Tesla Model S Owners & Service Manuals

Tesla Model S: Shift Using the Center Console

Tesla Model S (2012-2026) Owner's Manual / Driving / Shifting / Shift Using the Center Console

In addition to manually shifting on the touchscreen, you can shift by pressing P, R, N or D located on the center console. In most situations, these buttons are not available until you press 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 S is in Valet or Transport Mode, the drive mode selector on the center console activates automatically and there is no need to touch it.

NOTE: You can also activate the drive mode selector on the center console by simultaneously and briefly pressing both scroll buttons on the steering yoke. However, if you press and hold both buttons simultaneously, the drive mode selector activates and the touchscreen restarts.

NOTE: The front trunk, rear trunk, and doors must be closed to shift using the center console.

Shifting

  1. Park
  2. Reverse
  3. Neutral
  4. Drive

NOTE: When the touchscreen is available for shifting and you have manually activated the drive mode selector on the center console, the center console automatically deactivates if you don't shift within 10 seconds.

    READ NEXT:

     Park

    Model S automatically shifts into Park whenever it determines that you are exiting the vehicle. For example, the driver's seat belt is unbuckled and the vehicle is stopped. Model S also automatical

     Neutral

    Neutral allows Model S 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 on the drive

     Lights

    SEE MORE:

     Boombox

    NOTE: Boombox is available only on vehicles equipped with the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS). Boombox, an app in Toybox, uses the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) speaker to play media externally when Model S is parked. You can customize sounds by plugging in a specifically-formatted USB drive,

     Scheduled Charging and Scheduled Departure

    Toggle between Scheduled Departure and Scheduled Charging by touching Controls > Charging > Switch to Scheduled Charging/Scheduled Departure when Model S is in Park. NOTE: Scheduled Charging/Scheduled Departure settings are also available on the Climate Controls screen and in the Tesla mo

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