Tesla relies heavily on its central infotainment screen for nearly all car functions. But what happens if the screen goes black?
Surprisingly, it’s still possible to shift gears and move the car—even without the screen.
It might feel odd to talk about "gears" in an electric vehicle, as they typically only have Drive, Neutral, and Reverse. But if the main screen in the cabin stops responding, many would assume the car becomes immobile.
That's not the case—at least for the latest Model 3.
According to Boosted, Tesla has anticipated this issue and built in a backup system. In the event of a screen failure, the gear selector will activate automatically above the driver, ensuring the car remains functional.
According to Tesla: "In situations where the touch screen is unavailable (such as due to a technical issue) or when the car is in Valet or Transport mode, the drive mode selector on the overhead console is automatically activated without the need for manual input."
Additionally, there’s a beta feature called "Automatic Shift from Park," where the car selects Drive or Reverse for you. Drivers can override the system at any time to manually adjust gears.
Reliability Concerns
Despite these clever features, the Tesla Model 3 has faced criticism for reliability issues.
In fact, German inspection agency TÜV recently reported that the Model 3 fails its periodic inspections more often than any other vehicle. The problem seems to stem from a mix of Tesla’s service policies and owners neglecting maintenance.
For the second year in a row, the Model 3 has been ranked the worst-performing car in inspection tests.
Sales Struggles in Germany
Tesla’s challenges don’t end there.
In Germany, Europe’s largest car market, Tesla sales have been underwhelming. To address this, the company has slashed prices on its Model Y—Denmark’s most popular Tesla model—in an effort to attract more buyers.
As Tesla works to improve both its technology and reputation, owners can at least find some reassurance in knowing their cars won’t be left stranded due to a blacked-out screen.
