Shifting

Shift Using the Touchscreen

When you press the brake pedal when parked, the drive mode strip displays on one side of the touchscreen. Use the drive mode strip to shift Model 3: Swipe up for Drive, swipe down for Reverse, or press the drive mode strip for Park. A chime sounds whenever you shift gears.

To shift into Neutral, open Controls, then press and hold the Neutral icon until Model 3 engages Neutral.

The touchscreen always shows which gear Model 3 is in, but the drive mode strip is hidden when driving at highway speeds. To show the drive mode strip at any time, swipe from the edge of the touchscreen towards the passenger.

Finger pointing to icon of car with arrows pointing up and down
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
To shift from Drive into Reverse or vice versa, the driving speed must be less than 8 km/h.

The touchscreen's drive mode strip displays Park at all times. To shift into Park when driving below 8 km/h, touch the button on the drive mode strip while pressing the brake pedal. In emergency situations when driving above 8 km/h, press and hold the Park button to slowly bring the vehicle to a stop.

The touchscreen is the preferred method to manually shift. However, in the unlikely situation in which the touchscreen is unavailable and therefore can't be used, the drive mode selector on the overhead console automatically activates and must be used to shift (see Shift Using the Overhead Console).

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

Auto Shift from Park

Auto Shift from Park is a BETA feature and is disabled by default.

When Auto Shift from Park is enabled, Model 3 is designed to automatically select Drive or Reverse. The touchscreen displays the selected drive mode when the driver's door is closed and seat belt is buckled.

To override the selection, press the brake pedal and use the drive mode strip on touchscreen to shift into your desired drive mode (Drive, Reverse, Park; see Shift Using the Touchscreen).

Confirm the drive mode selection and follow the instructions on the touchscreen before you press the accelerator.

Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
As always, be aware of your vehicle and surroundings before driving. Never rely on Model 3 to automatically select a suitable drive mode without confirming the selection before you start to drive.

If Auto Shift from Park is unavailable, the touchscreen displays a message.

Model 3 automatically selects a drive mode when:

  • Auto Shift from Park is enabled.
  • Model 3 is in Park.
  • The driver's seat belt is fastened.
  • The brake pedal is pressed.
  • All doors and trunks are closed.
  • The drive mode selector on the overhead console is not activated (see Shift Using the Overhead Console).
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
Model 3 does not automatically select drive modes in Valet Mode.

Shift Using the Overhead Console

In addition to manually shifting on the touchscreen, you can shift by pressing P, R, N or D located on the overhead console. In most situations, these buttons are not available until you press the brake and touch one of the buttons to activate it. When active, the LEDs associated with each button illuminate and when you select P, R, N or D, the associated LED illuminates amber.

In situations where the touchscreen is unavailable (for example, experiencing a technical issue), or Model 3 is in Valet or Transport Mode, the drive mode selector on the overhead console activates automatically and there is no need to touch it.

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
You can also activate the drive mode selector on the overhead console by simultaneously and briefly pressing both scroll buttons on the steering wheel. However, if you press and hold both buttons simultaneously, the drive mode selector activates and the touchscreen restarts (see Restarting the Touchscreen).
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
The front trunk must be closed to shift using the overhead console.
Initials P, R, N and D on the center console with callouts
  1. Park
  2. Reverse
  3. Neutral
  4. Drive
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
When the touchscreen is available for shifting and you have manually activated the drive mode selector on the overhead console, the overhead console automatically deactivates if you don't shift within one minute.

Park

To manually shift into Park, press the brake pedal and touch the Park button on the touchscreen's drive mode strip. If the touchscreen is unavailable, press Park on the drive mode selector located on the overhead console.

Model 3 automatically shifts into Park to prevent roll-away while driving in low speeds. This happens whenever you connect a charge cable, unbuckle your seat belt, or open the door while in Drive or Neutral. Ensure the charge cable is removed, buckle your seat belt, and close the door before shifting from Park.

Attempting to engage the parking brake above 8 km/h will result in emergency braking (see Braking and Stopping).

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
In emergency situations, if the brakes are not functioning properly, you can press and hold the Park button on the touchscreen's drive mode strip to bring Model 3 to a stop. Do not use this method to stop the vehicle unless absolutely necessary.
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
You must always press the brake pedal to shift from Park.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
CAUTION
Model 3 will not shift from Park if a charge cable is plugged in, or if the charge port is unable to determine whether a charging cable is plugged in. In situations when Model 3 does not shift from Park, check the touchscreen for instructions on how to proceed.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
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.

Drive

To manually shift into Drive, swipe up on the drive mode strip located on the touchscreen or, if the touchscreen is unavailable, press D on the drive mode selector located on the overhead console. You can shift into Drive when Model 3 is stopped or moving less than 8 km/h in Reverse.

Reverse

To manually shift into Reverse, swipe down on the drive mode strip located on the touchscreen or, if the touchscreen is unavailable, press R on the drive mode selector located on the overhead console. You can shift into Reverse when Model 3 is stopped or moving less than 8 km/h in Drive. You can manually close the park assist view on the touchscreen by touching the X in the upper corner.

Neutral

Neutral allows Model 3 to roll freely when you are not pressing the brake pedal. To shift into Neutral, do any of the following:

  • Open Controls, then press and hold the Neutral icon until Model 3 engages Neutral.
  • Choose Neutral from the drive mode selector on the overhead console.
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
You must press the brake pedal to shift out of Neutral if Model 3 is moving slower than approximately 8 km/h.

Model 3 automatically shifts into Park when you open the driver's door to exit the vehicle unless the vehicle is in certain modes such as Transport or Car Wash Mode which allows the vehicle to stay in Neutral even when you leave.

Keeping Your Vehicle in Neutral (Transport Mode)

To keep Model 3 in Neutral when you exit, allowing it to roll freely (for example, pulling onto a flatbed truck), you must activate Transport mode:

  1. Shift into Park.
  2. Press the brake pedal.
  3. Touch Controls > Service > Towing. The touchscreen displays a message reminding you how to properly transport Model 3.
  4. Touch Enter Transport Mode. The button turns blue to show that Model 3 is now in Transport Mode. Model 3 is now free-rolling and can be rolled slowly (no faster than walking speed) for short distances or winched (for example, onto a flatbed truck).

For more information on Transport Mode, see Activate Transport Mode.

Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
In Transport Mode, Model 3 does not shift into a drive mode. You must first cancel Transport Mode by touching Exit Transport Mode. Transport Mode also cancels if you use the touchscreen to shift into Park.