By: Otaiba Ahsan
Have you ever privately sold a mobile phone before? If you’re doing it in goodwill, there’s usually a standard checklist to follow, like cleaning the phone, doing a factory reset, and more. Tesla’s are often referred to as a tech item in addition to being a vehicle, as they’re equipped with incredible software features. As a result, a similar process is typically followed when selling the car. Continue reading for steps on how to factory reset your Tesla.
Why Factory Reset Your Tesla?
The primary reason to factory reset your Tesla would be if you’re transferring ownership of the vehicle. This is typically done in situations where you’re either giving the car to someone else, selling it to another person, or trading it into a dealer.
Tesla advises doing a factory reset of the vehicle for security reasons. Completing one would erase all personal data from the car, which will ensure that the next owner won’t have access to your data.
Examples of personal information you won’t want others to see include, recent phone calls and places navigated to, home or work addresses, streaming logins, and more.
Erasing Personal Data with a Factory Reset
The steps to reset are easy:
- When in your Tesla, start by tapping Controls > Service > Factory Reset on the touchscreen.
- A popup will appear where you’ll be required to enter your Tesla account login credentials. This is an added layer of security to ensure that not just anyone can proceed with a reset.
- Once entered, the reset will begin. The screen will likely shut off and then you’ll see a Tesla logo appear.
- When the screen boots up again, you’ll see a message that says Factory Reset Complete, followed by steps on how to transfer ownership of your Tesla.
NOTE: You’ll also receive a notification from the Tesla mobile app that confirms that the factory reset is complete.
The Bottom Line
The steps on how to factory reset your Tesla are easy. When in your car, hit Controls > Service > Factory Reset. You’ll then be prompted to enter your Tesla account login credentials. Once this is done, the reset will commence and you’ll see a message on screen when complete.