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How to Put a Tesla in Neutral:
Stalks and Touchscreens
Shift into Neutral with ease in your Tesla. Depending on the vehicle, use the right-hand drive stalk or the touchscreen. The steps below explain both.
New Tesla owners frequently ask how to shift gears. And if you’re already driving a Tesla, you may have noticed that shifting gears is pleasantly unconventional! Unlike traditional cars that use a gear stick, Tesla models utilize a stalk or a touchscreen (depending on the model) to shift gears. Regardless, shifting into neutral is smooth and seamless, making it easy for drivers to navigate their driving experience.
Shifting into Neutral: Tesla Models 3 and Y
My 2021 Model Y uses the stalk on the right side of the steering wheel. Generally, 2017–2023 Model 3 and 2020–2024 Model Y vehicles use a stalk, while 2024+ Model 3 and refreshed 2025+ Model Y vehicles use the touchscreen. Check your vehicle’s controls and owner’s manual; software and build transitions vary.
How to put your Tesla into Neutral from Drive or Reverse:
- From Drive, briefly press the stalk up to its first position. If Autosteer or Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is active, hold it there for more than one second; this disengages the feature.
- From Reverse, briefly press the stalk down to its first position.
- Confirm N on the screen. The car can roll when the brake is released.
How to put your Tesla into Neutral from Park:
- Press the brake pedal.
- Briefly move the right stalk up or down to its first position and confirm N on the touchscreen.
EVPro Tip: In Neutral the car can roll. It normally shifts into Park when the driver leaves the seat, but do not rely on automatic Park. Select Park and secure the vehicle before leaving. Tow Mode and Car Wash Free Roll have specific purposes and precautions.
Newer Model 3 and Model Y: touchscreen
Press the brake when shifting from Park, open Controls, and press and hold Neutral until N is selected. On equipped Model 3 and refreshed Model Y vehicles, the overhead P R N D selector provides a backup if the screen is unavailable. Follow the instructions for your vehicle.
Shifting into Neutral: Tesla Model S and X
The 2012–2020 Model S and 2015–2020 Model X use a stalk. Use the same first-position movements described above: either direction from Park with the brake pressed, up from Drive and down from Reverse. The longer hold from Drive applies if Autosteer or Traffic-Aware Cruise Control is active. On a touchscreen-shift Model S or X, use one of the following methods.
How to put your Model S or X into Neutral using the Touchscreen:
- With the car stopped and the brake pressed, open Controls to show the drive mode strip. Press and hold N. Confirm Neutral on the instrument panel.
How to put your Model S or X into Neutral using the Center Console:
- Close the doors and both trunks. With your foot on the brake, touch a selector button if the console is dark, then press N and check the instrument panel.
EVPro Tips:
- The location of the Neutral control depends on your vehicle and software.
- Ordinary Neutral can roll; select Park and confirm the vehicle is secure before exiting.
Tesla’s Car Wash Mode: Free Roll instead of Neutral
If your car offers Car Wash Mode, use it for a conveyor wash. The older Model S and X manuals do not list Enable Free Roll, so check the Cleaning section for your car before entering the wash. On equipped cars, Tesla’s Car Wash Mode prepares the car. Free Roll must be enabled separately, as described below.
To use Car Wash Mode, follow these steps:
- With the vehicle stationary and not charging, select Controls > Service > Car Wash Mode.
- Car Wash Mode closes the windows, locks the charge port, and disables features including the wipers and Sentry Mode. Free Roll is a separate action.
Free Roll ensures that your vehicle remains in Neutral during the wash, allowing it to roll freely on the conveyor. Follow the operator’s directions about staying in the car.
To enable Free Roll after activating Car Wash Mode:
- Press the brake pedal.
- Select Enable Free Roll, or shift into Neutral as described in the manual for your vehicle. Follow the car wash operator’s directions.
Once the wash is complete, disable Free Roll by:
- Selecting Exit on the touchscreen and following the vehicle’s on-screen instructions.
Using Transport Mode to Keep Your Tesla in Neutral
Tow Mode, called Transport Mode in some Tesla documentation, releases the parking brake for loading or limited repositioning. It does not authorize normal road towing with the wheels on the ground. Use a flatbed or another method Tesla approves for your exact model that keeps all four wheels off the road.
- Shift into Park, confirm the parking brake is engaged and chock the wheels. Disconnect the charge cable. The car needs low-voltage power and must detect its key.
- With the car in Park, press and hold the brake. On the touchscreen, choose Controls > Service > Towing, then follow the instructions to enter Tow Mode. Menu names can vary by vehicle and software.
- Once the screen confirms Tow Mode, the vehicle can roll. Tesla limits wheel rotation to less than 30 ft (10 m) for loading or repositioning. Use walking speed and observe your model’s limit: below 3 mph (5 km/h) for the 2012–2020 S and 2015–2020 X, or below 5 mph (8 km/h) for the other versions covered here. Select Park to end Tow Mode and confirm the car is secure.
EVPro Tip: Tow Mode can allow the vehicle to roll. Use wheel chocks and a qualified recovery operator, and follow Tesla’s exact limits for your vehicle.
How to Park Your Tesla with Ease
To place a stalk-equipped Tesla into Park:
- Stop the vehicle
- Press the button on the end of the right stalk
To place a touchscreen-shift Tesla into Park:
- Stop, hold the brake pedal and tap Park on the drive mode strip. Confirm P on the display.
EVPro Tips:
- Stop and select Park before exiting; never rely on automatic Park.
- Automatic Park can operate in some situations, but it is not a substitute for checking that the vehicle is secure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tow my Tesla while it’s in Neutral?
Do not road-tow your Tesla with its wheels on the ground. Tesla recommends a flatbed and requires all four wheels off the road during transport. Tow Mode (also called Transport Mode in some documentation) releases the parking brake for limited loading or repositioning, not ordinary towing. Follow the transporter instructions for your exact vehicle.
How can I prevent my Tesla from rolling while in Neutral on a slope or incline?
Select Park before leaving the vehicle, and use wheel chocks when appropriate. Neutral allows the car to roll; do not rely on it to hold the vehicle on a slope.
Can I push-start my Tesla if the battery is dead while the vehicle is in Neutral?
No. A Tesla cannot be push-started. The remedy depends on whether the high-voltage battery or low-voltage system is depleted. Follow Tesla’s instructions or contact Roadside Assistance; see also these low-battery tips.
What precautions should I take when leaving my Tesla in Neutral?
Do not leave a freely rolling vehicle unattended. Normally select Park before exiting. Tow Mode releases the parking brake for recovery, while Car Wash Mode’s Free Roll serves conveyor washes; each has specific precautions.
Can I use the mobile app to place my Tesla in Neutral remotely?
No. The standard Tesla app has no remote Neutral selector. From the driver’s seat, use the stalk, touchscreen or backup selector fitted to your car.
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