If you’re new to owning an electric car, such as a Tesla, you may be wondering how to properly shut it down when you’re finished driving. While turning off a gas-powered car is straightforward, turning off an electric car can be a little more complicated. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of turning off your Tesla, including troubleshooting tips for any issues you may encounter.
Step 1: Come to a Complete Stop Before you can turn off your Tesla, you must come to a complete stop. Make sure you’re in a safe location, such as a parking lot or driveway, and that the car is in Park.
Step 2: Engage the Parking Brake To engage the parking brake, press the brake pedal and push down on the button located to the left of the steering wheel. This will lock the car in place and prevent it from rolling.
Step 3: Turn Off Climate Control If you have the climate control system turned on, you’ll need to turn it off before shutting down the car. To do this, touch the climate control icon on the touch screen and then slide the temperature slider all the way to the left to turn it off.
Step 4: Turn Off Accessories If you have any accessories, such as the radio or headlights, turned on, turn them off before shutting down the car. This will help preserve the battery life.
Step 5: Exit the Vehicle Once you’ve turned off the climate control and accessories, you’re ready to exit the vehicle. To do this, simply press the brake pedal and shift the car into Park. Then, press the Park button on the touch screen to engage the parking brake.
Step 6: Lock the Doors To lock the doors, either press the lock button on the key fob or touch the lock icon on the touch screen. This will secure the car and prevent anyone from gaining access to it.
Troubleshooting: If you encounter any issues while turning off your Tesla, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- If the car won’t turn off, try pressing and holding the brake pedal for five seconds to force a shutdown.
- If the touch screen won’t turn off, try rebooting the system by pressing and holding both the scroll wheels on the steering wheel for 10 seconds.
- If the car won’t lock, make sure all doors and windows are securely closed.
In conclusion, properly shutting down your Tesla is a crucial step in maintaining its battery life and overall performance. By following these simple steps and troubleshooting tips, you’ll be able to turn off your electric car with ease and confidence.