Tesla Model 3: Gears

Shifting Gears

When Model 3 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, a chime sounds and the gear does not change.

Reverse

Push the lever 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).

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 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.

Model 3 automatically shifts into Park when you leave the driver's seat. To stay in Neutral, use the touchscreen to engage Transport Mode

Drive

Push the lever 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. If Model 3 is moving less than 1 mph (1.6 km/h), you must press the brake to shift into Drive.

Note: When in Drive, push the lever all the way down and release to enable Traffic-Aware Cruise Control. Push the lever all the way down twice in quick succession to enable Autosteer

Park

Press the end of the gear selector while Model 3 is stopped. Whenever Model 3 is in Park, the parking brake is applied.

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.

Note: 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 gear selector to bring the vehicle to a stop. Do not use this method to stop the vehicle unless absolutely necessary.

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; 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)).

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.

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