How to Turn Off & Power Cycle Any Tesla Model

No matter which model of Tesla you might have, powering it off remains incredibly easy! The Tesla Model S, Model X, and Model Y all power off automatically when you park and exit the vehicle, but you can also manually turn off your Tesla if needed. This wikiHow article will teach you everything you need to know about powering off a Tesla, including how to to reboot your Tesla if your screen freezes or is otherwise misbehaving.

Things You Should Know

  • To turn off any Tesla model, simply put the car into Park and exit your vehicle.
  • If you remain inside your car with it in Park, it will power off automatically within 15-30 minutes, depending on the model.
  • Teslas can also be powered off via the touchscreen, or via the key fob.
  • If power cycling your Tesla, wait at least two minutes before powering it back on.
Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Turn Off Tesla Model Y

  1. Image titled Turn Off Tesla Step 1
    1
    Put your car into Park. Find the drive stalk just to the right of your steeling wheel and shift into Park by pressing the button on the end of the drive stalk.
  2. Image titled Turn Off Tesla Step 2
    2
    Exit the car with your phone and key fob. Whenever you leave your Tesla Model Y with your authenticated mobile phone and Tesla key card, the vehicle will power down automatically.
    • If your car remains in Park for 15 minutes, it will power off automatically, even if you are still inside.
    • If you exit the vehicle without putting it into Park, it will shift into Park automatically. If you want to put your Tesla into Neutral with the intention of exiting the vehicle, you will need to put the car into Transport Mode beforehand. [1]
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Turn Off Tesla Step 3
    3
    Use the touch screen to power it off from inside. To stay in the driver's seat of your Model Y and power it off, first ensure the car is not moving. Then press the following buttons on your touchscreen: Controls > Safety & Security > Power Off
    • You may also hold the button on the back of your key fob for three seconds to power off your Tesla.
    • Your Tesla Model Y will power back on when you next tap the touchscreen or press the brake pedal.
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Turn Off Tesla Model 3

  1. Image titled Turn Off Tesla Step 4
    1
    Put your car into Park. Find the drive stalk just to the right of your steeling wheel and shift into Park by pressing the button on the end of the drive stalk.
  2. Image titled Turn Off Tesla Step 5
    2
    Exit the car with your phone and key fob. Whenever you leave your Tesla Model 3 with your authenticated mobile phone and Tesla key card, the vehicle will power down automatically.
    • If your car remains in Park for 30 minutes, it will power off automatically, even if you are still inside.[2]
    • If you exit the vehicle without putting it into Park, it will shift into Park automatically. If you want to put your Tesla into Neutral with the intention of exiting the vehicle, you will need to put the car into Transport Mode beforehand.
  3. Image titled Turn Off Tesla Step 6
    3
    Use the touch screen to power it off from inside. To stay in the driver's seat of your Model 3 and power it off, first ensure the car is not moving. Then press the following buttons on your touchscreen: Controls > Safety > Power Off
    • You may also hold the button on the back of your key fob for three seconds to power off your Tesla.
    • Your Tesla Model 3 will power back on when you next tap the touchscreen or press the brake pedal.
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Turn Off Tesla Model X

  1. Image titled Turn Off Tesla Step 7
    1
    Put your car into Park. Press down on the brake pedal and tap the power button your steering wheel to enter Park mode.
  2. Image titled Turn Off Tesla Step 8
    2
    Exit the car with your phone and key fob. Whenever you leave your Tesla Model X with your authenticated mobile phone and Tesla key card, the vehicle will power down automatically.
    • If your car remains in Park for 15 minutes, it will power off automatically, even if you are still inside.
    • If you exit the vehicle without putting it into Park, it will shift into Park automatically. If you want to put your Tesla into Neutral with the intention of exiting the vehicle, you will need to put the car into Tow Mode beforehand.
  3. Image titled Turn Off Tesla Step 9
    3
    Use the touch screen to power it off from inside. To stay in the driver's seat of your Model X and power it off, first ensure the car is not moving. Then press the following buttons on your touchscreen: Controls > E-Brake & Power Off > Power Off
    • You may also hold the button on the back of your key fob for three seconds to power off your Tesla.
    • Your Tesla Model X will power back on when you next tap the touchscreen or press the brake pedal.
    4. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Turn Off Tesla Model S

  1. Image titled Turn Off Tesla Step 10
    1
    Put your car into Park. Find the drive stalk just to the right of your steeling wheel and shift into Park by pressing the button on the end of the drive stalk.
  2. Image titled Turn Off Tesla Step 11
    2
    Exit the car with your phone and key fob. Whenever you leave your Tesla Model S with your authenticated mobile phone and Tesla key card, the vehicle will power down automatically.
    • If your car remains in Park for 30 minutes, it will power off automatically, even if you are still inside.[3]
    • If you exit the vehicle without putting it into Park, it will shift into Park automatically. If you want to put your Tesla into Neutral with the intention of exiting the vehicle, you will need to put the car into Transport Mode beforehand.
  3. Image titled Turn Off Tesla Step 12
    3
    Use the touch screen to power it off from inside. To stay in the driver's seat of your Model S and power it off, first ensure the car is not moving. Then press the following buttons on your touchscreen: Controls > Safety > Power Off
    • You may also hold the button on the back of your key fob for three seconds to power off your Tesla.
    • Your Tesla Model S will power back on when you next tap the touchscreen or press the brake pedal.
    4. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Power Cycle a Tesla

  1. Image titled Turn Off Tesla Step 13
    1
    Turn off your Tesla. Power cycling a Tesla remains the same across all models. Begin by turning off your vehicle using the appropriate steps above.
    • Only power cycle your Tesla if it displays unusual behavior or offers an unfamiliar alert. If the touchscreen is being unresponsive, you can restart it without power cycling the entire vehicle.
  2. Image titled Turn Off Tesla Step 14
    2
    Wait two minutes. With the car powered off, remain in the driver's seat and do not interact with the vehicle in any way. Leave all doors closed, and do not touch the touchscreen or brake pedal.
  3. Image titled Turn Off Tesla Step 15
    3
    Press the brake pedal or open a door. After the two minutes, you may wake the car back up by opening a car door or pressing down on the brake pedal.
    • If power cycling the vehicle did not resolve your issue, consider contacting Tesla support.
    4. Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Install a Rear View Camera
How to
Install a Rear View Camera
Live in Your Car
How to
Live in Your Car
Get a Tire Off a Rim
How to
Get a Tire Off a Rim
Identify a Ford Motor
How to
Identify a Ford Motor
Roll Windows Down with Key FobHow to Roll Down the Windows With Your Key Fob
Find the Paint Color Code on Ford Vehicles
How to
Find the Paint Color Code on Ford Vehicles
Open Gas TankHow to Open a Gas Tank
Adapt a Mousetrap Car for Distance
How to
Adapt a Mousetrap Car for Distance
Set the 34Pict/3 Carburetor on an Aircooled Volkswagen (Vw) Beetle
How to
Set the 34Pict/3 Carburetor on an Aircooled Volkswagen (Vw) Beetle
Tell if Tesla Has Full Self DrivingHow to Tell if a Tesla Has Full Self-Driving
Start and Stop a Manual Car
How to
Start and Stop a Manual Car
Refill a Car BatteryHow to Refill a Car Battery
Report a Car Without an MotHow to Report a Car Without an MOT (Yes, You Can Do It Anonymously)
Rev EngineHow to Rev Your Engine
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://everytesla.com/model-y/how-to-start-and-power-off-model-y/
  2. ↑ https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/model3/en_us/GUID-E75DB1EC-A705-4784-9983-DE677D1BF7C1.html#:~:text=Power%20Cycling%20the%20Vehicle&text=On%20the%20touchscreen%2C%20touch%20Controls,door%20to%20wake%20the%20vehicle.
  3. ↑ https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/models/en_us/GUID-E75DB1EC-A705-4784-9983-DE677D1BF7C1.html#:~:text=When%20you%20open%20a%20door,mode%20strip%20(see%20Shifting).

About This Article

Cory Stillman
Written by:
Cory Stillman
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Cory Stillman. Cory Stillman is a Technology Writer for wikiHow. Cory has experience writing about Film and TV for several online publications, including Screen Rant and Film Cred. He earned a degree in Film and Media Studies with a minor in Creative Writing and certificates in Global Studies and Children’s Literature from the University of Pittsburgh. This article has been viewed 16,922 times.
4 votes - 45%
Co-authors: 2
Updated: November 19, 2022
Views: 16,922
Categories: Cars
Advertisement