How to Turn Off & Power Cycle Any Tesla Model

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Power off your Tesla, even if you’re sitting in it

Written by Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: July 21, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Turning Off Model Y
|
• Model 3
|
• Model X
|
• Model S
|
• Power Cycling
|
• Video

|Show more |Show less

No matter which model of Tesla you might have, powering it off remains incredibly easy! The Tesla Model S, Model X, and Model Y all power off automatically when you park and exit the vehicle, but you can also manually turn off your Tesla if needed. This wikiHow article will teach you everything you need to know about powering off a Tesla, including how to reboot your Tesla if your screen freezes or is otherwise misbehaving.

Ways to Turn a Tesla Off

• Put the car into Park and exit your vehicle.
• Put the car in Park and stay in it—it will power off automatically in 30 minutes.
• Go to Controls > Safety > Power Off to manually turn off the Tesla.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

Turning Off Tesla Model Y

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1. 
   1
   Put your car into Park. If you have a Model Y from 2025 or later, press the brake pedal to pull up the drive mode strip on the touchscreen. Tap the drive mode strip to shift into Park. You can also press Park on the overhead console.

   • If you have a Model Y made before 2025: Shift into Park by pressing the button on the end of the right-hand drive stalk on your steering wheel.
2. 
   2
   Exit the car with your phone and key fob. You don’t actually have to do anything to power off your Tesla. When you leave your Tesla Model Y with your authenticated mobile phone and Tesla key card, the vehicle will power down automatically.

   • If your car remains in Park for 30 minutes, it will power off automatically, even if you are still inside.
   • If you exit the vehicle without putting it into Park, it will shift into Park automatically. If you want to put your Tesla into Neutral with the intention of exiting the vehicle, you will need to put the car into Transport Mode by going to Controls > Service > Towing > Enter Tow Mode.
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3. 
   3
   Alternatively, use the touch screen to power off the Model Y from inside. If you want to power off your Model Y while you’re still sitting in the car, put it in Park first. Then, use the touchscreen to navigate to Controls > Safety > Power Off.

   • If you have a key fob, hold the button on the back for three seconds to power off your Tesla.
   • Your Tesla Model Y will power back on when you tap the touchscreen or press the brake pedal.
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Section 2 of 5:

Turning Off Tesla Model 3

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1. 
   1
   Put your car into Park. If you have a Model 3 from 2024 or later, press the brake pedal to pull up the drive mode strip on the touchscreen. Tap the drive mode strip to put the Model 3 into Park. If your touchscreen is unavailable, use the drive mode selector on the overhead console to put the car in Park.

   • If you have a Model 3 made before 2024: Press the brake pedal, then push the button on the end of the drive stalk to put your car into Park.
2. 
   2
   Exit the car with your phone and key fob. When you leave your Tesla Model 3 with your authenticated mobile phone and Tesla key card, the vehicle will power down automatically.

   • If your car remains in Park for 30 minutes, it will power off automatically, even if you are still inside.
   • If you exit the vehicle without putting it into Park, it will shift into Park automatically. If you want to put your Tesla into Neutral with the intention of exiting the vehicle, you will need to put the car into Transport Mode by going to Controls > Service > Towing > Enter Tow Mode.
3. 
   3
   Alternatively, use the touch screen to power off the Model 3 from inside. To stay in the driver's seat of your Model 3 and power it off, first ensure the car is not moving. Then press the following buttons on your touchscreen: Controls > Safety > Power Off.

   • Your Tesla Model 3 will power back on when you next tap the touchscreen or press the brake pedal.
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Section 3 of 5:

Turning Off Tesla Model X

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1. 
   1
   Put your car into Park. If you have a Model X from 2021 or later, put it in park with the drive mode strip on the touchscreen. Press the brake pedal to pull up the drive mode strip, then tap the P to enter Park.

   • If you have a Model X made before 2021: Press down on the brake pedal and tap the button on the end of the drive stalk to enter Park mode.
2. 
   2
   Exit the car with your phone and key fob. Whenever you leave your Tesla Model X with your phone and Tesla key card, the vehicle will power down automatically.

   • If your car remains in Park for 30 minutes, it will power off automatically, even if you are still inside.
   • If you exit the vehicle without putting it into Park, it will shift into Park automatically. If you want your Tesla to stay in Neutral after exiting the vehicle, activate Tow Mode by going to Controls > Service > Towing > Enter Tow Mode.
3. 
   3
   Alternatively, use the touch screen to power it off from inside. To stay in the driver's seat of your Model X and power it off, first ensure the car is not moving. Then press the following buttons on your touchscreen: Controls > Safety > Power Off.

   • Your Tesla Model X will power back on when you tap the touchscreen or press the brake pedal.
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Section 4 of 5:

Turning Off Tesla Model S

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1. 
   1
   Put your car into Park. If you have a Model S from 2021 or later, use the drive mode strip on the touch screen to put it into Park. Press the brake pedal to pull up the drive mode strip, then tap the P to put the car in Park.

   • If you have a Model S made before 2021: Find the drive stalk just to the right of your steering wheel and shift into Park by pressing the button on the end of the drive stalk.
2. 
   2
   Exit the car with your phone and key fob. When you leave your Tesla Model S with your authenticated mobile phone and Tesla key fob, the vehicle will power down automatically.

   • If your car remains in Park for 30 minutes, it will power off automatically, even if you are still inside.
   • If you exit the vehicle without putting it into Park, it will shift into Park automatically. If you want to put your Tesla into Neutral with the intention of exiting the vehicle, you will need to put the car into Transport Mode by going to Controls > Service > Towing > Enter Tow Mode.
3. 
   3
   Alternatively, use the touch screen to power it off from inside. To stay in the driver's seat of your Model S and power it off, first ensure the car is not moving. Then press the following buttons on your touchscreen: Controls > Safety > Power Off.

   • Your Tesla Model S will power back on when you next tap the touchscreen or press the brake pedal.
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Section 5 of 5:

Power Cycling a Tesla

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1. 
   1
   Turn off your Tesla. Power cycling a Tesla remains the same across all models. Begin by turning off your vehicle using the steps for your model described above.

   • When should you power cycle? You only need to power cycle your Tesla if it displays unusual behavior or offers an unfamiliar alert. If the touchscreen is being unresponsive, you can restart the screen without power cycling the entire vehicle.
2. 
   2
   Wait two minutes. With the car powered off, remain in the driver's seat. Avoid interacting with the vehicle in any way—leave all of the doors closed, and do not touch the touchscreen or brake pedal.

   • Tapping the touch screen or brake or opening the doors will interrupt the power cycling process.
3. 
   3
   Press the brake pedal or open a door to power the car back on. After two minutes, wake the car back up by opening a car door or pressing down on the brake pedal. You can then operate your car like normal.

   • If power cycling the vehicle did not resolve your issue, consider contacting Tesla support.
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