2021 Tesla Model 3 featured

2021 Tesla Model 3 Shifting Owners Manual

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1 2021 Tesla Model 3 Shifting
2 How to Shift
2.1 Reverse
2.2 Neutral
2.3 Drive
2.4 Park

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2021 Tesla Model 3 Shifting

2021 Tesla Model 3

How to Shift

When Model 3 is in Park, you must press the brake pedal to shift. Move the drive stalk up or down to shift into different drive modes.

2021 Tesla Model 3 fig-1

If you try to shift when it is prohibited by the current driving speed, a chime sounds and the drive mode does not change.

Reverse

Push the drive stalk all the way up and release. You can only shift into Reverse when Model 3 is stopped or moving less than 5 mph (8 km/h).

Neutral

Push the drive stalk up or down to the first position and hold it there for more than 1 second to shift into Neutral. Neutral allows Model 3 to roll freely when you are not pressing the brake pedal.

Note
You must press the brake pedal to shift out of Neutral if driving slower than approximately 5 mph (8 km/h). Model 3 automatically shifts into Park when you leave the driver’s seat. To stay in Neutral, use the touchscreen to engage Transport Mode (see Instructions for Transporters).

Drive

Push the drive stalk all the way down and release. You can shift into Drive when Model 3 is stopped or moving less than 5 mph (8 km/h) in Reverse.

Note
When in Drive, push the drive stalk all the way down and release to enable cruise control (see Traffic-Aware Cruise Control) and push the stalk down twice in quick succession to enable Autosteer (see Autosteer).

Park

Press the end of the drive stalk while Model 3 is stopped.

2021 Tesla Model 3 fig-2

Model 3 automatically shifts into Park whenever you connect a charge cable or if two or more of the following conditions are met simultaneously while traveling slower than approximately 1.5 mph (2 km/h):

  • The driver’s seat belt is unbuckled.
  • The occupancy sensor in the driver’s seat does not detect an occupant.
  • The driver’s door is opened.

To make it convenient to pick up passengers, you can also unlock all doors at any time by shifting into Park then pressing the Park button a second time.

Note
You must press the brake pedal to shift out of Park. The above conditions do not reflect a comprehensive list of reasons why Model 3 may or may not automatically shift into Park and, in certain scenarios, it is possible for your vehicle to shift into Park when only one of the above conditions is true.
Warning
In emergency situations, if the brakes are not functioning properly, press and hold the Park button on the drive stalk to bring the vehicle to a stop. Do not use this method to stop the vehicle unless absolutely necessary. It is the driver’s responsibility to always ensure the vehicle is in Park before exiting. Never rely on Model 3 to automatically shift into Park for you; it might not work in all circumstances (for example, if Creep or a slope causes the vehicle to travel greater than approximately 1.5 mph (2 km/h)).

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