How to turn off the engine while staying in the car in a Model 3?
3 Answers
When parking, first shift into P (Park) gear, then press the start button to turn off the engine. Parking and shutting down the engine is quite simple. For automatic transmission models, the gear must be in P (Park) when parking and turning off the engine. Cars with one-button start require pressing the same button to both start and shut down the engine. Automatic transmission cars have both P (Park) and N (Neutral) gears, both of which can be used when parking.
As a seasoned Model 3 driver with years of experience, I often need to turn off the car while waiting inside. The most straightforward method is to sit in the driver's seat, tap the car icon on the touchscreen, navigate to the Safety & Security options, and select the 'Power Off' button. This immediately shuts down the main system, similar to turning off the engine. However, be aware that this action will disable functions like air conditioning and music—I once froze badly in winter! Fortunately, Tesla's smart design keeps the car in standby mode to save power when someone is seated. If you don't want to power off completely, try opening and then closing the door; the car detects movement and switches to power-off mode. This method works for daily use, but avoid frequent operations to prevent minor battery issues. Regular maintenance and software updates can help avoid power-off malfunctions.
I found that the Model 3's shutdown is closely related to its electronic systems. As a tech enthusiast, I often test this: first, tap the menu on the center screen, go to the safety section, and select power off. This stops the main current and puts the car into sleep mode. Alternatively, using the mobile app to remotely lock the vehicle can also achieve this, but be cautious of sensor misjudgments if someone is still inside. Tesla's body control module relies on position and pressure sensing—sitting in the driver's seat wakes the car; getting up automatically shuts it down. Once, during a business trip, I left the power off in a parking lot for too long, and the system was a bit slow to start up. It's advisable to operate only when necessary to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.
