My first time driving a Tesla was a big move. I’d never been on a test drive or even been in an electric car. But I went full speed ahead… I ordered a new Model Y at the start of the year.
To pick it up, I had to drive more than five hours to the nearest Tesla dealership (in Colorado). And it was a long maiden voyage back. After a 30-minute test drive in a parking lot, I hit the busy roads and then on to the highway.
Fast forward and I’ve driven more than 22,000 miles. No big issues🤞so far. Along the way, I’ve also let family and friends test it out. The video below shows two friends from Germany driving my Tesla for the first time.
First Time Driving a Tesla Model Y
If you have any questions, please comment on any of my videos. I appreciate and read every one that you write. If you’re considering buying a Tesla, I’ll give you straight answers. I share both the good and the bad.
Before we get to the driving, the first thing that stands out is opening the door. This is where I often get confused looks. The handle is flat with the side of the car…
To open it, you need to push in the back larger part and then grab the front that moves outward. For more expensive Teslas like the Model X, the handle will automatically move outward.
I’m not a huge fan of the extra step to open it. It can also freeze shut in the winter (doesn’t happen often). However, it does add to the sleek design of the car.
Once you’re in the Tesla, there aren’t many physical controls. The dashboard is clean and most of the controls are on the front driving screen. This is where you’ll see the car’s speed as well. It shows up in the top left corner to keep your eyes closer to the road.
Is it Hard to Drive a Tesla for the First Time?
The hardest thing to get used to is the regenerative braking. When driving a Tesla, you rarely need to use the brake pedal. Instead, as you lift your foot off the accelerator, the car will gradually stop for you. It’s recapturing energy and putting it back into the battery.
This stood out the most for me and for friends that have driven my Tesla. However, it’s easy to get used to. And it’s more jarring to go back to stopping with a gas car. Moving your foot over to stop all the time is a small hassle.
Another common comment is the small back window. If you look back, you can’t see much outside the car. However, your Tesla comes with a big front screen that shows the side and back-up cameras. You can turn them on at any time. Coming from an old Honda Accord, it took me a while to get used to and trust the cameras.
Overall, it’s not hard to drive a Tesla for the first time. It’s no harder than going from one model of gas car to another. There’ll be a small learning curve. You’ll have to get used to the new placement of buttons and controls. But that shouldn’t take long.
How to Drive a Tesla Model Y and 3
If you’re going to drive a Tesla for the first time, here’s a step-by-step guide…
- Unlock the Tesla with your phone or keycard.
- Open the handle by pushing in the back and pulling on the front that moves outward.
- If you’re only using a keycard, place it flat on the back of the center console (behind the cup holders). The front screen should show you where to put it.
- Press and hold down the brake pedal.
- If locked, the screen will prompt you to enter your driving pin. This is a great safety feature to prevent people from stealing your car. You can use it for your glovebox as well.
- With your foot still pressing down the brake pedal, push the right stick behind the steering wheel up (reverse) or down (forward). Your screen will show what mode you’re in. Also, first-time drivers don’t often press the lever hard enough in either direction. This puts the Tesla in neutral. The only time I use neutral is going through a car wash.
- Take your foot off the brake and unlike a gas car, it shouldn’t move.
- Slowly press down on the accelerator to move forward or back.
- No need to shift gears and you can switch between forward and reverse at slow speeds. You don’t need to come to a full stop.
- To slow down or stop movement, ease your foot off the accelerator. If you need to come to an abrupt stop, you can always press down on the brake pedal.
- For turn signals, you can press the left stick behind the steering wheel up or down. Pressing up signals a right turn and down signals a left turn. This is common for gas cars as well.
- Once you reach your destination, you can put the Tesla into park by pressing the only button at the end of the right stick behind the steering wheel (press in toward the steering wheel). However, this isn’t necessary. The car will automatically go into park mode if you wait around or get out of the car.
This is a beginner’s guide for driving a Tesla for the first time. I hope it helps and as mentioned, if you have any questions, please ask on any of my YouTube videos. I’m a small creator and love to share what I’ve learned with my Model Y. I’ve driven all around the country and have slept many nights in my Model Y. To say the least, I’ve gotten to know it quite well.
Also, not too far down the road, you won’t need to drive anymore. Check out these 17 benefits of self-driving cars. In the next few decades, I wouldn’t be surprised to see roads that no longer allow you to drive manually. There are some big changes happening under the hood.
If you’re thinking about buying a Tesla, it might also pay to wait. I recently shared a chart with the Tesla Model Y price history. In that article, you’ll see price changes and my predictions on where prices are headed. The economy is sending mixed signals, but the car market is driving in one direction.