How To Put Tesla in Neutral for Car Wash, Alignment or Towing?

Are you a Tesla owner looking to navigate specific situations such as car washes, towing, or alignment procedures? It’s crucial to understand how to put Tesla in neutral.

This blog will walk you through the procedure step-by-step so you can manage these situations calmly and securely, even if you don’t have the key or electricity.

If you have questions about putting your Tesla Model 3 in neutral or why a Tesla occasionally won’t go into neutral, this blog covers you.

Because Tesla doesn’t have a typical gearbox, its gear system is unique from regular cars. Tesla’s, in contrast, employs a single-speed gearbox. As a result, they cannot shift through gears like typical cars.

Multiple gears are not necessary since the electric motor in a Tesla produce immediate torque. The lack of a multi-gear transmission simplifies the drivetrain and aids in Tesla’s renowned smooth and fast acceleration. Driving a Tesla is a distinctive and delightful experience because of the gear system’s single-speed gearbox.

1) Putting a Tesla in Neutral for Car Wash

Following these steps will ensure a seamless experience when putting your Tesla in neutral for a car wash or when you want to know how do you put a Tesla in neutral when off?

1. Make sure your Tesla is off and parked in a secure area.
2. Exit the vehicle and close all doors securely.
3. Open the Tesla mobile app on your smartphone.
4. Tap on the ‘Controls’ tab at the bottom of the screen.
5. Locate and select the ‘Neutral’ option.
6. A prompt will appear asking for confirmation. Press ‘OK.’
7. Your Tesla is now neutral and ready for the car wash.

2) Putting a Tesla in Neutral for Towing

1. Ensure the car is turned off and parked in a safe location.
2. Open the trunk and locate the towing eye cover.
3. Remove the towing eye cover and attach the towing eye to the designated spot on the front of the vehicle.
4. Use a tow bar or flatbed to secure and transport the Tesla.
5. Once the towing is complete, remove the towing eye and replace the cover.

3) Putting a Tesla in Neutral for Alignment

1. Turn off the vehicle completely.
2. Open the driver’s side door and locate the manual release cable under the driver’s side footwell.
3. Carefully pull the manual release cable towards you to disengage the gear system.
4. With the gear system disengaged, the vehicle is now neutral, allowing alignment procedures to be performed.
5. Once alignment is complete, reverse the steps and re-engage the gear system by pushing the manual release cable back into its original position.
6. Start your Tesla and ensure it is in the proper driving mode before proceeding.

4) Putting a Tesla in Neutral Without Key or Power

1. Begin by using jumper cables and another car to jump-start the 12-volt battery.
2. Locate the 12-volt battery under the hood in front of the car.
3. Connect the positive terminals of both batteries, then connect the negative terminal of the working car’s battery to a suitable grounding point on your Tesla.
4. With power restored, you can shift your Tesla into neutral as needed.

This process is also applicable when you intend to know how to put Tesla in neutral without key.

5) Putting Tesla Model 3 in Neutral

1. Begin by parking your Model 3 and ensuring it is turned off.
2. Locate the small button on the end of the gear stalk, usually found on the right side of the steering wheel.
3. Press and hold the button for a few seconds until the gear indicator on the instrument cluster changes to “N” for neutral.
4. Release the button, and your Model 3 is now neutral.