Do you want to power down your Tesla completely while you're still inside, or are you just looking to put it into a low-power "sleep" mode? While Teslas are designed to automatically manage their power and typically don't need to be "turned off" in the traditional sense like gasoline cars, there are specific situations where you might want to manually power it down. Let's explore how to do just that!
Step 1: Understand Tesla's "Off" State
First things first, it's important to grasp that a Tesla is more like a smartphone on wheels than a conventional car. It's always "on" to some extent, even when it appears to be off. It enters various low-power states to conserve energy.
Automatic Power Down
Leaving the Vehicle: When you exit your Tesla with your phone key or key fob, the car will automatically power off the touchscreen and eventually enter a low-power sleep mode after a short period.
30-Minute Park Rule: If your Tesla is in Park for 30 minutes, it will automatically power down, even if you are sitting inside the vehicle. This is a built-in energy-saving feature.
When to Manually Power Off
While often unnecessary, manually powering off your Tesla while sitting inside can be useful in several scenarios:
System Glitches: If your touchscreen is unresponsive or the car is behaving unusually, a manual power cycle can act as a reboot to resolve minor software issues.
Installing Accessories: When working on your car, especially installing aftermarket accessories that involve the electrical system, it's crucial to power down the vehicle completely for safety.
Extended Stays (Minimal Power Consumption): While Teslas are very efficient, if you're planning to stay in the car for an extended period and want to minimize all power draw beyond what's absolutely necessary (e.g., HVAC), a manual power-off can achieve this. However, remember that stepping on the brake or touching the screen will wake it back up.
Step 2: The Step-by-Step Guide to Manually Power Off Your Tesla
Ready to give it a try? Follow these simple steps to manually power off your Tesla from the driver's seat.
Step 2.1: Engage Park ️
The very first and most crucial step is to ensure your Tesla is not moving and is safely in Park (P). You can do this by pressing the button on the end of the drive stalk. Attempting to power off while the vehicle is in motion or not in Park is not possible.
Step 2.2: Navigate to the Power Off Option on the Touchscreen ️
Your Tesla's central touchscreen is your control hub.
Touch the Car Icon: On the bottom left-hand corner of your touchscreen, you'll see a small car icon. Tap on this icon to open the main menu.
Select "Safety": Within the main menu, look for the "Controls" option, and then navigate to "Safety" or "Safety & Security." The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your Tesla model and software version.
Find "Power Off": Scroll down to the very bottom of the "Safety" menu. You should see the option labeled "Power Off." Tap on it.
Step 2.3: Confirm and Wait for Shutdown ⏳
After tapping "Power Off," a confirmation message will likely appear, asking if you're sure you want to turn the power off. Confirm your choice.
Observe the Screen: The touchscreen will turn off, indicating that the vehicle is powering down.
Wait Patiently: For a complete power cycle or to ensure the car enters a deeper sleep, it's recommended to wait for at least two minutes without interacting with the vehicle. This means:
Do not open the doors.
Do not touch the brake pedal.
Do not touch the touchscreen.
Step 2.4: Waking Your Tesla Back Up
Once the two minutes have passed (or whenever you're ready to restart), waking your Tesla back up is incredibly simple:
Press the Brake Pedal: Simply press the brake pedal. The touchscreen will illuminate, and the car will power back on.
Open a Door: Alternatively, opening any door will also wake the vehicle.
Step 3: Important Considerations and Tips
While powering off your Tesla manually is straightforward, here are a few additional points to keep in mind:
Bluetooth and Phone Key Interference
If you have your phone key active and within range, or if Bluetooth is enabled on your phone and connected to the car, your Tesla might "wake up" automatically if it senses your presence or interaction. If you want it to stay off for an extended period, consider:
Disabling Bluetooth on your phone.
Moving your phone key away from the vehicle.
"Always On" Features
Even when manually "powered off," certain systems in your Tesla might still draw a minimal amount of power to ensure readiness and safety. These include:
Sentry Mode: If activated, Sentry Mode continues to monitor surroundings and record events.
Cabin Overheat Protection: This feature helps prevent the cabin from reaching dangerously high temperatures, especially when parked in direct sunlight.
"Always Connected" (Cellular Connectivity): This allows for remote access via the Tesla app and over-the-air updates.
You can adjust these settings within the "Safety" or "Display" menus on your touchscreen to further minimize power consumption if desired.
Not a Frequent Necessity
Remember, manually powering off your Tesla isn't something you'll typically need to do on a daily basis. The car is designed to manage its power efficiently on its own. This manual shutdown is more for troubleshooting or specific maintenance scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to completely turn off a Tesla?
To completely turn off a Tesla while sitting inside, put the car in Park, then go to Controls > Safety > Power Off on the touchscreen, and wait at least two minutes without interacting with the car.
How to restart a Tesla's computer?
To restart a Tesla's computer (power cycle), follow the same steps as turning it off: Shift to Park, then navigate to Controls > Safety > Power Off, and wait two minutes before pressing the brake or opening a door.
How to save battery life while sitting in a Tesla?
To save battery life while sitting in a Tesla, manually power it off using the touchscreen, turn off climate control, and disable features like Sentry Mode and Cabin Overheat Protection.
How to prevent a Tesla from waking up automatically?
To prevent a Tesla from waking up automatically, ensure your phone key is out of range, disable Bluetooth on your phone, and avoid touching the brake pedal or touchscreen after powering it off.
How to know if my Tesla is fully off?
Your Tesla's touchscreen will go black when it's powered off. For a deeper "sleep" state, ensure you wait at least two minutes without any interaction after initiating the power-off sequence.
How to turn off Tesla screen while sitting inside?
While you can't fully "turn off" the screen without powering down the car, you can dim the brightness significantly (Controls > Display) or activate "Screen Cleaning Mode" to make the screen black.
How to use "Camp Mode" for extended stays in a Tesla?
"Camp Mode" (found in Climate controls) is designed for extended stays, providing climate control, lighting, and keeping the touchscreen on for entertainment, rather than a full power-off.
How to reset an unresponsive Tesla touchscreen?
If your touchscreen is unresponsive, you can perform a soft reset by holding down both scroll wheels on the steering wheel for about 10-15 seconds until the screen reboots.
How to exit a Tesla with no power?
In the rare event of a complete power loss, Teslas have manual door releases. For front doors, lift the mechanical door release lever located near the window switches.
How to avoid accidental power-on after turning off?
To avoid accidental power-on after turning off, make sure your foot is off the brake pedal and you don't touch the touchscreen until you are ready for the car to power back on.
You can learn more about how to power off your Tesla while sitting inside by watching this video:
