Gears; Shifting Gears - Tesla Model S Owner's Manual

Gears

Shifting Gears

When Model S is in Park, you must press the
brake to shift to another gear.
Move the lever up or down to change gears.
If you try to shift into a gear that the current
driving speed prohibits, you will hear a chime
and the gear does not change.
Reverse
Push the lever all the way up and release. You
can only shift into Reverse when Model S is
stopped or moving less than 5 mph (8 km/h).
If moving less than 1 mph (1.6 km/h), you must
press the brake.
Neutral
Push the lever up or down to the first position
and release to shift into Neutral. Neutral
allows Model S to roll freely.
If Model S is in Park and you use the
touchscreen to release the parking brake
(Controls > E-Brake & Power Off), Model S
shifts into Neutral (see
53).
Model S automatically shifts into Park when
you exit. To leave Model S in Neutral, use the
touchscreen to engage Tow mode (see
Leaving Model S in Neutral - Tow Mode
page 42).
Drive
Push the lever all the way down and release.
You can shift into Drive when Model S is
stopped or moving less than 5 mph (8 km/h)
in Reverse. If Model S is moving less than
1 mph (1.6 km/h), you must press the brake to
shift into Drive.
42
Parking Brake on page
on
Park
With Model S stopped, press the end of the
gear selector. Whenever Model S is in Park,
the parking brake is applied.
Model S automatically shifts into Park
whenever you:
• Leave the vehicle.
• Connect a charge cable.
Leaving Model S in Neutral - Tow
Mode
Model S automatically shifts into Park
whenever you finish driving and leave
Model S. To keep Model S in Neutral when you
exit, allowing it to roll freely (for example,
pulling onto a transporter, etc.), activate Tow
mode:
1. Shift into Park.
2. Press the brake pedal.
3. Touch Controls > Settings > Service &
Reset > Tow Mode.
Model S beeps, and shifts into Neutral (which
releases the parking brake).
When Tow mode is active, Model S
displays this indicator light on the
instrument panel, along with a
message telling you that Model S will
remain free rolling.
Note: In Tow mode, Model S does not shift
into a driving gear. To cancel Tow mode, shift
into Park or touch Tow mode again. Tow
mode also cancels if you use the touchscreen
to apply the parking brake (Controls > E-
Brake & Power Off > Parking Brake).
Model S Owner's Manual