How do you shift gears in a new Tesla?

When Tesla unveiled the refreshed Model S and Model X, Elon Musk revealed the new EVs would do away with conventional shifting in favor of an automatic system you can override on the touchscreen. But how would that work? You might have just found out. According to Autoblog, Tesla Owners Silicon Valley has shared a brief clip of what appears to be the touchscreen shifter for the 2021 Model S and X.

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Does a Tesla have a gear shifter?
How do you put a Tesla in neutral 2022?

The interface has you tug a car icon forward or backward depending on the direction you want to move. It's not clear how you'd enter neutral or park, although those might still be automatic or else activated with another command. It appears fairly intuitive, although it's certainly a change from flicking a stalk.

And in case you're wondering: this is legal, at least in the US. Federal rules don't mandate physical controls, and they only stipulate that the transmission choice has to be clearly visible whenever the motor is capable of moving the vehicle. It's not clear how well this approach will hold up in other countries.

It's easy to see why Tesla would opt for touchscreen shifting. It feeds into Tesla's tech-savvy image and helps prepare for a future where the car drives itself (and thus doesn't need a stalk). The move also helps Tesla's bottom line — no stalk means fewer parts, easier repairs and faster production.

Not everyone may be thrilled, though. If the touchscreen system fails, you have no choice but to trust that the car will shift the right way. And while the controls are simple, they likely won't be instinctual for many drivers. This is a gamble that you're willing to shake things up in the name of simplicity. Not necessarily a huge gamble, but one worth noting before you spend a fortune on an upscale EV.

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Every Tesla

Info and specifications for every Tesla model ever made.

Shifting Gears

When Tesla Model Y is in Park, you must press the brake to shift to another gear. Move the drive stalk 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 drive stalk all the way up and release. You can only shift into Reverse when Model Y is stopped or moving less than 5 mph (8 km/h).

Neutral

Push the drive stalk up or down to the first position and hold it there for more than 1 second to shift into Neutral. Neutral allows Model Y to roll freely when you are not pressing the brake pedal.

NOTE: You must press the brake pedal to shift out of Neutral if driving slower than approximately 5 mph (8 km/h).

Model Y 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 drive stalk all the way down and release. You can shift into Drive when Model Y is stopped or moving less than 5 mph (8 km/h) in Reverse.

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

Park

Press the end of the drive stalk while Model Y is stopped.
Model Y 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: You must press the brake pedal to shift out of Park.

NOTE: The above conditions do not reflect a comprehensive list of reasons why Model Y 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.

CAUTION: Model Y will not shift out of Park if the front trunk is not securely shut or if the charge port is unable to determine whether a charging cable is plugged in. Ensure the front trunk is closed and any charging cables are unplugged, and follow the directions on the touchscreen to proceed.

WARNING: In emergency situations, if the brakes are not functioning properly, press and hold the Park button on the drive stalk 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 Y 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.

Does a Tesla have a gear shifter?

When Tesla unveiled the refreshed Model S and Model X, Elon Musk revealed the new EVs would do away with conventional shifting in favor of an automatic system you can override on the touchscreen.

How do you put a Tesla in neutral 2022?

SELECT A GEAR With the brake pedal firmly depressed, move the gear selector all the way down for D (Drive), all the way up for R (Reverse), and a half push in either direction for N (Neutral).