How to Shift Into Neutral – Tesla Model 3 (Car Wash & Tows)
I took my Tesla Model 3 to the car wash today for the first time. I paid my money, pulled up to entrance and then went to shift my car into neutral.
Panic.
How do I shift into neutral!?!
They had to shut the wash down for two minutes while I sat and tried to it out. “Don’t worry” the attendant told me, “this happens with Teslas all time.”
If you’re heading to the car wash, or maybe need to slide your car into neutral for a tow or a dead battery – here is how to make it happen.
Shifting to Neutral
Just like using the turn signal, gently use a half push on the gear stick to shift the car into neutral.
Make sure your foot is on the brake anytime you’re wanting to shift gears.
A full pull down will shift the car into drive and a full push up will shift the car into reverse.
A half push in either direction will shift the Tesla into neutral.
Shifting back into Drive (or Reverse)
WILL THE CAR ALLOW YOU TO SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE???????
Tesla Car Wash Mode
(Currently available in the Model 3 and Model Y with update version 2021.24.3)
Taking your Tesla to the car wash can cause other annoyances as well. Your windshield wipers may turn on automatically cause it senses water on the windshield or the charge port could get bumped and open up.
In your Tesla’s defense, it’s just doing what it’s designed to do, it doesn’t know you’re in a car wash… at least not until recently. In August of 2021, Tesla added a Car Wash Mode.
Accessing Car Wash Mode
To access car wash mode, start by hitting the ‘Car Icon’ on the bottom left of your main screen.
From there, select ‘Service’ from the Main Menu.
Now you should see ‘Car Wash Mode’ as the second option on the screen just below ‘Owner’s Manual’.
Car Wash Mode will close all windows, locks the charge port and disables the windshield wipers, sentry mode, walk away door locks (handy if you’re exiting your vehicle and an attendant is driving your car through or car is empty) and parking sensor chimes.
If it’s a conveyer belt style car wash, Car Wash Mode will also shift the car into neutral and prevents the parking brake from automatically applying when you leave.
Finally, no need to ‘turn off’ Car Wash Mode – your Tesla will leave car wash mode if the car goes above 10 MPH.
Tesla Transport Mode (For Towing)
If you need to get your Tesla into neutral for a tow, then you’ll need to put the car into ‘Transport Mode’.
You’ll find Transport Mode in the same place as Car Wash Mode.
Go to the ‘Car Icon’ on the bottom left, select ‘Service’ and then Transport Mode.
Transport Mode allows your car to be winched and moved at speeds up to 3 MPH which will allow your car to be pulled up onto the tow truck.
Tesla Tip: If you’re getting your Tesla towed, make sure to allows have it towed on a flatbed tow truck. If the wheels of your Tesla are on the ground and spinning as it’s being towed, it can lead to a whole host of problems including potentially catching on fire.
Shifting Tesla to Neutral with Dead Battery
Your Tesla battery will continue to power basic functions like door locks and the navigation screen even after you’re not able to drive the car anymore.
Being able to switch into Transport Mode is one of the functions that you’ll still be able to do even after the battery is dead to the point it will no longer drive.
This extra bit of power should allow you to push your car either someplace where it can be charged or at least out of the way of danger (in the middle of the street for instance) until a tow truck can arrive.
Final Thoughts
Like many things on a Tesla, shifting the car into neutral is a little bit different than what we’re used to.
However, like most of these differences, once you understand how to use it, it’s actually easier and more convenient. This is why I love driving my Tesla and plan on driving a Tesla for years to come.
