Welcome, fellow Tesla enthusiast! Are you looking to truly power down your Model Y, perhaps for an extended storage, a troubleshooting step, or just to understand how your advanced electric vehicle works? While your Tesla is designed to "sleep" rather than fully "turn off" in the traditional sense, there are indeed ways to initiate a deeper shutdown. Let's dive into the process with a step-by-step guide.
Understanding "Off" in a Tesla Model Y
Unlike gasoline cars with an ignition key, your Tesla Model Y doesn't have a conventional "off" button. It's more like a smartphone or a computer; it's always "on" in a low-power state, ready to respond to your commands (like opening the door or checking the app). This allows for features like Sentry Mode, preconditioning, and over-the-air updates.
However, there are situations where you might want to initiate a more complete shutdown. This is often referred to as "Power Off" within the vehicle's system.
Step 1: Prepare Your Model Y for Shutdown – The Pre-Flight Check!
Before you initiate the power-off sequence, let's make sure your Tesla is in the optimal state for a smooth shutdown.
Sub-heading 1.1: Ensure Safe Parking
Park Safely: Drive your Model Y to a safe and level parking spot.
Engage Park (P): Make sure the vehicle is completely stopped and in "Park." You can do this by pressing the "P" button on the stalk. The parking brake will automatically engage.
Close Doors and Windows: Ensure all doors, the front trunk (frunk), and the rear trunk are securely closed. Leaving any open can prevent the vehicle from fully entering a low-power state.
Sub-heading 1.2: Disable Unnecessary Features (Optional, but Recommended for Extended Shutdown)
For a deeper power-off, especially if you're storing the vehicle for an extended period, consider disabling features that draw continuous power:
Sentry Mode: This security feature continuously monitors your vehicle and drains the battery. Navigate to
Controls > Safety > Sentry Modeon your touchscreen and toggle it off.Cabin Overheat Protection: This feature automatically cools the cabin when temperatures rise. While useful, it can consume battery power. You can disable it under
Controls > Safety > Cabin Overheat Protection.Always Connected (Energy Saving): On some older models, you might find an "Always Connected" option under
Controls > Display > Energy Saving. Disabling this can help reduce passive battery drain. Newer models often manage this automatically.Third-Party Apps: If you use any third-party apps that connect to your Tesla (like TeslaFi), these can periodically wake your car. Consider disconnecting or pausing these apps during the shutdown period.
Step 2: Initiating the "Power Off" Sequence via the Touchscreen
This is the primary method for manually powering off your Tesla Model Y.
Sub-heading 2.1: Accessing the Controls Menu
Navigate to Controls: On your Model Y's large central touchscreen, touch the Car icon (typically located at the bottom left). This will open the main "Controls" menu.
Sub-heading 2.2: Finding the Power Off Option
Go to Safety: Within the Controls menu, tap on
Safety.Select Power Off: Scroll down until you see the option
Power Off. Tap on it.
Sub-heading 2.3: The Waiting Game
Confirmation: The screen will likely go blank, and you might hear some relays clicking or fans powering down.
Wait Patiently: This is a crucial step. Do not touch the brake pedal, open any doors, or interact with the touchscreen for at least 2-5 minutes. This allows the vehicle's internal systems to properly shut down and reset. If you interact too soon, the car might power back on.
Step 3: Verifying the "Off" State
While the touchscreen going black is a good indication, here's how to confirm a deeper shutdown:
Silence: Listen for the absence of any fan noise or electronic hums.
No Interior Lights: Check that interior lights are completely off and don't illuminate when doors are opened (unless you specifically enable them).
App Status (Delayed): If you open your Tesla mobile app, it might take a moment to update the vehicle's status. If it shows "Offline" or takes longer than usual to connect, it's a good sign the car is in a deeper sleep. However, note that checking the app too frequently can wake the car up!
Step 4: For Long-Term Storage – Disconnecting the 12V Battery (Advanced)
For truly complete power disconnection, such as when storing the vehicle for several months or performing certain maintenance, you might need to disconnect the 12-volt (low voltage) battery. This is an advanced step and should only be undertaken if you are comfortable with automotive electrical systems and have consulted your owner's manual for specific instructions and warnings. Incorrect disconnection can lead to issues.
Consult Your Owner's Manual: The exact procedure for accessing and disconnecting the 12V battery can vary slightly by Model Y year and configuration. Always refer to your official Tesla Model Y Owner's Manual for precise, up-to-date instructions.
Location: The 12V battery is typically located in the front trunk (frunk). You may need to remove some trim panels or the storage unit to access it.
Disconnecting: Generally, you would use a 10mm socket wrench to disconnect the negative (-) terminal of the 12V battery first, and then the positive (+) terminal. Insulate the terminals to prevent accidental contact. Some newer Model Ys may have a lithium 12V battery with a different wire harness disconnection procedure.
Professional Assistance: If you are unsure, it is highly recommended to seek assistance from a certified Tesla service center or a qualified technician.
What Happens When Your Tesla is "Off"?
Even when "powered off" via the touchscreen, your Tesla isn't entirely "dead." It retains a minimal amount of power to monitor the battery, receive software updates, and respond to key fobs or the mobile app. However, it significantly reduces power consumption compared to its active state or even "sleep mode."
For long-term storage, keeping your Tesla plugged in (with a charge limit set around 50-60%) is generally the best way to maintain battery health. The car will manage its own charging to prevent over-discharge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to turn off Tesla Model Y touchscreen only?
To turn off just the touchscreen for cleaning, go to Controls > Display > Screen Clean Mode. This will darken the screen and disable touch input temporarily.
How to restart Tesla Model Y touchscreen?
If your touchscreen is unresponsive, you can restart it by holding down both scroll buttons on the steering wheel until the screen turns black. The Tesla logo will appear, and the screen will restart after about 30 seconds. This does not power off the entire vehicle.
How to put Tesla Model Y in deep sleep mode?
The "Power Off" function discussed above (Controls > Safety > Power Off) puts the car into its deepest normal sleep mode. For a truly complete power down, the 12V battery must be disconnected (an advanced step).
How to prevent Tesla Model Y battery drain when off?
To minimize "vampire drain" when parked and not plugged in:
Disable Sentry Mode.
Disable Cabin Overheat Protection.
Avoid frequently checking the Tesla app, as this wakes the car.
Ensure all doors and trunks are fully closed.
How to turn off Tesla Model Y for extended storage?
For extended storage, use the "Power Off" function and ideally keep the car plugged in with a charge limit set to 50-60%. If plugging in is not possible, ensure the battery is at a high state of charge (e.g., 80% or more) before storing, and monitor it periodically. Disconnecting the 12V battery is an advanced option for very long-term, unplugged storage.
How to turn off Sentry Mode on Tesla Model Y?
Navigate to Controls > Safety > Sentry Mode on your touchscreen and toggle the setting off. You can also disable it via the Tesla mobile app.
How to turn off regenerative braking on Tesla Model Y?
Regenerative braking is a core feature of Teslas and cannot be fully "turned off." However, you can adjust the "Regenerative Braking" setting (if available on your software version, often under Driving or Pedals & Steering) to "Standard" or "Low" (if "Low" is an option), which changes its intensity.
How to turn off automatic updates on Tesla Model Y?
You cannot fully disable automatic software updates. However, you can choose when updates are installed. You will typically receive a notification and can schedule the installation for a convenient time.
How to turn off the headlights on Tesla Model Y?
Headlight settings are found under Controls > Lights. You can set them to "Auto," "Off" (for parking lights only), or "On." For basic driving, "Auto" is usually recommended.
How to turn off Tesla Model Y without leaving the car?
While sitting in the driver's seat, provided the vehicle is not moving, you can touch Controls > Safety > Power Off on the touchscreen.
This video provides a quick visual guide on how to power off your Tesla Model Y:
