Have you ever handed over your Tesla to a valet, or perhaps lent it to a friend or family member, and wished you could limit some of its features for peace of mind? That's exactly what Tesla's Valet Mode is for! It's a fantastic security and privacy feature that puts you in control, even when you're not behind the wheel. But once it's on, how do you get it back to your full-featured Tesla? Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to exit Valet Mode in your Tesla.
Step 1: Confirm Your Tesla is in Park (And Engage with the Process! )
Before you do anything, ensure your Tesla is safely in Park (P). This is a crucial first step for any major setting change in your vehicle. Think of it like taking a deep breath before a big decision – you need to be stationary and focused!
Why is this important? For safety reasons, Tesla vehicles require the car to be in Park to make certain changes to driver profiles and security settings. It prevents accidental activation or deactivation of features while driving.
Give your Tesla a quick glance. Is the "P" illuminated on your display? Good. Now you're ready to proceed.
Step 2: Accessing the Valet Mode Interface on Your Touchscreen
Your Tesla's large touchscreen is the command center for almost everything, and Valet Mode is no exception.
Sub-heading 2.1: Locating the Driver Profile Icon
Look at the top of your touchscreen. You'll see a small icon that represents the currently active driver profile. This is usually your name or a generic "Driver" icon if you haven't customized it.
Tap on this icon. Tapping it will reveal a dropdown menu with different driver profiles, including "Valet Mode."
Sub-heading 2.2: Selecting Valet Mode from the Menu
From the dropdown menu, locate and tap on "Valet Mode." You'll see the word "Valet" displayed prominently, indicating that the mode is currently active.
Step 3: Entering Your Valet PIN (The Key to Unlocking!)
This is where your secret code comes into play. When you first enabled Valet Mode, you were prompted to create a 4-digit PIN. This PIN is your personal security measure to ensure only you can disable Valet Mode.
Sub-heading 3.1: The PIN Prompt Appears
Once you've selected "Valet Mode" from the driver profile menu, a numeric keypad will appear on the touchscreen, prompting you to enter your 4-digit Valet PIN.
Carefully enter your PIN. Take your time and make sure each digit is correctly entered.
Sub-heading 3.2: What if You Forget Your PIN? Don't Panic!
It happens to the best of us! If you've forgotten your Valet PIN, Tesla has a built-in recovery method.
On the PIN entry screen, you should see an option to "Forgot PIN" or a similar prompt.
Tapping this will usually require you to enter your Tesla Account credentials (the email and password you use to log into your Tesla app). This acts as a secondary verification, allowing you to reset the Valet PIN and disable the mode.
Alternatively, you can also often reset it directly through your Tesla mobile app (see Step 4).
Step 4: Exiting Valet Mode via the Tesla Mobile App (The Remote Control Method)
One of the most convenient ways to exit Valet Mode, especially if you're not in the car or have forgotten your PIN, is through the Tesla mobile app.
Sub-heading 4.1: Ensuring Mobile Access is Enabled
Before Valet Mode was activated, you should have had "Allow Mobile Access" enabled in your car's settings. This is usually found under Controls > Safety & Security. If this was disabled, you might need to use the in-car method (Step 2 & 3) first.
Sub-heading 4.2: Steps in the Mobile App
Open the Tesla mobile app on your smartphone.
Ensure you're logged in with your Tesla Account credentials.
On the main screen of the app, you'll typically see a "Security" or "Controls" section.
Tap on "Valet Mode." If the car is in Park, you should see an option to toggle Valet Mode off.
No PIN required here! Since you've already authenticated by logging into your Tesla account on the app, no separate Valet PIN is needed to disable it this way.
Step 5: Confirmation and Restoration of Settings
Once you successfully enter the correct PIN (or disable via the app), your Tesla will immediately exit Valet Mode.
Sub-heading 5.1: Visual Confirmation
The word "Valet" will disappear from the touchscreen display.
Your Tesla will automatically restore all settings associated with the most recently used driver profile before Valet Mode was engaged. This includes your seat position, mirror settings, steering wheel position, climate control preferences, navigation history, and more.
All features that were restricted in Valet Mode (like full acceleration, Autopilot, access to personal data, etc.) will become available again.
Sub-heading 5.2: Enjoy Your Fully Functional Tesla!
That's it! You've successfully exited Valet Mode. Your Tesla is now back to its full capabilities, personalized just for you. Drive safe and enjoy the journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to turn on Valet Mode in a Tesla?
To turn on Valet Mode, ensure your Tesla is in Park, tap the driver profile icon at the top of the touchscreen, select "Valet Mode," and follow the prompts to set a 4-digit PIN. You can also activate it via the Tesla mobile app under the "Security" or "Controls" section.
How to reset Tesla Valet Mode PIN if forgotten?
If you forget your Valet PIN, you can reset it from inside the Tesla by selecting the "Forgot PIN" option on the touchscreen and entering your Tesla Account credentials. Alternatively, you can disable Valet Mode and reset the PIN through the Tesla mobile app, as it doesn't require the Valet PIN if you're logged into your account.
How to check if my Tesla is in Valet Mode?
When Valet Mode is active, the word "Valet" will be prominently displayed on the top of your Tesla's touchscreen, often replacing the driver profile icon or appearing next to it.
How to know what features are restricted in Tesla Valet Mode?
In Valet Mode, features like maximum speed (typically limited to 70 mph/113 km/h), acceleration (set to "Chill"), Autopilot/FSD, glove box and frunk access (they lock), voice commands, navigation history, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth are restricted or disabled to protect your vehicle and privacy.
How to use the Tesla app to exit Valet Mode?
To exit Valet Mode using the Tesla app, ensure your car is in Park, open the app, navigate to the "Security" or "Controls" section, and toggle off "Valet Mode." No PIN is required when using the app as your Tesla Account credentials authenticate you.
How to prevent others from enabling Valet Mode?
If you have "PIN to Drive" enabled on your Tesla, a driver must enter your driving PIN before they can define or enter a Valet PIN for the first time. However, once Valet Mode is active, the driving PIN is not required.
How to allow charging while in Valet Mode?
Valet Mode does not impose any limitations on the vehicle's charging capability. Valets can still plug in your Tesla for charging while it's in Valet Mode, which is a convenient feature if charging facilities are available.
How to ensure personal data is protected in Valet Mode?
Valet Mode automatically hides sensitive personal information such as your home and work addresses from the navigation system and disables access to driver profiles and your list of authorized keys on the touchscreen, ensuring your privacy.
How to identify if my Tesla model supports Valet Mode?
Valet Mode is a standard feature across all Tesla models (Model S, 3, X, Y, and Cybertruck). It's a core security and privacy function integrated into the Tesla operating system.
How to re-enable all features after exiting Valet Mode?
Upon successfully exiting Valet Mode by entering your PIN or using the mobile app, all previously restricted features and your personal driver profile settings (seat position, mirrors, climate, navigation, etc.) are automatically restored, making your Tesla fully functional again.
