You may be familiar with the Tesla idea that Model S and X owners can access their cars’ 17-inch touchscreens remotely. But what if you’re in the middle of nowhere, miles from any service facility, and your car’s battery runs out?
Does your car have an emergency call feature to automatically notify someone so they know where to get help for you? Do you know that you can unlock your car without using a key fob or mobile app?
In order to do this, follow these steps:
- Step 1. Press the Smart Unlock feature on the central control console inside your car.
- Step 2. Within three seconds, hold down both the Emergency Call and Remote Lock buttons until a chime sounds and a virtual key appears on the screen.
What happens when your Tesla runs out of battery?
If you can’t charge or access your car’s battery pack, the car won’t work. There are no electric cars that can be driven on just the engine. Without power, the car can’t move. In extreme cases, if it’s been more than a few days since you last charged the pack, the car may not even make it to your location.
The call center is only available by phone, text, or web browser. There is no 24/7/365 on-call service for Teslas. The Tesla call center is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you try to call during off-peak hours, the call center may be closed.
If there’s a major natural disaster in your region, the call center may be closed too. The Tesla call center is not a 911 service. The Tesla call center can’t put out fires or medical emergencies. The Tesla call center only handles car problems.
The Tesla call center is only available by phone, text, or web browser
The Tesla call center is only available by phone, text, or web browser. You can’t call the Tesla call center to have your car serviced or have it inspected. You can’t access the Tesla call center by phone if you have an issue with your car that’s not related to the car’s battery. If you have a question about your car, you’ll have to have it answered by an owner or an employee at a Tesla store.
How to unlock your Tesla with the call center notification
If your car is running low on battery, the call center can remotely unlock your car. If you’re at home or at a Tesla store, you can unlock your car with your phone. If you’re in the middle of nowhere, find a safe place to park your car and open the driver’s side door.
The doors on Teslas at home and in stores can be opened from the inside by pressing the door to unlock button. When the call center remotely unlocks your car, you’ll get a notification with a virtual key and an unlock code. Use the code to unlock your car from inside the car. Double-check to make sure the doors and windows are all locked before you drive off.
What happens if you can’t contact the call center?
If you can’t get in touch with the call center, they’ll text you a code to unlock your car. When you unlock your car, you’ll also get a notification with a virtual key and an unlock code. Use the code to unlock your car from inside the car.
Double-check to make sure the doors and windows are all locked before you drive off. If you have a Tesla Model S or X and you can’t contact the call center, you can still unlock your car with the key you get in your notification.
You’ll need the virtual key and the notification to unlock your car. If you’re in the middle of nowhere, find a safe place to park your car and open the driver’s side door. The doors on Teslas at home and in stores can be opened from the inside by pressing the door to unlock button.
Your car will automatically unlock through the call center. If you’re not at home or at a Tesla store, you can unlock your car with the key you get in your notification.
Can you override the emergency lockout and drive your Tesla after it runs out of battery?
No. If your car has run out of battery, you must push the emergency lockout button to unlock your car. You’ll need to unlock your car with the code given to you in your notification. If you can’t get in touch with the call center in an emergency, you’ll need the key you get in your notification.
If you’re in the middle of nowhere, find a safe place to park your car and open the driver’s side door. The doors on Teslas at home and in stores can be opened from the inside by pressing the door to unlock button.
Emergency Call Delay Option
If you have a Tesla Model S or X, you can also set up an emergency call delay option. This is helpful if you are traveling long distances and you need to call for help, but don’t have a mobile phone or internet access. To set up the emergency call delay option, call the Tesla call center.
Final Words: The bottom line
Tesla owners are unique in that they are among the few who can say they drive a car that can go completely silent. It can drive autonomously, deliver your Tesla Model 3 or X, or get you to your destination without using a drop of fuel.
Unfortunately, there are also things new Tesla owners need to be aware of when their car is running out of battery. These include setting up a remote access code, how to unlock your car, and using the call center.
