A Tesla Model Y Driver's Secret: The Emergency Gear Shifter You Never Knew Existed
Have you ever wondered what would happen if your Tesla's infotainment screen suddenly stopped working? It's a scary thought, especially considering how crucial the screen is for operating the car. But here's a surprising twist: Tesla has an emergency gear shifter hidden in plain sight, just in case something goes wrong.
One TikTok user, Diamond Joey, recently went viral by revealing this hidden feature. In a video, Joey demonstrates how to access the emergency gear shifter if your Tesla's screen fails. It's located in an unexpected place - right above your head, near the reading lights and hazard button.
Here's how it works: Press your finger against the blank space next to the hazard light emblem. After a few seconds, a series of lights will glow, displaying the gear positions: P, R, N, and D. Just like a traditional gear shifter, you can now put your car into park, drive, neutral, or reverse.
But wait, there's more! It turns out this isn't a universal feature across all Tesla models. The Model S, for example, has its gear shift selector on the center console, not the ceiling. The Model X also has an alternative gear shifter in the same spot. However, the Model Y and Model 3, like Joey's car, have this emergency shifter hidden above the dashboard.
The Cybertruck also has its emergency gear selector in the overhead console, but it's located above the interior dash cam. Interestingly, the Model 3 didn't always have this feature. Tesla removed the driving stalk from its cars, and the emergency gear shift selector panel was only introduced later.
So, can you drive a Tesla with a damaged infotainment screen? Absolutely! There are even videos of people taking road trips with a blank screen. But it's always a good idea to familiarize yourself with your car's emergency features, especially if you're a Tesla owner. After all, knowledge is power, and in this case, it might just save you from being stranded on the side of the road.
What do you think about this hidden Tesla feature? Have you ever encountered any similar surprises in your car? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
