors and advanced technology, operate a bit differently from conventional cars. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of shifting your Tesla out of park, ensuring you're ready to hit the road with confidence.
Step 1: Getting Started - The Initial Checks
Before you even think about shifting out of park, there are a few crucial checks to ensure a smooth and safe departure.
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| How To Take Tesla Out Of Park |
1.1 Are You Buckled Up?
Tesla vehicles prioritize safety, and for good reason! Most Tesla models require you to have your seat belt fastened before you can shift out of park. It's a simple, yet effective, safety measure to prevent accidental roll-aways. So, make sure that click is heard!
1.2 Press that Brake Pedal!
This might seem obvious for any car, but it's especially important in a Tesla. You must press the brake pedal firmly to initiate any gear changes from Park. This action signals to the car that you're ready to engage a drive mode.
1.3 Check for Obstructions
Always take a quick glance around your vehicle. Are all doors and trunks (including the frunk – front trunk!) securely closed? If the frunk is open, for instance, your Tesla might refuse to shift for safety reasons.
1.4 Charging Cable Disconnected?
If your Tesla was charging, ensure the charging cable is completely disconnected from the charge port. Your car will not allow you to shift out of park while charging.
Step 2: Understanding Your Tesla's Gear Selector
Tip: Read slowly to catch the finer details.
Unlike traditional cars with a prominent gear shifter in the center console, Teslas typically employ one of two primary methods for gear selection: a stalk behind the steering wheel or touchscreen controls.
2.1 The Gear Selector Stalk (Older Models & Some Current Models)
Many Tesla models, including the Model 3, Model S, and Model X, utilize a stalk located on the right side of the steering column. This stalk serves as your primary gear selector.
To Shift into Drive (D): With your foot firmly on the brake pedal, push the drive stalk all the way down and release. You'll hear a chime, and the touchscreen will display "D" indicating you're in Drive. You can usually shift into Drive when stopped or moving very slowly in Reverse (less than 5 mph or 8 km/h).
To Shift into Reverse (R): Again, with your foot on the brake, push the drive stalk all the way up and release. You'll hear a chime, and the touchscreen will show "R" along with the view from your rearview camera. You can only shift into Reverse when stopped or moving very slowly in Drive (less than 5 mph or 8 km/h).
To Shift into Neutral (N): To put your Tesla in Neutral, you'll generally briefly push the drive stalk up or down to the first position. Alternatively, you might need to open Controls on the touchscreen, then press and hold the Neutral icon until the car engages Neutral. Keep in mind that your Tesla will automatically shift into Park if you open the driver's door while in Neutral, unless in "Tow Mode" or "Car Wash Mode."
To Shift into Park (P): To engage Park, simply press the end of the drive stalk while the vehicle is stopped. The car will automatically shift into Park in various scenarios, such as when you connect a charge cable, unbuckle your seat belt, or open the door while in Drive, Reverse, or Neutral.
2.2 The Touchscreen Controls (Newer Models & Alternative for Others)
Newer Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles, and even as an alternative for other models, have shifted some gear selection to the large central touchscreen.
Accessing the Drive Mode Strip: When your Tesla is in Park and you press the brake pedal, a drive mode strip will appear on one side of the touchscreen. This strip typically shows icons for Park (P), Reverse (R), Neutral (N), and Drive (D).
To Shift into Drive (D): With your foot on the brake, swipe up on the drive mode strip. The car will engage Drive, and "D" will be displayed.
To Shift into Reverse (R): With your foot on the brake, swipe down on the drive mode strip. The car will engage Reverse, and "R" will be displayed, along with the camera view.
To Shift into Neutral (N): To engage Neutral via the touchscreen, you usually need to open "Controls" on the touchscreen, then press and hold the "Neutral" icon until your Tesla shifts into Neutral.
To Shift into Park (P): Simply touch the "P" for Park on the drive mode strip.
2.3 Overhead Console Buttons (Model Y and Some Other Models)
In some Tesla models, like the Model Y, there's an additional option for shifting using buttons located on the overhead console. These buttons (P, R, N, D) become active when you press the brake pedal and touch one of them. The corresponding LED will illuminate amber when selected. This serves as a backup or alternative to the touchscreen for shifting.
Step 3: Confirmation and Driving
Once you've selected your desired gear, you'll receive visual and auditory confirmation:
3.1 Visual Confirmation
The touchscreen will clearly display the selected gear (P, R, N, or D). For Reverse, the rear camera view will also activate.
QuickTip: Skim the intro, then dive deeper.
3.2 Auditory Confirmation
A chime will sound whenever you successfully shift gears, providing an audible cue that the change has occurred.
3.3 Releasing the Brake
With the desired gear engaged, you can now gently release the brake pedal and press the accelerator to begin your drive.
Step 4: Special Considerations and Troubleshooting
While shifting a Tesla is generally straightforward, there are a few scenarios and troubleshooting tips to be aware of.
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4.1 "Auto Shift from Park" Feature
Some Tesla models offer an "Auto Shift from Park" feature, which, when enabled, allows the vehicle to automatically select Drive or Reverse when you press the brake pedal, depending on your surroundings. You can enable this by going to Controls > Dynamics > Auto Shift from Park on your touchscreen. If enabled, the touchscreen will display the selected drive mode. You can always override this by pressing the brake pedal and using the drive mode strip to manually select a different gear.
4.2 Why Won't My Tesla Shift Out of Park?
If your Tesla isn't shifting out of park, here are some common reasons and solutions:
Brake Pedal Not Pressed: This is the most common reason. Ensure you're pressing the brake pedal firmly.
Seat Belt Not Buckled: As mentioned, the car won't shift if your seatbelt isn't fastened.
Door/Frunk Open: Make sure all doors and the frunk are securely closed.
Charging Cable Connected: Verify that the charging cable is fully unplugged.
Software Update in Progress/Failed: If your Tesla is undergoing a software update or if an update has failed, shifting may be temporarily disabled. Check the software status on your touchscreen (Controls > Software). A full reboot of the system might be necessary in some cases (hold both scroll wheels on the steering wheel until the screen goes black).
System Glitch: Rarely, a temporary system glitch can occur. One reported "trick" by some owners is to temporarily change the wheel configuration in Controls > Service > Wheel Configuration, select an alternative size, confirm, and then revert to your original setting. This can sometimes trigger a system reboot that resolves minor firmware issues.
Valet Mode: If Valet Mode is active, certain restrictions, including speed and acceleration limits, are imposed. While it usually doesn't prevent shifting out of park, it's worth checking if it's engaged. You can disable Valet Mode from your touchscreen or mobile app.
4.3 Emergency Braking (Using Park Button)
In a true emergency, if your primary brakes are not functioning, you can press and hold the Park button on the drive stalk or the touchscreen's drive mode strip. This will apply the brakes and remove drive torque to bring the vehicle to a stop. This should only be used in emergency situations.
Tip: Reading with intent makes content stick.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to put a Tesla in neutral for a car wash?
To put your Tesla in Neutral for a car wash, shift into Park, then on the touchscreen, go to Controls > Service > Car Wash Mode. This will keep the car in Neutral and allow it to roll freely.
How to disable auto shift from park in Tesla?
You can disable Auto Shift from Park by navigating to Controls > Dynamics > Auto Shift from Park on your Tesla's touchscreen and toggling the setting off.
How to troubleshoot if my Tesla won't shift out of park?
First, ensure your foot is firmly on the brake pedal, your seat belt is buckled, and all doors/trunks are closed. Check if a charging cable is connected. If the issue persists, a software update might be in progress or have failed, so check the software status and consider a system reboot (holding both scroll wheels).
How to use the overhead console to shift gears in a Tesla?
On models equipped with it, press the brake pedal, then touch one of the P, R, N, or D buttons on the overhead console. The associated LED will illuminate amber when active.
How to put a Tesla in neutral for towing?
To engage Neutral for towing, first shift into Park. Then, with your foot on the brake, go to Controls > Service > Towing on the touchscreen to activate Tow Mode.
Tip: Every word counts — don’t skip too much.
How to know if my Tesla is in park?
The touchscreen will display a prominent "P" symbol, and you'll typically hear a chime when the car successfully engages Park.
How to release the parking brake on a Tesla manually?
The parking brake is usually released automatically when you shift into another gear. You can also manually engage or disengage it by touching Controls > Safety > Parking Brake on the touchscreen and pressing the brake pedal.
How to prevent accidental roll-away in a Tesla?
Always ensure your foot is on the brake when shifting, and make sure your seat belt is buckled. Teslas also have automatic park engagement in certain situations (e.g., opening the driver's door), but it's always the driver's responsibility to ensure the car is safely parked.
How to use the drive stalk for shifting in older Tesla models?
For older models with a stalk, push it all the way down for Drive, all the way up for Reverse, and press the end for Park. Briefly push it up or down to the first detent for Neutral.
How to address a "transmission" error in a Tesla (though Teslas don't have traditional transmissions)?
While Teslas don't have traditional multi-gear transmissions, issues preventing shifting often stem from software glitches, sensor errors, or safety interlocks. If basic troubleshooting (checking doors, seatbelt, brake, charging cable, and a reboot) doesn't work, contact Tesla service.
This video shows how to shift a Model Y using the touchscreen and overhead console:
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